What's the advantage from using an app rather than the same source's website?

Spriddler

Spriddler

Joined
Dec 24, 2014
Posts
10,244
Likes collected
54,796
Location
Hurstpierpoint. Mid Sussex.
Funster No
34,553
MH
Compass Navigator
Exp
Ever since lighting was by Calor gas.
I use only a laptop and a Samsung tablet (I've never had an iPhone) and it seems that most of the many info sources that I use e.g. Search4sites, Filllpg etc. etc. also offer access via their app.
In spite of looking at several (mumbo-jumbo) explanations via Google I still don't understand the difference between using an app and accessing the same source of the information but by going to their website.
It was once explained to me that an app is a cut-down version of a website which makes it less data-hungry and also enables only the essential info to be displayed/viewable on a small iPhone screen. Is that true and if so, is that the only advantage?

(Simple non-nerd explanations preferred, pls. ;) )
 
I think if yiu subscribe you get some additional features such as all of the reviews not just the last few.
 
Spriddler said:
Ta. But that confuses me even more; why would anyone pay for an app if the website is free?
Click to expand...
Perhaps because it's more easily accessible on a phone when you're travelling?

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Spriddler said:
Ta. But that confuses me even more; why would anyone pay for an app if the website is free?
Click to expand...
Most of the apps are free. Using an app is also more convenient, like banking. You can log in just using your fingerprint and move money around, pay someone, check your balance etc at the same time as you're walking the dog or pushing the baby etc.
 
Sometimes an app is easier to use but for Lloyds banking I find the web link easier, possibly because the app is badly written.

gpat said:
The app works offline but the website does not
Click to expand...
It still needs to make a data connection but avoids using your browser.
 
Apps can install some data on your device so it doesn't have to grab it from the website all the time. It's also far easier for an app to remember your preferences, feed you notifications and get your location and (importantly for them) to track your identity and use. Although it's less of an issue than it used to be, but apps also have better touch screen controls that via a browser. Swipes and pinches still aren't consistent via a browser, so the user interface can be a bit better with an app.
 
My understanding.....Basically they collect more personal data when you use an app instead of website but often give access to addional features. ( that you don't need???). I may be wrong!!😉😉

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
gpat said:
The app works offline but the website does not
Click to expand...
I was just referring to searchforsites of course. Most apps need you to be on line just the same as websites
 
Well, thanks for all the information which I've now digested.

I can see that I have to be online to use the website whereas with the app I can store all the available info for access offline. Hitherto I've accessed websites with my laptop and copied the info to my laptop 'C' drive for later access, which is tedious and limiting as I have to anticipate what I'll want to know later when offline.

It does seem that using the app may give access to more features and if I had an iPhone I could log in with a fingerprint although logging in on my laptop with passwords hasn't been a problem. Maybe a fingerprint gives more security for banking etc. than a password.

It does seem that app providers stand to benefit more than I would because they can charge me for the info, remember my preferences, feed me notifications, get my location and track my identity and use, none of which I feel to be necessary or desirable.

As an aside regarding feeding notifications, recently one Sunday morning I was discussing with my son in his garden the plan to fit new friction rollers to his caravan motor mover. A couple of hours later he received info on his iPhone from a couple of motor mover spares and servicing dealers. Neither he nor I had done any web searching at any time for motor mover parts or techy articles. It couldn't possibly have been coincidence so he concluded that his iPhone in his pocket must have been 'listening'. Spooky.
 
Last edited:
iPhones aren't the only option - Android based phones can do pretty much the same thing.

Four or five years ago, like you, I did most of my research on the computer and couldn't really see what all the fuss was about 'apps' on a phone. And I kept asking my techy kids why I should use them.

These days, I can't understand how I managed without them.

The ease and convenience of having really quick access to almost all the details I need on a phone in my pocket is remarkable. 'Info on the go'.

Bank accounts, credit cards, investment accounts, maps, weather, news, home heating controls, buying flights and own bookings record, campsites, aires, music, electricity a/c, oil a/c and tank level, phone a/cs, favourite websites etc etc the list goes on... all quickly accessible in seconds with a fingerprint.

I still use a laptop extensively, to support my research and I much prefer it for typing too, so computer not redundant just yet. ;)

But a big (y) for apps on a smart phone! :giggle:
 
Last edited:
mikebeaches said:
iPhones aren't the only option - Android based phones can do pretty much the same thing.
Click to expand...
The only phone I use is a ten quid PAYG Tesco Doro which does calls and texts only
mikebeaches said:
Four or five years ago, like you, I did most of my research on the computer and couldn't really see what all the fuss was about 'apps' on a phone. And I kept asking my techy kids why I should use them.
Click to expand...
I've been doing the same with my sons and they've kept mocking me. Their iPhones are like an overflow brain to them, providing the answer in seconds to any unknown that's mentioned, however casually, in the course of a conversation, although I've not yet felt unfulfilled through not being updated on what Trump said a minute and a half ago or that Katie Price's sister has just had a dress malfunction getting out of a taxi in Bulawayo ...........:rolleyes:

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Spriddler said:
The only phone I use is a ten quid PAYG Tesco Doro which does calls and texts only

I've been doing the same with my sons and they've kept mocking me. Their iPhones are like an overflow brain to them, providing the answer in seconds to any unknown that's mentioned, however casually, in the course of a conversation, although I've not yet felt unfulfilled through not being updated on what Trump said a minute and a half ago or that Katie Price's sister has just had a dress malfunction getting out of a taxi in Bulawayo ...........:rolleyes:
Click to expand...
Been there and done that with a £10 phone - and nothing wrong with it for calling and texting. :giggle:

You could get rash and spend just a tad more to get a usable 4g sim-free smart phone for £55. ;)

Broken Link Removed

I was always a fan of the Motorola brand for a great budget option, which seem to start at circa £85 these days.

