Web-based vs. Native Apps; Advantages / Disadvantages of Both

July 23, 2011 - PRLog -- One of the most frequent topics of discussion for mobile software developers in 2011 is the on-going debate of the pros and cons of building a native app vs. a mobile web app. While some developers are looking at ways to build hybrid solutions, this is a topic that continues to become more complex and to spur ever-increasing debate – particularly in the U.S. where demand is highest for native apps.
 
An October 2010 study by Keynote Systems for Adobe indicated that 66% of mobile users prefer mobile web for accessing content compared to 34% who cited a preference for downloadable apps. Nokia, Google and others are predicting that as the volume of apps increases, and the drive toward app stores declines, there will be a return to web-based mobile apps or widgets that are not dependent on platforms and versions. Though Localytics reports that as of March 2011 more than 600,000 mobile apps are available, Gartner forecasts that demand for apps will peak in 2013 with revenue at nearly $30 billion and over 21 billion downloads and web-based apps will lead from that point forward.
 
To help clarify the web vs. native issue for Michigan-based developers, Mobile Monday Detroit is sponsoring the presentation, ‘Web-based vs. Native Apps; Advantages / Disadvantages of Both’ on August 8th at 5:30 p.m.
 
Our panel, which will be moderated by Randy Nunez, Senior Network Engineer for Ford Motor Company, will include:

•  Dave Koziol, President, Arbormoon Software (Ann Arbor)
•  Scott Hammer, Owner, Hammer Consulting (Metro Detroit)
•  Brandon Keepers, Programmer / Software Architect, Ordered List (Grand Rapids)
•  Justin DeWind, Project Lead, Atomic Object LLC (Grand Rapids)
•  Jeff McWherter, Partner / Director of Development, Gravity Works Design & Development (Lansing)

The meeting, which will be held at Compuware’s Detroit headquarters located at 1 Campus Martius, is free to attend though advance registration is required. Those interested in attending may register at http://meetup.com/Mobile-Monday-Detroit. Free parking is available for those who park in the deck located directly behind the Compuware building, and refreshments will be served.
 
Mobile Monday Detroit is a chapter of Mobile Monday Michigan and is sponsored by the Mobile Technology Association of Michigan and Compuware.
 
SPEAKER BIO’S:
 
Dave Koziol, President of Arbormoom Software in Ann Arbor, has been building native mobile apps since long before it was fashionable.  He’s built commercial apps for Palm, Windows Mobile, Symbian, iOS, BlackBerry and Android.  In his capacity at Arbormoon, he supervises a staff that specializes in building mobile solutions to fulfill client objectives.  He also runs CocoaHeads Ann Arbor, and encourages everyone interested in Cocoa development to attend CocoaHead meetings.
 
Scott Hammer, Owner at Hammer Consulting in Metro Detroit, has over 15 years in IT consulting. His skills include: architecture, development, methodology and sales with specialties in the areas of enterprise portal architecture, content management, enterprise Java development, mobile phone applications (Android, Blackberry), rich internet applications, service-oriented middleware and internet security. He has most recently been involved in independent contracting in software architecture for both mobile and web applications.
 
Brandon Keepers, Programmer / Software Architect for Grand Rapids-based Ordered List, has created and maintained many open-source projects where he shares his endeavors at OpenSoul.org. In his work for Ordered List, he focuses on beautiful and maintainable code to produce inspiring products and happy clients.
 
Justin DeWind, Project lead at Grand Rapids-based Atomic Object since 2005, has worked in a diverse set of technologies. His main area of specialty, however, is mobile application development, particularly on the iOS platform. He has recently worked on mobile applications for SideReel, Faurecia, Priority Health and ArtPrize.
 
Jeff McWherter, Partner and Director of Development for Lansing-based Gravity Works Design & Development is a graduate of Michigan State University and has over 12 years of professional software development experience. Jeff is a Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD), Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA), Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD), and Microsoft Technology Specialist (MCTS). In 2010, Jeff was named a ‘Microsoft Most Valuable Professional’ for the third year in a row.  He is a published author of Testing ASP.NET Web Applications (Wrox Press) and Professional Text Driven Development with C# (Wrox Press). Jeff is very active in developing programming communities across the country, speaking at conferences, and organizing events such as the Lansing Give Camp which pairs developers with non-profit organizations for volunteer projects.
 
Panel Moderator Randy Nunez is a Senior Network Engineer for Ford Motor Company where he leads the Mobile Computing workstream in researching emerging mobile trends and technologies, performing proofs of concept for technology prove-out, writing internal technical briefs, and delivering presentations to various audiences. He serves on the advisory board for the IDC / IDG Mobile Enterprise Leadership Forum and the US Enterprise Mobility Exchange 2011 conference. He is also assistant organizer / planning committee member for Mobile Monday Detroit, and is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Mr. Nunez has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (Telecommunications Option).

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Mobile Monday Michigan is a branch of Mobile Monday, an international community of mobile industry visionaries, developers, influential individuals, and users fostering cooperation and cross-company business development. Mobile Monday Michigan executes on these objectives, thru its Ann Arbor, Detroit and Grand Rapids chapters by delivering a balanced approach of business and technical content from within the Michigan business community, as well as beyond our State. Those interested in learning more can find the group's website at http://MobileMondayMichigan.org ; and information about the International organization can be found at http://MobileMonday.net. Mobile Monday Detroit is sponsored by Compuware and the Mobile Technology Association of Michigan.