7 ms·

> that's only because Tumblr wanted to be on the App Store Yeah, because the iOS ecosystem is well known for allowing competition, especially competing stores.

> that's only because Tumblr wanted to be on the App Store Yeah, because the iOS ecosystem is well known for allowing competition, especially competing stores. Many of the issues that Apple create wouldn't exist if competing stores were allowed to exist.

ezfe 4y ago
What about Tumblr requires an app to enjoy?
- Aldo_MX 4y ago
  I don't know, let me ask the anti-Electron gang their thoughts about less battery life just by running a browser environment instead of a native app.
  - uncomputation 4y ago
    This doesn’t make sense. You wouldn’t have an Electron app on iOS anyways. If you used Electron for desktop, you would generate an iOS bundle for the App Store but OP is suggesting just a web app in the vein of HN, just accessed via the browser. The only thing you would use Electron for is desktop but, also like HN, nobody accesses tumblr via a desktop app to begin with. They use a browser.
    - woojoo666 4y ago
      From the article > Apple’s restrictions on third-party browsers, and the limitations it puts on Safari/WebKit (its own browser tools) have hobbled “web apps,” Though I'm sure you can also ask many product managers how well native apps on iOS perform due to web apps (many companies have data on both). For whatever reason, users prefer native apps
    - Aldo_MX 4y ago
      > You wouldn’t have an Electron app on iOS anyways. You're missing the forest for the trees. The issue is not building an app specifically with Electron, but building an app which requires a browser. The browser is expensive in terms of resource usage, which results in less battery life. Using a browser is OK for an app intended for a light usage session (like booking a flight). But not OK for an app which is intended for heavy usage sessions (like browsing pictures in an infinite timeline). There's a reason Slack (which already has a reputation of impacting your battery life) decided to create a native app for mobile instead of using an Electron-like framework like Capacitor[1]. [1]: https://capacitorjs.com/ https://capacitorjs.com/
  - corrral 4y ago
    I expect there's a ton of overlap between the anti-Electron "gang" and folks who don't think a website needs an app at all. Plus most of those website "apps" are just a bunch of webviews anyway, so you're not going to save battery by using them. Just like Electron.
- jedberg 4y ago
  Push notifications.
  - deleted 4y ago
    [deleted]
- PhantomBKB 4y ago
  That's like asking why doesn't everyone switch to landline phones since they have the same calling functionality as mobile phones. Answer: Well obviously, since landlines are missing the biggest feature mobiles phones have: portability. Point I'm trying to make: 1. Apps are smoother than web experience 2. Have a much native-er feel, etc. If app is available, I'd rather use an app.
  - ezfe 4y ago
    There's no inherent reason that is - websites can be added as icons on the home page and can feel just as nice to use as an app for things like Tumblr or Reddit. The only reason the Reddit web interface is no fun is because Reddit makes it horrendous on purpose. I got a notification today in the Reddit webpage saying the app had more cats, whatever that means. A big thing would be notifications, which at the time of writing is still an issue but slated to be corrected next year.
Longhanks 4y ago
Why is it Apple’s duty to provide an ecosystem for tumblr? If they want on Apple’s platform, they have to play by Apple’s rules - there‘s other ecosystems, too. No one is forced to enter the iOS ecosystem, and anyone can leave at any time they please.
- 7v3x3n3sem9vv 4y ago
  hard for some people to leave when they've paid thousands in hardware, apps and media content that doesn't migrate easily to other platforms.
  - Longhanks 4y ago
    How is this different from any other industry? My VW engine will probably not work in the new Ford, will it?
    - dahfizz 4y ago
      That's a pretty bad example. There is a technical / physical aspect to interoperability. If you want to swap your engine, the new engine needs to fit and mate up with your transmission (though, this is easier than you might think). If you want to run an app on your phone, it needs to be in a format the OS can use. Then there is an extra, unnecessary, layer of political control. I absolutely can, with a bit of work, swap in a Chevy LS engine into a Ford F150. I don't have to ask Ford's permission. Chevy doesn't have to ask Fords permission. I, as a person with free will, can buy this engine and that car and combine them. Apple totally prevents this. They do not allow you to do what you want with the device you own. For good or bad, they absolutely operate differently than other industries. At least from the consumers perspective.
    - jedberg 4y ago
      No, but luckily you have the legal right to change your VW engine with a Ford engine if you really want to. But in your analogy, your VW would only allow VW gas sold by VW at VW filling stations. And the only two types of cars on the road are VWs and Fords, and each have their own filling station. Now imagine you live in an area where only VW owns gas stations, they lobby the government and explain for the safety of the citizens they can't allow you to use any gas from anyone else, and the closest Ford station is 100 miles away, and you already own a VW. I could tell you, "hey, you bought into the ecosystem, and you can leave any time". And you would tell me I'm being unreasonable, and fight your local government to allow 3rd party gas stations.

ezfe 4y ago

What about Tumblr requires an app to enjoy?

