Types of Mobile Application – Appium

In this article, we will see about the types of mobile applications with regard to Appium. Before going to know about types of mobile applications, let us know about what is mobile application.

What is a Mobile Application regard?

Mobile Application Software is an app that runs on a smartphone. It has portability. They work the same as the business apps. They use specific programming languages to perform a task or solve a problem for the end-user.

Types of Mobile Applications

There are four kinds of mobile applications. They are –

1. Native apps.
2. Web apps.
3. Hybrid apps.
4. Progressive Web Apps (PWA).

Native apps

These are designed for specific mobile operating systems like Android, IOS, or Windows. Here, Android is developed using Java and IOS uses Swift or Objective C. They are published on Play Store or App Store.

Examples: Google Maps, Spotify, Telegram, WhatsApp, etc…

Technologies used: C++, Java, Kotlin, Objective-C, Python, React Native, Swift.

Advantages:

1. They have best performance.
2. More secure.
3. These are user interactive.
4. They have access to full features of device.

Disadvantages:

1. They are developed only on single platform.
2. These are expensive to maintain.

Web Apps

Mobile web applications are optimized for mobile devices and they are accessible through a web browser on a smartphone. These are developed using HTML/CSS/Javascript. They runs with the help of web browser applications like chrome, safari, Firefox etc.

Examples: Amazon, Canva, Netflix, Walmart etc.

Technologies used: C#, C++, HTML, CSS, Javascript, Java, Perlin, PHP, Ruby, Python, Typescript.

Advantages:

1. It is easy to development.
2. Easy to maintain.
3. These are cheaper than Native and Hybrid apps.
4. They works on all platforms.

Disadvantages:

1. These are device browser dependent.
2. Poor user experience.
3. Slow performance.
4. These are less interactive with device utilities.

Hybrid apps

Hybrid apps combine elements of both native and web apps, using a single codebase to run on multiple platforms. These are deployed on container that uses mobile WebView object.

Examples: Facebook, Gmail, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Uber, Yelp.

Technologies Used: HTML5, CSS, Flutter, JavaScript, Appy Pie, AppMakr, Ionic, Objective-C, Swift, React Native, Wrap-Up.

Advantages:

1. These are cheaper to maintain.
2. These are easy to develop.
3. They have access to features of device.
4. Faster development due to single codebase.

Disadvantages:

1. These are slower as compared to native apps.
2. Less interactive than native apps.

Progressive Web Apps (PWA)

PWAs are web apps that provide a native app like experience. These are designed and developed similar to web apps. These apps take support of services workers. These are published on play store or app store.

Examples: Pinterest, Starbucks, Adidas, Tinder, Trivago.

Technologies used: AngularJS, CSS, HTML5, JavaScript, Lighthouse, Polymer, PWA library, VueJS, WebAssembly.

Advantages:

1. They provides fast and responsive performance than web pages.
2. These are easy to maintain.
3. These are cheaper than Native and Hybrid apps.
4. Works on all platforms.
5. They can work offline.

Disadvantages:

1. They have limited hardware and software support.
2. Technical options such as Bluetooth or NFC cannot be used.

There are 32 app categories in play store. These categories can be narrowed down to six maobile applications.

They are –

1. Educational apps
2. Lifestyle apps
3. Social media apps
4. Productivity apps
5. Entertainment apps
6. Game apps

Educational apps

These apps are used to educate the students. They often cover a wide range of subjects and may incliude interactive lessons, live quizes, videos, online exams and other educational resources. Users can track their progress and customize their learning paths.

Examples:

• Khan Academy
• Duolingo
• Unacademy
• Vedantu
• Coursera
• Ace academy

Lifestyle apps

Lifestyle apps cater to various aspects of an individual’s lifestyle, including health, fitness, travel, food and more. These apps help users to maintain a healthy lifestyle, plan trips, manage finance, or explore new hobbies. These apps enrich daily living and enhance life style choices.

Examples:

• Airbnb
• Headspace
• MyFitnessPal

Social Media apps

These apps are enable users to create, share, and interact with content and connect with others. They can share text, photos, videos, and live streaming. Some of the peoples can learn knowledge from this apps like LinkedIn also. They provide a platform for connecting with friends, following influencers, and staying informed about current events, pop culture, and more.

Examples:

• WhatsApp
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Snapchat
• Twitter

Productivity apps

Productivity apps are designed to enhance efficiency and organization in work or daily tasks. They often include tools for task management, calendars, document editing, and team collaboration. These apps boost efficiency and help users stay organized in both personal and professional settings.

Examples:

• Microsoft Outlook
• To-do-list
• Trello
• Evernote

Entertainment apps

Entertainment apps provide a wide range of content such as music, movies, TV shows, web series, books, podcasts and news. Generally peoples used these apps for removing their stress or to entertain themselves. They can also provide a personalized experience based on user preferences. These apps bring entertainment to users fingertips, allowing them to unwind and relax.

Examples:

• Netflix
• Amazon
• Aha
• Spotify
• Kindle
• Pocket podcasts
• Youtube
• Sony live

Game apps

These apps are interactive applications designed for entertainment and amusement, often involving challenges, strategy or storytelling. They can range from casual games to complex multiplayer experiences. These apps offer a range of gaming experiences, from simple and relaxing to competitive and intense.

Examples:

• PUBG
• Candy Crush
• Subway surfers
• Free fire
• Word crush