I am a web developer who needs to build an HTML5 mobile app – which we will need to try and submit to app stores, including Apple’s App store. Therefore, I need to somehow wrap my app into a native framework.
That being said, I don’t have time to learn the nitty gritty of Objective-C and figure it all out.
I am trying to decide between using a service like PhoneGap, or simply creating a smaller native app with a webview that pulls up my mobile app from my site’s server.
In this case, the only native hardware that my app needs to be in touch with are push notifications (probably through Urban Airship) and Geolocation (which can be accomplished via HTML5).
When is it wise to go with something like PhoneGap vs. simply creating a UIWebView, and vice versa? Which would you suggest in this case?
Apple is loyal enough to PhoneGap apps – almost no problems with approval on iStore. You should just follow Apple Human Guidelines and everything should be OK.
PhoneGap provides lot’s of different and interesting features. Also it’s cross-platform – works great on iOS, Android, WP7 etc. I think it’s the best way to wrap your HTML5 and JS.
Talking about pushes – if you select phonegap, i recommend to look at pushwoosh service.