Comment by Spivak

> I think it's incomparable to having to write multiple native apps.

It's not comparable to writing multiple native apps, but it's the exact same model as having to use cross-platform toolkits like QT. The web has just replaced OS with browser.

> taking about fonts rendering differently

This mimics what happens when using something like QT or Java since they at least try look kind of like the platform they're running on.

> talking about corporate web apps written for IE

IE & Chrome specific features are exactly kinds of things that make cross-browser development just like cross-platform development. Your site either has to use the lowest common denominator or be littered with platform ... err browser specific code -- exactly like native apps.