Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg has announced that they will be releasing a native Facebook app for Android. During an interview with Michael Arrington at the TechCrunch Disrupt Conference, Zuckerberg admitted, “we’ve had a bunch of missteps on [mobile],” specifically referring to its mobile app strategy. He elaborated, “The biggest mistake we made as a company was betting too much on HTML5 instead of native… We burnt two years.”
He also said that “Native is going to be the approach that we go with for iOS and Android.” Much of the same infrastructure that Facebook built for iOS will be re-applied to Android, but as for an ETA for the app, Zuckerberg said “it will be ready when it’s ready.”
The Shift from HTML5 to Native Apps
Facebook’s initial strategy to use HTML5 for its mobile applications was driven by the desire for a unified codebase that could work across multiple platforms. HTML5 promised a write-once, run-anywhere capability, which seemed ideal for a company looking to maintain a consistent user experience across different devices. However, the performance issues and limitations of HTML5 became apparent as users experienced slower load times and less responsive interfaces compared to native apps.
Native apps, on the other hand, are built specifically for a particular operating system, such as iOS or Android. This allows developers to optimize the app’s performance and take full advantage of the device’s hardware capabilities. By shifting to native apps, Facebook aims to provide a smoother, faster, and more reliable user experience. This change is expected to enhance user engagement and satisfaction, which is crucial for a platform with billions of active users.
Implications for Facebook’s Mobile Strategy
The decision to move towards native apps marks a significant shift in Facebook’s mobile strategy. This move is not just about improving performance; it also reflects a broader understanding of the mobile ecosystem. Native apps can offer better integration with the device’s features, such as the camera, GPS, and push notifications, which can enhance the overall functionality and user experience of the app.
Moreover, this shift could have implications for Facebook’s advertising strategy. With native apps, Facebook can offer more sophisticated and targeted advertising options, leveraging the device’s capabilities to deliver more relevant ads to users. This could potentially increase ad revenue, which is a critical component of Facebook’s business model.
Zuckerberg did not give any details on when they intend to release their new native Facebook app for Google’s Android platform. However, the commitment to “it will be ready when it’s ready” suggests that Facebook is prioritizing quality over speed. This approach is likely to be well-received by users who have been frustrated with the performance issues of the current HTML5-based app.
As soon as we get some more details, we will let you guys know. Stay tuned for updates on this significant development in Facebook’s mobile app strategy.
Source The Verge
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