Dev & Devops

iOS 16.4 brings push notifications for web apps — why that’s a big deal?

iOS 16.4 brings push notifications for web apps — why that’s a big deal?In the approximate period of March 21 and 28, we will see a new release of iOS 16.4. About a month a beta version was available for download. I tested this version focusing on the push notification for web apps and I have my personal thoughts about this and I would like to share them with the iOS and Web developers community.Images are from the Apple websiteWhy are push notifications important for web apps?First of all, this is a significant improvement for iOS overall. Notifications are equally important for both regular mobile and web applications because they have the same goal — to have contact with the audience. But I think Apple has a plan to spice up the market to make artificial competition with native apps. This diversity will bring a different experience where a user can choose between native and web apps.Are web apps really a good alternative to native apps?In the case of mobile applications, then it is too early to say which is better because we will only see this web app integration into the iOS ecosystem and learn statistics. Of course, for now, native apps look more robust and stable. Using native applications gives a different experience compared with web apps. On the other hand, building a web app is a bit easier than native apps, which means startups can build first their web versions before native implementations. Or large companies like Twitter can get more audience to provide two options — web and native.What would you like to see added to web app capabilities on iOS?Improving access to native device features such as camera, microphone, and contacts. Also, it will be cool to improve access to persistent data like user defaults. If web apps could be used absolutely offline then they could be on the same level as native apps. Push notifications also can be improved, for example by grouping and prioritizing them. Another important thing is performance, improving this field can make web apps more competitive.ConclusionI think all these updates are only a rehearsal — a part of unifying mobile and desktop interfaces — most likely what we will see in the future let’s say in iOS 17 or later. Web apps and native apps — it won’t matter anymore. If to try to predict then it seems we will get a combination between MacOS, iPadOS, and iOS called something like AppleOS or so.LinksRelease notes: https://developer.apple.com/documentation/ios-ipados-release-notes/ios-ipados-16_4-release-notesWeb push notifications for web apps: https://webkit.org/blog/13878/web-push-for-web-apps-on-ios-and-ipados/iOS 16.4 Beta version: https://developer.apple.com/news/releases/?id=03152023diOS 16.4 brings push notifications for web apps — why that’s a big deal? was originally published in ITNEXT on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

ignadmin

Mar 18, 2023 - 20:05

0 0

iOS 16.4 brings push notifications for web apps — why that’s a big deal?

In the approximate period of March 21 and 28, we will see a new release of iOS 16.4. About a month a beta version was available for download. I tested this version focusing on the push notification for web apps and I have my personal thoughts about this and I would like to share them with the iOS and Web developers community.

Why are push notifications important for web apps?

First of all, this is a significant improvement for iOS overall. Notifications are equally important for both regular mobile and web applications because they have the same goal — to have contact with the audience. But I think Apple has a plan to spice up the market to make artificial competition with native apps. This diversity will bring a different experience where a user can choose between native and web apps.

Are web apps really a good alternative to native apps?

In the case of mobile applications, then it is too early to say which is better because we will only see this web app integration into the iOS ecosystem and learn statistics. Of course, for now, native apps look more robust and stable. Using native applications gives a different experience compared with web apps. On the other hand, building a web app is a bit easier than native apps, which means startups can build first their web versions before native implementations. Or large companies like Twitter can get more audience to provide two options — web and native.

What would you like to see added to web app capabilities on iOS?

Improving access to native device features such as camera, microphone, and contacts. Also, it will be cool to improve access to persistent data like user defaults. If web apps could be used absolutely offline then they could be on the same level as native apps. Push notifications also can be improved, for example by grouping and prioritizing them. Another important thing is performance, improving this field can make web apps more competitive.

Conclusion

I think all these updates are only a rehearsal — a part of unifying mobile and desktop interfaces — most likely what we will see in the future let’s say in iOS 17 or later. Web apps and native apps — it won’t matter anymore. If to try to predict then it seems we will get a combination between MacOS, iPadOS, and iOS called something like AppleOS or so.

Links

Release notes: https://developer.apple.com/documentation/ios-ipados-release-notes/ios-ipados-16_4-release-notes
Web push notifications for web apps: https://webkit.org/blog/13878/web-push-for-web-apps-on-ios-and-ipados/
iOS 16.4 Beta version: https://developer.apple.com/news/releases/?id=03152023d

iOS 16.4 brings push notifications for web apps — why that’s a big deal? was originally published in ITNEXT on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.