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Will you be happy to use SW on a mobile browser, if we made these adjustments to help it function more similar to an app? 馃摫

Hi Similar Worlds,
We have a suggestion for a 馃摫 Mobile App 馃摫 and we need your opinion/feedback about it.


Yesterday, we asked you what do you seek the most in a Similar Worlds Mobile App.

If you want to see the Poll:
https://similarworlds.com/25-Similar-Worlds/784267-What-do-you-seek-the-most-in-a-Similar-Worlds-App

The most voted answers were:

[b]Live Updating Chat Messages[/b]

[b]Instant/Push Notifications[/b]

[b]Better Performance (Faster)[/b]


We appreciate very much your feedback to us, and we want to ensure we provide you with the best we can.

Please note, however, that creating a Mobile App does not automatically bring these features/benefits to our users.

Although "Instant/Push Notifications" could be better supported by a mobile app, "Live Updating Chat Messages" is not a feature that is only possible on apps. We would still need to develop it, and we can do that on the website/browser. It wouldn't necessarily make any difference on the app, except for the Push Notifications (which is independent of the Live Updating Chat feature).

As for "Better Performance (Faster)", we can't see how Similar Worlds is slow, except when network is slow. Mobile apps may seem a bit faster in the way that they show old/cached contents before they refresh with new contents, while a website will show a blank page until the very first page is loaded. Otherwise, an app would likely perform as fast as a browser - but it mostly depends on the implementation. An app does not automatically mean it will perform better.


Unfortunately, we have a few reasons that are delaying us so much in making a mobile app:

1) Our workload will increase a lot, as we will have to maintain independent apps for different platforms, such as Android, iPhone, Windows Phone, and numerous versions of those systems and devices.

2) We will have to re-implement parts of our website, as we have to adapt to the Terms of Services of each platform. As a small example, we are not allowed to use PayPal in our VIP payments on Android applications, we would have to use the Google In-app Payment system.

3) There may be other disadvantages to our users when using a mobile app versus using the browser. For example, you can't open links/posts in "new tabs", bookmark SW pages, etc.

4) From our past experience, and from using other apps, many times users can get crashes for reasons that have nothing to do with the app that crashed. That can decrease the level of user experience, while a Browser is developed by a huge team and is already very stable.


[c=#BF0000][big]Will you be happy to use SW on a mobile browser, if we made these adjustments to help it function more similar to an app? 馃摫[/big][/c]

This would be a normal application that would be downloaded from Google Play / App Store, but instead of Similar Worlds showing in a native/webview app, it would open SW in your default browser.

At the same time, it would support:
馃敂 [b]Push Notifications[/b] directly on your phone, even if your browser is not running
馃摬 [b]SW Icon on your App Drawer[/b] and (optionally) on your Homescreen
馃こ Directly Upload a Photo from your phone [b]Gallery to your SW albums[/b]
馃挰 [b]Share links/contents[/b] from other applications to SW

[big]Would the above replace the need of a full/native Mobile App for you?[/big]
[c=#BF0000][b]If the features above are supported, is there any other problem with using Similar Worlds on the browser?[/b][/c]
Please let us know in the comments below.


Thank you very much,
[c=#005E2F][i]- The SW Team[/i][/c]
SW-User
For the love of all that is covered in cheese , No ! No app !
@Jay04Sch: FB is NOT a support site as EP was. EP was a niche site where issues and topics of folks could be dealt with one to one, with and by those who also have the same issue, FB is not that. FB is a SOCIAL site NOT a support site.

FB also has scads more dollars to invest in security and the infrastructure of the site that what small little EP , or SW has at their disposal.
Jay04Sch46-50, F
@Elandra77: Don't worry if SW does bring an application you under no obligation to use it. For those off us that are mobile it's a great idea.
@Jay04Sch: No I have no obligation- and I use a PC for the most part. BUT--It wil l bring those here who have no reason TO be here. 8-10 year olds, Korean Spammers, increased trolls. . miscreants and sexual deviants (male) and sexual predators(female) A free app enables them.

This site has 4 running it- and they also have day jobs- SW is NOT it. And that is going to be too much for 4!
NeuroticByNature41-45, F
I dont care for apps personally. I dont use facebook as an app and do not want updates coming through to my phone constantly. I like the website how it is.
CheshireCatalyst36-40, M
I'm probably not the ideal opinion on this as I'm perfectly happy using a browser, but I'd vote for whatever keeps your workload down because the site is more likely to stay up :)
SW-User
@ChasingBrainBros: what he said!! 馃憜馃徏
bettylesswear26-30, F
I use the browser on my phone all the time with SW. It works just fine. The people demanding an app/complaining that it doesn't work right on a phone browser, sorry but the sounds like a phone problem to me. Maybe it's time for a phone upgrade. Also, there is several different browsers to try.

I'd rather the Admin concentrate on improving the site than being tied up on maintaining an app.
@bettylesswear: YES!!! And I hope they take this to heart and stop wasting money and time on something many do not want-or that is not needed.
YJTurnerF
@bettylesswear: Yes!!! I agree 馃憤馃憤馃憤
MasterLee56-60, M
I prefer a self contained app. Kind of useless if it opens the browser
MasterLee56-60, M
@YJTurner: I have a bunch of issues with the mobile browser
YJTurnerF
@MasterLee: try a different browser, or go in settings and view as desktop?
YJTurnerF
Different browsers will work different on different phones
CrocodileCookie22-25
If the app is how I think it is , I'm almost 100% sure it would not be very used
Please!!!! For all that is beautiful in nature- SO NOT MAKE AN APP.. AT ALL!!! That IS the beginning of the end of this place. The same ones that have phones also , or have access to a netbook, laptop, tablets or PC. No one needs to stand in aisle 26 in a Walmart and dictate HOW they made rye and tomato bread last night in a bread maker!!! That can wait.

