I’m not sure why this isn’t highlighted more often, but I don’t see this just as a take on making web apps less relevant for iOS users.

Rather what I see is a system to take on and take back control from the “app in app” WeChat ecosystem that has taken over so many parts of everyday life in China.

It seems to me that Apple is looking to replicate that success, and sees the potential for apps that users don’t want to keep around permanently.

It is indeed sad that this may discourage companies further from building solid web apps, especially if Android counters this system with their own, but I think it’ll mainly be interesting to see if and how it’ll affect WeChat in China.