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Show HN: An app store just for installable web apps

store.app

151–160 of 233 posts

Re: Show HN: An app store just for installable web apps

#151

There is still no way to trigger an "install on homepage" dialogue from javascript, right? This seems to be the biggest limiting factor to me—The need for PWAs to include _instructions on how_ to install the app rather than a button to make it so.

Not on iOS, but you can trigger native install prompts on android and chromium browsers (Chrome and Edge).

Edit: Not on iOS...yet.

Re: Show HN: An app store just for installable web apps

#152

This is awesome, as PWAs get better I really REALLY hope they'll challenge the big app stores. So far no one I know outside of tech knows or cares that this is even possible, but I hope sites like this will gradually change that and also change people's perceptions of what has to be a "native" app. I don't see any reason why in 10 years we should still be paying the 30% tax (+ the $100/year) just to get something wit…

It's up to all of us to build the future, brick by brick. What looks impossible today might look inevitable in hindsight. Ok sorry, enough cliches from me for the night :-P

Re: Show HN: An app store just for installable web apps

#153
post #116

PWA button doesn't do anything? Is it supposed to install or save something somewhere? On Firefox Mobile.

PWA button filters down to only web apps with a manifest + service worker. Unfortunately, Firefox is a bit behind in adding some of the features that make PWAs, well, progressive. If you're on iOS, try Safari or Chrome.

Re: Show HN: An app store just for installable web apps

#154

Curious about the backing org. Is it nonprofit/open-source, or a startup? And if the latter, what's the business model?

Startup. Our business model is a small subscription fee for extra features for PWA devs. This will likely evolve over time, but we will be careful not to become what dislike. Our goal is to help web devs grow their business and crack distribution on mobile.

Re: Show HN: An app store just for installable web apps

#158

Is it just me that I like websites with URLs on the browser while trying to avoid Apps wherever possible, especially on the desktop? Please don’t take me the wrong way; I was the one developing apps for Pocket PC devices in the early 2000s. For instance, “Twitter” is the first featured “app” I see here at Store.App. However, when I use Twitter, I tend to click away on links and read/browse them. How are people using…

You definitely are not alone. Even on mobile, not only desktop, if I can do away without an app I'd really do that. We have a movie booking app in our country BookMyShow (the less said about this company and practices is better) and I just book it on its mobile website mostly (though I try to book in the theatre and almost always I have to make a scene to get a print ticket when I refuse to share my number fearing ce…

A lot of services are unfortunately forcing you to use the app instead of the web. And a lot of the apps in your country are available in the AppStore India only which is extremely annoying for me as a German in India who has to switch between local and foreign Apple IDs frequently.

Re: Show HN: An app store just for installable web apps

#159
post #92
post #35

I love it, maybe finally developers will no longer be under the mercy of apple/google store! Probably the only thing PWA fails to do now that anything needs access to the hardware say wifi/Bluetooth scanner and such, and big games too, the rest of the apps, I don’t see why it needs to be installed from app/play store.

Finally developers can be under the mercy of some random dude who owns the store.app domain and charges for instead, joy!

Not really, since there can be many indexes like this.

There's already https://appsco.pe for example.

Re: Show HN: An app store just for installable web apps

#160

I 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.

FWIW, Firefox had PWA support on desktop and removed it.
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