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Comment by Illniyar | Hacker News Reader

To me as a web developer, the most exciting new development is react native (not react itself) - it's redefining the border between web and native apps in a way that cordova and xamarin never did.

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As a web dev, the most exciting development I see is the rise of progressive web apps and a shift away from native apps in situations where web-like experince is more appropriate.

That said, I'll be thrilled if React Native gives rise to higher quality apps in situations where a native app is unavoidable (e.g. my bank's app).

What kinds of situations do you think are more appropriate for web or web-like apps?

I'm actually hard-pressed to think of any non-gaming interface that is better suited by a native app than a web app in 2017.

Five years ago native apps made a level of UX possible that was unheard of on the web, to say nothing of mobile. But today not only has HTML/js closed the gap, but whiz-bang native animations aren't impressive just on account of being novel anymore.

I'm feeling that React Native is just another artificial constraint we developers have to deal with. I would have preferred it if Facebook (and/or Apple, Google) would have pushed WebApps more instead. A web browser, with the right amount of love, would be more than capable of doing the stuff that React Native can do.

Google still is! Progressive web apps now have the ability to be installed "natively" on Android devices [0], meaning they show up in the app drawer like any other app rather than being limited to a home screen icon.

I think these are the future. Once they catch on with mainstream consumers, native apps won't stand a chance against the convenience of simply visiting a website to install/use. Plus, on the developer end, we finally have a true "write once, run anywhere" situation that doesn't involve any complex toolchains or hacky wrappers.

[0] http://www.androidpolice.com/2017/02/02/progressive-web-apps...

That sounds absolutely fabulous!

But do you think that Apple would embrace this technology, given that e.g. their app-store is generating lots of revenue?

Not at first. But if the tide turns enough, Apple with have to jump on board to avoid losing market share.

Asking the right question. And that's not sarcasm.

They won't, but they eventually won't have a choice. If the experience is simply better on other devices, consumers will move.

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