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You're suggesting that you can make something as usable on a mobile browser as you can with a native app. That's just not true; if it were, there wouldn't be an

by roasm 11y ago

You're suggesting that you can make something as usable on a mobile browser as you can with a native app. That's just not true; if it were, there wouldn't be any native apps. For many use cases (games, highly interactive experiences, camera or microphone using app, etc.), a native app may just be better, and guiding users there might be a better experience and a better conversion funnel. Yes, you can make a website mobile friendly, but that doesn't mean it will be as good as the native app.

stcredzero 11y ago
Often, the native app is just as bad or worse! At least the just-as-bad native app didn't soak up your time and bandwidth!
- ianstallings 11y ago
  If that were the case no one would ever install native apps. But the reality is given the choice, most people will use the app. I know this is a fact because mobile is my bread and butter. But if you need some evidence just go look at any of the analytics data that's out there. The majority of time spent on mobile by a user is using an app, with a much smaller percentage of time using the browser.
  - stcredzero 11y ago
    Most apps are ok, or at least no worse than the browser. Some are way worse. In no case does the interstitial take into account your momentary cost/benefit for downloading/installing or if the app is any good.
click170 11y ago
> You're suggesting that you can make something as usable on a mobile browser as you can with a native app. That's just not true; if it were, there wouldn't be any native apps. In the context of forums though, its entirely true and accurate. If we were talking about apps, as in things that require more than an internet connection to work, I would agree with you. Just because you can make it an app, doesn't mean you should.
moblesque 11y ago
>> You're suggesting that you can make something as usable on a mobile browser as you can with a native app. http://mobile.weather.gov/ http://mobile.weather.gov/ would disagree with you.
neoCrimeLabs 11y ago
It's absolutely true that a native application can be more functional than a mobile friendly website. When it comes to websites that try to force their app upon you when visiting their mobile website, my experience has almost always bee n the application is as bad as, if not worse than, the website's functionality. This gets to my point that if your developers are not capable of building a decent mobile friendly website then they are probably not any better at building an app. Also I hinted at the fact that in many cases these apps appear to be designed to track users and invade users privacy. Why else do so many need access to contact lists and more when their functionality doesn't remotely require it.

by roasm 11y ago

stcredzero 11y ago

Often, the native app is just as bad or worse! At least the just-as-bad native app didn't soak up your time and bandwidth!

ianstallings 11y ago
If that were the case no one would ever install native apps. But the reality is given the choice, most people will use the app. I know this is a fact because mobile is my bread and butter. But if you need some evidence just go look at any of the analytics data that's out there. The majority of time spent on mobile by a user is using an app, with a much smaller percentage of time using the browser.
- stcredzero 11y ago
  Most apps are ok, or at least no worse than the browser. Some are way worse. In no case does the interstitial take into account your momentary cost/benefit for downloading/installing or if the app is any good.

click170 11y ago

> You're suggesting that you can make something as usable on a mobile browser as you can with a native app. That's just not true; if it were, there wouldn't be any native apps. In the context of forums though, its entirely true and accurate. If we were talking about apps, as in things that require more than an internet connection to work, I would agree with you. Just because you can make it an app, doesn't mean you should.

moblesque 11y ago

>> You're suggesting that you can make something as usable on a mobile browser as you can with a native app. http://mobile.weather.gov/ http://mobile.weather.gov/ would disagree with you.

neoCrimeLabs 11y ago

It's absolutely true that a native application can be more functional than a mobile friendly website. When it comes to websites that try to force their app upon you when visiting their mobile website, my experience has almost always bee n the application is as bad as, if not worse than, the website's functionality. This gets to my point that if your developers are not capable of building a decent mobile friendly website then they are probably not any better at building an app. Also I hinted at the fact that in many cases these apps appear to be designed to track users and invade users privacy. Why else do so many need access to contact lists and more when their functionality doesn't remotely require it.