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by pritambarhate 3312 days ago
The problem is most of the companies think that what they are doing is too important for the user not to use the app. They think that Push Notifications are the holy grail to keep people engaged and bring the users back.

It will be good if Google allows developers to list pure progressive apps in the AppStore. Since for many non-technical users, PlayStore is how one is supposed to install apps, decision makers think it's important to have the apps.
4 comments
wtvanhest 3312 days ago
One thing I can't firgure out is why reddit is pushing me to use their app when the site is better. I dont even understand why they want to.
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suprfnk 3312 days ago
A reason might be because it's harder to block ads in an app than it is in a browser?
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WildGreenLeave 3312 days ago
As far as I know it isn't possible to block ads inside the Android Chrome browser? Only way to do that is using your own DNS, but that would work both on native and progressive apps.

Correct me if I'm wrong, I'd love to block ads inside my Chrome browser.

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jorams 3312 days ago
It's not possible in Chrome on Android, but it is in Firefox.
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suprfnk 3312 days ago
Ah right. I don't know about Android, but it's possible on Safari on my iPhone.
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wtvanhest 3312 days ago
Idk, it actually prompted me to download a new browser to try to block the 'ads' for their app.
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brandnewlow 3312 days ago
You get more ad targeting and messaging powers via native apps than web apps.
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mxstbr 3312 days ago
I doubt that's going to last much longer now that they're rewriting the whole website, or at least I hope that's the case. (see the huge pro/contra CSS discussion)
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cheneytsai 3312 days ago
It's a good point about listing progressive apps in the AppStore, and I think Microsoft has done a great job at taking the lead here. I imagine a world where users don't have worry about the tech behind the UX they're experiencing, they go to the AppStore, a 3rd party site, a URL simply to find "experiences".

I also wonder if we can move from the Store-Driven model on phones to something more transient perhaps that leverages the URL and natural links of them (since obv. don't want to be typing urls). Thought experience: What if your homescreen icons were managed by the OS (and can be Apps, PWAs, etc.) ordered by last accessed. You can then overide and "pin/install" the experiences you want.

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Zeppin 3312 days ago
Generally this is true. Apps are for situations where the user has a higher level of engagement.

Shopping is one of those things - such as Amazon or RedBubble - but Threadless is too specific for that use case. The majority of people simply do not shop for clothing online frequently enough to justify it.

I think that problem persists even with a progressive web app - it just does not warrant the real-estate on your phone. Technically the app launcher on Android makes this cheap but I think that's where apps often go to die - out of sight, out of mind.

On iOS or the sadly near-death Windows Phone, it's just eating more space than it can justify.

I don't think this is a problem of tech or cost but a problem of viable engagement.

Threadless just doesn't need a spot on anyone's phone.

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WildGreenLeave 3312 days ago
Personally, I'm waiting for Apple to include push notifications via browser. I'd much rather receive them via my browser than need yet another native app for it. And it feels like it isn't as widely used as it could be because iOS doesn't provide this feature.

Example: I removed the Facebook native app, but still get my push notifications via the Chrome browser.

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