Re: How can HTML5 compete with Native?

On 18 October 2013 17:01, Tobie Langel <tobie@w3.org> wrote:

> ...
>
> In a "Web-based OS" device, it would be very useful to
> > be able to do this stuff.
>
> Sure. But to make it the one of the top two priorities of what's missing
> on the Web platform seems quite a stretch.
>
> Can we get offline, auto-rotation lock, smooth scrolling, fast canvas,
> etc. first?
>
> --tobie
>
>
This is certainly a very interesting conversation.  However, I wonder
whether spending lots of effort on identifying gaps and pushing forwards
initiatives to close them will mean web developers are permanently trying
to catch up and feel second-rate citizens in the mobile world.  I think it
there is value in considering where the web is already ahead, or where it
has the potential to be ahead.  Then lets celebrate those AND ensure that
we're remaining ahead.  Let's make native applications feel they need to
catch up with the web rather than vice-versa.

Interacting with the "internet of things" is a use-case where I think the
web outperforms native applications, and which I think will become
increasingly important as the physical world becomes digitally controlled.
 Here's an example:

I'm in an office meeting room, and need to order some coffee.  I hold my
phone up against the NFC tag on the wall, which deep links me to a web page
run by the facilities team.  From here, I can press get instant access to
the things I need right now.  For example
 - "Please bring coffee and biscuits in 15 minutes".
 - "We're struggling with the AV facilities, can someone come and help".
 - Change the air conditioning temperature up or down a bit.

I realise that it's (perhaps) a little ahead of its time, but I think it
shows how flexible the web is already.  We can do this right now.  I don't
want to install an app specific to that meeting room, nor an app to control
the home media queue at a friend's house so that I can change what music is
being played.  And I don't need to.

I certainly don't want to be deep linked to an app store, then click to
install the app, wait for it to download, launch the app, use it, then
delete it (or leave it to fill up my device).  That's a terrible user
experience.  Surely the web will be the way to interact with the "internet
of things"?

So what other examples can people suggest where the web is already ahead?
 And how can we widen the gap over native apps?


Rob

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