I wonder if government ownership solves the problem, and whether it might create new ones (lack of innovation being a big one). But, there is definitely a major problem, and I'm hopeful that an open internet is able to solve it.
There's the problem of API access; you still can't make a mobile web app as good as a native mobile app and it may always be playing catch-up (both because of policies at Apple and Google and because of the nature of chasing new features from outside). But, at least it really is "our" platform (if we can keep it). With WebAssembly enabling development in any language (eventually) and easing porting from native to web, things are looking up, but it's still not an even playing field.
So...on optimistic days, I think the web will win (again), and will prevent the mobile OS walled gardens from owning our future. On pessimistic days, I read an article about a new platform for apps that is even worse for developers than the App Store or Play Store.
I guess my action plan is: Help the web win and hope the app stores die.
I agree mostly. Lack of innovation could be solved by letting the government own and define the platform, not build it; instead they can use contractors, which could be large tech companies. Also, universities can help design the requirements.
Note that the definition of platform is broader than OSes. For example, Uber and Booking.com are also platforms (and they have similar problems as OS platforms).
There's the problem of API access; you still can't make a mobile web app as good as a native mobile app and it may always be playing catch-up (both because of policies at Apple and Google and because of the nature of chasing new features from outside). But, at least it really is "our" platform (if we can keep it). With WebAssembly enabling development in any language (eventually) and easing porting from native to web, things are looking up, but it's still not an even playing field.
So...on optimistic days, I think the web will win (again), and will prevent the mobile OS walled gardens from owning our future. On pessimistic days, I read an article about a new platform for apps that is even worse for developers than the App Store or Play Store.
I guess my action plan is: Help the web win and hope the app stores die.