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Do not download the app, use the website

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Re: Do not download the app, use the website

#21

Don’t forget the ability to send push notifications. I think that’s one of the main reasons — it turns your whole relationship with a product on its head: you lose control over when you’re engaging, instead they can literally push their services and ads on you.

You can get push notifications to your phone from a website through the browser, even when that website isn't still open.

But presumably developers have more control over app notification look & feel vs browser notifications?

Re: Do not download the app, use the website

#23

> Some apps can even record audio I have started to think this is the real reason why so many apps have a messaging and voice chat features, not so they can orifice this services to you, but so you'll grant the access so they can spy on you and sell it to advertisers. I randomly decided to try my hand at pottery using clay I've dug up from my yard. Talked about this in person with a few people, but hadn't posted anyw…

One of those people might have googled about pottery, or did a casual Amazon search for indicative pricing, on their phone while on your Wi-Fi connection.

Sure, that's possible.

But nobody in that ecosystem deserves the benefit of the doubt.

Re: Do not download the app, use the website

#24
post #7

Don’t agree, but to each their own. The native app experience for every app noted in the article is better and smoother than the mobile web version, in my opinion. Lots of people hate Electron apps, which suggests to me that my preference for native apps isn’t unique. Web apps can ask for your location or microphone the same way native apps can. Just reject it, there’s nothing that says you have to accept on either p…

I agree with you: I always use native apps where they exist, on mobile or desktop and only use web apps if I’m forced too.

Re: Do not download the app, use the website

#27
post #7

Don’t agree, but to each their own. The native app experience for every app noted in the article is better and smoother than the mobile web version, in my opinion. Lots of people hate Electron apps, which suggests to me that my preference for native apps isn’t unique. Web apps can ask for your location or microphone the same way native apps can. Just reject it, there’s nothing that says you have to accept on either p…

The reason I believe the web experience is inferior is because companies put more resources into apps at the expense of the web. Apps break often. They need a lot of support. Everything must be constantly updated. You never know when Samsung or Apple will push an update that breaks things because of some esoteric policy shift or setting change. But the web? If you do it right, maintenence is much easier. If things do…

> The reason I believe the web experience is inferior is because companies put more resources into apps at the expense of the web.

The main reason is just a single company - Apple. They have been hell bent on nerfing Safari so that they can continue their rent seeking behavior on App Store.

If Spotify has a functional mobile website, they cant take 30% cut from their app. The way Apple does is 2 fold. 1) deliberating not investing $$ into Safari 2) claiming that you'll get malware from internet.

Both are hypocritical.

Re: Do not download the app, use the website

#28
post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yelp is one of the worst. So much so that I will do everything in my power to never download their app out of spite.

Why would you even use Yelp the website?

I use yelp exclusively for photos of the menu, food, and display cases (with prices).

Re: Do not download the app, use the website

#29
post #9

> If you've ever opened Reddit, LinkedIn, Pinterest And Facebook. I swear they intentionally make the website as bad as possible for mobile browsers. Explicitly disabled sending messages a few years ago. Do they really think someone who resisted their push to apps for 10+ years would submit one day?

just for those who don't know:

https://old.reddit.com/

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