> there really isn't any need for the browser to run applications anymore, is there? Of course there is. You can open a new "application" without installing, j

> there really isn't any need for the browser to run applications anymore, is there? Of course there is. You can open a new "application" without installing, just by clicking a link or entering a URL. The beauty of browser as a platform is simplicity of navigation between apps you haven't previously installed. Also, note that the distinction between a document and an application is vague. Is interactive document, perhaps containing an interactive map, an application? If yes, do you really want to install these interactive documents before accessing them?