The Franconian
Coder Studio

As a strong advocate for web technologies, I’ve seen firsthand the potential of Progressive Web Apps (PWAs). However, the growing emphasis on using ‘pure’ web standards, often at the expense of frameworks, can be limiting. While standards provide a solid foundation, frameworks offer flexibility and efficiency that shouldn’t be dismissed. In my own work, I’ve hit the limits of web standards, particularly with native file system access and background processing on mobile devices. In this article, I’ll discuss why a balanced approach—embracing both standards and frameworks—is crucial for innovation and why rigid opinions can hinder progress in web development.

While Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are incredibly versatile, they still have limitations. Tasks like GPS tracking in the background or full file system access remain out of reach for web technologies. For my current project, this means most functionality can be handled by a PWA, but a native app is needed to fill the gaps. This ‘sidecar’ approach, while not ideal, offers a compromise until Web APIs evolve further. In this article, I’ll discuss the challenges of combining PWAs with native apps, the trade-offs involved, and whether this hybrid solution is worth pursuing.

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are a powerful alternative to native apps, but they demand a rethink of how we handle updates and distribution. While app stores provide a centralized hub for discovering and updating apps, they also create monopolies and lengthy approval processes. PWAs, on the other hand, are always up-to-date and don’t rely on app stores, but they lack the centralized elegance of update notifications. In this article, I’ll explore the trade-offs between PWAs and app stores, and how this shift could redefine user expectations and app distribution in the future.

A common misconception about Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) is that they require dedicated servers to function. While it’s true that PWAs, like any web application, are initially delivered from a server, they can be designed to run entirely on static files or cloud services like Firebase. This makes them as lightweight and cost-effective as native apps, with the added benefit of offline capabilities. In fact, you can host a PWA for free using platforms like GitHub Pages or opt for affordable paid solutions. In this article, I’ll explain how PWAs can operate without your own servers and why they’re a practical alternative to native apps.

The argument that web applications are slow and offer a poor user experience is outdated. With tools like WebAssembly (WASM) and Web Workers, Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) can achieve near-native performance. WASM is particularly powerful for computationally intensive tasks, allowing you to run high-performance code written in languages like C, C++, Rust, or even AssemblyScript. Combined with Web Workers for multi-threading and modern web APIs like WebGL and WebGPU, PWAs can deliver exceptional speed and functionality. In this article, I’ll explore how WASM can elevate your PWA’s performance and why it’s a game-changer for cross-platform development.

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are revolutionizing how we think about web applications, but can they be profitable? Unlike native apps, PWAs can’t rely on direct sales through app stores, but they offer unique monetization opportunities. From advertising to offering additional services like syncing, storage, or data aggregation, PWAs can serve as a gateway to paid features. In this article, I’ll explore how PWAs can generate revenue, whether through SaaS models, one-time purchases, or on-premise solutions, and why they’re a powerful tool for modern businesses.

Web technologies have come a long way, enabling developers to build modern desktop applications with frameworks like Electron, Tauri, or Wails. But what if you could achieve native integration without relying on these wrappers? Imagine delivering a Progressive Web App (PWA) from a local server, where a lightweight process handles native functionality while the PWA provides a polished UI. While this approach has its challenges—like installation complexity and local network communication—it opens up exciting possibilities for developers who want to rely solely on web technologies. Let’s dive into how this idea could reshape the way we think about desktop app development.