From a technological standpoint, how is it significantly different from "Web2"? Seems to me like it's essentially the same tech we've used for decades with some usage of the metamask API thrown in.
The primary difference is frequently the use of the library web3.js or some other equivalent for the respective network
Metamask browser extension is one of many apps that listen for web3.js calls and helps the browser connect to the nearest node on the configured network
Its basically the same tech but less of it, like I mentioned, it’s simpler. No product has to track user sessions across a massive funnel to sell their data or impress investors salivating over the potential of selling data, and the calls to action are all direct payments, so frontends are simpler.