4 ms·

Browser push notifications on mobile have the potential to make many native apps superfluous - use PWAs (progressive web apps) instead. According to Apple it'l

by Tepix 4y ago

Browser push notifications on mobile have the potential to make many native apps superfluous - use PWAs (progressive web apps) instead. According to Apple it'll finally arrive on iOS 16.x on Mobile Safari in 2023. It would be a shame if the feature becomes unusable for other reasons after being delayed for so long.

sdfhbdf 4y ago
Well I think the power usage (AFAIK the website needs to register a service worker working in the background) and abuse potential were the main concerns of Apple for not implementing it earlier. I am wondering what the limitations are going to be. As I understand Apple used to be the gatekeeper of all push notifications (App Store, APNS) but with enabling push notifications on the em web it might open the floodgates. Could be a thing, could be problematic.
scarface74 4y ago
So if Apple is the only reason that PWAs aren’t mainstream, why do most companies have web apps, iOS apps and Android apps instead of just telling Android users to go to the web?
- Tepix 4y ago
  For many companies, apps are advantageous: 1. easier to install. Users are not used to PWAs and may not manage to install them. 2. easier tracking - you can't delete cookies inside an app. 3. can unlock the full potential of the device (almost, some private APIs are only for Apple/Google). PWAs have these advantages: - no censorship from Apple, Google, Amazon, other app stores - no fees paid to Apple and Google. - might be easier to develop in some cases - will run on both iOS and Android
  - scarface74 4y ago
    It still doesn’t answer the question. Android supposedly has great PWA support obviating the need to write native apps yet no one has ever stepped up to the challenge of finding popular examples where a company was forced to write an app for iOS . But decided that a PWA was good enough for Android. And despite the whining about fees, most (80% it came out during the Epic trial) App Store revenue is from games. And most other companies are either in the B2B space where the customers sign contracts outside of the App Store, B2C companies that are advertising supported, sell physical goods and services that are not effected by the policy (Uber, Amazon, etc) or have the option to bypass the App Store in app purchases like Netflix and Spotify.
    - Tepix 4y ago
      I think reason #1 that i gave is already the dealbreaker for most companies considering PWAs. If your users have difficulties discovering and installing your app, it's a no-go.

by Tepix 4y ago

sdfhbdf 4y ago

Well I think the power usage (AFAIK the website needs to register a service worker working in the background) and abuse potential were the main concerns of Apple for not implementing it earlier. I am wondering what the limitations are going to be. As I understand Apple used to be the gatekeeper of all push notifications (App Store, APNS) but with enabling push notifications on the em web it might open the floodgates. Could be a thing, could be problematic.

scarface74 4y ago

So if Apple is the only reason that PWAs aren’t mainstream, why do most companies have web apps, iOS apps and Android apps instead of just telling Android users to go to the web?

Tepix 4y ago
For many companies, apps are advantageous: 1. easier to install. Users are not used to PWAs and may not manage to install them. 2. easier tracking - you can't delete cookies inside an app. 3. can unlock the full potential of the device (almost, some private APIs are only for Apple/Google). PWAs have these advantages: - no censorship from Apple, Google, Amazon, other app stores - no fees paid to Apple and Google. - might be easier to develop in some cases - will run on both iOS and Android
- scarface74 4y ago
  It still doesn’t answer the question. Android supposedly has great PWA support obviating the need to write native apps yet no one has ever stepped up to the challenge of finding popular examples where a company was forced to write an app for iOS . But decided that a PWA was good enough for Android. And despite the whining about fees, most (80% it came out during the Epic trial) App Store revenue is from games. And most other companies are either in the B2B space where the customers sign contracts outside of the App Store, B2C companies that are advertising supported, sell physical goods and services that are not effected by the policy (Uber, Amazon, etc) or have the option to bypass the App Store in app purchases like Netflix and Spotify.
  - Tepix 4y ago
    I think reason #1 that i gave is already the dealbreaker for most companies considering PWAs. If your users have difficulties discovering and installing your app, it's a no-go.