The discussion revolves around an issue with a webview app, specifically that the keyboard overlaps the “Reply” text box when the app is in fullscreen mode. Hanzo1 provides images to illustrate the problem and asks for help resolving it.
However, the conversation diverges into a debate about the merits of creating a webview app versus using a Progressive Web App (PWA). Stephen suggests that a PWA is a better option, citing the existing single-site app available for Discourse. thegurjyot argues that creating a webview app allows for greater visibility on app stores, while codinghorror counters that websites have more advantages over apps.
Hanzo1 explains that they are targeting a specific demographic and that app discovery is crucial for their niche. They reiterate their question about why the fullscreen mode breaks the Reply system.
The discussion concludes with thegurjyot sharing their research on user behavior, suggesting that people prefer apps over websites, especially for frequently visited sites like social media or Discourse.
Update: It seems as though any sort of FULLSCREEN flag in Android completely breaks the Reply system in Discourse, making it impossible to hide the navigation bar or status bar without breaking the “Reply” within a forum.
It is possible, but the above result will occur, when the keyboard goes on top of the reply box.
Anyone know how to mend? This is a bit annoying for UX.
Why not use a PWA rather than making an app? You’re reinventing the wheel here.
There’s already a single site app available for use which supports notifications but this really shouldn’t be necessary with PWAs now working fairly well.
Making a webview app and listing it on Google Play gives you enormous chances of people reaching you. Nowadays, any online business should not leave an opportunity to be in Google Play or App Store.
Yes but websites don’t have to be “installed” and require binary updates, protection from malware, crash on every release of a new OS, etc. There is also no meaningful ‘app search’, every page in an app is impossible to find vs. Google.
That’s why we are going for webview instead of native Android app. We wanna take advantage of both the website ranking and the app installation behaviour
At least, in my industry people want us to bring an app because they are lazy to open the browser and type the url. Moreover, telling each individual to use “Add to homescreen” for PWA is also a challenge. Thus app solves the issue here much better
Reaching several million, with a Discord base of between 60,000-100,000 MAU with a majority requesting a simple app (doesn’t bother me, effort is worth it to me). Also for my target demographic of 18-25 in the niche I cater to, discovery is massive with apps, even if it’s a simple WebView.
More so interested in my question about why FULLSCREEN triggers the Reply system to break; I think I’m fine on the marketing end. Didn’t mean to rattle the pram.
The thing is that, I too think like you. Even I prefer working on a website since I do not have to install another app to slow down my phone. But, I am a digital marketer and thus far my research has shown me that people have started to prefer apps over websites. That’s why Google is doing everything to better develop PWA.
Moreover, we search apps which we use once a day or very few times a week. Because we do not place these type of apps to the homescreen.
But, apps like Social media or PWA from discourse which people visit more often in a day, they place the app on the homescreen where they do not have to search that app. They just open the phone, tap on the app and that’s done.
Although, I’ll still repeat myself, all of this is for my industry. The research is for my industry, different industries will have different people with different taste.
