Windows 10 Mobile won't get the full benefits of PWAs

Progressive Web Apps or PWAs is a new, fantastic way to give users a better experience on the web. They are reliable, user friendly, engaging, and fast and work on the Windows 10 mobile platform.

Microsoft just published their own 14 PWAs. This is the first batch of what is speculated to be hundreds of websites modified to the PWA format.

Here are some of the PWAs currently available: Daytrip, Travelzoo, MyCARFAX, Airfarewatchdog, ASOS, Skyscanner, Student Doctor Network, The Penny Hoarder, OfferFinder.net, Twitter, Ziprecruiter, Space, Men’s Wearhouse.

Microsoft PWAs not fully functional

Despite being officially released, these progressive web apps will not be completely functional on the Windows 10 Mobile. This is due mainly to the Microsoft Edge engine lacking certain parts.

What is Microsoft Edge lacking to make true PWAs?

For one, the mobile version of Microsoft Edge does not support caching offline. This means that the PWAs will only work if you have access to the internet.

In addition, Windows 10 Microsoft Edge Mobile doesn’t have service workers. This means that PWAs won’t be able to send notifications to your action center like a regular application.

There are also other issues, such as the lack of a progress indicator when users click on hyperlinks, among other things.

Flags for desktop users only

Microsoft does have flags for Mobile Edge, but they were only enabled in the upcoming RS4 and the true Windows 10 RS3 Creators Update. This means desktop users can access them, while mobile users can’t.

The bottom line

PWAs is a very exciting technology that could save the application shortage on Windows Mobile . However, these recent events indicates that Windows simply does not seem to think it is worth the trouble.

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