But you wouldn’t be targeting 90% of users anymore.
You don't need any permission. Obtainium, nostr:npub10r8xl2njyepcw2zwv3a6dyufj4e4ajx86hz6v4ehu4gnpupxxp7stjt2p8 or just direct manual APK downloads work very well.
Discussion
Users don't prefer webapps on mobile, I think that was the point
I get it and agree, but the majority of mobile users are also exclusively using the official stores (in iOS they don’t have a choice). If I remember installing from APK on android (it’s been a while), you have to ignore a bunch of scary pop ups from the OS.
Don’t get me wrong though, I do think native apps provide better UX, cause you don’t have the indirection of a browser between you and the device. And Zapstore is a very cool way to distribute those apps!
But for now, I see web apps as the best way to avoid App Store bureaucrats and their shenanigans, while still reaching most users.
Good point!
OK, so you have added another requirement. Not only you must not have to ask for permission, you also must target 90% of the users.
We are in somewhat of a conundrum now, because 90% of the users don't really know how to deal with webapps in a mobile browser, they only understand native apps or simple webpages. Also most webapps suck horribly on 90% of the phones in the world, because their bloated JavaScript requires performance-minded development and high-end phones in order to work.
and late adopters don't matter, anyway
Well, I interpreted the point of the discussion as why would devs chose webapps when that doesn’t provide the most reach.
I think your point about users not knowing how to deal with web apps applies equally to not knowing how to deal with alternative stores - and in ios is not possible at all.
However, a web app can still be used as a regular website in the browser, even if the user can’t figure out how to add it to the Home Screen.
I do agree with the rest you said. Webapps do provide a worse experience on mobile.