I think it depends heavily on the app type and the feature-set required. Certain apps can never be duplicated well or even at all; others (such as apps that wrap web content already, or form-centric business tools) would be near-indistinguishable to the casual users who are the target market for most apps. (Also keep in mind, the article was referring not to the quality of products, but of potential business models).
Moreover, cross-platform distribution is nothing to sneeze at. I'm reminded a little of Java programs back when Macs had under 5% market share, and far less native software. I might have been annoyed that these programs were slow and didn't honor Mac conventions, but when there weren't good alternatives, it still beat having nothing at all.
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I think it depends heavily on the app type and the feature-set required. Certain apps can never be duplicated well or even at all; others (such as apps that wrap web content already, or form-centric business tools) would be near-indistinguishable to the casual users who are the target market for most apps. (Also keep in mind, the article was referring not to the quality of products, but of potential business models).
Moreover, cross-platform distribution is nothing to sneeze at. I'm reminded a little of Java programs back when Macs had under 5% market share, and far less native software. I might have been annoyed that these programs were slow and didn't honor Mac conventions, but when there weren't good alternatives, it still beat having nothing at all.