6 ms·

We need less PWAs, not more. Many people are already confused enough when it comes to grasping the difference between websites and native applications. Another

by nukeop 8y ago

We need less PWAs, not more. Many people are already confused enough when it comes to grasping the difference between websites and native applications. Another "standard" created to consolidate Google's position in the market.

chippy 8y ago
I'm also confused about how privacy enhancing browser extensions work within a PWA. I've yet to get a full answer on this (it seems as if no one really knows) but it seems to me as if a PWA is more friendly to trackers and less friendly to users of the browser.
- pjmlp 8y ago
  If you want to keep trackers out, the only real option is not to use any Web based app. There are plenty of tricks to work around ad blockers.
- kinlan 8y ago
  I work on the project - PWA's on desktop are essentially just tabs without the Chrome at the moment, so it all goes through the same plumbing right now. It's not more or less friendly to trackers, if you have an extension the extension should still run in the same context.
  - chippy 8y ago
    I appreciate the explanation, thanks.
  - WhatIsDukkha 8y ago
    Is that an implementation detail or in the design spec?
MatekCopatek 8y ago
I'm not familiar with the details of implementing a PWA and how much it's tied to Chrome specifics (that would certainly be bad), but I generally disagree with you. I feel like way too many companies are making native apps just for the sake of users being able to install them and have that icon on the home screen. Most of the time the app doesn't require any native-only functionalities, it could function as web app just fine, so it's a bunch of unnecessary overhead. And mobile platform owners love this as the growing ecosystem means more lock-in. PWAs seem to be a nice middle ground solution to this problem IMHO.
pjmlp 8y ago
PWAs aren't specific to Chrome, they are also being supported by other browser vendors. In fact, PWAs are UWP apps on Windows, having access to all native UWP apis without additional FFI, or having to deal with the likes of Ionic, React Native and friends.
est31 8y ago
I get your viewpoint. I definitely don't want to be harassed by a website to "install" their PWA on the desktop, like how websites already harass me to "install" their app on my phone because it allows them to do more tracking. However, if PWAs allow us to ditch electron for good, I'm all for them. Each electron app shipping its own browser copy and having full access to everything on my computer is a security nightmare.
- nukeop 8y ago
  I wish Servo was mature enough to serve as Electron replacement.
Forge36 8y ago
I remember an early version of this from the iPhone2 days. The standard allows running the app offline, not supporting the desktop when mobile had this feature feels backwards. I don't see these types of comments about Microsoft locking people into windows, chrome is managing to be both an application, and an OS.
Lord_Zero 8y ago
PWAs are allowing better access to the device, things like offline access and File System access soon. Its more than just an icon for a website on your home screen.

by nukeop 8y ago

chippy 8y ago

I'm also confused about how privacy enhancing browser extensions work within a PWA. I've yet to get a full answer on this (it seems as if no one really knows) but it seems to me as if a PWA is more friendly to trackers and less friendly to users of the browser.

pjmlp 8y ago
If you want to keep trackers out, the only real option is not to use any Web based app. There are plenty of tricks to work around ad blockers.
kinlan 8y ago
I work on the project - PWA's on desktop are essentially just tabs without the Chrome at the moment, so it all goes through the same plumbing right now. It's not more or less friendly to trackers, if you have an extension the extension should still run in the same context.
- chippy 8y ago
  I appreciate the explanation, thanks.
- WhatIsDukkha 8y ago
  Is that an implementation detail or in the design spec?

MatekCopatek 8y ago

I'm not familiar with the details of implementing a PWA and how much it's tied to Chrome specifics (that would certainly be bad), but I generally disagree with you. I feel like way too many companies are making native apps just for the sake of users being able to install them and have that icon on the home screen. Most of the time the app doesn't require any native-only functionalities, it could function as web app just fine, so it's a bunch of unnecessary overhead. And mobile platform owners love this as the growing ecosystem means more lock-in. PWAs seem to be a nice middle ground solution to this problem IMHO.

pjmlp 8y ago

PWAs aren't specific to Chrome, they are also being supported by other browser vendors. In fact, PWAs are UWP apps on Windows, having access to all native UWP apis without additional FFI, or having to deal with the likes of Ionic, React Native and friends.

est31 8y ago

I get your viewpoint. I definitely don't want to be harassed by a website to "install" their PWA on the desktop, like how websites already harass me to "install" their app on my phone because it allows them to do more tracking. However, if PWAs allow us to ditch electron for good, I'm all for them. Each electron app shipping its own browser copy and having full access to everything on my computer is a security nightmare.

nukeop 8y ago
I wish Servo was mature enough to serve as Electron replacement.

Forge36 8y ago

I remember an early version of this from the iPhone2 days. The standard allows running the app offline, not supporting the desktop when mobile had this feature feels backwards. I don't see these types of comments about Microsoft locking people into windows, chrome is managing to be both an application, and an OS.

Lord_Zero 8y ago

PWAs are allowing better access to the device, things like offline access and File System access soon. Its more than just an icon for a website on your home screen.