Yes, you read that right. We are increasingly finding ourselves in a situation where the browser has not only become the MVP of our digital lives but is also well on its way to becoming the ultimate operating system. It is increasingly becoming the case that as soon as we open our computers, the first thing we open is the browser, be it Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge. 

It is as if the operating system like Windows or Mac has just become a platform where we can just log on to for accessing our browser and accessing all the web applications. The static software on our system that runs locally is not given much attention anyway, it is just about the browser capabilities, not the system itself.

Browser is all you need, for a while

It’s been Chrome-o-clock for a while now. Why is the browser suddenly stealing the spotlight? Well, View Transitions are the secret sauce that makes browser experiences feel more app-like. And hey, if it’s good enough for your smartphone, it’s good enough for your desktop. Soon, webpages will offer the same seamless experience as the apps. So we wouldn’t have to wait for the Java Script to load for a static webpage to appear, but would be like an app-like experience.

On the other hand, users might prefer using the standalone app for FL Studio or Final Cut. After all, it runs like a dream. But what if you could have the best of both worlds? What if you could use these applications from your browser without the hassle of installation and updates? That’s the beauty of the browser-as-OS model.

However, let’s not kid ourselves; the browser isn’t the solution for everything. You’re not going to play your favourite AAA games or apps like FinalCut in a browser. Google tried to do something with Stadia, but it didn’t really work out that well. But on the other hand, products like Canva are easily replacing Photoshop in many use cases. Things might only get better after this.

What sets browser apps apart is the democratisation of technology. As a developer, it’s a dream come true. You don’t have to tweak your web applications in a way that they are able to run natively. And as a user, it’s a breath of fresh air. In all honesty, no one really wants a native application if in the end they are always going to be on the internet.

The browser is more than just a tool; it’s a platform. It’s not just a gateway to the internet; it’s becoming the OS for the internet. You can now do almost everything you used to do with standalone apps, minus the bloat, the clutter, and the headaches. It’s not flashy software that eats up your system memory and is competing for your attention; it’s the stage where all the action unfolds. While it might not be the answer to every digital problem, it’s certainly the solution to many. 

App-ocalypse?

Let’s face it, apps are dead, mostly on our computers, and soon on phones too. Apps are not entirely extinct, but they’ve lost their mojo. And with generative AI coming into the picture, things are shifting more towards browser-based systems as well. Browser is the only superapp that we need. 

Apps are dead – it will soon be better to think of digital visual surfaces as portals where AI entities manifest themselves

— Kevin Fischer (@KevinAFischer) April 9, 2023

Even on the phones, we were app-happy, intoxicated by the prospect of having an app for everything. Fast forward to today, and most of us are guilty of using the same 20 or so apps from the same five tech giants. The indie app developers are struggling to keep up. With the app stores dominated by a handful of behemoths, it’s nearly impossible for a new app to break through the clutter.

While the situation gets better, it is the norm now that browsers are running most of your apps. It is indeed a multiplatform approach of web apps, allowing you to access your Slack, Gmail, Canva, or any other OS as long as it is able to run a browser. Well, sounds like it is not such a bad deal after all. 

So, next time you find yourself mindlessly scrolling through the internet, remember that the browser on your laptop might just be the only software you need. Unless you have 20 tabs open to slow your computer down.

Meanwhile, the apps are starting to look the same — dead, black and white, and dull.

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