I have an app that has requirements for various hardware needs on the adroid platform, such as the gps, camera, storage, etc. But this app is also going to communicate constantly while in use with a web based service. Its an extension of that service kinda like how facebook has an app for its services, well I have a similar requirement.
My problem is I am unfamiliar with Android development other than its based on the SDK and JAVA. So I am wondering are apps like the facebook app a browser-esk based application where some of the buttons controlling the app are for connecting to the hardware, or is the app a purely java based rendition of the web counter part?
The Facebook for Android app is a native app written in Java. If your app is going to interface with Android hardware, then yes, you’re going to need to write a native app.
You do have the option of writing a web-based app (run from the browser) which will end up being cross-platform but keep in mind that you’ll lose native hardware integration and might sacrifice usability as well.