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by pier25·9y ago·view on hn ↗
Mobile development in general is a pita.

We really need a native cross platform solution that doesn't involve either running a JavaScript VM (ReactNative, NativeScript), writing UI code for each OS (Xamarin), and doesn't rely on a WebView.

Xamarin Forms could fit the bill, but last time I checked it wasn't there yet.

What other option are there?

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Has there ever been a cross platform solution in history that was superior to the native development platform unique to the OS? This seems to be the pipe dream that everyone repeatedly hopes for then gets burned.

I'd actually prefer if Apple and Google had their own development platforms so there are competitive driving forces to improve the platform. It will also accelerate experimentation with new tech where one platform can validate one tech so the other can adopt it quicker.

Then if you have a simple lightweight app you can use some form of cross-platform browsery JS app (about the only point where this makes sense).

Superior? Depends on what you are doing.

Working with game engines is a joy since you write "client" code, so to speak, and the engine is compiled for each platform.

QT is also really good, but also really expensive, and you lose native UI which can be a good thing or not depending on your use case.

NativeScript is working on becoming a universal cross platform solution similar to ReactNative. It's already on mobile, and I've read there is a macOS version being worked on.

Qt