Broken Link Removed

But I've now graduated to a cool Google Pixel 4a at a whopping £299; but pretty amazing performance for the money and a fab camera too. (y)

Broken Link Removed
 
If you have a Samsung tablet then you would probably find a Samsung (android) phone easiest to migrate to. Whilst all android phones are similar they can have differences which make swapping brands less than easy. I've had several Motorolas over the last few years and trading up has been easy, I picked up a Xiaomi as a back up and didn't like it at all.
 
There's a lot of cross over now between laptops, tablets and phones. If your laptop uses the Chrome browser to access the internet the you can have chrome on your phone and one will remember which web pages you have booked marked on the other, etc. etc. Similarly you can access email on both, even at the same time. Phones are really just smaller laptops now. If you buy a Bluetooth keyboard it's also just as easy to type although you do get the hang of typing with two thumbs quite quickly 👍
 
Spriddler said:
Well, thanks for all the information which I've now digested.

I can see that I have to be online to use the website whereas with the app I can store all the available info for access offline. Hitherto I've accessed websites with my laptop and copied the info to my laptop 'C' drive for later access, which is tedious and limiting as I have to anticipate what I'll want to know later when offline.

It does seem that using the app may give access to more features and if I had an iPhone I could log in with a fingerprint although logging in on my laptop with passwords hasn't been a problem. Maybe a fingerprint gives more security for banking etc. than a password.

It does seem that app providers stand to benefit more than I would because they can charge me for the info, remember my preferences, feed me notifications, get my location and track my identity and use, none of which I feel to be necessary or desirable.

As an aside regarding feeding notifications, recently one Sunday morning I was discussing with my son in his garden the plan to fit new friction rollers to his caravan motor mover. A couple of hours later he received info on his iPhone from a couple of motor mover spares and servicing dealers. Neither he nor I had done any web searching at any time for motor mover parts or techy articles. It couldn't possibly have been coincidence so he concluded that his iPhone in his pocket must have been 'listening'. Spooky.
Click to expand...
doesnt have to be an i phone any smart phone will do the same
 
apps are designed to run on tablets and phones and use less data in the process

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Itsmcb said:
There's a lot of cross over now between laptops, tablets and phones. If your laptop uses the Chrome browser to access the internet the you can have chrome on your phone and one will remember which web pages you have booked marked on the other, etc. etc. Similarly you can access email on both, even at the same time. Phones are really just smaller laptops now. If you buy a Bluetooth keyboard it's also just as easy to type although you do get the hang of typing with two thumbs quite quickly 👍
Click to expand...
My W10 laptop (and I think my Samsung Galaxy tablet) still has the Windows browser although I could change it to Chrome as I get occasional pop-up messages asking me if I want to change to Chrome 'For a better experience'.

The reasons I find an iPhone difficult to use (I've had several goes with my son's) are that it's slippery to hold and to use the keypad as I can only use my left hand. I don't make a big deal of it but I guess I should add that I was naturally right-handed until I lost the use of my right arm and hand in a motorbike crash ten years ago (although I can still ride my classic motorbikes o'er hill 'n dale, wind my m/h awning in and out and change a duvet cover one-handed :giggle: ).
 
To go back to the original question, the advantage is that it is easier should you find it so or is non-existant if you don't.
An app (application program) is simply a different way of accessing the data, sometimes with different features (such as downloading of data for offline use as mentioned above).
Whether the ability to synchronise access between different devices is an advantage or not is open to question. For instance, without deploying adequate security it could be like leaving multiple doorrs and windows open.
All are just tools at the end of the day.
 
Spriddler said:
My W10 laptop (and I think my Samsung Galaxy tablet) still has the Windows browser although I could change it to Chrome as I get occasional pop-up messages asking me if I want to change to Chrome 'For a better experience'.

The reasons I find an iPhone difficult to use (I've had several goes with my son's) are that it's slippery to hold and to use the keypad as I can only use my left hand. I don't make a big deal of it but I guess I should add that I was naturally right-handed until I lost the use of my right arm and hand in a motorbike crash ten years ago (although I can still ride my classic motorbikes o'er hill 'n dale, wind my m/h awning in and out and change a duvet cover one-handed :giggle: ).
Click to expand...
Apologies I didn't realise that when I mentioned typing with two thumbs 😔
A silicone case would make a phone less like a bar of soap and choosing one that doesn't have a huge screen would allow you to hold and type with one hand 👍
 
Itsmcb said:
Apologies I didn't realise that when I mentioned typing with two thumbs 😔
Click to expand...
No need. You wouldn't know and I probably should've mentioned it at the beginning. :doh:

A silicone case would make a phone less like a bar of soap and choosing one that doesn't have a huge screen would allow you to hold and type with one hand 👍[/quote[
Click to expand...
Ta. I must pursue the practical options in more depth but until the imposition of the re-entry to the U.K. requirements I haven't felt the need.
Will try harder!
 
Ask your sons to show you Siri & voice recognition- you don't have to type!

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Join us

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Back
Top