As we are still in the design stage we have no code in place yet for our mobile app. I then stumbled on the PhoneGap tool which has left us thinking. We are both from a Java background so that is why developing using ADT/Java looked like the only option. Is the knowledge ramp up for PhoneGap steep or do you think it would be worth going with it from the start seeing as we have no existing code done yet.
We had intended to use GAE/Big table for our back end persistence. Is this still possible if you use PhoneGap for the front end?
Also, can I assume it’s possible to use Selenium to automate functional tests with phoneGap?
Our UI will just consist of Buttons, a sprinkling of static images and Text. Am I correct in saying the the performance drawbacks of PhoneGap should probably not be an issue in this case?
Lets get going to answer your bunch of questions ?
Would I prefer you to use PhoneGap ?
Definitely Yes, The learning curve is not steep too , All you have to know is basic HTML,CSS and Javascript. Since you have also mentioned the app is simple,It would be good to use PhoneGap. Everybody know that PhoneGap sucks at Performance but since your app seems simple it wont be a problem.
Why did I recommend ?
Write once, deploy across lot of mobile platforms (If you want to support more devices)
Can Selenium Tests be run ?
Yes, You can,its just a web app. 🙂
Go for it, Give it a try.
If you want to support only Android or iOS or WP7 then I would prefer native development over PhoneGap because Performance matters.