Posts tagged "Progressive Web Apps"

Which Technology Is Best For Your Next App? Ionic vs Flutter

In order to create a cross-platform app in 2021, it is important to become familiar with the various technologies. Choosing the appropriate equipment for the job may save time and money and produce better outcomes, as we are personally aware. In this post, we’ll contrast two popular cross-platform frameworks, Flutter VS Ionic, looking at their functionality, components, and other features so you can pick the best platform for your upcoming app.

Ionic vs Flutter: A comparison

Drifty Co. originally made available the Ionic framework in 2013. It makes use of widely used web technologies, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Ionic is an open-source user interface toolkit that offers simple interaction with various free and open-source frameworks and libraries, including Apache Cordova and others. Ionic is regarded as simple to understand, and over time, the developer community has given it a lot of support. Ionic has been used to create apps for some well-known companies, including Sworkit, Diesel, MarketWatch, and others.

Flutter, a more recent technology than Ionic, was developed in 2017 by Google and is currently under Google’s management with the help of the ECMA standard. The fundamental function of Flutter is to act as a UI toolkit for creating attractive and quickly functioning cross-platform apps. It uses Java for Android, Swift and Objective C for iOS connectivity, and the Dart programming language to execute. Flutter is a relatively recent technology; thus, it doesn’t have as large of a support network as other cross-platform apps. However, as more developers start to recognize Flutter’s advantages, this is changing quickly.

Usability of the code

The confined environment in which Flutter “lived” has its own rules. Ionic was created utilizing open web standards and web technologies.

A single set of code written in Ionic and Flutter functions just as well on mobile devices as it does on desktop computers since both frameworks are cross-platform technologies. Still, Flutter has certain restrictions when it comes to online deployment; therefore Ionic could be a better option if your main objective is to create PWAs (Progressive Web Apps). On the other side, because they don’t allow code uglification, previous versions of Ionic have security problems. However, Flutter is thought to make the process of sharing code between platforms faster and easier, making it a superior option for creating MVPs.

Testing

Flutter includes Hot Reload, a feature that refreshes the app immediately after you make a code change. This widens the scope for experimentation and expedites the process of upgrading the app and correcting errors.

A functionality like Hot Reload is not available in the Ionic framework. Any modification necessitates a complete app refresh, which might impede the development process.

 

Performance and user experience

The native UI components of the platform the app is operating on are not used by Ionic or Flutter. Users won’t be able to see the difference because both of these frameworks automatically change their UI components to reflect the visual aesthetics of the Android and iOS platforms.

However, Flutter triumphs with a higher FPS and fewer missed frames when it comes to complex animation and stunning aesthetics. Flutter has its own rendering engine and does not require a “communication bridge” between its modules because native components are already available by default.

The learning curve

Ionic’s foundation in web technologies makes it simple for programmers who are already familiar with JavaScript and CSS to begin developing apps on the platform. Additionally, studying Ionic is equivalent to learning how to create web apps in general, which can be useful anyhow if you’re new to coding.

The Dart language, which is only used in the Flutter framework, must first be learned, which takes some commitment. Learning Dart shouldn’t be a difficult effort, though, if a developer is already familiar with JavaScript or works with Ionic or React Native. It also gives them access to the Flutter framework’s capabilities.

Choosing what to use for your project

Select Ionic if:

– Your main objective is a PWA (web-delivered app);

– You don’t have time to study a new language because you already know JavaScript.

Select Flutter if

– You require a high-performing mobile and desktop app;

– Your app will have images and/or animation.

It’s also crucial to note that both frameworks’ performance depends heavily on the quality of the code. So, pick your developer carefully.

In conclusion

The ionic framework supports popular web technologies. Its apps run well on computers, mobile devices, and the web. A more recent technology called Flutter operates in a closed ecosystem with its own development language. Although at first, it can appear to be a restriction, it really offers better performance and other advantages.

Well-Known Web Development Technologies Used in 2021

Nowadays, it’s all about developing clean, quick, technologically advanced, and visually appealing websites. If you own a business, you should be aware of what is happening in the web development industry since it will help you create a distinctive and advanced website.

