4 ms·

What sort of future do companies like Reddit envision for the internet, exactly? One where I have an app on my phone for every website I visit?

Scarblac 9y ago
One where you only visit their website, and only through their app.
sli 9y ago
On the lighter side, a complete monopoly over your internet use. On the darker side, I dunno... technocracy?
tootie 9y ago
This is Apple's vision because Google owns the browser market. PWAs could replace at least half the apps people are using. Reddit absolutely doesn't need native apps but there are a bunch because their mobile experience is so bad.
crysin 9y ago
Personally, I prefer apps over websites almost always unless the app is just a dedicated browser window to the company's website. I feel like the mobile experience on almost all websites is absolutely terrible when compared to a dedicated mobile app offering. Unless companies start investing more money into making their websites feel as good and snappy as their apps do, I know I'll default to the app over the website, always.
- Splines 9y ago
  I usually prefer apps too but it's only because apps have native controls that are first-class citizens in the UI - they don't float around and aren't as prone to being mis-clicked. Apps generally have better performance than the website too. Sites that have more static text with large text controls are fine in the browser, but that's usually the exception.
- phn 9y ago
  Also, having a private "browsing" mode for apps would be great as well!
- tomc1985 9y ago
  I would prefer sites as I cannot reliably adblock apps in all network environments.
  - jimpudar 9y ago
    Take a look at pi-hole with a VPN for remote use. It works great.
Someone1234 9y ago
> One where I have an app on my phone for every website I visit? Google is working on "instant apps" that auto-install apps when you try to visit a website, so that should give you a vision into the future some want.
- billmalarky 9y ago
  https://xkcd.com/1367/ https://xkcd.com/1367/
_rpd 9y ago
apps don't have ad block. This is the only reason companies care about apps.

Scarblac 9y ago

One where you only visit their website, and only through their app.

sli 9y ago

On the lighter side, a complete monopoly over your internet use. On the darker side, I dunno... technocracy?

tootie 9y ago

This is Apple's vision because Google owns the browser market. PWAs could replace at least half the apps people are using. Reddit absolutely doesn't need native apps but there are a bunch because their mobile experience is so bad.

crysin 9y ago

Personally, I prefer apps over websites almost always unless the app is just a dedicated browser window to the company's website. I feel like the mobile experience on almost all websites is absolutely terrible when compared to a dedicated mobile app offering. Unless companies start investing more money into making their websites feel as good and snappy as their apps do, I know I'll default to the app over the website, always.

Splines 9y ago
I usually prefer apps too but it's only because apps have native controls that are first-class citizens in the UI - they don't float around and aren't as prone to being mis-clicked. Apps generally have better performance than the website too. Sites that have more static text with large text controls are fine in the browser, but that's usually the exception.
phn 9y ago
Also, having a private "browsing" mode for apps would be great as well!
tomc1985 9y ago
I would prefer sites as I cannot reliably adblock apps in all network environments.
- jimpudar 9y ago
  Take a look at pi-hole with a VPN for remote use. It works great.

Someone1234 9y ago

> One where I have an app on my phone for every website I visit? Google is working on "instant apps" that auto-install apps when you try to visit a website, so that should give you a vision into the future some want.

billmalarky 9y ago
https://xkcd.com/1367/ https://xkcd.com/1367/

_rpd 9y ago

apps don't have ad block. This is the only reason companies care about apps.