What Is The Obsession with Apps?

Pumpkin_rrr on 12/07/2024 - 09:02
Last edited 12/07/2024 - 10:08 by 1 other user

After the Post about the Businesses' obsession with SMS, I also have a rant….

This time about Businesses' obsession with Apps. It seems nowadays everything needs to go on Apps, instead of a simple website.

Why so?

We have EatClub which is Apps only. My poor old eyes sometimes can't read from my Mobile.
Just got an email from Lindt about their "Global Escapes". The email looks good with a few deals that I dont mind to check. So I clicked on the link, voila, please download the App!

Someone bought a property last week, and went to the bank to transfer the money for settlement.
Although the person was physically in the bank and presented all the necessary documents and ID, the bank has asked him to sign in to the Apps and verify himself!

I can go on and on but will save you from that. Can someone tell me what is happening?

Computing

Comments

  • Cheaplikethebird on 12/07/2024 - 09:09
    +74

    Apps capture more data on their customers

    • barge-in hunter on 12/07/2024 - 09:49
      +7

      100% this.

      Apps (which almost always require an account/login) guarantee that anything you do is attributed back to you as an individual in their tracking tools - unlike on web, where at least some content is open to the public and can therefore be viewed anonymously

      Oh, and it means they can send push notifications of course

    • rumblytangara on 12/07/2024 - 13:51
      +4

      Exactly- apps = massive data collection to better tune pricing and marketing to extract more value for the businesses.

      https://prospect.org/economy/2024-06-04-one-person-one-price…

      Which is why I don't have any !@#$ retailer apps installed on my phone, sweet KFC deals be dammed.

      • askbargain on 13/07/2024 - 16:45

        since they don't reward loyalty, i'm for this. i can fake a new user and get new user rewards.

  • GettingThePlus190s on 12/07/2024 - 09:20
    +19

    Agreed, would love a return to websites

    • geekcohen on 12/07/2024 - 11:04
      +8

      Some apps are generally just website browser/emulators anyway. It is connected to a mobile/app like version of the website and removing some of the default browser things like the URL bar.

      • FezMonkey on 12/07/2024 - 11:22
        +20

        The worst kind of app

      • bamzero on 13/07/2024 - 17:31
        +1

        Website wrapper. Yes, pointless

    • EightImmortals on 12/07/2024 - 13:54
      +3

      If enough people stop installing the apps then the businesses will get the hint.

  • Dollar General on 12/07/2024 - 09:21
    +2

    Yes Linkt had some enticing holidays but I couldn’t be bothered downloading another app too

  • dtc on 12/07/2024 - 09:23
    +5

    Apps capture data. Lock you into the business process. Dont share any info with google/make google pay for the info. Now sometimes an app getting your data is convenient - eg your favourite order or location. Sometimes apps can streamline the process eg look at the Domain real estate app vs the website, the app allows for map location searches and to flip through buy/sell data (I'm sure they could implement that on the website but for now the app offers more - probably intentionally)

    On the plus side, apps allow full control by the business (can be good for security eg banking over an app can be safer than over the web). Apps can (eg as per signing in the app) offer multiple forms of ID, can capture the requirements and limit access by any other party.

    In the past apps were better than mobile websites but that issue has more or less gone away

  • scotty on 12/07/2024 - 09:45
    +15

    It's mostly ease of data collection & an app can run persistently / periodically on your device. Some people also expect an app when communicating with a business. I was chatting with a 1st year uni student the other day, who asked me where to buy an electronic item. After I told him the name of the shop, he pulled out his phone and went to the app store first to find that business…

    • Guybrush57 on 12/07/2024 - 12:22
      +4

      After I told him the name of the shop, he pulled out his phone and went to the app store first to find that business…

      That's how you know when you're old.

    • DigitalAnalog on 12/07/2024 - 14:41

      It's easier to check for bargains on an app/online than in-store.

      • scotty on 12/07/2024 - 17:09
        +16

        The debate here is not about app/online vs in-store, but app vs website. When I told that guy the name of the shop, I was expecting him to "google that" and then browse through the products inside the web browser. Instead he went to the app store, downloaded a multi-megabyte app just for that store, launched it so he can looked at the products — and the app remained on his phone after he's done with it.

        That's just absurd, at least for an old guy like me.

        • rumblytangara on 12/07/2024 - 17:37
          +1

          Please tell me that the first year uni student was not studying comp sci.

  • holdenmg on 12/07/2024 - 10:22

    I thought you were getting new glasses in Dubai…
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/787926

  • holdenmg on 12/07/2024 - 10:57

    Apparently you can run Android Apps on a Laptop using Bluestacks 5 on Windows.

  • FezMonkey on 12/07/2024 - 11:27
    +1

    I like being able to access a lot of relevant information in a user-friendly way. E.g. my electricity use, solar generation, banking, super, emails, etc.
    It's great for those things to have a dedicated, designed, real-time solution.

    I dislike having apps for one-time or limited uses.

  • mskeggs on 12/07/2024 - 12:15

    Princess Diana would have loved apps

  • wannagrababargain on 12/07/2024 - 14:48
    -1

    Because the world is mostly on mobile phones now, people using traditional desktop websites are actually in a vanishing minority. Many businesses that have both app and website notice something like 80%+ of their engagement is via the app. Having an app, desktop website and mobile website is basically tripling the infrastructure and software engineering that needs to go into their online presence. Plus web development is a pain in the ass, where as app they have more control over the unknowns.

