Sounds like a similar idea as the (failed) sandstorm.io.

Failed? Website looks open for business, and latest commit 6d ago: https://github.com/sandstorm-io/sandstorm

Agree that it sounds exactly like what OP is imagining, website even has the copy 'installing apps is as easy as on your phone'.

I also think Urbit is similar, but frankly I've always been too confused by the space analogies that project uses to be sure.