1. Native Mobile App
vs Web App/HTML5
Dr. Augustine Fou
http://linkd.in/augustinefou
April 2013
-1- Augustine Fou

2. Definitions
1. Native Mobile App – app that is written and compiled
for a specific mobile OS and can directly access hardware
like GPS, gyroscope, camera, etc.
2. Web App – app that is mainly used for accessing
content via HTML, but wrapped in a native app, mainly
for placement in app stores
3. HTML5 – not an app at all; just a shortcut on the
smartphone which calls a webpage to access the same
content and functions
-2- Augustine Fou

3. Recommended Scenarios
1. Native Mobile App – use when the functionality needs
speedy and direct access to hardware (GPS, gyroscope,
camera, microphone, etc.) – e.g. mapping app.
2. Web App – use when functionality is light, and app is
mainly for content; this reduces the work needed to
update because content is always up-to-date via web
3. HTML5 – use when no different functionality is
required between website and mobile experience; e.g.
content that should be accessible from desktop or mobile
-3- Augustine Fou

4. Related Articles
Percent of Ecommerce from Mobile
By: Augustine Fou, March 27, 2013
Smartphone Penetration Exceeds 50 Percent
By: Augustine Fou, Mar 21, 2013
Percent of Site Traffic from Mobile
By: Augustine Fou, March 30, 2013
Why Flash is Evil
By: Augustine Fou and Tery Spataro, Feb 15, 2012
-4- Augustine Fou

5. Dr. Augustine Fou – Digital Consigliere
“As more users move to mobile; sites
need to adapt to serve them. But mobile
will soon no longer be considered a
separate channel because usage patterns
are the same as desktop.”
FORMER CHIEF DIGITAL OFFICER, HCG (OMNICOM)
MCKINSEY CONSULTANT
CLIENT SIDE / AGENCY SIDE EXPERIENCE
PROFESSOR AND COLUMNIST
ENTREPRENEUR / SMALL BUSINESS OWNER
PHD MATERIALS SCIENCE (MIT '95) AT AGE 23
ClickZ Articles: http://bit.ly/augustine-fou-clickz
Slideshares: http://bit.ly/augustine-fou-slideshares
LinkedIn: http://linkd.in/augustinefou
-5- @acfou Augustine Fou