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I've always thought it's a bit unfortunate how having a smartphone (which almost always also means having an Apple or Google account to download third-party app

I've always thought it's a bit unfortunate how having a smartphone (which almost always also means having an Apple or Google account to download third-party apps) is slowly becoming a near-necessity in today's society, rather than a nice-to-have. Even some places like national parks (in the USA) require you to download an app just to enter.

ratmeadow 1y ago
Agreed, it's becoming silly. Particularly for thing that are infrequent. Like no I don't want to install an app to check into a flight given that I fly once a year. And of course each airline would have their own app. Forcing an app on me when your service is not a primarily digital product, or there's no reason why your product needs a special unique app, is a great shortcut to me hating your organisation.
- perilunar 1y ago
  Refuse the app and use the website. If there’s no website, complain.
sethammons 1y ago
What national park requires an app to enter?
- HaZeust 1y ago
  Rocky Mountain National Park here in Colorado does - both for timed entry and - I believe - for location pinging in case of S&R https://www.nps.gov/romo/learn/discover-the-nps-app.htm https://www.nps.gov/romo/learn/discover-the-nps-app.htm
  - LeafItAlone 1y ago
    Where on that page does it show that it is a necessity? I haven’t been to Rocky Mountain recently (and when I did go right before COVID don’t need one) but am an avid National Parks visitor and have never once needed a phone. You can print the timed entry codes (which I often do because of lack of cell service in some).
    - HaZeust 1y ago
      >"and have never once needed a phone. You can print the timed entry codes (which I often do because of lack of cell service in some)." I mean OK, fair enough; it's not NEEDED to have a phone. But short of printing out, they heavily incentivize timed entry codes being shared by phone; either by screenshot or sharing your phone for the code. When we do group visits to Estes Park from here in Denver, all members of the group use a phone.

ratmeadow 1y ago

Agreed, it's becoming silly. Particularly for thing that are infrequent. Like no I don't want to install an app to check into a flight given that I fly once a year. And of course each airline would have their own app. Forcing an app on me when your service is not a primarily digital product, or there's no reason why your product needs a special unique app, is a great shortcut to me hating your organisation.

perilunar 1y ago
Refuse the app and use the website. If there’s no website, complain.

sethammons 1y ago

What national park requires an app to enter?

HaZeust 1y ago
Rocky Mountain National Park here in Colorado does - both for timed entry and - I believe - for location pinging in case of S&R https://www.nps.gov/romo/learn/discover-the-nps-app.htm https://www.nps.gov/romo/learn/discover-the-nps-app.htm
- LeafItAlone 1y ago
  Where on that page does it show that it is a necessity? I haven’t been to Rocky Mountain recently (and when I did go right before COVID don’t need one) but am an avid National Parks visitor and have never once needed a phone. You can print the timed entry codes (which I often do because of lack of cell service in some).
  - HaZeust 1y ago
    >"and have never once needed a phone. You can print the timed entry codes (which I often do because of lack of cell service in some)." I mean OK, fair enough; it's not NEEDED to have a phone. But short of printing out, they heavily incentivize timed entry codes being shared by phone; either by screenshot or sharing your phone for the code. When we do group visits to Estes Park from here in Denver, all members of the group use a phone.