HTML5 for your mobile website. How good is it?

In past decade, we have seen a tremendous growth in the use of mobile devices due to entry of low cost budget handsets in developing countries like India and China. Moreover new touch screen based operating systems are being well accepted by the users. Google’s Andriod, Apple’s iOS and Microsoft’s Windows 8.1 are making the environment warmer. At this point of time, web developers in the industry are also inclining towards developing web applications for smart phones and tablets. Due to portability and small in size, mobile devices like Smart Phones and PDAs are getting an overnight popularity. Moreover, these devices are having all time internet connectivity through mobile networks using 2G and 3G services. As a result, users love to browse internet using these portable devices. This triggers the web developers to develop modern mobile websites and mobile apps for their users.

How will HTML5 Transform Mobile BI and CRM?

As a core technology markup language for the web, HTML5 comes with the elements and attributes required for developing robust web and mobile applications. A number of reports have also highlighted the effectiveness of HTML5 in building mobile business intelligence (BI) and CRM applications compatible with a wide range of browsers and devices.

Unlike Flash, Java and Silverlight, HTML5 is supported by most browsers and devices. So it becomes easier for developers to create rich mobile BI and CRM apps by integrating mail, multimedia and similar content. HTML5 further enables programmers to write code using HTML, JavaScript and CSS to make increate the application’s portability and compatibility.

HTML5 - Top Reasons for Programmers to Choose

HTML5, the 5th in the generation of the technology markup internet language is designed to improve the language with the latest multimedia support that keeps it readable as well as easy to comprehend for the human, hardware systems and devices like the web browsers, parsers, etc. This makes the markup language, one of the most popular, in the fraternity of computer programming.

Let us discuss in details, the top few reasons for the programmers to opt for this language.

HTML5 and what it means for the mobile industry

HTML5 is hyper-text markup language’s latest version which can be used for building of websites as well as apps. However, it is finding most popularity amongst mobile developers since they are allowed to create a content that is more engaging as well as dynamic. Using the language is way simpler than the previous versions, which leads to a code that is cleaner. The websites created are efficient, more interactive as well as powerful. The features are optimized, specifically keeping mobile interfaces in mind which enables the pages to remain light and remain focused on functionality.

By adopting the HTML5 trend, the mobile industry is and can benefit a lot. There are multiple advantages offered by this programming markup language; by embracing it the mobile industry can only look towards advancement as well as growth. Some of the features as well as advantages that can be reaped are explained here.

Browser environment but app-like experience- By virtue of this language an app-like, rich user experience may be created right there in mobile browser itself; the users do not need to seek out as well as download apps actively through marketplace or stores. This downloading behaviour is mostly exhibited by only brand loyalists. But with mobile web, a much bigger as well as larger audience can be reached easily. Also the look of the interfaces that are built with HTML5, resemble apps; on top of that it recognizes gestures which allow consumers to further manoeuvre the site like an app. Like native apps, local storage is included in the sites which helps site developers store data in browser memory. This helps in reduction of back-end server interactions which leads to a much faster loading of pages.

Cross browser compatibility- Another great advantage offered by this language is its cross-compatibility factor with all major web browsers that include Opera, Safari, Chrome, Internet Explorer as well as Firefox. They may not be able to provide support to all newly introduced HTML elements but at least the doctype can be read by them.

Offline caching- Offline caching is also offered by it which essentially means than certain elements can be loaded by visitors on webpage without having an active net connection. However, in this case they must have accessed the site sometime in the past. Even during disruption in internet connection, the site’s core elements can be loaded by the user.

An experience that is location aware- A hugely important feature that it brings to the browser is location awareness. The mobile site can thus be prompted to recognize the location of the user when it is launched so that the closest stores can be identified as well as delivered to the user. This ultimately provides a great user experience. Furthermore it also enables apps to offer special offers to the user.

Better product images- While building mobile sites with HTML5, high resolution images are easily served. This effectively addresses a huge challenge associated with mobile shopping- the inability of viewing detailed images by the customers. Thus, brands can easily display high quality multiple product images in a format that resembles a gallery.

Clean code- In traditional HTML coding it is very difficult to make basic changes in a website which does not follow good coding conventions. The design of this version allows a clean code that makes it easy for developers to incorporate changes. It also assists in search engine readability by optimizing it. The search engine understands the website’s content easily which results in higher search rankings.

Thus it can be said that the future of mobile industry rests with HTML5. It allows mobile devices to handle interactive tasks that include audio and video playback. It offers the best of the features but with the least of problems. The number of features, tools as well as support helps make the entire process of site and app development easier; not only that, it also provides a better user experience which translates into more popularity for the ultimate product.

You can hire developers from top custom HTML5 development company in India who can help you develop applications within allocated budgets and time schedules.

