Having to download a native app and having to create an account are two entirely separate matters.
Yes they are two seperate matters. But they still have a problem in common: They introduce barriers you have to overcome until you can use / test the app. I guess an app without such a barrier is doing a lot better.
And FTR, part of the advantage of native apps is that they'll never be relegated to "just another browser tab" or lost in a sea of favicons. When I'm going to invest time in a workflow / application / product, I almost always prefer the native app to web app for this particular reason.
Valid point, this is one of the downsides when you focus on non-native apps. It will be interesting to see if this changes when web apps get more traction. If they ever do.
Yes they are two seperate matters. But they still have a problem in common: They introduce barriers you have to overcome until you can use / test the app. I guess an app without such a barrier is doing a lot better.
And FTR, part of the advantage of native apps is that they'll never be relegated to "just another browser tab" or lost in a sea of favicons. When I'm going to invest time in a workflow / application / product, I almost always prefer the native app to web app for this particular reason.
Valid point, this is one of the downsides when you focus on non-native apps. It will be interesting to see if this changes when web apps get more traction. If they ever do.