[dahwolf]

"The distinction between a chrome app and a webpage is very minimal"

It can be minimal, it can be significant difference, all depends on the PWA implementation.

Installed app has a shortcut/desktop icon, which is good for return engagement. A flash screen ratehr than the blunt loading of a web page. The UI can be instantly there as well as some content using offline tactics. A PWA isn't compromised by all kinds of browser real estate.

A proper PWA can definitely be better or approach a proper desktop app, but it's true that few implement them in that rich way.