We provide HTML5 development services. If you would like to hire HTML5 developer from our team, please reach out to us at Mindfire Solutions.

What Has Bootstrap or HTML5 In Offer For Designers?

Before we start discussing the features of HTML 5 and Bootstrap, let us discuss what actually Bootstrap is, for a better understanding of the readers of this page. While HTML5 is an improved version of HTML, Bootstrap (BS) is an open source CSS or Cascading Style Sheets framework from Twitter that is extensively used for front-end prototyping as well as building various mobile friendly, robust websites that are compatible with a wide range of browsers. It is also used for developing web based interface by employing various mobile responsive designs. It utilizes JavaScript (that includes jQuery), CSS, as well as HTML. It also extends support for CSS3 along with HTML5.

In other words, BS can be defined as a grid based responsive framework that is used to develop responsive, mobile centric projects. Bootstrap framework is extensively used by designers or developers due to its tremendous framework power, user-friendly approach along with the power to build high quality websites as well as applications that are based on HTML or HTML 5, Jscript extensions and CSS.

BS can be attributed the shortest definition to be a CSS3 as well as HTML5 authoring tool that helps in easing out the mechanism of development, thereby saving a lot of time as well as efforts of the developers and producing a wide range of astounding results. The platform comes up with a wide range of highly effective tools, pregnant with some amazing value added features that come in handy for the developers. Let us discuss some of the features that BS or HTML 5 has in offer for the designers or developers.

When we talk about BS design features, they can be categorized into four segments – scaffolding, components, base CSS, plugins for JavaScript. The scaffoldings or the global styles are based on responsive 12-column grids, components, layouts. On the other hand, the components are made up of fundamental styles for certain common user interface features. Again, the JavaScript plugins follow the components though they mainly use JavaScript. The base CSS is comprised of various styles of basic HTML elements, though it primarily includes a series of icons that are known as Glyphicons.

One of the most interesting options that is available to the developers while using Bootstrap is the ability to roll automatically and download the results. The “Customize Page” features provide the option of choosing components, jQuery along with plugins, besides specifying the variables. Developers also have the option of downloading the results in the form of a zip file that contains the standard directories of Bootstrap – css, js, img and so on with all the necessary files in each of them.

Another option that BS has to offer the developers is the option of purchasing or downloading a wide variety of website designs that are created by the third parties. Let us discuss some other features that Bootstrap has to offer.

Jetstrap
It is an extremely effective web based tool that the developers or designers use for interface building of twitter bootstrap. It also helps in getting the websites up and running without much of a fuss and work.

Get kickstrap
It is another feature that combines BS with a wide range of top-tier web based technologies. The feature comes up with a number of highly advanced properties by the virtue of which it is capable of running authenticated and database-driven web based applications without any native backend. Kickstrap maintains a strong liaison with JSPM.io and this bondage extends a sound and robust front-end package dependency manager that is built on Require.js.

Bootply
Bootply is a comprehensive HTML, CSS as well as Jscript bootstrap editor as well as building that is highly useful for the developers or designers.

Bootstrap Magic
This is another magic framework, which the developers can use for creating their own themes for twitter bootstrap.

You can hire developers from top custom HTML5 development company in India who can help you develop applications within allocated budgets and time schedules.

We provide HTML5 web development services. If you would like to hire HTML5 developers from our team, please reach out to us at Mindfire Solutions.

HTML5 - Growing in dominance in the mobile market

Various devices like PCs, Smartphones and tablets are used to access many kinds of mobile applications. HTML5 is at the center of attention these days, especially among those who want to create apps which will work on a variety of gadgets and all web browsers will support them. When applications are developed in HTML5, then codes are provided across a variety of platforms and you will not have to write the complete application right from the very beginning for each and every platform. This makes HTML the preferred choice for making the entire interface or at least most of it anyway.

A combination of the technology along with CSS3 as well as JavaScript can yield some seriously incredible results. In fact, in case of mobile devices, any modern operating system requires a modern web browser that is HTML5 compliant. The main mobile platforms- Android as well as iOS follows this for their base.

Lightweight apps- For simple apps with simple functionality, this platform may be the best bet. Through this platform, building of apps that do not need any device interrogation, robust native application or performance can be done easily. In fact, this is used as a base for many newspaper apps.

Frequent updating- Often organizations that plan for deployment of apps that require frequent update cycles, become wary of the time that may be required for users to go through the upgrading process in their phones. In this area, HTML5 has a huge advantage as centralized deployment as well as instantly available updates are allowed by the platform.

Cross platform- If an application has to be delivered for a variety of mobile devices, but within a limited budget and time, then this platform is the best way to make it happen. Later on, if the such a need arises, then the web application may be replaced with a native application. In fact, according to surveys and reports, 64% of professionals involved in business technology rates this support very critical and important.