    It's not a conspiracy over data collection, it's cost. New businesses entering the market are looking at these metrics and saying why would we pay 3x the development and ongoing maintenance software cost just to capture that last 10% who still insist on a traditional website. So thet push their app hard and try to nudge the holdouts into the app

    • scotty on 12/07/2024 - 17:16
      +5

      A lot of new development are done in frameworks such as Flutter or React that get deployed onto multiple platforms including app & mobile/desktop web, so it's hardly 3x the development. I'll argue that app development is the one that's PITA because of multiple device targets, compliance issues with the app/play store, etc.

  • zoombie on 12/07/2024 - 15:33
    +1

    beside whats been mentioned, one more reason is engagement/notification. An app can notify you to get you to engage with it. A website cant do that. EatClub can notify you of a deal which can immediately engages you to buy that deal straight away.

    • JIMB0 on 12/07/2024 - 19:43

      Websites have push notifications which can be just as annoying.

  • wannagrababargain on 12/07/2024 - 15:52
    +5

    P.S. The obsession that gets on my nerves these days is the obsession with surveys! Like every little thing. "Please tell us how was your Australia post delivery experience?" Even the airport bathroom asks for a survey on the way out.

    • Pumpkin_rrr on 12/07/2024 - 18:06

      Yeah, and they send it 2-minutes before you open the door, before you even open the package!
      That's what Restaurants ask "how's the food" when the food was served 2-seconds ago.

    • askbargain on 13/07/2024 - 16:41

      learn to use email filters

    • bamzero on 13/07/2024 - 17:28

      and donations with every purchase…

  • plmko on 12/07/2024 - 17:14
    +1

    It's funny because HTML5 was supposed to advent the fall of "Apps" as everything would be web based.

    Fast forward 10 years later and phones have exponentially become more powerful yet rely more and more on apps.

  • Pumpkin_rrr on 12/07/2024 - 18:05

    Yeah, and they send it 2-minutes before you open the door, before you even open the package!
    That's what Restaurants ask "ow' the food" when the food was served 2-seconds ago.

  • Brick Tamland on 12/07/2024 - 19:17
    +5

    Agree, enough with the apps already

  • p-d on 13/07/2024 - 07:48
    +1

    Well, the first comment nailed it, though there is more:

    • User engagement
    • Lack of APIs in web, especially in iOS, PWA still no go
    • In most cases, native will give much better perf, however most ‘apps’ these days are just websites in a wrapper, and don’t care/need perf
  • tabitha731 on 13/07/2024 - 11:48

    Yup I get ops point of view, I refuse to download any unnecessary apps, I'd U don't want to do a transaction in person, simple…I will happily take my business elsewhere.. same with banks…. If U need to verify me via app even tho have presented U with all the id documents U need to clone me, then I will go elsewhere.. it's a reflection on how poorly that company has in their cyber security perspective.. I am not giving companies more ammunition to be able to get hacked. Happy to keep doing cash transactions, and keep things that worked the "old fashioned" way

  • zonavida on 13/07/2024 - 12:53

    I do install apps for deals but in a very limited way (pick them carefully)
    Apps collect a lot of data off you legally (just read the TOC, it'll make your head spin).
    However it's not too hard to get pass Android/iOS sandbox around the apps and steal your data
    https://www.cybersecurity-insiders.com/china-temu-app-caused…
    Temu is just one example of many
    Regardless smartphones are still a good tool. Petrol Spy for the win!

    • askbargain on 13/07/2024 - 16:40

      However it's not too hard to get pass Android/iOS sandbox

      source? or just bs

  • x x on 13/07/2024 - 13:08
    -1

    Apps are generally more secure, especially for banking because your phone has a verified SIM card in it. My bank acc in Thailand recently shut down their whole website and all internet banking is now on the app only. You need a Thai SIM card to activate everything initially only using mobile data with no VPNs. it won't work with a WiFi connection.

    • askbargain on 13/07/2024 - 16:39

      what's an unverified SIM card like?

      • x x on 13/07/2024 - 20:20

        SIM card (mobile number) must be linked to your bank acc

  • isthisreallife22 on 13/07/2024 - 17:23

    For the most part it's because that's where the majority of users tend to interact with most companies, for better or worse. Unfortunately those of us who prefer other interaction methods tend to be the losers in this

  • weee on 13/07/2024 - 21:53

    I've learnt something recently from that ex-twitter guy, you are not the customer, you are the product of that company and those companies sell their product (data) to the real customers, moral of the story, don't think too highly of yourself at this digital age, we are f***ed every which way, I only hope it accelerates so we get the reset sooner.

  • THICKnSLOW on 13/07/2024 - 21:59

    I disagree with the concept that all businesses use apps to capture your data, I think it's more simple than that.

    They just use apps to get your eyeballs and attention on their shit, even if it's just notifications that they have a 2% off sale on shit you don't need. They just ping you for no good reason.

    They don't give a crap what your demographics are, you're insignificant and just a number, they just promote shit they want to sell and and make money, they're not doing you any favours.

    I think it's egotistical that anyone would think companies want to know everything about You as an individual. Really, nobody cares, they just want your money.

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