iOS Native App Development
It may seem like the iPhone and iPad have been around forever, but the iOS software that powers them has only been around since 2005. However, that doesn’t mean that iOS Native App Development is new to the market. In fact, the App Store holds over 2 Million apps with an average of 40,000 new apps being uploaded monthly in the past two years.
When creating the iPhone, Steve Jobs stated that to ‘make it work’ the Apple team would be faced with two choices. Firstly, “shrink the Mac”, which would be a massive challenge. Secondly, to “enlarge the iPod”. He personally favoured the first choice and challenged Apple’s developers to meet the challenge. One of them, Scott Forstall, came up with the first version of iOS and the rest is history.
There are several different ways to create an iOS app these days. You can make use of a cross platform solution like React Native or Flutter. Alternatively, you can create a native app specifically for the platform, aka iOS native app development.
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Loyal Audience
Paying Users
Multiple Devices
What does iOS Native App Development have to offer?
iPhones are not the most commonly utilized smartphones globally. iPads are not the most commonly utilized mobile tablets. The Apple watch, has its own set of apps, is not the only smartwatch consumers can choose to wear. But while the Apple audience is a smaller one it’s also, according to statistics both a very loyal one and one that spends more money via their iOS devices. Which is great news for many businesses.
While cross platform development offers lots of advantages, especially when it come to saving time and money – there are times when developing an app natively for iOS makes a lot more sense.
What devices can an iOS Native App be created for?
In 2020 iOS powers more than just the iPhone. Novaflip can create native iOS apps for all the following:
IPHONE APP DEVELOPMENT
With every new generation the iPhone becomes more powerful and offers both users and developers more and more as time goes on. Creating a native iOS app allows us to make use of innovative features as they arrive more easily, for example, harnessing the power of Face ID to create a truly immersive app experience.
APPLE WATCH APP DEVELOPMENT
The Apple Watch is not just a platform for travel and fitness apps. It is also a device people rely on for music streaming, mobile payments, messaging and more. Developing an app natively for iOS allows us to make sure that the crucial integration needed between a user’s iPhone and their Apple Watch is seamless.
IPAD APP DEVELOPMENT
The bigger display size boasted by the iPad is something our native iOS design team can take advantage of to enhance usability and create features that only make sense on a larger screen.
APPLE TV APP DEVELOPMENT
Apple TV is taking the iOS user experience to a new levels, offering support for all sorts of apps – from movie streaming and games to pizza-ordering and fitness services.
iOS native app development vs. cross-platform development
PROS OF IOS NATIVE APPS
Super High Performance
As the technologies we use when developing native iOS applications are platform-specific, the code has direct access to the host’s operating system and functionalities.
This simpler, more direct interaction with the native features of the mobile devices can enhance the performance of the app, especially when it makes use of a larger amount of multimedia content.
Apps that do make use of lots of visuals and multimedia content can be prone to freezes and crashes, and so it may be the best choice to create complex iOS mobile apps like these natively.
Super High Performance
As the technologies we use when developing native iOS applications are platform-specific, the code has direct access to the host’s operating system and functionalities.
This simpler, more direct interaction with the native features of the mobile devices can enhance the performance of the app, especially when it makes use of a larger amount of multimedia content.
Apps that do make use of lots of visuals and multimedia content can be prone to freezes and crashes, and so it may be the best choice to create complex iOS mobile apps like these natively.
Flawless User Interface
As native apps are built with a single OS in mind they make use of the interface features that device users are already very familiar with. This can be important when dealing with the very loyal to their gadgets Apple audience.
This simpler, more direct interaction with the native features of the mobile devices can enhance the performance of the app, especially when it makes use of a larger amount of multimedia content.
Apps that do make use of lots of visuals and multimedia content can be prone to freezes and crashes, and so it may be the best choice to create complex iOS mobile apps like these natively.
Better Initial Positioning in the App Store
User experience is an important rating factor in the Apple App store. If an app has a high positive rating, it can be ranked highly, leading to greater visibility and increased revenues. Native iOS apps, therefore, often receive better initial positioning in the App Store because Apple ‘trusts’ its own technology. However, over time that slight edge may fall away if the app is not engaging to actual users themselves.
And, native apps are likely to be positioned better on the app stores because of their high performance and ease-of-use.
CONS OF IOS NATIVE APPS
Time and Cost Considerations
Creating apps natively for more than one operating system can significantly prolong the development process. The same code can’t be on different platforms and as programmers we do need more time, as we need to take the initial code written for iOS and convert and rewrite it for other platforms the mobile app will be deployed on, inevitably increasing costs and development time.
This simpler, more direct interaction with the native features of the mobile devices can enhance the performance of the app, especially when it makes use of a larger amount of multimedia content.
Apps that do make use of lots of visuals and multimedia content can be prone to freezes and crashes, and so it may be the best choice to create complex iOS mobile apps like these natively.
Time and Cost Considerations
Creating apps natively for more than one operating system can significantly prolong the development process. The same code can’t be on different platforms and as programmers we do need more time, as we need to take the initial code written for iOS and convert and rewrite it for other platforms the mobile app will be deployed on, inevitably increasing costs and development time.
This simpler, more direct interaction with the native features of the mobile devices can enhance the performance of the app, especially when it makes use of a larger amount of multimedia content.
Apps that do make use of lots of visuals and multimedia content can be prone to freezes and crashes, and so it may be the best choice to create complex iOS mobile apps like these natively.
Missed Opportunities
Developing mobile apps that focus only the iOS platform may result in missed opportunities. Keeping your app out of other app markets may decrease your potential revenue, so doing so is not a decision to make lightly.
Take advantage of Daren’s years of experience
If you are new to the ins and outs of mobile app development, as most clients are, deciding between commissioning a native iOS app or a cross-platform alternative can be daunting. Fortunately, Daren can put his experience to great use and help you make the best choice for your unique project.
Daren provides an end-to-end app experience for all of his clients. Before a single line of code is written, he will work with you to determine just who your target audience is and how they will make use of your app. With that done he will then advise you on the question of native iOS development versus another approach.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why might it be best to only build an iOS app?
If you require that your app gets to market quickly, or is available to show an investor as quickly as possible, this is very often the best strategy, as it enables us to focus on getting the app into shape and into peoples hands,and develop an Android version later.
Overall this might be the most expensive strategy, as cross platform will have a lower overall cost. But sometimes being first to market is the priority.
Why might it be best to only build an iOS app?
If you require that your app gets to market quickly, or is available to show an investor as quickly as possible, this is very often the best strategy, as it enables us to focus on getting the app into shape and into peoples hands,and develop an Android version later.
Overall this might be the most expensive strategy, as cross platform will have a lower overall cost. But sometimes being first to market is the priority.
Is native development going to go away moving forward?
DEFINITELY NOT.
To create the ultimate app you have to work natively, that’s not to say you won’t have an awesome app when using cross platform technologies, but if you need the utter edge and most cutting edge native features you might not notice any difference.
What are some of the top iOS apps you have developed??
Given Daren’s years of experience in developing iOS apps , the list is very long. Here are some of the highlights:
- TomTom
- Samsung Olympic Games
- Memrise
- Boohoo
- The Rolling Stones App
Which tools and technologies do you use?
Daren codes his apps in Swift and uses Xcode as an IDE. He has been developing iOS apps since 2008 so he is also an expert in ObjectiveC, but only starts new apps in Swift and has been doing so since 2014.
Will you help me upload my app onto the app store?
Yes, this is part of the service, whether Native or cross-platform, Daren will help you set up any developer accounts required.