As a big fan of the web, I still fail to get what significant advantage PWAs are supposed to have. Still seems like a completely unnecessary marketing effort to me. Am I missing something?

Oct 22, 2020 · 5:33 PM UTC

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Replying to @stilkov
I think it's partly ux of permissions. If I install a pwa I think certain permissions may be granted via the app manifest without individual prompts thus achieving a more seamless and native app like behaviour. I imagine this benefit compounds as new platform features are exposed
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Replying to @stilkov
Also opening up new possibilities like this in a progressive way i.e. function as a web page in the browser with sandbox limitations and enhance when installed nitter.vloup.ch/ChromiumDev/stat… Add in web share and you create a possibility for a cross platform connected app ecosystem
Chrome for Developers
 @ChromiumDev
22 Oct 2020
Doubleclick a file in the operating system’s file manager 🗃 and said file opens in an installed Progressive Web App. 🔮Magic? No, just the File Handling API! Learn how to make this happen in @tomayac’s latest article and test it with the @excalidraw app. web.dev/file-handling/
Replying to @stilkov
One thing for example is that on iOS the window chrome behavior is a bit nasty, better when the app owns the entire screen for a category of apps (games)
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Replying to @stilkov
It's a mystery to me. I say that as a fan of offline-first technology like IndexedDb. But Service Workers are a truly strange beast
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Replying to @stilkov
PWA is not just a collection of technology 'addons' to your web site (like offline support or improved caching capabilities), it is also a mindset behind letting developers think about the structure of web apps (offline first/server side rendering vs. client side rendering, ..)
Replying to @stilkov
The folks at @CloudFour (@grigs in particular) probably have some thoughts.
Replying to @stilkov
Maybe... Google sponsorship?... Maybe... Reuse on mobile? ...Maybe isn't a marketing effort but a Marketing trend...
Replying to @stilkov
I think that this is helpful for Apps that work at the point of sale and where the connectivity at such places might be bad. Shopping Lists, museum guidance, subway information, product information stuff etc. But I also think that the UseCases are not that ubiquitous
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Replying to @stilkov
You are not missing anything. If anything, PWA’s by default take away one of the main strengths of web apps compared to native apps: The address bar. (and reload button) One advantage from user retention perspective is having a desktop icon so users don’t forget about your app.
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Replying to @stilkov
I myself don’t get it as well. Fully understand your opinion. Made a lot of UX tests that prove customers don’t even notice the difference. Which is also reflected by other KPIs like revenue.
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