Maybe the distinction is in that word "app." We started calling programs "apps" when smart phones came out. Smart phones are remote-first, and it makes sense (or it did) as long as you think of a phone as your terminal into... something.

Your examples are all programs that predate mobile, even though they are available on mobile (are they local-first on mobile too?).

Not sure I'm following, what's the importance of the term "app"?

(And yes, they're all local first on mobile as well.)

(Also Notes and Photos were mobile apps on the iPhone first [not that it really matters, just FYI].)

Apple continues to release new apps under this model today (i.e., local first), e.g., https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freeform_(Apple). In my mind, the evidence just points to Apple thinking local-first is the best approach for the software on their devices.