I think ticketing is one actual good use-case for apps because there's opportunity to provide features the browser doesn't, for example offline ticket access for when you're going to a remote festival and 100k people on the same cell tower bogs down internet speeds, or a QR code page optimized for scanning -- I think that speeds up the process for everyone involved. Same for flight or train tickets. Could you download the ticket or a screenshot yourself? Sure, but as we're discussing, computer literacy (and forethought) is on the decline.

[–] primrosepathspeedrun 4 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (2 children)

it's called a PDF. also openable in your browser.

I used this on amtrak just last week, and there was, in fact, a QR code on the PDF of my ticket. the only reason I had to slow down was because I had my screen's brightness turned all the way down, and the scanner couldn't read it; a problem I also would have had if I'd been using the app.

[–] garbagebagel 0 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (1 children)

I agree with you, but just will also point out that apps can force your screen brightness up when you click on the ticket/scannable QR etc. I have seen grocery store apps do this when you click the 'my card' section. This is a good use case imo.

[–] primrosepathspeedrun 1 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

amtraks app does not do that. im not sure my (phone's) browser, being a phone app, can't.

a lot of the features they MIGHT be able to use better they are actively stripping out. lyft, for example, no longer sends notifications except by sms unless you let them hijack your OS to show you ads. there really is non good excuse to choose the app for any commercial thing.

which isn;t to say i don't have any other apps on my phone. encrypted messengers, an instrument tuner, orbot. just no silicon valley style corporate apps or 'this could just be a website' apps. except amtrak, to try it, because i trusted it a little more. apps are still abusive shit.

[–] techt -1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Great suggestion for an alternative, but as stated that requires some forethought and extra steps like downloading the PDF and keeping it somewhere retrievable whereas purchasing through the app can automatically do that and make it very easy to find. I think some might enjoy that convenience, and I think that's a good example of apps having value over a browser experience.

[–] primrosepathspeedrun 3 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (1 children)

i download the PDF when I buy my ticket. it's literally one click extra. in fact, I download it when I OPEN the PDF when I buy my ticket-if I'm not using an amnesiac browser, it's literally the same amount of taps as the app to just leave that window open.

that's not actually true-I have used the app, and its MORE steps, using amtrak as a specific example, literally this month.

[–] techt 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I'm happy that you've been able to have a positive experience forgoing using apps in some specific instances, but again as stated my point is more generally that sometimes apps can have functionality that provides more convenience than a browser and we don't seem to be furthering that topic with this tangent. Have a good one 👋

[–] primrosepathspeedrun 1 points 3 months ago

okay but when? when does an app provide function a browser couldn't, for commercial silicon valley type 'apps'?

I mean, even the things they used to do that I'm not 100% sure a website could are being stripped out-lyft for example no longer sends notifications except by sms, unless you opt into advertising.