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Why are there so many apps that could be websites? (lemmy.world)

submitted 10 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

98 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Seriously. I don't want to install something on my phone when the dev is just using a WebView, if that's what it's called. When the app is basically just a website with the browser hidden.

What's the reason for that? To attach the customer? To sell the app for money? Is there more ad revenue that way? Do you reach more people?

(Are there any good reasons for it, too? Security, maybe?)

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 10 months ago (1 children)

The number I've seen floating around a few places is that app users are, on average seven times more profitable than web users. Reasons include:

The app being on the device acts as a reminder to the user to interact more
It's easier for an app to send notifications to get users to open it and interact more (Android has reduced this by requiring permission; browsers required it long before)
There are more limited options for blocking ads in an app
There are more opportunities to collect data in an app

Are there any good reasons for it, too? Security, maybe?

Security for the user? Probably not. "Security" for the developer in that they can prevent people from using the app in ways that aren't profitable? Likely.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

Getting the app through an official app store at least gives the company some liability, versus random web pages that don't have signed code.

However, this also removes user control from the device which isn't good either.