I think this article misses out on a couple things. First writing a cross platform App for desktops is a lot more work than especially the GUI aspect than a web app.
A desktop app is just as capable of using the internet as a phone app. So that point does not make any sense to me.
The main reason apps are more popular on phones is first battery usage is gonna be better and the was especially important early on when phone processors were less capable.
2nd there has been a big push particularly from apple so they could capture those purchasing fees. Combine this with the fact they prevent the device users from side-loading unless they find an exploit to jailbreak their device the Apple's incentives are clear.
Combine this fact the apple when it comes to implementing standards for browser featuers drags their feet at times. Developers will just often deal with implementing a native app, also combine the fact because users can't side load your only stuck to one browser engine on the iPhone.
This bleeds over to android as it's kinda pushed the defacto method of getting apps on a phone being to use a store. Also google is not going to really try to change it either because they are also collecting fees. Although a developers options are certainly more free on that platform, but again to the users if you stray to far from what has become the defacto method getting users will be difficult.
A desktop app is just as capable of using the internet as a phone app. So that point does not make any sense to me.
The main reason apps are more popular on phones is first battery usage is gonna be better and the was especially important early on when phone processors were less capable.
2nd there has been a big push particularly from apple so they could capture those purchasing fees. Combine this with the fact they prevent the device users from side-loading unless they find an exploit to jailbreak their device the Apple's incentives are clear.
Combine this fact the apple when it comes to implementing standards for browser featuers drags their feet at times. Developers will just often deal with implementing a native app, also combine the fact because users can't side load your only stuck to one browser engine on the iPhone.
This bleeds over to android as it's kinda pushed the defacto method of getting apps on a phone being to use a store. Also google is not going to really try to change it either because they are also collecting fees. Although a developers options are certainly more free on that platform, but again to the users if you stray to far from what has become the defacto method getting users will be difficult.