20 ms·
Short version: Browsers evolved as desktops evolved. In 2008 when mobile was new, an iPhone (600mhz 32 bit CPU, 256MB RAM) or TMobile G4 (528Mhz, 192MB RAM), we
by indymike 5y ago
Short version: Browsers evolved as desktops evolved. In 2008 when mobile was new, an iPhone (600mhz 32 bit CPU, 256MB RAM) or TMobile G4 (528Mhz, 192MB RAM), were pretty puny compared to the desktop machines of the time (1Ghz +, 4-16GB RAM). As a result, if you wanted to do something meaningful, you had to compile.
Originally, Apple said that iPhone apps would be Javascript and web view based. Palm bet the farm on Javascript + webviews for WebOs. Apple changed course quickly, and WebOS just didn't get enough traction.