Our three types of apps for iOS, Android, Windows, Mac and Linux: advantages and differences

Our three types of apps for iOS, Android, Windows, Mac and Linux: advantages and differences

We develop mobile applications for all mobile and non-mobile operating systems (“OS”), increase your environmental impact:

  • Android: for many brands, off-the-shelf or terminals with integrated imager or laser, ruggedized, in Web under Chrome, or PWA or native mode,

  • Apple: iPhone, iPad on iOS, Mac depending on size, from Apple on Safari, Opera

  • Windows and Linux: in Web mode (PWA or pure Web) under FireFox, Chrome or Edge.

On the other hand, there are 3 types of development that we cover:

  • native, with access to all on-board functions and device peripherals,
  • web, with access to some device functions and peripherals. This web type also has a variant: “Progressive Web apps” (PWA), which behaves in a similar way to native apps, which is advantageous for professionals: automatic updates, launch icon, offline, and which also works on PC Windows / Linux /Apple.

As a result, older versions of terminals such as Android 4.4 can be used in Web or PWA mode (localization tests and barcode reading by camera)! So recycling is even more extensive.

So we’re doing the 3 developments of your choice, using private repositories only:

  • a app Native in Android, which will run on Android only,
  • a Web app that will run on Android, iOS and PC Windows / Linux / Apple browsers,
  • a Web PWA app that will run on Android, iOS and PC Windows / Linux / Apple.

What functions are covered by these three types?

Here we list the main functions required. Even if the functions are covered in 3 columns, they may differ in appearance and performance.

FunctionsNative Android appWebPWA
Display and input form datayesyesyes
Barcode reading by camerayesyesyes
Barcode reading by Integrated imageryesNo (not available on iOS) but other solutionsNo (not available on iOS) but other solutions
OCR reading by camerayesyesNo (but not available on iOS)
Bluetooth access (so BT Rfid readers)yesyesyes
Geolocationyes by GPSyesyes
BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) accessyesNoNo
NFC Access (Rfid included)yesNoNo
UpdatingManual updating by QR Code reading, email notificationOnline versionloading and installation by 2 clicks, automatic update by device notification
Launch app by iconyesNoyes (except 1st time)
OfflineyesNoyes

The differences aren’t huge, but they depend on the machines, the barcode reading speed, and the peripherals or uses in particular.

On the other hand development is based on three completely different library stacks and user interfaces, so we invite you to contact us to discuss your project before making any hasty decisions.

How can you increase your environmental impact by reusing your old tablets and smartphones?

From these developments, based on your existing old fleet, we can study a software solution to be able to reuse these old machines whatever the operating system or brand.

How to “install” a PWA app ?

PWA on Android or PC Windows / Linux:

  • start the app: we give you a link, with Chrome, you go with your Android or PC on it, the application starts, you give the requested authorizations
  • install an icon as for a native app: once on the page, go to Chrome settings and “Add to home screen”.

PWA on iOS or Apple Computer:

  • start the app: you’re given a link, with Safari, you go with your iPhone or iPad on it, the app starts, you give the requested authorizations
  • install an icon as for a native app: once on the page, click on the square and arrow at the bottom (share) and on “On home screen (the +).

How do I “uninstall” a PWA app?

Simply hold down the icon and the system will offer you several options, including uninstalling.