I don't understand apps

AndrewH · 08-13-2012, 12:44 PM

It seems like most of the devices these days support the installation of "apps". I don't understand this concept. Granted, some apps really are applications that do something... like being able to identify the song on the radio, but most are (to my mind) nothing more than glorified links to a website.

Why the trend away from mobile websites which are much more device independent? Is there some advantage to the Facebook, Twitter, and Gmail apps that wasn't available from the mobile websites?

steven522 · 08-13-2012, 01:07 PM

I can only vouch for the Gmail app as I don't use the other two at all.

The gmail app I have loaded on my android tablet is wonderful. It is integrated into the tablet in a way to make it almost a basic function. "Toolbar" notifications on new emails (when connected to a wireless point) and layouts designed to match the screen make this way easier to use than going out to the website in a browser.

08-13-2012, 12:44 PM	#1
AndrewH Fanatic Posts: 553 Karma: 1234566 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver, WA Device: Sony PRS-T1, & Kobo Mini	I don't understand apps It seems like most of the devices these days support the installation of "apps". I don't understand this concept. Granted, some apps really are applications that do something... like being able to identify the song on the radio, but most are (to my mind) nothing more than glorified links to a website. Why the trend away from mobile websites which are much more device independent? Is there some advantage to the Facebook, Twitter, and Gmail apps that wasn't available from the mobile websites?

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08-13-2012, 01:07 PM	#2
steven522 binomial: homo legentem Posts: 1,061 Karma: 25222222 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Alabama, USA Device: iriver Story HD; Archos 80 G9	I can only vouch for the Gmail app as I don't use the other two at all. The gmail app I have loaded on my android tablet is wonderful. It is integrated into the tablet in a way to make it almost a basic function. "Toolbar" notifications on new emails (when connected to a wireless point) and layouts designed to match the screen make this way easier to use than going out to the website in a browser.

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