You may alter your website using current web technologies, resulting in the transformation of your old website into a new website. Even if you are creating a new website, you should use the most recent technologies compatible with the website’s purpose and provide answers. This will improve the usability of your online app.

The total number of websites currently available on the internet is 1.83 billion, and this figure is constantly changing.

Progressive Web Apps (PWA)

PWA is one of the most recent web technologies/trends employed by the majority of prominent enterprises. A progressive web app combines the benefits of a traditional website with a native app. This works well in offline modes, such as Google Maps, and provides quicker loading, responsiveness, and an app-like experience.

Companies like Uber and Twitter rely on this online trend to provide an excellent customer experience. A PWA is built using web technologies such as CSS, HTML, and JavaScript.

Businesses that use PWAs report up to a tenfold reduction in page loading performance. (Beezer)

Customers are more engaged with progressive web apps by 50%.

–Lancome recorded 53% more mobile sessions.

–MakeMyTrip recorded 160 percent more mobile sessions.

–Twitter recorded 25% more pages each session.

–Trivago saw a 150 percent increase in return visits.

 

PWA characteristics

  • Browser compatibility and full responsiveness
  • Discoverability and ease of installation
  • Independence from connectivity
  • App-like user interface
  • Notifications through push
  • Self-updates
  • Security

Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP)

One of the most recent online trends is Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP). This web technology improves the efficiency of internet pages and reduces the likelihood of a user leaving them. AMP technology is comparable to PWA in several ways.

AMPs are optimized pages that can be run quickly and have an appropriate design with only the required functions instead of full-scope web pages. This technology makes websites that use it more mobile-friendly.

AMP technology allows businesses to save money on UX while reaching end-users with any Internet speed.

AMP pages are published by 700,000 domains, including Google, Pinterest, CNN, and others.

Advantages of AMP

  • Increased traffic and SEO ranking
  • Low Bounce Rate & Increased On-Site Time
  • Possibility of increasing ad views

Single Page Application (SPA)

One of the most significant and new online trends is a single-page application, which encourages users to prevent seamless contact with the server, present a better page look, and provide a high level of data security.

SPA is a fantastic tool for building really engaging and one-of-a-kind user experiences. Google Maps, Gmail, Netflix, Airbnb, Pinterest, Paypal, and numerous other well-known companies use SPAs.

Using custom application development services is the finest choice for developing a full-featured web app that will ultimately enable you to accomplish your business goals.

Voice Search Optimization

Users nowadays prefer voice searches over text searches, and knowing this, we can estimate that companies will rely more on voice searches.

Performing a voice search feature on the website can enhance consumer engagement because today’s audience prefers to look for voice search items.

  • By the end of 2022, voice assistants are expected to be in 55% of all households globally.
  • HTTPS websites account for 70.4 percent of voice search result pages (Backlinko)
  • Voice-enabled shopping is expected to generate $40 billion in sales by 2022.

Voice optimization for standard websites and applications benefits both end-users and owners since it saves time and allows consumers to purchase more (online shopping and services).

Motion User Interface

One of the most prominent web trends is motion UI. This trend is all about incorporating visually appealing and fluid animations into a website. This gives your website a fashionable appearance.

The motion UI may be integrated into various site components, including a menu bar, headers, hovers, scrolling, backgrounds, and so on. This improves the website’s appearance and draws users’ attention to important elements.

Smooth animation and motion UI were already popular in 2020, and this trend is expected to continue in the next years.

Advantages of Using Motion UI

  • Improving Interactions
  • The site has an appealing appearance.
  • Provide a visually appealing visual design

 Serverless Applications and Architecture

Serverless Applications and Architecture is another major web development technology that prevents system overload and data loss. This technology is supported by well-known companies such as AWS. Regular servers, according to the notion, might be replaced by clouds that regulate machine resource utilization.

Serverless app architecture also aids in the reduction of development costs, the sustainability of the Internet ecosystem, and much more. The technique is based on the use of FaaS (function as a service).

