Just wanted to know what's everyone opinion on whether we need mobile apps?
My position is for the majority of the cases, we don't based on 1. Browser, CPU & GPU performance across mobiles, even laptops. Most 'native' apps and simple puzzle games or runners can be played well in a browser. Given that we've new browser APIs such as device orientation and game controls etc ?
Then they're notorious sites like Reddit who try push you to download their app, so they can serve you ADS.
Ask HN: Do we still need native apps?
1–10 of 46 posts
Re: Ask HN: Do we still need native apps?
#2Yes.
For several reasons:
The most important of which is, that we are not always online. Be it because we simply choose not to be, because we want our goddamn peace for once, or that we're actually in a place or situation with no internet connection. Sure, some webapps work offline as well, but it won't be the majority, exactly because an always-online state is assumed.
And even though performance is usually not an issue, battery life is. And most browsers introduce more levels of abstraction than are necessary for the application at hand.
Re: Ask HN: Do we still need native apps?
#3How about a Fitness app for example? Yes we do need native apps for a bunch of other use cases you haven't mentioned. In-app purchases also help reducing the amount of ads you'd get on regular websites. I do agree with you in terms of performances and improvements with technologies like AMP, etc. We will get very close to a native app feel in a few years from now. Though, the real offline use cases like a fitness app again would require something fully controlled by the OS on mobile. Oh... security! there we go, another good reason why sandboxed apps are probably useful in certain cases.
Re: Ask HN: Do we still need native apps?
#4rule of thumb is stay away from mobile web unless necessary because of slow browser performance
Re: Ask HN: Do we still need native apps?
#5Do we still need web apps?
There's notorious sites like reddit who try to push you to visit their web page, so they can serve you ADS.
Re: Ask HN: Do we still need native apps?
#6If you ask me it should be the other way around, do we need web apps at all?
1. Most web "apps" actually only work on Chrome, so there's that. So much for the open, standardized web.
2. Most web apps track the heck out of everything you do.
3. Most web apps are sluggish and use more resources than they should.
4. Most web apps are like Juicero, expensive solutions to non existent problems.
Re: Ask HN: Do we still need native apps?
#7Absolutely still need native apps. What we need more of is proper cross platform programming ala Golang. All attempts at shoehorning Web based solutions into this space have been horribly behind the curve, especially on performance.
Re: Ask HN: Do we still need native apps?
#8If you ask me it should be the other way around, do we need web apps at all? 1. Most web "apps" actually only work on Chrome, so there's that. So much for the open, standardized web. 2. Most web apps track the heck out of everything you do. 3. Most web apps are sluggish and use more resources than they should. 4. Most web apps are like Juicero, expensive solutions to non existent problems.
I think 4. applies to Native apps -- if we look at the App Store and the dreams of wannapreneurs it's mostly an App for that.
Bet 98% of the apps on the App Store get a $1k in revenue/month
Re: Ask HN: Do we still need native apps?
#9rule of thumb is stay away from mobile web unless necessary because of slow browser performance
I don't know about browsers being slow these days ? WebGL2 and the various JS engines V8, Chakra, JSCore
Re: Ask HN: Do we still need native apps?
#10Web vs Native is a non sequitur. It's really about distribution, control, and accountability. The question should be do we still need closed platforms?