Web Apps v Installed Apps: PLEASE VOTE

[Kabeyun]

I'm very interested to know how many people are diving into the growing pool of web applications for iPhone. There have been several rants about how unsatisfactory they are, but there are also many out there who are using and developing them.

Do you use web apps on your iPhone? Are you waiting until you can install "real" apps directly on your iPhone (not counting using Jailbreak to install, eg LightsOff). What's the iPhone community up to?

I think this is important information to gather. Thanks everyone for participating.

-K

 

[Tinman]

I voted for "Web apps are OK, but I'd use installed apps instead if I could."

While I am growing fonder of the Web apps, it's mostly for apps that need the Internet. The news and photo apps are a perfect example: they look slick and need Net access anyway.

But to have to use the Internet to play a simple game? Absurd, in my opinion. Can't use it one a plane for starters.

Though to be honest I have seen noticibel improvement in the Web apps lately. As an example, for some reason I was playing Battle Ship in NES for a few days. It works well, no problems with it. But then I cam across the Web app Battlefleet. Wow, 1000% better! Still it could be just as good as a native app (again, can't use it on a plane).

Finally, one thing that is becoming an annoying omission from both native and Web apps is sound. Why we can't have even basic sound in Web apps is a big negative, IMO (ditto for most native apps--and even with NES you have to disable other sounds in order to use it).



--
Mike

 

[The Apple]

Yeah I love Battlefleet. I seldom use web apps, but that could change easily as more and more keep appearing. I also like shredder chess. Browsing through addfone.com is also entertaining to me.

 

[aggieman]

I haven't found any webapps that are really worth using other than meebo and occasionally the accuweather one. I'd really like the ability to purchase 3rd party apps and install them as I wish, even if it has to be Apple approved apps that are only sold on iTunes. I just don't care for the way the webapps run, especially over EDGE.

 

[jbarrack]

At my college, egde is horrible, and the tools at IT wont hook my phone up to the WiFi ... I really need installed apps bc I have nothing to do when im bored on the phone with my girlfriend ...

 

[Matt Random]

My problem with WebApps is that it takes too long to be practical for simple functions. Say I want to use a tip calculator, a unit converter or something similar. I have to start up Safari, wait for Appleopolis to load (if I don't have a direct bookmark to the webapp), click the web app and again wait for it to load.

I wish that more bookmarklets were available for simple apps. These are a decent compromise between web apps and native apps.

 

[ahduke99]

i wish there was a way to set a homepage on safari on the iPhone so it will open up to a certain site when you first open the web. i hate having to type in Appleopolis each time i need to use it.

 

[Tinman]

i wish there was a way to set a homepage on safari on the iPhone so it will open up to a certain site when you first open the web. i hate having to type in Appleopolis each time i need to use it.

While not a home page, you can use iPhone Apper to create "apps" out of URLs. These open Safari and go straight to the URL. I've attached Appleopolis.app (zipped) that does that for Appleopolis.


--
Mike

 

[iLLGT2]

The only web app I use is Jivetalk which is awesome and fast for me. But hands down, installed apps are much much superior.

 

[Bschucher]

I totally prefer native apps and there are more and more every day it seems. My biggest bit-- when i got the phone was no IM app... i now have a very functional native IM app in AppolIM...

 

[ps49556n]

Native apps are better in most ways but I do not see Apple opening up the possibility for true 3rd party native apps any time soon.


IMO the best web app by FAR is Orb when used to listen to satellite radio. Works pretty flawlessly except I have yet to get it to work properly over edge.



The thing that really gets me are people who create "web apps" for things like shopping on amazon or other stupid sht like that. WE HAVE A GOD DAMN FULL HTML BROWSER!

 

[Marianne]

i voted "web apps are unsatisfactory but i'll use them until installed apps are available". there are a couple of things i want to always be able to use even when i don't have web access (on a plane, or if i travel out of the country and don't want to roam or don't have wifi access) that aren't yet available - an ebook reader and password keeper. the web apps out there don't fully meet my needs. i submitted a feedback email to Apple asking for native apps like this - i'd even pay for them! they could sell them like they do for ipod games through iTunes.

 

[j2chulo]

I vote "Web apps are OK, but I'd use installed apps instead if I could" i rather use a 3rd party app. but some app work better of the net. I use JiveTalk for my aim Client and work great. I installed Apollo but im getting rid of it. its only for aim no msn, yahoo nor other chat service.

 

[Hamadeh]

While not a home page, you can use iPhone Apper to create "apps" out of URLs. These open Safari and go straight to the URL. I've attached Appleopolis.app (zipped) that does that for Appleopolis.


--
Mike

hey what do you do after you open up the zip? it doesn't seem to send to the phone. ;/

 

[Tinman]

hey what do you do after you open up the zip? it doesn't seem to send to the phone. ;/

You need to copy the Appleopolis.app folder to the ...\Applications folder on the iPhone. Then it will appear like a native app. It will open Safari to Appleopolis.com.


--
Mike

 

[Hamadeh]

You need to copy the Appleopolis.app folder to the ...\Applications folder on the iPhone. Then it will appear like a native app. It will open Safari to Appleopolis.com.


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Mike

wow thanks a lot, so just using ibrickr right? this is really helpful !

 

[Tinman]

wow thanks a lot, so just using ibrickr right? this is really helpful !

If using iBrickr you will need to create the directory first. I created a pxl to install from iBrickr directly, but couldn't control the file permissions within the zip (couldn't get postflight to do a chmod either).


--
Mike

 

[mabigwiz]

I answered I am good with web apps. Not every app will work as a web app but most are fine and gives me more room on my phone for other crap like music and video. I am a heavy user of applopolis and mockdock. I always have 2 pages open to them at all times. I have sport scores, Battlefleet(my latest fav), Bejeweled, Diggs, CNN, Fox News, Sodukoo, Poker, Accuweather, etc. They take up no room on my phone, they perform fine, and are all 1 or 2 clicks away.

Finding new applications are extremely easy and I don't have to worry about something screwing up my phone.

I am perfectly fine with web apps. Not saying everything will work in this format but I am perfectly fine with the way it is.

Bigger question - besides having access when in Airplane mode - why do you need an installed app on your phone? Or is it your just use to installed apps? Not making a judgment, just asking, cause I believe its just because you have an innate belief that installed apps are better and its just a matter of changing your mindset.

(when I am on an airplane I am passed out listening to music so I don't need the apps)

 

[Dawgfan]

Jive Talk on the iPhone is 25% of what it can be and it is not Beejive's fault.

LET US LOAD APPS!

Jive Talk on the BB is one bada$$ and super-reliable app.

 

[eufo]

i voted "web apps are unsatisfactory but i'll use them until installed apps are available". there are a couple of things i want to always be able to use even when i don't have web access (on a plane, or if i travel out of the country and don't want to roam or don't have wifi access) that aren't yet available - an ebook reader and password keeper. the web apps out there don't fully meet my needs. i submitted a feedback email to Apple asking for native apps like this - i'd even pay for them! they could sell them like they do for ipod games through iTunes.

I'm with you, macgirl. I'm praying to the iPhone gods for a password keeper. I currently lug around my Palm for that one purpose alone. Webapp version completely unacceptable.