Industry watchers often debate whether or not HTML5-based Web apps pose a threat to the massive ecosystems that revolve around native apps. According to a recent report from market research firm Strategy Analytics, the answer is a decisive “no.” Apple (AAPL) and Google (GOOG) have built huge economies that revolve around mobile apps, and analysts are always looking for a read on how modern Web standards like HTML5 might impact native apps. Strategy Analytics’s report suggests that rather than replace native apps, the advent of standards like HTML5 will result in the creation of a third category of hybrid apps.
“HTML5 is not the future of apps. While developers dream of ‘write once run everywhere’ the fragmented support for and limited APIs within HTML5 make this impossible,” said Strategy Analytics analyst Josh Martin. “In fact, we predict the hybrid app is the future. Existing business models are protected, differentiation among and within ecosystems remains intact, and consumption continues unabated. The end result is the continued dominance of iOS, Android, and increasingly Windows Phone.”
The firm notes that services such as PhoneGap, Sencha, Brightcove and Marmalade already allow developers to combine native app development with open Web standards like HTML5.
