On Safari, the drop-down list of categories is blank below "Food and Drink".
Show HN: An app store just for installable web apps
111–120 of 233 posts
Re: Show HN: An app store just for installable web apps
#112I've been looking for something like this to happen, and it's great!
By the way, is it ok to list PWAs that I don't own?
Re: Show HN: An app store just for installable web apps
#113Earlier quoted context omitted.
If you don't need iOS, WebUSB should do the trick.
Keep in mind that WebUSB is exclusive to Chromium-based browsers — it won’t work on Firefox or Safari, and given how Google disregarded Mozilla’s and Apple’s feedback on the spec that’s unlikely to change. https://caniuse.com/?search=WebUSB
What was apple/mozilla’s feedback?
Re: Show HN: An app store just for installable web apps
#114Earlier quoted context omitted.
Keep in mind that WebUSB is exclusive to Chromium-based browsers — it won’t work on Firefox or Safari, and given how Google disregarded Mozilla’s and Apple’s feedback on the spec that’s unlikely to change. https://caniuse.com/?search=WebUSB
What was apple/mozilla’s feedback?
Roughly, that they had privacy and security concerns with the way Google wanted to implement it, if I recall correctly.
Re: Show HN: An app store just for installable web apps
#115Nothing that can be blamed to the (web)app store, but I found it curious the overall very poor first impression experience that these small niche (or not so small) websites tend to offer... some have the feeling of just being an excuse prototype to be a quick grab for money / user accounts. I guess that not too unlike actual installable mobile apps, to be fair.
My experience has been:
I tried the Linear app, but couldn't see anything more than a pretty landing page before an account was required. Next.
Replit. Wanted to get a feeling of how it works, but again, just a landing page and a button that says "Start creating" but instead it should say "Log in". Next.
OpenDream: "Create original art in seconds with AI". Cool -I say to myself-, let's create a couple of crazy pictures just for fun. Oh, well, these at least don't pretend to be fancy, the login prompt appears first thing right in your face. Next.
Replika. An AI companion, so curious. But the website's only purpose is to show a "Get the app" that brings me to Play Store. Wouldn't call it a webapp. So next, I guess?
Let's have some fun with some silly phrases in VoiceMaker! But after trying it out with "Casper, Male", I just wanted a second try with "Patricia, Female", and it already prompted me and didn't let me play anything any more. Bummer. Next.
Funnily enough, the best initial experience of these webapps, by a wide margin, has been Tower Game. It just does what it promises. It's a tower game. It runs straight out, and lets you play. No fuss. 10/10, best webapp of the ones I tested!
(PS.: PromptPerfect, "Your IDE for professional prompt engineering". Wow, it's crazy that we got to need such things, the world of LLMs is running too fast for me)
Re: Show HN: An app store just for installable web apps
#116PWA button doesn't do anything? Is it supposed to install or save something somewhere? On Firefox Mobile.
Re: Show HN: An app store just for installable web apps
#117Nothing that can be blamed to the (web)app store, but I found it curious the overall very poor first impression experience that these small niche (or not so small) websites tend to offer... some have the feeling of just being an excuse prototype to be a quick grab for money / user accounts. I guess that not too unlike actual installable mobile apps, to be fair. My experience has been: I tried the Linear app, but coul…
This is great feedback. There are some modifications coming that will enhance the discovery process. It's very early in our journey, so I'd encourage you (I'm biased, of course) to create an account and stay tuned for updates. We believe the web is in the early stages of a renaissance of some sort.
Re: Show HN: An app store just for installable web apps
#118I like the idea and execution. Is good spread the PWA feature of the web to battle the duopoly of native app stores, even if PWA has their disadvantages. Feedback: I'm browsing the site on Firefox desktop, sadly it doesn't support install PWA yet. You may want to add some banner for Firefox users alerting about that.
That's great feedback. It is indeed unfortunate that Firefox has shied away from supporting modern browser features. We will be showing relevant feedback based on your browser when you launch an app - is that sufficient for you? Seems like that's the right CTA to advice a user to switch browsers, but curious if you think it's imperative to have this info at the beginning of your discovery journey.
Re: Show HN: An app store just for installable web apps
#119I've been looking for something like this to happen, and it's great! By the way, is it ok to list PWAs that I don't own?
Thanks!!! We don't have a submission form for non-owned PWAs, but post here + tag me and I can add them!
Re: Show HN: An app store just for installable web apps
#120Any advice for PWA developers who are trying to make use of possibly attached hardware? I'm looking to build a POS app that needs to connect to a receipt printer and scanner, but having trouble finding support for the printer bit. Trying to avoid any pop-up dialogue that requires user confirmation.
If you don't need iOS, WebUSB should do the trick.
Cool - will check it out - want to make sure it will allow printing without any user prompting.