I always have the same thoughts when people say they use browsers. Apps are (in my experience) much more practical to use. Also, I think browsers are an ok option on a computer, but not mobile.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago (1 children)

In my experience Reddit had to be used with an app if not on desktop, but the Fediverse on mobile feels like the Reddit app (I'm one of the few people who never had trouble with the official app, it was functional for me, so this is not meant as an insult at all. I left and came here over the API stuff only) so I have no need to switch. Much more mobile-friendly. Using the Fediverse on desktop feels a lot like the mobile experience but wider.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Ok, let's talk about Lemmy specifically. The app I'm currently using (Connect) has so many great features like swipe gestures that improve browsing tremendously. Just in this thread, there was a link that I had to use the browser to view that had two images that I needed to zoom in to view and then zoom out to read the other comments. This is something you don't deal with when using an app because it's usually optimized for easier viewing.

But at the end of the day, this is about habits and what you feel most comfortable with.

Have you ever tried an app and thought, nah I don't like it?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 months ago

It's happened before in general, though I cannot remember specific instances. As for Fediverse apps, I do have one for Matrix because I think you actually cannot use that on mobile without an app. Every time I try to open a Matrix link on mobile it tells me to pick an app. For Mbin and Lemmy, I do not need an app because I'm already having a good experience on the browser. Little to no friction or complaints. I also don't feel I need anything more, so I don't want to sink that minimal effort into finding and trying an app. The post that came out talking about a lot of apps not displaying Markdown correctly further discourages me, as I don't want to track it down to find which ones do, and one of the things few apps show correctly is spoiler formatting which I use.

I see it can be about accessibility and solving usability issues on the browser now, which of course will be different for different people. Thanks for discussing with me :)