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One of the advantages of repackaging webapps is that they can be quickly iterated upon and in any case that is the Google way: release early, iterate often. The app should gain the missing features soon enough.

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That's the argument that one of my fellow writers made, as well, when he felt I was overly-critical of the app. Here's the problem, for me - I didn't use it on day 1. What are the chances of me installing it later, if I'm Joe User?

Honest question there. I really don't know the statistics about that, other than to say that I'd guess the chances are lower after a poor first impression.

The app wasn't meant to attract new users but mainly to support existing ones, so it's an option that is "good to have" rather than the product itself. If a user or a company deploying Google Apps felt that they needed a native option then it's available, and for Google it won't cost much to maintain because they are already investing in the webapp.

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