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I won't download your app. The web version is a-ok

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Re: I won't download your app. The web version is a-ok

#241

Post by zem »

akshatjiwan wrote: post #21

That's my stance as well. Unless the website is completely broken or the devs force me to download the app by blocking features on the website I prefer the web. With responsive design becoming mainstream I'm fine with using my browser for 90% of my internet work. In some cases like Google docs it's painful to use the web version so I just use the app. EDIT: I wish they'd add a console to mobile web browsers though.

often the blocked features are specifically blocked on the mobile web (i.e. on your desktop they won't make you get your phone out to use the app instead), so forcing the webpage to desktop mode helps.

Re: I won't download your app. The web version is a-ok

#242

Post by functional_dev »

everdrive wrote: post #2

And if the only option is an app, then I'm not interested in your product / store / company.

I am with you here.. there is actually name for why companies do this. They are not pushing app because it is better, but because browser tab cannot lock you in.

Mapped it out here if curious - https://vectree.io/c/enshittification-how-digital-platforms-...

Re: I won't download your app. The web version is a-ok

#243

Post by sumtechguy »

sdfjkhdfjkdhs wrote: post #213
SunshineTheCat wrote: post #108

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This hit the nail on the head. I find much of the HN community insightful and interesting, but in terms of consumer feedback (especially in a B2C environment) I wouldn't touch feedback here with a 10-foot pole. I don't mean that to be an insult, quite the opposite. Most people here are power users. But that is a galaxy away from how the average user interacts with the internet.

[flagged]

Honest question do you really use all of those tabs? As a small handful of tabs user I use the bookmark feature to hold things I want to keep for later. ctrl-d and it is in the list. Even then 99% of the time I open it again and go 'why did I keep this'. I get it that it is your workflow. Just sort of curious why you would consider that a 'power user' thing? Would not saving them to the bookmark list be more of 'power user' sort of thing to do?

Re: I won't download your app. The web version is a-ok

#244

Post by ghaff »

nkrisc wrote: post #131
KellyCriterion wrote: post #49

What most people dont get: Most of folks on HN here are much older than todays "first customers" of 16y/17/18 For them: The "Smartphone is the internet", while for most of us the "Smartphone is an extension of the internet from our desktops" that we were used to (remember the years before dot com bubble, saying: "I will be down in the basement at the computer to surf on the net little bit" ? :-) But today, the very f…

> But today, the very first touchpoint with "the internet" for younger folks is a smartphone display. The even do homework on this small screens! I saw a tweet recently that perfectly encapsulates this: for most people over 30, certain things are "big screen tasks". I use my phone for a lot, but for some things I put the phone down and use my computer instead. I am most comfortable using a large screen and a keyboard…

I was somewhat shocked a while back when a coworker told me that they offered their kid a laptop for school work and the kid apparently said : Thanks but I’ll stick with my phone.

Re: I won't download your app. The web version is a-ok

#245

Post by dingaling »

btilly wrote: post #130
karimf wrote: post #79

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This. I posted this on my other comment, but there's a meme that "Gen Z Kids Don't Understand How File Systems Work" [0]. There seems to be a disconnect between some developers and the younger folks. [0] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30253526

That's not new. I read a UI book in the early 2000s that cited research showing that most users didn't understand filesystems. They would seem to, but then the idea that the same filename in two places was two unrelated files would just lead to a mental block. Those who got it, didn't find it hard. It's just that some people can't get it. The disconnect is not between some developers, and the younger folks. It is bet…

I can't blame them. We've been force-upgraded to Windows 11 at work and that OS and its apps do their upmost to obscure where files are located.

I've frequently saved on OneDrive instead of locally, by accident, and then been perplexed when I try to reopen the file later.

And I've been using filesystems for 35+ years, so I feel sympathy for those who don't understand the abstraction. At this point Android is more transparent about its files.

Re: I won't download your app. The web version is a-ok

#247

Post by mixtureoftakes »

pcorsaro wrote: post #181

I've been running a video game collection site for years. The number one request I get from people is to build an app. I've worked so hard on making the mobile version of the site to be just as functional as the desktop version, and I don't really understand why people want an app over just using the web version. I sometimes wonder if I should just do it to see if I'm missing out on market share, but I don't really w…

building and maintaining a simple webview app might be easier than you think.

if you ever end up making one im very very curious about how much market share that would gain

Re: I won't download your app. The web version is a-ok

#248

Post by Waterluvian »

KellyCriterion wrote: post #136
Waterluvian wrote: post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I saw a television advert the other day that specifically called out Millennials and how, yes, you can book a vacation from your phone and you're going to be okay, dad. I think, "I'm not downloading your app" is of course a perfectly fine perspective. I rarely do. And blogging about it is playing one's role in the techno-cultural tug-of-war. But I'm consciously aware that I'm in the dying minority and the world is ch…

Sure, I can book on the smartphone! But its super uncomfortable! :-) And: Typing - I learnt in school to type perfectly with 10 fingers, on a smartphone only using my thumb is just too slow

Right?!

How can I cross reference things and check deals and copy paste to my spreadsheet on a phone!

I feel like you can do these things but I’m very skeptical that people aren’t worse off by doing it on a phone (when they have the choice)

Re: I won't download your app. The web version is a-ok

#249

Post by josephcsible »

Hall of shame:

* Reddit won't let you read "unreviewed" content on mobile web (but will on desktop web)

* PayPal won't let you pick your 5% rewards category, or set up balance auto-replenish without their app

* Robinhood Banking won't let you see your credit card statement or pay your balance without their app

* Instagram won't let you share posts as stories without their app

* SeatGeek won't let you attend events without their app (no will call, mailed tickets, print at home, or mobile web)

Re: I won't download your app. The web version is a-ok

#250

Post by moron4hire »

KellyCriterion wrote: post #49

What most people dont get: Most of folks on HN here are much older than todays "first customers" of 16y/17/18 For them: The "Smartphone is the internet", while for most of us the "Smartphone is an extension of the internet from our desktops" that we were used to (remember the years before dot com bubble, saying: "I will be down in the basement at the computer to surf on the net little bit" ? :-) But today, the very f…

"The grandmas are too stupid to learn" but now it's the young people who are too dumb to figure out computers. So, I guess my generation is the only one that will ever figure out the Internet? Seems dumb.
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