Native Applications versus Web Apps

When the iPhone was released, Apple stated that one does not need third-party native applications and instead use web-based applications. Adding it on the iPhone is as easy as typing the URL on Safari and adding it to the home screen. I remember adding Hahlo.com as my preferred Twitter client.

Apple woke up and provided access to the iOS SDK so third party developers can develop native applications for the iPhone. The number of native applications grew dramatically - and continues to grow, albeit on a slower velocity.

The future of computing or if the future is painted

Only time will tell if web applications signal the future of computing or if the future is painted by native applications. Will Google decide to consolidate their strategy and concentrate on web-based applications ala ChromeOS on Chromebooks and have Android run applications from the browser or will Google enable native apps on ChromeOS? I guess we will see -- anyway with Apple, it is clear -- native apps are the way to go.