The term denotes an application designed for Apple’s mobile operating system that provides a graphical user interface accessible via a web browser, without necessitating native installation. Such an application leverages web technologies to deliver functionality traditionally associated with native iOS applications.
This approach offers advantages such as cross-platform compatibility, simplified deployment processes, and reduced storage requirements on the user’s device. Historically, web applications sought to bridge the gap between the capabilities of web browsers and the richer feature set of native applications. The development of technologies such as Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) has further blurred this line, allowing web-based solutions to offer near-native experiences.