Earlier quoted context omitted.
Zero-install is not difficult. In fact, it was around decades ago. Then people destroyed that with complex operating systems requiring loads of configuration. Even with the stupidity of modern operating systems we could recover zero-install with simple virtual machines (or any number of other mechanisms). Web links are cool. Just about the only redeeming feature of the web. They have absolutely no connection to JavaS…
I guess the zero friction upgrading refers to the app, not the browser. You can be pretty sure people are running the latest version just by pushing the code to your server. No need to download/install, or update in an app store.
Well, either way it makes no difference. Thin clients were around decades ago. The browser is a pig.