android / phonegap newbie question

Question

hi,

i've read about phonegap which enables to write web-based apps for android and i was wondering:

1. how is performance of phonegap compared to a "real" android app
2. what would NOT work in phonegap?
3. i know it's possible to implement google maps with phonegap but i guess there's a lots of limitation compared to direct coding the maps under android?
4. as a newbie to android (but intermediate in web-programming), should i rather go for direct android coding instead of phonegap?

i'm planning to write an app which uses google maps service+gps, database access and such, and i'm afraid it's not really possible with phonegap.

thx

Answer 1

The good thing about phonegap is that it enables you building cross-platform mobile apps. If you are doing just android, I guess it doesn't make sense.

Answer 2

The performance of PhoneGap apps is good, but it largely depends on exactly what you are doing (for example animations probably perform better native).

If you are only building it on one platform it might be best to go native since there is going to be a learning curve with both PhoneGap and native Android development. It may also be easier to go native since you are using maps a lot.