Not all apps use native controls. Not all apps should be built on PhoneGap.
At my company, we need to build apps rapidly. By rapid, I mean 1 week for a testable product. I have a app skeleton that implements backbone.js and some "native" css controls ready to go. I can easily turn around an app in that time.
Is it as fast as native? No. Do most people notice that? No. Does it prove the app concept we were trying to test? Yes.
So we basically use it as a prototyping platform and if the app has a lot of users, we'll go native. From my experience, it's much faster to prototype in html5 than it is in obj-c.
you're describing a totally different scenario, as a rapid prototyping tool I can totally see why you would choose Phonegap over native code. but as something to give to the end user? not so much.
Although with Interface Builder and some wiring you can quickly mock something up as well. But it probably would go faster in Phonegap to go from PSD to app.
I don't agree 100% with most people not noticing though. I do feel a smooth app adds to the overal experience.
I tested the first app they showed in the Phonegap gallery and it has that typical Phonegap feel to it: laggy response and glitchy transitions. It gives the app a sloppy feel.
Maybe people won't notice, but it's not a fun app to use.
At my company, we need to build apps rapidly. By rapid, I mean 1 week for a testable product. I have a app skeleton that implements backbone.js and some "native" css controls ready to go. I can easily turn around an app in that time.
Is it as fast as native? No. Do most people notice that? No. Does it prove the app concept we were trying to test? Yes.
So we basically use it as a prototyping platform and if the app has a lot of users, we'll go native. From my experience, it's much faster to prototype in html5 than it is in obj-c.