This....is a BATTERY SUCKING LIE PEOPLE!! - Aldi ad
I actually often prefer using apps over websites, because my phone is quite slow and using a browser is often way slower than an app.
The most ironic part...
.... an ad for an app for the article....
I recently switched to GrapheneOS and decided to avoid the Google Play store entirely, and honestly, the inconveniences have been pretty limited. The only bank I've had trouble with is Citi, everything else (I've tried several others) work fine through the browser. Likewise for most services I use, the web version works fine, though occasionally I'll need to use the "desktop" version.
Some services just don't work properly on the web, but most of the ones I used to use through an app work just fine. Give it a try, maybe together we can send a signal that apps should only exist when they provide value.
It still depends. I live in China and the internet here suckass. Every product, say taobao(Amazon), xianyu(eBay), Alipay(PayPal), WeChat(instant msg), banking, etc. that is crucial to your daily usage mandatories an application. The API is closed and the webapp has no functionality other than a banner with "go fuck our mobile app". The only way to bypass these privacy beast apps is to live in an isolated wood cabinet with self-sufficient agriculture.
This is partly corporate greed and partly a failure of the Web. A website should be all you need. You shouldn't need a separate app for every little thing.
Don't download the app then. You don't need it. Whatever it is. You don't need it. Whatever bullshit productivity promises someone made to you, it was a lie meant to trick you into installing their spyware. All smartphone apps are spyware. Period. Call a restaurant instead of using UE/DD, send a text rather than whatsapp, tiktok is brainrot and totally unnecessary, any and all social media platforms all work inbrowser (although, they themselves are also spyware, so it's best to not use Facebook, IG, TT, Snap, or any other similar platform). The only useful thing that smartphones offer that wasn't previously just fine on other devices is an internet browser in your pocket.
And then you go to the website on your phone and you get "Install our handy dandy little app" pop-ups every time you open a new page. If only they wouldn't do that.
I like apps for stores I frequent. Most people do.
Having 150+ is a personal problem.
I wish sites that do have PWAs would stop funneling people towards their app.
Especially Patreon, where patronages started using their app would be 30% more expensive for their users than patronages started through their website because of the Apple (and probably Google) tax. Patreon is aware of this tax but keeps advertising their fucking stupid app! You have a Progressive Web App that's works perfectly! Stop it! Get some help!
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