4 ms·

Worst part is, most of these apps are essentially browsers. There is no additional content or interesting extra functionality being offered... just same old co

Worst part is, most of these apps are essentially browsers. There is no additional content or interesting extra functionality being offered... just same old content, only formatted differently. So, this concept of installing a new browser every time I visit an unfamiliar site, really is ridiculous. This is almost as bad as "here's a mobile version of our site, opened automatically for your convenience". If your site is designed peoperly, my iOS device can browse your "full" site just fine, thank you.

krickle 14y ago
They want to have push/local notifications. It's like getting ahold of an email, but moreso. I've turned off Javascript to avoid them asking, now I constantly get "turn on your javascript" black overlays from Wordpress sites. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
- photorized 14y ago
  Oh, their motives are clear... It's the fact that they are doing absolutely nothing to entice the user to go through the inconvenience. This won't last.
  - krickle 14y ago
    I certainly hope it won't last! But there isn't a large downside to angering the few of us that were just passing by. My dream is having some AdBlock-style filters for misbehaving websites, run by tens of thousands of people. Then we could nip these practices in the bud.
    - nwh 14y ago
      There's not much stopping you from making exactly that. The main issue is that iOS devices won't allow users to install that sort of modification, and it doesn't look like newer iOS devices are going to be jailbroken any time soon. Older devices though, sure.
- nwh 14y ago
  They also get unique identifiers for users. Yes the GUID is banned, but developers just use the devices MAC address instead.
  - Evbn 14y ago
    Google analytics gives unique ids.
    - nwh 14y ago
      Until the cookies are cleared. MAC addresses are globally unique and completely unchangeable on iOS devices.
learn 14y ago
It makes me cringe every time I see another useless app. Having windows 8 on a desktop makes me feel the same. Most of their apps are no better than just going to my browser. Though, as another user said, it is about the push notifications.
trentmb 14y ago
That's basically any app that has data outside of the device.
Sami_Lehtinen 14y ago
I completely agree. I don't want to install for every website I use. I simply would prefer fluid design or mobile site, even full site over annoying privacy threatening apps. So proper HTML5 site (even with offline features), no app, simply perfect.
dredmorbius 14y ago
Apps have more specific (and individually managed) data gathering capabilities than browsers. With a browser, a site can identify who I am. With an app, the developer can download my location, contacts list, messages, or any other information contained on my phone. All the more reason to say "fuck you".

krickle 14y ago

They want to have push/local notifications. It's like getting ahold of an email, but moreso. I've turned off Javascript to avoid them asking, now I constantly get "turn on your javascript" black overlays from Wordpress sites. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

photorized 14y ago
Oh, their motives are clear... It's the fact that they are doing absolutely nothing to entice the user to go through the inconvenience. This won't last.
- krickle 14y ago
  I certainly hope it won't last! But there isn't a large downside to angering the few of us that were just passing by. My dream is having some AdBlock-style filters for misbehaving websites, run by tens of thousands of people. Then we could nip these practices in the bud.
  - nwh 14y ago
    There's not much stopping you from making exactly that. The main issue is that iOS devices won't allow users to install that sort of modification, and it doesn't look like newer iOS devices are going to be jailbroken any time soon. Older devices though, sure.
nwh 14y ago
They also get unique identifiers for users. Yes the GUID is banned, but developers just use the devices MAC address instead.
- Evbn 14y ago
  Google analytics gives unique ids.
  - nwh 14y ago
    Until the cookies are cleared. MAC addresses are globally unique and completely unchangeable on iOS devices.

learn 14y ago

It makes me cringe every time I see another useless app. Having windows 8 on a desktop makes me feel the same. Most of their apps are no better than just going to my browser. Though, as another user said, it is about the push notifications.

trentmb 14y ago

That's basically any app that has data outside of the device.

Sami_Lehtinen 14y ago

I completely agree. I don't want to install for every website I use. I simply would prefer fluid design or mobile site, even full site over annoying privacy threatening apps. So proper HTML5 site (even with offline features), no app, simply perfect.

dredmorbius 14y ago

Apps have more specific (and individually managed) data gathering capabilities than browsers. With a browser, a site can identify who I am. With an app, the developer can download my location, contacts list, messages, or any other information contained on my phone. All the more reason to say "fuck you".