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'The tyranny of apps': those without smartphones are unfairly penalised

theguardian.com

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Re: 'The tyranny of apps': those without smartphones are unfairly penalised

#201

Post by thyw123129 »

Resist! If a bank forces you to use a surveillance device (smartphone) to do Internet banking or forces you to install invasive apps on your PC, don't.

TAN apps were still reasonable. TAN generators too, though the hardware sucked and used an insane amount of batteries. Then banks forced apps and smartphones and that is the point where to say no thanks.

They are still required to perform transactions by filling out forms with a pen. It sounds like a lot of work but it really isn't. Use cash or credit cards and cut down the number of manual transactions.

Re: 'The tyranny of apps': those without smartphones are unfairly penalised

#202

Post by tdeck »

internet2000 wrote: post #164
joshdavham wrote: post #127

I’m fascinated by this phenomenon of apps proposing solutions that are far worse than the previous existing solutions. For example: 1. Parking apps are worse than parking meters. 2. Tinder is worse than IRL speed dating. 3. Duolingo is worse than language classes. 4. Airline apps that are worse than just printing a boarding pass. 5. Etc It really makes me frustrated as someone who builds software and generally thinks…

I don't think I could disagree more with your number 4. Adding a boarding pass to Apple Wallet and having it update itself with gate changes, delays, etc, notifying you and even scribbling skeuomorphically what changed on the pass [0] has been one of the strongest delighters I've experienced in recent times. [0] https://i.imgur.com/OkthcOi.png

You can do that with a boarding pass downloaded from the airline website or emailed to you by the airline. But some airlines like to hide this option in order to force you to download their app.

Re: 'The tyranny of apps': those without smartphones are unfairly penalised

#203

Post by bluedino »

fifticon wrote: post #120

My doctor/'s office was just forced to switch to app-instead-of-website for patient interation. Ironically, the old and this new software came from same megacorp I work for (different department, same story). The old web interface was rather good and rather sensible-practical-sane. It was almost as if someone had asked a doctor what he actually needed for his patients, and then understood his answer and also managed…

My hospital system has a surprisingly decent web app. I can log in and see my appointments, pre-register for office visits, view lab results, medications, request appointments, do virtual visits...

The amazing stupid part is when I have to sign in at the actual doctor's office.

They have an iPad which does some sort of remote/citrix setup, resulting in a frustrating experience that is full of lag where you interface with what might be their actual EMR system.

Re: 'The tyranny of apps': those without smartphones are unfairly penalised

#204

Post by ryandrake »

rrr_oh_man wrote: post #180
jrochkind1 wrote: post #136

Earlier quoted context omitted.

going back to pre-smartphone but still true, in the US at least, it is generally illegal to park at a broken meter and you can get a ticket -- because otherwise there would be incentive to break the meter so you could park there for free.

> because otherwise there would be incentive to break the meter so you could park there for free Never in my life would I have thought of that.

You must not be a security researcher or QA tester :)

Re: 'The tyranny of apps': those without smartphones are unfairly penalised

#205

Post by pseingatl »

JeanMarcS wrote: post #10

My brother doesn't have à smartphone (by choice). For example, he cannot access his bank account via his desktop anymore. He have to go to his agency in person. Well we all did that for years so it's just annoying, because he still have the possibility to do it and it's his choice. But what will happen if all the brick and mortar close ? When will it be mandatory to get a smartphone for his bank app, just to have acc…

The advantage of having to go to the branch in person is that KYC is never an issue.

Re: 'The tyranny of apps': those without smartphones are unfairly penalised

#206

Post by azemetre »

kQq9oHeAz6wLLS wrote: post #176
TeMPOraL wrote: post #159

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do a little reverse engineering/analysis on the app, to parallel-construct the claims of 'fifticon (as to not require them to leak internal info or become a whistleblower). If it's as bad as it sounds, go to press. Or just dump an expose on Twitter/X to maximize public awareness. > who is even "the user" here? The doctors and their patients. If it's as bad as it sounds, it actively degrades the ability of doctors to…

People should instead just vote with you feet and dollars. That'll be inconvenient, but if it bothers you enough, you'll make the effort. A crucial part of this approach is to let your doctor know exactly why you're leaving. If they're losing business over it, they'll look for alternatives. And if the EHR company loses money, they'll look to make changes, too.

Usually when people say vote with your wallet, it means those with more money make the rules.

What recourse does an individual have if they live in a rural area with 1 or 3 doctors that all use the same hostile software?

Should they suffer because they don't have money or the ability to go else where?

Re: 'The tyranny of apps': those without smartphones are unfairly penalised

#207

Post by cess11 »

otterley wrote: post #187
onetokeoverthe wrote: post #184

Earlier quoted context omitted.

they took an oath not to refuse.

Doctors take an oath to do no harm. With few exceptions, they are not required to treat patients. If you were correct, you could get cosmetic surgery for free and with no prerequisites, assuming it wouldn’t harm you.

Why shouldn't they?

Re: 'The tyranny of apps': those without smartphones are unfairly penalised

#208

Post by pseingatl »

SkiFire13 wrote: post #147
JeanMarcS wrote: post #10

My brother doesn't have à smartphone (by choice). For example, he cannot access his bank account via his desktop anymore. He have to go to his agency in person. Well we all did that for years so it's just annoying, because he still have the possibility to do it and it's his choice. But what will happen if all the brick and mortar close ? When will it be mandatory to get a smartphone for his bank app, just to have acc…

My bank used to provide you with a small TOTP device the size of a usb key. Sadly they eventually deprecated it and recently dismissed it entirely in favor of their increadibly slow app.

With a text sent to your phone for TFA. Which means you can't access your accou nt if you travel. You could always access it with the TOTP device.

Re: 'The tyranny of apps': those without smartphones are unfairly penalised

#209

Post by thfuran »

pqtyw wrote: post #141
joshdavham wrote: post #127

I’m fascinated by this phenomenon of apps proposing solutions that are far worse than the previous existing solutions. For example: 1. Parking apps are worse than parking meters. 2. Tinder is worse than IRL speed dating. 3. Duolingo is worse than language classes. 4. Airline apps that are worse than just printing a boarding pass. 5. Etc It really makes me frustrated as someone who builds software and generally thinks…

> 1. Parking apps are worse than parking meters. I certainly don't agree with that one. I really don't miss having to pay for a fixed number of hours and then having to figure out what to do if I'm running late (or wasting money if I get back early). > 4. Airline apps that are worse than just printing a boarding pass. Unless the app is exceptionally horrible you can just export it to Apple/Android wallet which is muc…

>Unless the app is exceptionally horrible you can just export it to Apple/Android wallet which is much more convenient than having to find a printer.

And once the gate or departure time changes, your printed boarding pass will start lying to you.

Re: 'The tyranny of apps': those without smartphones are unfairly penalised

#210

Post by ryandrake »

donatj wrote: post #121

Xfinity sent me a new cable modem this week. Came with zero instructions for set up, just a QR code. Scanned the QR code and it took me to install an app. I begrudgingly installed it. The app had me hit next a few times before scanning a different QR code on the bottom of the modem. That was the entire process. I guess you just have to pay for installation if you don't have a smart phone? It offered for $150+ when I…

Do your best to make these decisions cost them, even if it's only a few pennies. Call their customer support up and tie up one of their representatives as long as possible. Who knows, if enough people do that, and they log the reason, then maybe, just maybe these SuperUltraMegaCorps have a chance of changing their mind.
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