Never fought the build, javascript is as complicated as you decide to make it, I can deploy my app to a new platform with a few commands, I do not have to learn

Never fought the build, javascript is as complicated as you decide to make it, I can deploy my app to a new platform with a few commands, I do not have to learn to write a new app each time I want to deploy on a new platform. The plugins are interfaces to the device APIs, what complexity did you encounter that was so far out the scope of the device APIs? I use many plugins and for many complex tasks, why are your's more complex? You mention this was 3 years ago like somehow these platforms remained static in the time you last used them. 3 years is incredibly long time in mobile development. Phonegap/cordova community has grown, more plugins are available and js engines on mobile have improved immensely. You are stating phonegap/cordova is not a viable alternative for the future and I say it is. That was the whole point about mentioning my work. You not liking it and 'not knowing anyone who is using it in the future' is purely anecdotal. Obviously each project has its own ambitions, costs and timeframes to consider, but limiting possible paths to a solution is not a good idea. Do your own dev, but there is no need to deprecate a framework for others because you had a bad experience once.