I wonder the same about mobile web apps. Why try so hard to make the visual design and user experience so similar to a native app...when you're not a native app?
I'm sure LinkedIn spent an inordinate amount of time tweaking javascript to approximate native scrolling behavior, but as you note, it's just nowhere near the mark.
I commend LinkedIn for open-sourcing[0] pieces of their app, but when user experience is a paramount concern, there is no substitute for native. Ditto for Facebook's iPhone app. Most users may not be able to articulate why things don't feel quite right, but you can bet they'll notice it.
I'm sure LinkedIn spent an inordinate amount of time tweaking javascript to approximate native scrolling behavior, but as you note, it's just nowhere near the mark.
I commend LinkedIn for open-sourcing[0] pieces of their app, but when user experience is a paramount concern, there is no substitute for native. Ditto for Facebook's iPhone app. Most users may not be able to articulate why things don't feel quite right, but you can bet they'll notice it.
[0] https://github.com/linkedin/LIExposeController