Universal Hybrid Apps™

"Write once, run anywhere"

App Types

• Web App
  • Html, css, js (online)
  • Android, iOS, Windows, Mac
• Native Mobile
  • Java, C
  • iOS, Android
• Desktop App
  • Any
  • Windows, Mac

• Pseudo-Native Mobile
  • React Native / NativeScript
• Hybrid App
  • Html, css, js + Electron/Cordova wrapper
  • Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, Windows Phone/App Store, Firefox OS, etc etc

What is electron?

• Cross (desktop) platform app framework written in js/html/node
• Chromium packaged with your app
• Automatic updates support built in
• Extensive native API (file manager, window manager, context menus, etc)
• Developed by github

Alternatives:

• NW.js
  • Same idea, different api
  • Less mature and less plugins, but very active (1,200 commits)
  • Supported by Intel

Universal Hybrid App

• Language
  • html/css/js
• Build environments
  • Electron (desktop)
  • Cordova / NativeScript (mobile)
  • Web (web)
• Solutions:
  • Vanilla.js (framework agnostic)
  • Angular Seed Advanced

Comparison

Usecases

• High repeat visits (mobile)
  • CU, comsen, osem, pinzzeta
• Internal Systems (desktop)
  • fibi, domed, iscx, orpak, prm
• Site-less services (both)
  • domed, lifta, orpak, TAU

Cons

• Electron
  • XSS = PC compromised
  • Requires Mac for Mac build
  • 30+ MB builds
• Cordova
  • Performance
  • Requires Mac for iOS
  • Less native feel
• Conceptual
  • Native capabilities require a connector/rethink
  • Not all 3rd party services support CORS
  • Do we really want a single code base for mobile and desktop?
  • App cannot contain secrets like encryption keys. Needs to be treated like a regular front-end.

Procedure

# Setup
mkdir MyApp
cd MyApp
electron-cli init MyApp
mv MyApp desktop
cordova create MyApp com.dofinity.myapp
mv MyApp mobile
mkdir src
mkdir web
ln -s src desktop/www
ln -s src mobile/www
ln -s src web/app

# Build
cd desktop
electron-build -mlw
cd ../mobile
cordova build

Demo

App: Math Addict

• Simple math puzzles with custom keypad
• Custom framework
• Firebase authentication
• Highscore management with Firebase
• Android + Windows + Web + Ubuntu :)
• 0% platform specific adjustments
• From first setup to working on all devices in less than 5 hours (not including app development)

Web

Binaries

https://goo.gl/cEuhUJ

Potential Considerations

• Progressive Web Apps
• Xamarin