I believe the issue is that web development is normally far easier than the alternatives.
So, some ideas are tested in the web, and if they are successful and they benefit from going native, they will be reimplemented in a more close to the metal way. Or not.
GoogleDocs -> Dropbox
VVVVVVV in flash -> VVVVVVVV in C
Some future game in WebGL at 5 FPS -> Same native game at 120FPS with anti-aliasing and anisotropic filtering.
So, some ideas are tested in the web, and if they are successful and they benefit from going native, they will be reimplemented in a more close to the metal way. Or not.
GoogleDocs -> Dropbox
VVVVVVV in flash -> VVVVVVVV in C
Some future game in WebGL at 5 FPS -> Same native game at 120FPS with anti-aliasing and anisotropic filtering.
OTOH: Mail clients -> Web mail