[Term of the Day]: Progressive Web App
Term of the Day
“Progressive Web App”
Definition — What is PWA?
A PWA is a web app that uses modern web capabilities to deliver an app-like experience to users. It's built from the web technologies we all know like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, but with a feel and functionality that rivals an actual native app. PWAs run in the browser, so there's no need to download the app from the Google Play Store or iOS App Store.
Twitter is one good example of a progressive web application. When you access the Twitter web page on your smartphone, you can install it on your home screen. Now, on opening the saved Twitter web page, you’ll notice that it looks and performs just like a native app. There’s no browser window or nothing. There’s no difference in running it from an iPhone or an Android smartphone. Simply log in and you’re good to go. PWA is also capable of performing real-time notifications, offline notifications, and other app-like functions.
Progressive Web Apps was coined by designer Frances Berriman and developer Alex Russell in the year 2015. Google defines PWA’s as web experiences that are:
- Reliable – Load instantly and never show a website as being down, even in uncertain network conditions.
- Fast – Respond quickly to user interactions with silky smooth animations and no janky scrolling.
- Engaging – Feel like a natural app on the device, with immersive user experience.
The usage of smartphones has increased rapidly, building a Progressive web app is a great solution. There are plenty of major brands that have reinforced their mobile efforts and released PWAs, let see few popular brands with PWAs Pinterest, Starbucks, Forbes, Trivago, Flipkart, AliExpress, Uber, and much more. PWAs provide optimized performance with the results being reflected in enhanced customer experience and retention.