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

submitted 1 year ago by sir_pronoun@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

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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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[-] Markimus@lemmy.world 89 points 1 year ago

Ad revenue. It is harder to block ads on mobile than it is on desktop.

[-] otp@sh.itjust.works 37 points 1 year ago

Especially in an app rather than a mobile browser.

[-] Sheeple@lemmy.world 24 points 1 year ago

Heck all the features of YouTube premium? Are available for free in firefox

[-] ares35@kbin.social 21 points 1 year ago

plus all that sweet user and device tracking data.

[-] Meltrax@lemmy.world 7 points 1 year ago

Yeah this too. Ads and telemetry. Those make money.

[-] maniel@lemmy.ml 8 points 1 year ago

More like gathering user data they can sell

this post was submitted on 05 Jan 2024

460 points (97.3% liked)

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