Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

Unfortunately, buying basic things requires an app now. Paying off my credit card and house requires an app. Getting a "taxi" needs to be done by app. School updates for tomorrow's homework go through Telegram, telling the teachers to send my daughter down from class requires WhatsApp. Whitelisting visitors to come in requires a security management app.

I have an autogate that can't be opened manually. It came with a remote, but only one, so we use an app to open the gate. My door has a fingerprint sensor that malfunctions when it's humid. So I need to open my front door with an app and because it's a free app, I have to watch an ad to open my front door.



These seem like poor tech choices more than "an app is required to buy basic things."

When the whole "there is an app for that" mess started, I could be found saying, there is a browser for that too!

You are right about one thing, and that is everyone is asking whether people have their app. This is constant.

My answer has and will continue to be, "nope."

And yes, I have a browser for that.

The apps I find worth using are all enabling in some way, sensor data, advanced calculator, viewers and the like have real value.

Wrapping transactions into apps where the sole purpose is data harvesting and blasting me ads and offers, adds ZERO net value.

Products that require an app should be considered broken.

Seriously.

All of that pushes people, who for whatever reason choose app dependency, into scenarios like you shared with us here.

That stuff us broken man. You really would benefit from a general reconsideration of your product and service selection means and methods.

What is the product value when "needs your phone is off the table.

Does it have value without a phone? Should it? (In almost every case, yes!)

Please don't take my comment as an attack. Nothing personal here, no judgment either. You are by no means alone. M


What is the alternative though? Do I boycott it? Buy my games from Epic Store, book taxis while I'm on the train, ignore messages from teachers, and do all my banking from ATMs? Apps are still more convenient and cheaper.

Admittedly digital locks are dumb, though.


If I were you, I would just start reconsidering my tech choices. And though it is not really a boycott, enough people doing it matters. Think of it like a biaore like a bias away from poor or dubious value propositions and toward better and higher value ones.

This all works a lot like TV and other home entertainment devices work. What can the device do without its remote?

I just repaired a really nice little CRT for retro computer and game system use. Fantastic set too. It is just about pixel perfect over the composite connection when running with a system with appropriate gaming / computing hardware.

One problem and you guessed it! This little set is damn near useless without it's remote! Listing are easily half as much or more!

You are right too. Digital locks are dumb.

The set can turn on, off, change channels, raise and lower volume and that is it!

So much is left! Picture, tint, color saturation level, aux input, sharpness.

And the initial setup, V-chip, language, region, and, and, and... you get the point!

Now, I always find a remote and or program a universal remote and also print out the user guide and service manuals for the TV and the programming guides for the remote.

Huge value, and it shows in my listing prices and just how close final sale ends up being.


...Are you serious about opening the door? What app/company makes your door?


It's this app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tongtongsu...

It's not the same company as the one that made the door. To be fair, the door is a one time purchase and they shouldn't have to maintain it, so it's all done with a third party app. The hardware is solid, it's just the software that's a bit dodgy.

The lock can be opened with fingerprint or NFC tag, but it freezes after 3 tries. The master key is a physical key or the app. I didn't get a fingerprint door to use keys, and the keyhole is also at a weird angle from beneath the door. So the app it is.

It sounds ridiculous but I need apps for everything anyway, thanks to 2FA. I can't even log in to work without an app.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: