5 ms·

> Can it really be easier for end users to use an app that requires an extra installation step? It's not, but by making it an App, it forces a user to remember

> Can it really be easier for end users to use an app that requires an extra installation step? It's not, but by making it an App, it forces a user to remember to install it (good mindshare), it takes up space on the homepage (good, free advertising), it gets to track your device id and track you (or, partially track you on iOS), it gets to spam your notification bar with more free advertisements, it gets to hook into your Google Pay / Apple Pay cards automatically, and it forever gets to poll your exact GPS position, while also having easier access to various bluetooth stack stuff (tracking beacons, onboarding devices, etc) Yes, ~80% of that can be done on the web too, but the app gives you effectively permanent-cookies and permanent-permissions, and people have more practice doing it there. I don't like it at all, but I get why lots of companies write a webapp, and then shove it into a native app wrapper (whether via React Native, Cordova, Turbo Native, or equivilant). The benefits of the app wrapper and app store, outweigh the drawbacks, for many businesses.

sjfjsjdjwvwvc 3y ago
All of the „benefits“ you listed are why I hate native apps with a passion and avoid installing them whenever possible. I don’t want your mindshare, notifications, spam and all the other bullshit no thanks
kevindamm 3y ago
I wonder (or maybe just hope) that this might swing back if consumers develop a preference for those businesses that intentionally avoid these and other dark patterns.
- digging 3y ago
  No, activism and legislation are the only things that can even potentially hold back these kinds of unethical business practices. There's no way you're going to educate enough of the general public and make them care enough about something like "installing apps in not necessary".
felipeerias 3y ago
Related to this, if I already know the name of the company, I tend to trust the first result on the App Store far more than the first result on Google.

sjfjsjdjwvwvc 3y ago

All of the „benefits“ you listed are why I hate native apps with a passion and avoid installing them whenever possible. I don’t want your mindshare, notifications, spam and all the other bullshit no thanks

kevindamm 3y ago

I wonder (or maybe just hope) that this might swing back if consumers develop a preference for those businesses that intentionally avoid these and other dark patterns.

digging 3y ago
No, activism and legislation are the only things that can even potentially hold back these kinds of unethical business practices. There's no way you're going to educate enough of the general public and make them care enough about something like "installing apps in not necessary".

felipeerias 3y ago

Related to this, if I already know the name of the company, I tend to trust the first result on the App Store far more than the first result on Google.