Prototype of Native apps- You may have plans of replacing apps-based native framework subsequently. This can be done with the use of web-based mobile apps as the base, since developing a native one from scratch will prove to be a costly affair. But the designing needs a considerable amount of planning, testing and reviewing, especially if functionality is to be brought to the mobile device by the app; more so, if the users are familiar with the large scale applications of the enterprise. On the other hand, developing a good app with the help of this framework before investing in native development is easier, as deployment and development become faster as well.

Mixing it up or hybrid apps- There is a lot of debate about which platform stands out to be the best for the development of an application- HTML5 or Native. However, recently, most developers have resorted to using the best advantages of both the software packages. People are finding that instead of building an app solely with a single technology, it is best to combine both for the best user interface. This helps the developer to use the best and appropriate tools for a particular feature. There may be downsides to this as the developer must be able to handle both. However, after the challenges are overcome, the application will be able to function across all kinds of web browsers as well as devices; according to predictions made by experts, the future of the mobile apps will depend upon this hybridization.

Whether functioning as framework or acting as a basis for mobile web apps, HTML5 is no doubt the future of mobile application development. It will continue to be a primary driving force by virtue of its functionality as well as cost and resource-saving nature. In fact, with further evolution of technology, it will not be surprising to find more and more HTML5-based elements in native applications as well in the days to come.

You can hire developers from top HTML5 development companies in India who can help you develop applications within allocated budgets and time schedules.

We provide HTML5 web development services. If you would like to hire HTML5 developer from our team, please reach out to us at Mindfire Solutions.

Battleground Rich Media: the conflict between HTML 5 and Flash

Drawing a comparison between HTML5 and Flash is like comparing two dissimilar objects, the former being a specification while the latter a software. However, a comparison between these two is not out of place if we take into consideration the ripples that these two technologies have created in the Information Technology sector. HTML5 is the new version of Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) which incorporates native support for video and audio, a feature that has threatened the existence of Flash. Adobe Flash, ruling rich media for more than 10 years, has become almost omnipresent in the virtual world. Now, the conflict between HTML5 and Flash revolves around rich media, or even more particularly, streaming video. Let’s introduce these two technologies briefly and then compare them to see how each scores against various parameters.

HTML5 and Flash: a brief introduction

HTML5 is the latest version of HTML, The new HTML5 web development platform which comes with a range of new mark-up features. The striking feature of HTML5 is that it is compatible with everything that operated in HTML4, thus ensuring seamless upgrading. The most striking feature of HTML5 is the newly developed media elements, the major cause of worry for Flash. These media elements enable video and audio support without the help of add-ons like the Flash Player.

Adobe Flash is a technology that operates on several platforms like web browsers, electronic gadgets and mobile devices. The technology is rampant over the web and is offered through the Adobe Flash Player. It is specifically used for interactivity, video and animation. All the major browsers have the requisite add-ons to support Flash, making this technology a standard option for producing rich video-based web content.

Comparison between HTML5 and Flash

Embedding Video: HTML 5 ensures sufficient flexibility with its (video) tag. Due to the availability of numerous options in native HTML code, embedding a video on a web page through HTML 5 is quite simple and convenient. Talking about Flash, it is indeed difficult to add a Flash video within a web page using hand coding. Hence, it is clear that the coding process of HTML5 is much simpler. Apart from a complex coding scenario, Flash involves a lot of moving components like the HTML page, the video, the Flash Player, Flash installation files, SWF files and JavaScript file.

Game Development: Performance is a crucial factor to be considered during game development because enthusiastic gamers will simply not tolerate any kinds of lags. When it comes to the gaming market, Flash has 70% of the share, so it’s obvious that HTML5 is yet to catch up. Interestingly, HTML5 was pinpointed by Steve Jobs as the choicest technology for iPad, iPod Touch and iPhone Browsers. So, the tremendous growth in the mobile market indeed implies a positive thrust for HTML5. Although Flash still has considerable monopoly in mobile gaming, it is expected that the game will turn towards HTML5 within half a decade, a phenomenon all the more evident with mobile game manufacturers already using html5 in game creation.

CPU Utilization: Although CPU utilization by Flash is more than that of HTML5 in some operating systems, it has been found that with access to components for hardware acceleration, Flash and HTML5 are on even grounds so far as performance is concerned.

As we compared Flash and HTML5 on parameters like video embedding, game development and CPU utilization, it seems that the outcome of the battle is still to come. It should also be that Flash, developed in 1996, scores higher than HTML5 on grounds of platform maturity. It is true that presently HTML5 is still in its developmental stage, but it can be a serious threat to Flash in the long term. Whatever happens, it is certain that this grueling completion will help the end-users.

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