If you have used web-based services like Google Maps, Twitter, YouTube or Facebook on your mobile browser, then you’ve already used web apps.
They are accessed through a standard URL, or a mobile domain like m.facebook.com. The content displayed is specially formatted for mobile devices, and there is no need to download an app.
Another great feature of web apps for mobile purposes is they are compatible with a huge variety of mobile devices, all viewing exactly the same content, so you don't have to develop an app for each specific device.
Web apps run tasks inside the web browser and often provide a rich interactive experience for mobile users.
All sounds fantastic right? . . . Well there are some limitations or course.
Without a network connection your web app may not work as you want it to, as it may rely heavily on updating its content from the web.
But if this is not crucial and the app is self-contained, this may not be a barrier to developing a web app.
Case Study - The Shettleston Heritage app, available on the web to serve the widest variety of device users
A Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Legacy for Shettleston - Walking Back to the Future
It was a pleasure to become involved as a contributor to the Shettleston Heritage project in 2014, our task was the creation of the mobile app 'Walking Back to the Future', following the significant locations of historical and social interest in Shettleston Glasgow.
Read more about Walking Back to the Future on the Facebook page for the project here.
In addition to the mobile apps for iPhone, iPad and Android tablets we produced a web app for users accessing the app using a browser on desktop or any type of device, this is available at www.walkingbacktothefuture.co.uk
This meant the content would be available to the widest variety of situations.
We were the technical lead on the project for delivery of the associated apps for the heritage trail, which accompany a printed trail map.
Project leaders Northlight Heritage devised the heritage trail, work on which began in February 2014.
The trail was designed by Fuse Youth Cafe, Shettleston Housing Association and the Shettleston History Project.
It was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and was launched for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games as part of the wider legacy projects which were undertaken across the city in the lead up to the games.
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