[photorized]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

They also get unique identifiers for users. Yes the GUID is banned, but developers just use the devices MAC address instead.

[Evbn]

Google analytics gives unique ids.

[nwh]

Until the cookies are cleared. MAC addresses are globally unique and completely unchangeable on iOS devices.

[dredmorbius]

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".

[Sami_Lehtinen]

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.

[trentmb]

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