I recently wrote a post on the Adaptive Path blog positing that calling native mobile apps dead is premature. This is the stance taken by a former Palm VP who claims that web apps are taking over. I’d like to add two updates to that post.

First, there are rumors that Apple‘s SDK release scheduled for Thursday will not be as open as I’d like. As reported on iLounge, Apple will require that iPhone apps must go through the iTunes store. In addition, apps on the store must pass certification by Apple.

The most controversial aspect of Apple’s SDK plan is its intention to
formally approve or deny all SDK-based software releases for its
devices. Our sources confirm that Apple will act as a gatekeeper for
applications, deciding which are and are not worthy of release, and
publishing only approved applications to the iTunes Store; a process
that will less resemble the iTunes Store’s massive directory of
podcasts than its sale of a limited variety of iPod Games. While one
source saw this as a positive for major developers, suggesting that
Apple will be choked by application submissions and forced to give
priority to releases from larger companies, another source disagreed,
stating that Apple’s current approval processes for third-party
products have resulted in lengthy, needless delays. It is unclear
whether Apple will need to approve subsequent bug fixes and feature
additions to accepted applications, another issue that could clog the
approval system and postpone important improvements.

This is SUCH a wrong move or Apple. They are at a critical time determining the iPhone’s fruture and they need a robust network of developers creating niche apps. If Apple intends to meet their goals of selling 10M units in 2008, they MUST reach out to enterprise users and 3rd party apps are a critical piece of capturing that market. If Apple doesn’t correct this then Google is going to eat their lunch within 18 months via their open Android operating system.

Second, there are benchmarks out showing that web applications on the iPhone are significantly slower that native apps.

In looking at these numbers, it’s easy to see that there are huge
performance wins with native applications: lower function call overhead
along with faster iteration and calculation. Even transcendental
functions and object allocation sees a 700-900% speed increase.

In my AP post I listed deeper access into the device (e.g. contacts, camera, email) as a key advantage to a native SDK. Based on this study, you can add performance to that list as well.