A few posts back we talked about the lack of current mobile web usage when compared to native apps. We also talked about the future of HTML5 and how it will play a part in the mobile ecosystem.

Here at Spreed we believe that HTML5 is important, but believe it will be framed within the native applications ecosystem. Others like Business Insider’s, Pascal-Emmanuel Gobry, believe that HTML5 is still going to take a while to be a mass market tool and that before it does become a standalone tool it will be frame within a native application (like the recent Facebook apps).

We are still not sure whether Pascal is right and whether HTML5 sites will be able to access the rich features of the phone that native apps can harness or the inherent integration with payment systems. We are also not sold on the web being a better distribution model than native app stores. Currently we believe that native app stores provide a far more curated experience to the web and therefore a better end-user experience.

All that being said, Pascal’s article is one of the best run downs we have seen on the pro’s and con’s of HTML5. Although we may not agree with Pascal that HTML5 apps will be independent of native stores in the future, he still makes a very good argument for the merits of HTML5 and also gives a good explanation for why we won’t see HTML5 implemented in mass for some time to come (3-5 years).

We suggest everyone gives his article a good read. What are your thoughts? Will HTML5 come sooner than expected? Will HTML5 completely replace the native app, or will it work hand-in-hand with native apps, providing a seamless integration for end-users?

HTML5 Will Replace Native Apps–But It Will Take Longer Than You Think

• Web-based HTML5 will replace the majority of native apps over the next 3 to 5 years.
• Native apps will stay on the scene for a long time, and will probably always be relevant for some types of apps such as games.
• HTML5 will allow online software and content to be much more interactive and richer.
• As a result of HTML5 proliferation, the power of app gatekeepers like Apple will DIMINISH in the future, not grow.
• All of this will have big impact on the distribution (web instead of app stores) and monetization (primarily, still, advertising-driven) of content.
• This will also shift the balance of power between content providers and platform providers modestly back towards content providers: Apple and other “store” operators will have such tight control over distribution.