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> I'm convinced that using an embedded browser engine to render app UI is the future. I think Facebook had the same thoughts at some point and they invested he

> I'm convinced that using an embedded browser engine to render app UI is the future. I think Facebook had the same thoughts at some point and they invested heavily in web tech. Later when that backfired (because of performance issues) they started the React Native project.

kylecazar 2y ago
Yes, they prioritized just straight up mobile web for a while, citing things like HTML5 as the future of apps. I think that an embedded web rendering strategy for UI within the context of a framework that provides other native interfaces may indeed become a bigger thing
whywhywhywhy 2y ago
Apple purposefully limits what web tech can achieve on their platform so web vs native discussion needs to be heavily caveated on iOS what should be possible just isn’t. We also know it’s not a case of just Apples native tech being better because MacOS has truly lost to webtech, hard to even name an app built in the last 5-10 years by a 3rd party in Apples own tech. Everything is just Electron or cross frameworks. Personally I love truly native Mac apps but it’s certainly clear no one else cares and electron is enough.
- lostmsu 2y ago
  Wait, I understand Apple limits competitor browsers, but non-browser apps should have no issue embedding Chromium or Gecko, right?
  - spwa4 2y ago
    They can't: https://developer.apple.com/support/alternative-browser-engines/ https://developer.apple.com/support/alternative-browser-engi... (except through the, purposefully onerous, EU alternative regulations. Which apple charges apps a per-install fee for. Normal apps can only use Webkit, without any plugins or changes)
- andelink 2y ago
  > hard to even name an app built in the last 5-10 years by a 3rd party in Apples own tech. Everything is just Electron or cross frameworks Was 5-10 years ago was the last time you used MacOS? Or do I live in a bubble? Because your statement sits opposite of my perception of things. Maybe I don't use enough apps to say for sure. I don't use most of these, but here are some that I can think of off-hand. You can tell me if these are too old, some of them may be I don't know. Starting with ones recently seen on HN: - pISSStream - Ice - Ghostty - Stats - NetNewsWire - Wealthfolio - Orion Browser - Iina - Dato, Velja + most others from Sindre Sorhus - Proxyman - Transmission - SwiftBar - AppLite - MonitorControl - BetterDisplay - Maccy - CodeEdit - Does HandBrake count? - Zed? There's also a number of sites/lists dedicated to these types of apps. Sometimes it feels like there are too many apps even.

kylecazar 2y ago

Yes, they prioritized just straight up mobile web for a while, citing things like HTML5 as the future of apps. I think that an embedded web rendering strategy for UI within the context of a framework that provides other native interfaces may indeed become a bigger thing

whywhywhywhy 2y ago

Apple purposefully limits what web tech can achieve on their platform so web vs native discussion needs to be heavily caveated on iOS what should be possible just isn’t. We also know it’s not a case of just Apples native tech being better because MacOS has truly lost to webtech, hard to even name an app built in the last 5-10 years by a 3rd party in Apples own tech. Everything is just Electron or cross frameworks. Personally I love truly native Mac apps but it’s certainly clear no one else cares and electron is enough.

lostmsu 2y ago
Wait, I understand Apple limits competitor browsers, but non-browser apps should have no issue embedding Chromium or Gecko, right?
- spwa4 2y ago
  They can't: https://developer.apple.com/support/alternative-browser-engines/ https://developer.apple.com/support/alternative-browser-engi... (except through the, purposefully onerous, EU alternative regulations. Which apple charges apps a per-install fee for. Normal apps can only use Webkit, without any plugins or changes)
andelink 2y ago
> hard to even name an app built in the last 5-10 years by a 3rd party in Apples own tech. Everything is just Electron or cross frameworks Was 5-10 years ago was the last time you used MacOS? Or do I live in a bubble? Because your statement sits opposite of my perception of things. Maybe I don't use enough apps to say for sure. I don't use most of these, but here are some that I can think of off-hand. You can tell me if these are too old, some of them may be I don't know. Starting with ones recently seen on HN: - pISSStream - Ice - Ghostty - Stats - NetNewsWire - Wealthfolio - Orion Browser - Iina - Dato, Velja + most others from Sindre Sorhus - Proxyman - Transmission - SwiftBar - AppLite - MonitorControl - BetterDisplay - Maccy - CodeEdit - Does HandBrake count? - Zed? There's also a number of sites/lists dedicated to these types of apps. Sometimes it feels like there are too many apps even.