Serverless technology is expected to be aggressively used in the next years for IoT apps, chatbots, goods requiring complex back-end requests, and APIs.

The following are the primary tasks that might be accomplished serverless:

  • Notification delivery
  • Downloading files backups
  • Objects export
  • Major serverless service providers include Google Cloud (Google Functions), Amazon Web Services (AWS Lambda), and Microsoft Azure (Azure Functions).

 Technology-Based on Blockchain

The blockchain is also known as Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) (DLT). This decentralized system can record transaction history, which aids in preserving transparency. The use of blockchain in web development can aid in the introduction of multiple payment channels.

Google Doc is an excellent illustration of blockchain technology. Blockchain operations are safe, shielded from hacker assaults, and free of technical faults, which is why the banking industry chooses to include this technology in banking websites.

The blockchain sector is expected to reach $20 billion in yearly sales by 2024.

The Advantages of Using BlockChain

  • Payment Transactions Are Safe
  • Fraud-Proof Contracts
  • Cloud Storage
  • Supply Chain Management
  • More Transparency

Internet of Things (IoT)

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a technology that consists of networked gadgets that do not require any user activity to accomplish operations. The use of IoT in web development may assist you in making web architecture and user interfaces more dynamic and innovative.

Global IoT investment will exceed $1.1 trillion by 2023.

In the future, 80 percent of retailers will use IoT to personalize shop visits.

The Advantages of Using IoT

  • Tracking device with intelligence
  • Obtaining Extensive Data
  • Enhanced Security Measures
  • Agility and mobility

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why Are Progressive Web Apps Becoming Popular?

There are three different kinds of apps: native, hybrid, and progressive. While each has its own approach, progressive web apps are slowly taking over the app industry. An evolving technology-dependent society has heavily contributed to this but what is it about progressive web apps that are so appealing?

What are progressive web apps?

Similar to Java’s main goal, progressive web apps have adopted a ‘code once, use anywhere’ motto. This allows them to be used through a phone app or a website. However, the code is universal and is used for both versions. Teams of developers prefer to use progressive web apps because they are restricted to the number of resources they can use or they want to release their app to the market faster.

What are native apps?

Native apps are the oldest of the three types. They are coded individually to suit different platforms, meaning there is essentially as many versions of the same code as there are platforms the app is on.

What are hybrid apps?

These apps utilize third-party frameworks with similar basic codes to build apps. Some of the frameworks used are React Native, Cordova, and Ionic. The third parties help developers release the app on different platforms without having to completely alter the app’s code. They serve as a bridge—thus, becoming a hybrid of native and progressive web apps.

FIRE

The acronym, FIRE, stands for Fast, Integrated, Reliable, and Engaging. This is the goal of every progressive web app.

  • Fast

Patience among users is decreasing significantly as time goes on. They want fast loading and performance speeds as well as pleasant experiences. If they have to wait for apps to load, it’s likely they will uninstall the app. Ensuring that an app processes quickly and efficiently is crucial.

  • Integrated

Integration and ease of access across multiple devices and platforms plays a significant role in the success of an app. This is often combined with the Fast element of progressive web apps since users want availability just as much as speed when it comes to their apps.

  • Reliable

Data privacy and an app’s dependability are ‘make or break’ features for users. They need to know that any information collected is protected from hackers or viruses, as well as being able to consistently use the app without being concerned it will crash.

  • Engaging

Modern society has evolved to be visually-focused. If an app functions properly but isn’t appealing due to its plain format, a user is highly likely to uninstall it. Aside from the general visual appearance, users want to be able to interact with the app’s features. Having features that are broken will deter users from using the app—again, assuming they do not uninstall it.

The Consensus

Progressive web apps have been utilized by major companies such as Twitter, Pinterest, and Uber. However, as long as the app follows the FIRE characteristics, users won’t concern themselves with whether it was built with a native, hybrid, or progressive structure. Developers should, on the other hand, keep in mind the difficulty of building apps using each of the three types and apply that to the criteria for deciding which to use.