3 ms·
> Optimizing for something as abstruse as "engagement" seems like a great way to completely ignore everything that actually makes social networks compelling. O
by lloeki 8y ago
> Optimizing for something as abstruse as "engagement" seems like a great way to completely ignore everything that actually makes social networks compelling.
Or anything else, for that matter. The most shocking part of Android Pie release[0] was the repetition of the "drive engagement" mantra (in the post as well as surrounding articles). Fundamentally, phones are tools; how good is any tool to me when it's purposely designed to make me use it more? A tool should make me more efficient, hence, for the same task, make me use it less! Everything about this is spiralling to artificially inflate dubious metrics such as eyeball time or number of interactions.
[0]: https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2018/08/introducing-android-9-pie.html https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2018/08/introducin...
- xf00 8y ago> A tool should make me more efficient, hence, for the same task, make me use it less! It makes sense when you consider Android phones as a set of tools used by advertisers to reach consumers. The more eyeballs the more efficient the tool becomes.
- Klover 8y agoIt shows in both app stores on either platform. The play store gives me lots of suggestions on apps to download based on activity, and the iOS store has these write ups to promote apps. Both get them money. Does Android have something like Siri suggestions with P? Because that seems intended to do the exact opposite of what you’re saying. It is the feature that suggests your notes app if you often use your notes app in the grocery store location. It would be a good use for Android instead of the constant asking to review the store.
- ryanbrunner 8y agoIt does have a suggested apps section at the top of the apps list. It's supposedly time / location aware, but I haven't dug into how effective that is (I tend to use 3-4 apps almost exclusively on my phone, so that's all I tend to ever get suggested).
- tokyodude 8y agoI wish there was some kind of pledge or iOS/Android rule not to waste my time. Example: I'm on 2 dating app. I want notification on so I can make sure to receive messages from actual people but I get one notification every day from each app "You should check for new matches today!" Nether app has a way to turn off that notification. Google Maps now does something like this too where they are trying to get me to add reviews and photos so Google Maps starts notifying me "Add a review of that place I think you just visited?" I think Google Maps at least had a way to turn it off though not 100% sure. In general though the more some service bugs me with anything the less I want to do business with that service. That includes mailing lists. Hate them! Don't add me. I didn't opt-in! Etc...
- Grazester 8y agoYes you can turn it off. Its kind of annoying if you're not a contributor
- daveFNbuck 8y agoI guess that's why they took away the option to silence your phone. I'll be less engaged if it can't ring during movies and meetings.