I would NEVER use this site with an app.

What will happen-as it did on the site that inspired this site, Is that the PC users will get raped of functions and features- just so the app experience can be ALMOST THE SAME as the PC experience. Take away that option- and we still have all the features and functions.
sarabee199526-30, F
Well, I've already posted my opinion on your survey page so this is not going to be new.

I'm in favor of continued development focus on mobile browsers. This will deliver a more stable platform and a more consistent experience across platforms (I visit SW from my phone, tablet, & laptop, using Chrome on all three -- right now on my tablet with two SW tabs open).

Developing apps on three platforms, especially with all the versions of each platform, will spread you guys so thin that site development will stagnate.

I think your idea of an "app-let" that accomplishes those things is awesome.

Thanks again for all you do.
NimbusM
I don't use apps as such but I appreciate that Admin take the time to involve users in decisions like this.
Congrats.
ExploreroftheUnknown26-30, M
I think that with every new endeavor, there will always be bad things that pop up. In my opinion, I think that an app would definitely drive in a lot more users. With that being said, I also believe that the overall environment of similar worlds could change as well. Right now, similar worlds is filled with supportive people and your occasional trolls. Creating an app might cause a bit more tension with everyone. For me,its kind of annoying not receiving notifications directly to my phone when the web browser is closed. An app would help that. I know a lot of old EPers who would come back if an app was created. People just have preferences. Ya know? It would be best if everyone had a choice on how they accessed similar worlds. Whether it be through an app, or web browser. No opinion towards this topic is a wrong one.

Looking forward to the app if it does become a thing. 馃憖
shaelan41-45, M
I can 100% appreciate what you're saying here and fully support the "more similar to an app" development path which would continue using browser. Don't stretch your resources too thin and keep up the excellent work.
Jay04Sch46-50, F
I use only my mobile phone for SW. An application will be great. It will be easier and uses less data as oppose to using my browser.
Degbeme70-79, M
I don`t use my phone but I`m sure many other will be happy about this. Thank you for continually improving SW.
JustNik51-55, F
Making it work better from my phone - the only place I use it - would be plenty good enough for me. 馃憤
marsbarF
I'm quite happy with this. I wouldn't be using the app. It seems like a lot of work for you guys. Good luck.
SW-User
I use sw almost exclusively on a browser (chrome) on an Android phone. I think how it works on the browser is more than adequate. If there was an app I'd probably stick to the browser frankly as why use up more memory for no better experience? So I'd suggest you don't focus on the app.

To me on ep a poorly featured, in comparison with the browser site, was something that undermined it as a site.
Socialclutz36-40, M
Guess I don't really have any complaints about SW set up as it is
Itsrishu26-30, F
Yes, please bring out an app! that would be so convenient.
SW-User
The website is good enough for me, but push notifications would be a nice addition in some situations. I'd only use that if they can be toggled on and off though, for example at work without turning off all sound.
NettleF
So your [b][i]POLLS [/i][/b]are only up for [b]one day[/b] before you count the votes?
And yet you don't bother informing all the members of the site that the poll even exists?
What kind of [i][u]logic[/u][/i] [b]IS[/b] that?馃槖
NunoAdmin
@elspeth: The poll is still there for users to vote. Up to this day, the results are still the same as my post above. More than 100 users have voted so far, so the results can be considered accurate already.
MrBrownstone46-50, M
You guys are doing awesome. I use similar worlds on my iPhone in the browser and have no problem with it. I'm not for an app,but won't stop using if you guys make an app.
SW-User
PfuzylogicM
What we have is very useful except when the browser can't access your servers.
The EP app was fun but I am quite sure yours will be better.

Keep up your excellent work!
Invisible26-30, M
I think that push notifications would be the biggest improvement for the amount of effort required
This comment is hidden. Show Comment
SW-User
I use it on a mobile device and don't have any problems.
TheOrionbeltseeker36-40, M
Yes, please go ahead with these modifications.
This comment is hidden. Show Comment
juiceyangel33331-35, F
Yes please... I asked about this
SStarfish
it sounds cool to me
TheOrionbeltseeker36-40, M
We do not want any app. We love it this way. It is better ---> best.
MasterLee56-60, M
@Nuno it took minutes to load and post. My network is a business professional on fiber so not really the issue but I know you don't want an app. Ep had an app and it was way faster.
NunoAdmin
@MasterLee Thank you. It's not about me wanting an app or not. It's just that I don't think an app would automatically make Similar Worlds faster. If pages were taking time to load for you, it could be a networking routing problem (either our end, your end, or something in the middle), and an app wouldn't make that better.
SW-User
@Nuno I use via a phone on a uk 4G network or on home broadband. I don't regularly suffer any speed issues loading, posting or commenting. My experience via a mobile browser is that it performs excellently lot better than many sites with much more wealthy corporations behind them.
Jonjdw46-50, M
I'm fine with no app. Using the website on my phone is fine. But I will try it if it becomes a app.
SW-User
I don't like to use apps ...so won't download the SW app
ZaqtinsF
Yes I'd be fine to just have that other than an app!
SW-User
No app please!!! We beg you!
JaggedLittlePill46-50, F
Yes, I think this would be a good alternative.

 
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