Respectfully, success isn't about technical ability alone in the mobile, timing is a big factor.

Palm's webOS is an html/js based mobile phone OS that predated the JS based excitement.

For example, if there was a device that focused on running progressive web apps well, there would be a market today than compared to the past when horsepower wasn't at the level it is at now.

The flip side is also being able to run these sorts of operating systems on more devices.

I use my phone more and more for computer replacement tasks on Android. Would be neat to be able to run the odd android app in a container, etc.