Aldo_MX 4y ago
I don't know, let me ask the anti-Electron gang their thoughts about less battery life just by running a browser environment instead of a native app.
- uncomputation 4y ago
  This doesn’t make sense. You wouldn’t have an Electron app on iOS anyways. If you used Electron for desktop, you would generate an iOS bundle for the App Store but OP is suggesting just a web app in the vein of HN, just accessed via the browser. The only thing you would use Electron for is desktop but, also like HN, nobody accesses tumblr via a desktop app to begin with. They use a browser.
  - woojoo666 4y ago
    From the article > Apple’s restrictions on third-party browsers, and the limitations it puts on Safari/WebKit (its own browser tools) have hobbled “web apps,” Though I'm sure you can also ask many product managers how well native apps on iOS perform due to web apps (many companies have data on both). For whatever reason, users prefer native apps
  - Aldo_MX 4y ago
    > You wouldn’t have an Electron app on iOS anyways. You're missing the forest for the trees. The issue is not building an app specifically with Electron, but building an app which requires a browser. The browser is expensive in terms of resource usage, which results in less battery life. Using a browser is OK for an app intended for a light usage session (like booking a flight). But not OK for an app which is intended for heavy usage sessions (like browsing pictures in an infinite timeline). There's a reason Slack (which already has a reputation of impacting your battery life) decided to create a native app for mobile instead of using an Electron-like framework like Capacitor[1]. [1]: https://capacitorjs.com/ https://capacitorjs.com/
- corrral 4y ago
  I expect there's a ton of overlap between the anti-Electron "gang" and folks who don't think a website needs an app at all. Plus most of those website "apps" are just a bunch of webviews anyway, so you're not going to save battery by using them. Just like Electron.
jedberg 4y ago
Push notifications.
- deleted 4y ago
  [deleted]
PhantomBKB 4y ago
That's like asking why doesn't everyone switch to landline phones since they have the same calling functionality as mobile phones. Answer: Well obviously, since landlines are missing the biggest feature mobiles phones have: portability. Point I'm trying to make: 1. Apps are smoother than web experience 2. Have a much native-er feel, etc. If app is available, I'd rather use an app.
- ezfe 4y ago
  There's no inherent reason that is - websites can be added as icons on the home page and can feel just as nice to use as an app for things like Tumblr or Reddit. The only reason the Reddit web interface is no fun is because Reddit makes it horrendous on purpose. I got a notification today in the Reddit webpage saying the app had more cats, whatever that means. A big thing would be notifications, which at the time of writing is still an issue but slated to be corrected next year.

Longhanks 4y ago

Why is it Apple’s duty to provide an ecosystem for tumblr? If they want on Apple’s platform, they have to play by Apple’s rules - there‘s other ecosystems, too. No one is forced to enter the iOS ecosystem, and anyone can leave at any time they please.

7v3x3n3sem9vv 4y ago
hard for some people to leave when they've paid thousands in hardware, apps and media content that doesn't migrate easily to other platforms.
- Longhanks 4y ago
  How is this different from any other industry? My VW engine will probably not work in the new Ford, will it?
  - dahfizz 4y ago
    That's a pretty bad example. There is a technical / physical aspect to interoperability. If you want to swap your engine, the new engine needs to fit and mate up with your transmission (though, this is easier than you might think). If you want to run an app on your phone, it needs to be in a format the OS can use. Then there is an extra, unnecessary, layer of political control. I absolutely can, with a bit of work, swap in a Chevy LS engine into a Ford F150. I don't have to ask Ford's permission. Chevy doesn't have to ask Fords permission. I, as a person with free will, can buy this engine and that car and combine them. Apple totally prevents this. They do not allow you to do what you want with the device you own. For good or bad, they absolutely operate differently than other industries. At least from the consumers perspective.
  - jedberg 4y ago
    No, but luckily you have the legal right to change your VW engine with a Ford engine if you really want to. But in your analogy, your VW would only allow VW gas sold by VW at VW filling stations. And the only two types of cars on the road are VWs and Fords, and each have their own filling station. Now imagine you live in an area where only VW owns gas stations, they lobby the government and explain for the safety of the citizens they can't allow you to use any gas from anyone else, and the closest Ford station is 100 miles away, and you already own a VW. I could tell you, "hey, you bought into the ecosystem, and you can leave any time". And you would tell me I'm being unreasonable, and fight your local government to allow 3rd party gas stations.