Ask HN: What do you hate the most in mobile apps?

#1

Post by koynoyno » Fri, Dec 11, 2020, 8:05 AM UTC

Which user scenarios drive you mad?

For example, I have a 6.6" phablet, which I often use with a single hand when I walk. It's comfortable to look at the top part of the screen. However, it's much more comfortable to use the bottom part of the screen. That's why I love every app which considers this "single-hand" scenario and places inputs to the bottom.

Also, what do you like the most? Like small features, well-thought decisions, etc.

The last discovery for me was putting my favorite VPN in notification panel shortcuts to turn it on in seconds from anywhere.

Re: Ask HN: What do you hate the most in mobile apps?

#2

Post by fikama » Fri, Dec 11, 2020, 8:51 AM UTC

I hate that I can't have two "windows" of the same app. Like on the computer where I can open word twice, then open two diffrent documents in them.

Re: Ask HN: What do you hate the most in mobile apps?

#3

Post by eucryphia » Fri, Dec 11, 2020, 9:19 AM UTC

When there is a lag in response and you click a button or menu item, it changes to something else in the blink of an eye and you've clicked something completely different.

Re: Ask HN: What do you hate the most in mobile apps?

#4

Post by koynoyno » Fri, Dec 11, 2020, 10:27 AM UTC

eucryphia wrote: post #3

When there is a lag in response and you click a button or menu item, it changes to something else in the blink of an eye and you've clicked something completely different.

+1. Any tap should be visible immediately, and any operation that takes more than 2-3 seconds should display a loader.

Re: Ask HN: What do you hate the most in mobile apps?

#5

Post by highhedgehog » Fri, Dec 11, 2020, 11:47 AM UTC

fikama wrote: post #2

I hate that I can't have two "windows" of the same app. Like on the computer where I can open word twice, then open two diffrent documents in them.

On a lot of phones this is possible

Re: Ask HN: What do you hate the most in mobile apps?

#6

Post by ohiovr » Fri, Dec 11, 2020, 11:55 AM UTC

fikama wrote: post #2

I hate that I can't have two "windows" of the same app. Like on the computer where I can open word twice, then open two diffrent documents in them.

Safari has this trick on the iPad I know of.

Re: Ask HN: What do you hate the most in mobile apps?

#7

Post by ohiovr » Fri, Dec 11, 2020, 11:57 AM UTC

Copy and paste on the iPhone. I would really like to have a physical button at this point for that function. On my devices at least (yours might be ok..) the selection process is hard, the copy process is maddeningly intermittently working at times. Once in while it straight up refuses to copy.

Re: Ask HN: What do you hate the most in mobile apps?

#8

Post by koynoyno » Fri, Dec 11, 2020, 1:03 PM UTC

ohiovr wrote: post #7

Copy and paste on the iPhone. I would really like to have a physical button at this point for that function. On my devices at least (yours might be ok..) the selection process is hard, the copy process is maddeningly intermittently working at times. Once in while it straight up refuses to copy.

What about the three-fingers gesture? It seems more convenient than a standard touch-and-hold.

Re: Ask HN: What do you hate the most in mobile apps?

#9

Post by st1x7 » Fri, Dec 11, 2020, 3:08 PM UTC

The following user flow:

- open a free app for the first time after download

- app asks me to fill in details or answer questions in order to create account

- after I've provided my details, the app asks for a subscription payment in order to actually create the account

Any app that does this get instantly deleted.

Re: Ask HN: What do you hate the most in mobile apps?

#10

Post by the_only_law » Fri, Dec 11, 2020, 3:09 PM UTC

ohiovr wrote: post #7

Copy and paste on the iPhone. I would really like to have a physical button at this point for that function. On my devices at least (yours might be ok..) the selection process is hard, the copy process is maddeningly intermittently working at times. Once in while it straight up refuses to copy.

I just switched from Android to iOS and this one thing has been bugging me