The world of digital platforms is complex, with different entities vying for dominance. A recent article highlights the competition between web and native look-and-feel on desktops, with browsers setting the pace and operating systems (OSes) having reduced influence. The author argues that this dynamic has led to a trail of unreconciled experiences, with web apps not being an "unholy disaster" but rather more of the same.

The article also touches on the role of APIs in platform strategy, suggesting that tech megacorps prioritize exerting direct control over access to these interfaces. This, in turn, enables distribution gatekeeping and creates a business model chokepoint. The author concludes that the web will likely "die from a lack of competitive vigor" unless there is a shift in this dynamic.

Source: https://infrequently.org/2024/10/platforms-are-competitions/