should be
"They are building a web version, they're just doing native apps first"
Doing mobile first can totally be web.
You're part of a growing minority who interprets it that way. Google search results for "mobile first" are still very web-focused today, but I'm concerned the native app community will usurp that phrase, confusing everybody.
And while I'm speaking for the web community, apologies for usurping the word "responsive" and confusing everybody.
Mobile devices have web browsers. In fact, by some measure, the ability to run a web browser would be the defining characteristic of a "smart" phone.
We had a name for phones that just ran little applets - they were called "feature phones". Some of them had very interesting, even great features.
But it's the browser, and things like the browser, that make the smartphone smart.
They are building a web version, they're just doing mobile first. And that may be a pretty smart move.
"You will work with our product designers, mobile engineers, and backend engineers to create a distinct web version of our mobile offering." (http://www.hello.com/en/jobs/)
Orkut was global, and in a global context, mobile devices may be more heavily used than laptop / desktop web.
"Smartphone ownership rates have skyrocketed in many countries since 2013. This includes increases of over 25 percentage points among the total population in large emerging economies such as Turkey (+42 points), Malaysia (+34), Chile (+26) and Brazil (+26)."
http://www.pewglobal.org/2016/02/22/smartphone-ownership-and...
Even in the US, I see all the kids with mobile devices and controlled internet access. If you're shooting for the next generation of people, e.g., the young'uns, then mobile first is probably critical.