"Hi Chris I think this has been inevitable for a couple of years now. The simplicity of apps from a user PoV beats the openness of the web from a developer PoV. I think http as a transport and the app ecosystem as a consumer will give rise to a new "services" layer that creates value for developers. In that sense "infrastructure as a service" will allow the web to live and thrive on mobile, just not as a client delivery mechanism. As for the impact on innovation - I'm not as pessimistic as you. There is a lot we can do - with or without the gatekeepers." - Keith Teare