Google: The Web, Not App Stores, is the Future Of Mobile Development
Speaking to attendees of the MobileBeat 2009 conference in San Francisco yesterday, Google Engineering vice president Vic Gundotra predicted that the Web would prevail as the dominant mobile application development platform despite the huge success of Apple's App Store (via Financial Times). According to Gundotra the harsh economics of maintaining multiple platform-specific copies of applications is pushing development to the Web.
At least partially supporting Gundotra's viewpoint were fellow panelists from Palm and Nokia.
Readers will remember that Apple initially only officially allowed developers to create web-based applications for the iPhone and iPod touch, but extended access to native applications a year later with iPhone OS 2.0 and the launch of the App Store.
For technical support of his claims, Mr. Gundotra points to HTML5, which is allowing for CSS animations as well as the use of geolocation and accelerometers. Of course, such technologies currently do not address the needs of more complex games that require access to mobile-based 3D services such as OpenGL ES.
Interestingly, both Google (Chrome OS) and Palm (WebOS), and previously even Nokia, have taken advantage of Apple-backed WebKit as the basis of their latest Web-centric operating systems.
"We believe the web has won and over the next several years, the browser, for economic reasons almost, will become the platform that matters and certainly thats where Google is investing."
At least partially supporting Gundotra's viewpoint were fellow panelists from Palm and Nokia.
Readers will remember that Apple initially only officially allowed developers to create web-based applications for the iPhone and iPod touch, but extended access to native applications a year later with iPhone OS 2.0 and the launch of the App Store.
For technical support of his claims, Mr. Gundotra points to HTML5, which is allowing for CSS animations as well as the use of geolocation and accelerometers. Of course, such technologies currently do not address the needs of more complex games that require access to mobile-based 3D services such as OpenGL ES.
Interestingly, both Google (Chrome OS) and Palm (WebOS), and previously even Nokia, have taken advantage of Apple-backed WebKit as the basis of their latest Web-centric operating systems.
Top Rated Comments
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34 months ago
I dont believe that one bit LOL. How is he going to know whats going to work out best. No one thought accept Apple desktop graphics would catch on, no one thought accept Apple that the iPod would catch on, the Apple-App store is really popular, how can someone say web based apps will do a better job LOL. I use to like Google, but I think they are becoming too greedy and invading unnecessary markets, Stick to being a search engine.
I'll make my own prediction 20 years from now Google will be making toasters and sofas LOL.
Everything critics have said about Apple they have become the most successful in LOL
I'll make my own prediction 20 years from now Google will be making toasters and sofas LOL.
Everything critics have said about Apple they have become the most successful in LOL
34 months ago
It may be the future, but its going to be a while. With Apple and Google trying to pimp javascript, Adobe With Flash and its open screen project, Microsoft with Silverlight.
Everything just cannot sit on a cloud. Our infrastructure is too fragile for something like this at the present time. Tell ATT and other carriers to actually give us unlimited Data instead of five gigs and maybe a real pipe (HDSPA) and development will follow. Not before.
Everything just cannot sit on a cloud. Our infrastructure is too fragile for something like this at the present time. Tell ATT and other carriers to actually give us unlimited Data instead of five gigs and maybe a real pipe (HDSPA) and development will follow. Not before.
34 months ago
Hmmm. Buying trends would suggest otherwise.
I'd think that's because there hasn't been anything that really rivals the App Store as it stands now. With HTML 5 around the corner, that could change, right?
34 months ago
Because those iPhone web apps really took off...
No offense to the guy, but I don't know how someone in such a high position can make such claims basing his position on HTML5. Seems like an unintelligent statement merely said to favor his own agenda. Google is great, but does the whole company really stand behind this position? I'm no programmer and I acknowledge that HTML has come a long way, but from personal experience, I don't think web apps compare to apps written with a true SDK.
No offense to the guy, but I don't know how someone in such a high position can make such claims basing his position on HTML5. Seems like an unintelligent statement merely said to favor his own agenda. Google is great, but does the whole company really stand behind this position? I'm no programmer and I acknowledge that HTML has come a long way, but from personal experience, I don't think web apps compare to apps written with a true SDK.
34 months ago
I kind of agree, cloud computing is the future...
I hope not lol, i actually like to have the software stored on my Macs, I couldn't care less if it takes more time to load from a hard disk lol
34 months ago
What's totally weird is that Google believes their own propoganda.....:p:p:p
34 months ago
What's totally weird is that Google believes their own propoganda.....:p:p:p
Yeah, they're drinking the koolaide.
You definitely have to take these kind of speeches with a grain of salt, as the web is Google's home. But even Google has it's own App store...
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