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Valdi – A cross-platform UI framework that delivers native performance

github.com

61–70 of 230 posts

Re: Valdi – A cross-platform UI framework that delivers native performance

#61

Working at a company that uses react-native I wish nothing more than for the end of app stores and differing platform languages. We're heavily considering just having a website next year with a mobile app using webview, and then native code for the native notifications, GPS and healthkit / health connect. I feel like AI is changing the equation, its nearly better to write your business UI 3 times one for each platfor…

Then why bother making an app? The user can access the web app using the browser.

Re: Valdi – A cross-platform UI framework that delivers native performance

#62

So now I can finally implement the most god-awful, ugly, cumbersome and unintuitive GUI methodology ever to face a large population of users into my own apps? This abomination that started the whole user-experience decline by making this kind of yuck the gold standard for apps today is finally open source? Color me yellow.

Snap is the greatest innovator of user experiences in this generation. This is evidenced by the fact that literally every other social media app is just a hodgepodge copycat of sorts of what snap invented. For people who introduced themselves to tech with snap as one of their first apps, its the most intuitive thing ever.

When they first introduced video calls, schools had to close for a day.

Imagine then you come here and see someone calls it awful. Can't help but think its just an instance of "old man yelling at clouds".

Re: Valdi – A cross-platform UI framework that delivers native performance

#63
post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It’s because if a webview app experience is good, you don’t notice it, you only notice if it’s bad. A while ago saw a blog link on HN that explained how Apple uses it everywhere and we never notice it because they are done well. Of course I can’t find that link now, I summon the HN gods…

> It’s because if a webview app experience is good, you don’t notice it, you only notice if it’s bad. Aside from Apple’s apps (which imo are noticeably worse than the old ones, but that’s beside the point), what are some good WebView apps on iOS right now?

Somebody scraped the play store and checked the framework, so a list for Android WebView apps, built with capacitor, is here: https://capgo.app/top_capacitor_app/ Maybe an equivalent is there on iOS for the same app...

Re: Valdi – A cross-platform UI framework that delivers native performance

#64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have never once experienced a WebView app that I would say had “a really good experience.”

It’s because if a webview app experience is good, you don’t notice it, you only notice if it’s bad. A while ago saw a blog link on HN that explained how Apple uses it everywhere and we never notice it because they are done well. Of course I can’t find that link now, I summon the HN gods…

Can you give examples of good webview apps on iOS?

Re: Valdi – A cross-platform UI framework that delivers native performance

#65

So now I can finally implement the most god-awful, ugly, cumbersome and unintuitive GUI methodology ever to face a large population of users into my own apps? This abomination that started the whole user-experience decline by making this kind of yuck the gold standard for apps today is finally open source? Color me yellow.

Snap is the greatest innovator of user experiences in this generation. This is evidenced by the fact that literally every other social media app is just a hodgepodge copycat of sorts of what snap invented. For people who introduced themselves to tech with snap as one of their first apps, its the most intuitive thing ever. When they first introduced video calls, schools had to close for a day. Imagine then you come he…

> For people who introduced themselves to tech with snap as one of their first apps, its the most intuitive thing ever

By definition, the first app someone uses will be from their POV the most intuitive app ever. It will also be the least intuitive app ever.

Re: Valdi – A cross-platform UI framework that delivers native performance

#66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I did this and never looked back. It’s called a “WebView app” and you can get a really good experience on all platforms using them. Just: - don’t make any crazy decisions on your fundamental UI components, like breadcrumbs, select dropdowns, etc - add a few platform-specific specialisations to those same components, to make them feel a bit more familiar, such as button styling, or using a self-simplifying back-stack…

I have never once experienced a WebView app that I would say had “a really good experience.”

I've done it before on a personal project and I was pretty obsessed with user experience. For example, I changed the way buttons work (because they were natively links with Cordova, which trigger upon tap, not "finger lift", like native buttons). Also, implemented some gestures to e.g. switch between pages (tab-style navigation). While not really in line with system UI (wasn't my goal), I think usability is quite decent.

In case you're interested, the app is named "QuickÖV" - not relevant to anyone outside Switzerland, but just for trying it out: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.billhillap...

Re: Valdi – A cross-platform UI framework that delivers native performance

#67

So now I can finally implement the most god-awful, ugly, cumbersome and unintuitive GUI methodology ever to face a large population of users into my own apps? This abomination that started the whole user-experience decline by making this kind of yuck the gold standard for apps today is finally open source? Color me yellow.

Snap is the greatest innovator of user experiences in this generation. This is evidenced by the fact that literally every other social media app is just a hodgepodge copycat of sorts of what snap invented. For people who introduced themselves to tech with snap as one of their first apps, its the most intuitive thing ever. When they first introduced video calls, schools had to close for a day. Imagine then you come he…

Don't take me argument as one against the point that it was massively popular and influential, en contraire, that's often the common factor in things I tend to dislike: the norm/ the mainstream.

It's mostly subjective when talking UI, and a lot plays in too regarding the lack of competive platforms with different UI's.

Re: Valdi – A cross-platform UI framework that delivers native performance

#68

Working at a company that uses react-native I wish nothing more than for the end of app stores and differing platform languages. We're heavily considering just having a website next year with a mobile app using webview, and then native code for the native notifications, GPS and healthkit / health connect. I feel like AI is changing the equation, its nearly better to write your business UI 3 times one for each platfor…

CapacitorJS makes for a REALLY awesome app dev experience compared with React Native. It's basically just a really well integrated system for building exactly what you describe. The company I work at made the switch from an RN app to a CJS one and it was might and day in so many ways, performance included!

Re: Valdi – A cross-platform UI framework that delivers native performance

#69
post #65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Snap is the greatest innovator of user experiences in this generation. This is evidenced by the fact that literally every other social media app is just a hodgepodge copycat of sorts of what snap invented. For people who introduced themselves to tech with snap as one of their first apps, its the most intuitive thing ever. When they first introduced video calls, schools had to close for a day. Imagine then you come he…

> For people who introduced themselves to tech with snap as one of their first apps, its the most intuitive thing ever By definition, the first app someone uses will be from their POV the most intuitive app ever. It will also be the least intuitive app ever.

All valid points. Made me actually think about the likely first actions an alien or newborn would take with a 2025 touch screen device. Chomp. Chew. Swipe.

xD

Re: Valdi – A cross-platform UI framework that delivers native performance

#70

Working at a company that uses react-native I wish nothing more than for the end of app stores and differing platform languages. We're heavily considering just having a website next year with a mobile app using webview, and then native code for the native notifications, GPS and healthkit / health connect. I feel like AI is changing the equation, its nearly better to write your business UI 3 times one for each platfor…

we shipped this last year. Best decision ever.

I saw another comment calling it "webview app", which is also valid, but we call it "hybrid app".

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