The Native vs. Hybrid Debate
While hybrid apps are another viable option, native app development is a much more reliable way to ensure a clean and polished experience for your user. Although hybrid apps will often have easier portability and faster speeds, native apps are superior for the long haul -- providing a seamless user experience and instant accessibility in app stores like Google Play. Native apps are consistent with the look and feel of other apps on a particular device, while hybrid apps can often have a strange "wolf in sheep's clothing" feel. Native app navigation is intuitive, allowing you to utilize built-in features like cameras, reminders and mobile GPS. While native apps can take longer to develop (an average of about four months), they often maintain stronger security features and perform better overall.
Creating a Native Mobile App
Creating a native mobile application doesn't have to be complex. There are a variety of platforms that help modern developers build apps with native UI. Furthermore, Apple and Google have worked to simplify and streamline app development over the past several years. The first thing you must determine is which app platform is appropriate for your idea. Historically, Android apps took longer to develop than iOS apps, but thanks to Google' Android SDK updates, this is no longer always the case.
iOS Apps
Native iOS apps are developed using Xcode, with Apple Store apps being written in Objective-C language. Developers can use the Mac OS X operating system and download the necessary tools, iOS 7 SDK and Xcode 5, through Apple. The iOS development platform uses "view controllers," letting developers dictate content for each area and optimize the UI. You can move from one screen to the next, arranging segues for each screen transition. IOS "storyboards" can then be linked meaningfully to your code to define relationships for each section. While debugging and running your app is possible using the free iOS tools, testing certain functions like push notifications will require you to register as an Apple developer for $99 per year.