Cordova is all about plugins. You can use a native datepicker plugin for example.

If you need native functionality, use a plugin. (there's probably one already there, but maybe you need to write a tiny bit of native code).

I guess that's the whole point of hybrid that people don't understand - it's a hybrid, and you get to choose the best of both, making the trade offs you need to make for the best result.

Not ideal for every app/budget, but I think people just don't get this part - use the native plugins if you need them! :)

Ship fast, and slowly replace all the bits with native (if you need to). [fast|cheap|good] pick two! (then the third).