I found out about progressive web apps (PWA), specifically for Google Maps from https://thenextweb.com/apps/2017/12/14/googles-lightweight-maps-go-is-just-a-progressive-web-app-heres-how-to-try-it/. I loaded it onto my idol 4S and wow! This is pretty much the Android app experience, and could really close the "app gap" on Windows Phone/Mobile.
So are there any other good PWAs out there? What I really would like to see are versions for Google Hangouts, Google Drive, and Google Voice. Or any other major app that is missing from our ecosystem.
And please, create a Start screen shortcut for the maps link. It is really good -- it even detected I was signed into Google!