Apple declined to implement 16 Web APIs in Safari due to privacy concerns

There may be some legitimate fingerprinting concenrs. But given the list of API's it's hard not to see this as Apple crippling PWAs to prevent them from replacing native iOS apps (and hurting Apple's revenue from the Apple tax).

And maybe I'm missing something, but wouldn't the fingerprinting concern be mitigated by the fact the app has to ask for permission before using the API? If an app that doesn't have to do with MIDI asks for permission to use my MIDI device, I'm going to be instantly suspicious.

Despite this, I believe PWAs will eventually win, and Apple will be forced to comply if they wish to stay relevant.

Their browser share dropped a little recently (https://gs.statcounter.com/browser-market-share). If that continues, it'll certainly irk them!

Consider that browser share usage could shift around as device usage shifts around during a pandemic.

I don't disagree, but would you expect such a significant drop in Safari usage?

It’s possible if people are using company-provided devices at home in lieu of their own, and the company is providing Windows devices while theirs were Apple. I don’t know the likelihood of this explanation, though.