WHAT?
Will the advancement of mobile web standards and the rise of progressive web apps(PWAs), web apps and streaming technology mean that the good old browser is taking center stage again versus traditional apps?
To be clear, native apps like messengers that need to access the device camera and microphone still have a place in our devices for now.
But consider this day's use of your smartphone,(all done in a mobile or PC browser like Brave, Dissenter, Opera):
access your bank account on a bank web app or PWA(example;
access your messenger on a PWA(example Telegram);
access your email, news and social networks on PWAs(examples Protonmail, Gab, Twitter);
access ride hailing service on a PWA(example Uber);
play viral PWA games like 2048, etc.
So far you don't need a native app, right? Yes.
AND
The advancement in web standards and web browser technologies are also enabling developers to implement native app-like features on browsers. With Microsoft adopting chromium the free open source software(FOSS) for their new Edge browser, the development of the web will be more collaborative, streamlined and faster. This makes the browser the center of innovation and the ultimate platform and app.
Developers can quickly build and update their projects without worrying about supporting different app versions for different operating system(OS) versions. New features can quickly be added and shipped to users.
The excellent work being done by developers in areas like ad blocking, security, privacy and media handling protocols means that users can comfortably spend more time on their browsers without opening a native app.
Do you know that in the Brave and Dissenter browsers you can play videos in the background? Check it out!
The Dissenter commenting tool is built in in the Dissenter browser. So you can comment on any URL you visit with ease. For example, you can click the Dissenter botton after reading this piece if you are using Dissenter browser, and leave your wonderful(or vile) comment.
SO
The browser is fast becoming the "ultimate" app contrary to the popular claims in the years following the launching of the Iphone when many predicted that native apps would make the good'ol browser unnecessary.