Solutions like flatpack/snap/appimage are great (though I like snap the least) but they are for extra stuff. As much as possible should be handled by the native package manager.
Also, the dynamic loader has much better performance if it doesn't need to juggle different versions. I can see the benefit for some packages that are super complex or have really special requirements. But not for every little thing like Ubuntu is doing.
But Canonical doesn't own apt. They own snap and the store can be run only by them. I think they just try to insert their own IP into mainstream linux so that they can eventually charge other distros and/or commercial customers for access. I think they're just looking for ways to monetise. Inserting your IP into the mainstream is a common way to do that when it comes to FOSS. It worked for RedHat though they are a lot more successful at it. I hate this kind of monetisation, though I wouldn't mind paying for a distro if it were made with my interests in mind. Ubuntu is going the complete opposite way though. They're serving their own commercial interests first.
It's not working out at all though because everyone hates snap and even ubuntu-based distros remove it. I hope they will give up soon, just the way they've given up on Unity, UpStart, Mir and Ubuntu Mobile.
I find them horrible from the dev side too. Canonical gate keeps you from publishing your app. Their patches to system components to make snaps work break stuff. Their stack to build snaps like multipassd is buggy beyond belief and adds another daemon i never asked for.
As many problems as AppImages have, they're probably the least insane solution. And AppImages are quite insane, so that sais something about linux packaging.
This isn't something I've heard of before.
This makes RedHat somewhat of an 'authority' on Linux. And indirectly, they have been making it harder to get official versions without paying, like what they did with CentOS.
Likely the idea is to let upstream to package once and ship it on all supported platforms. This way there is no constant support/packaging required from distro itself.
As to why snap format specifically, that’s probably allows them to make changes as needed without asking anyone.
Further, if you are tunnel-vision focused on profit, remember that if you lose your end users, you lose your only means to eventual income.
There is now a very nice summary comment from worik elsewhere in the thread, but basically end-users are no longer the same from Canonical’s perspective and so it’s probably wise to thank them for good things they did and move on.
As to Canonical, the only reason I use FF anyways is because it is the lesser evil. They are far from stellar with their constant attempts to inject invasive monetizers into the browser.