Apps are yours
When people argue that websites are superior to apps because websites work on all platforms and apps do not, they forget that this matters more to people creating websites than to those using apps.
When they argue that websites are usable immediately whereas apps must be downloaded, they exaggerate the burden of downloading and the immediacy of websites, and ignore the speed and convenience of apps once downloaded.
When they argue that websites can be updated more frequently, they disregard the problems that can cause.
But what they overlook most crucially is that apps are yours. Websites are remote, and controlled remotely. Apps are with you, controlled by you. The difference is emotional, and powerful.
On your iOS device, open Maps and you’re in the map. The data for that map is retrieved remotely, but it’s brought to you. In contrast, when you visit a maps site on the web, that’s exactly what you’re doing—you’re visiting somewhere else. Similar functionality, profoundly different feeling.
Websites are somewhere else, and they’re someone else’s. Apps are here, and they’re yours.