From the perspective of a small (web-focused) dev shop that is getting lots of RFQs for mobile apps, I think there are really two main reasons why our clients and prospective clients want to have a mobile app developed. Either they:
1. Have something (a website, a business, a city department, whatever) that they want it to be "on mobile", i.e. they need a mobile app just because they need to cover the mobile angle. However, the mobile app itself is not usually the core revenue strategy, it's just part of the bigger picture.
2. Or, they want to sell a mobile app that is not suitable for building with HTML5. I.e. the app is the revenue-generator, and it must be performant/integrate closely with native hardware/etc. (such as a game).
I think we can satisfy the people in category 1 by building HTML5 apps, and using Phonegap if they want them to be available in app stores.
I think we can satisfy people in category 2 by developing native iOS apps for sale in the Apple App Store, since from what I can tell, this is the only App Store that really generates money.
People who want native apps on non iOS devices, for whatever reason, are probably people we get a subcontractor to handle, or even take a pass entirely.
1. Have something (a website, a business, a city department, whatever) that they want it to be "on mobile", i.e. they need a mobile app just because they need to cover the mobile angle. However, the mobile app itself is not usually the core revenue strategy, it's just part of the bigger picture.
2. Or, they want to sell a mobile app that is not suitable for building with HTML5. I.e. the app is the revenue-generator, and it must be performant/integrate closely with native hardware/etc. (such as a game).
I think we can satisfy the people in category 1 by building HTML5 apps, and using Phonegap if they want them to be available in app stores.
I think we can satisfy people in category 2 by developing native iOS apps for sale in the Apple App Store, since from what I can tell, this is the only App Store that really generates money.
People who want native apps on non iOS devices, for whatever reason, are probably people we get a subcontractor to handle, or even take a pass entirely.