According to a developer survey, HTML5 is increasingly being used for cross-platform mobile app development, with 90% of developers planning to use it in 2013. While native apps are still preferred by some, cross-platform tools allow developing once for multiple platforms using web technologies like HTML5 and JavaScript. Popular cross-platform tools discussed in the document include Titanium, PhoneGap, Corona, and Sencha Touch, each with different capabilities and licensing models. While cross-platform apps have advantages in speed of development and cost, they also have limitations compared to native apps in areas like performance and access to device features.