If you are looking for a nice informative read on the subject of whether or not to develop a native app vs a web app… be sure to read this article by Matt Gemmell (@mattgemmell), a developer in the UK. (Thanks to @eddit for the recommendation.)
Some of my favorite key points:
Frames of interaction - “A web app (frame 1) running within a browser app (frame 2) on a smartphone device (frame 3) has three frames of interaction. You’re reaching through a window, then putting your hands into a box, to perform your task.”
“Each project must weigh up the relative merits of native and web apps for itself, but the inescapable fact is that when deploying on the web, from the user’s perspective, you’re probably starting with a disadvantage.”
“Many of the arguments I’ve seen that are pro-web tend to be technological arguments, and they’re maybe mostly true as far as they go. But consumers don’t buy based on quickness of updates, newness of technology, or whether their vendor is “in control” of the development process.”
“…people want an experience that’s delightful, and tailored to what they want to do. Something dedicated, and designed. Something specific, and something special – and something that works with what they already have, without effort or aggravation.”
