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Hey devs. Welcome to the next issue of Software Dev Thursdays. We had a little break because of The Android Architect cohort #1 promotion... but now we're back on track.
While the enrollment to the course is closed, there are still some ways I can help you with your Android career. It's at the end of this email in p.s.
Today's topic? Native vs cross platform.
Let's dive in.
The mobile development landscape is evolving, and cross-platform solutions are making a significant splash. Especially Flutter. Oh boy, now we have also Compose multiplatform. So truly native mobile is dead?
Let's dissect the possibilities. From the product perspective.
The Startup Scenario
Startups often have to be agile and efficient with their resources.
Cross-platform development promises this efficiency with one codebase that serves both iOS and Android.
The advantage is clear: faster time-to-market, reduced costs, and a unified development experience.
Nowadays I recommend Flutter to my clients. Even though I specialize in native Android.
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One-Size Fits All: A Dream
The allure of cross-platform is a universal solution for all mobile platforms.
However, the unique UX/UI characteristics of iOS and Android present challenges in achieving a truly native feel.
While tools like Flutter and React Native are bridging the gap, achieving perfect harmony remains an ongoing endeavor.
UX matters. Especially when you're gathering feedback on MVP launch.
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The Speed Rundown
Performance, a cornerstone of user experience, has been a traditional critique against cross-platform.
Recent advancements in cross-platform frameworks have substantially improved this aspect.
Yet, for applications demanding cutting-edge performance, such as AR/VR or gaming, native platforms might retain their advantage.
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The Native Question: Is it Endangered?
The rise of cross-platform solutions begs the question of native's relevance in the future.
Certain applications and scenarios that demand deep system integrations, high precision, or advanced device capabilities will invariably lean toward native solutions.
Instead of fading, native development is redefining its space in the ecosystem.
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Profitable Niche for Native Development
As cross-platform gains traction, there might be fewer openings for purely native developers.
However, this scarcity could turn into an advantage.
With fewer native specialists, their expertise becomes more valuable.
This shift might lead to fewer but more lucrative and specialized opportunities for native developers, making it a potentially profitable niche.
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Cross-platform development is carving a significant place in the mobile development arena, offering undeniable benefits.
Yet, native development remains irreplaceable in certain domains, evolving to occupy a specialized and potentially more rewarding space.
The landscape isn't about replacing one with the other but leveraging the strengths of each based on needs.
My thoughts?
- New products will be shipped mostly with cross/multiplatform
- Native Android devs will either adopt multiplatform frameworks or become highly specialized devs
But cross / multi domination is future stuff (at least 5 years), in the meanwhile it's good to master native Android.
Best,
Jarek Michalik
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