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Scrappy – Make little apps for you and your friends

(pontus.granstrom.me)
463 points 8organicbits | 13 comments | 18 Jun 25 05:16 UTC | HN request time: 2.092s | source | bottom
1. bowsamic ◴[18 Jun 25 06:28 UTC] No.44307156[source]▶
I would if Apple didn’t put such tight restrictions against hobby app creation
replies(3): >>44307203 #>>44307854 #>>44309893 #
2. InsideOutSanta ◴[18 Jun 25 06:37 UTC] No.44307203[source]▶
I often create small apps like these for my friends, but 100% of them are written in PHP and plain HTML with some JavaScript. They need to be built quickly, deployed quickly, updated quickly, run on every device, and be runnable by sending a link on WhatsApp.

So it doesn't matter what Apple does because I'm never going to put something like that into any App Store.

replies(1): >>44307488 #
3. bowsamic ◴[18 Jun 25 07:33 UTC] No.44307488[source]▶
Well the reason why you are having to use a web browser rather than sharing the app written using native APIs is because Apple forces you to use the App Store, so you yes did matter what Apple does. They prevent you from using the native toolkit and your use of the browser is partly a workaround for that

EDIT also Apple are in full control of what functionality they expose in their web APIs so even then it matters hugely

replies(1): >>44309354 #
4. jimbob45 ◴[18 Jun 25 08:30 UTC] No.44307854[source]▶
iPhone Shortcuts can get you surprisingly far. I agree that building hobbyist apps has too high of an entry barrier in the Apple ecosystem but Shortcuts handles CRUD stuff with ease.
5. InsideOutSanta ◴[18 Jun 25 12:38 UTC] No.44309354{3}[source]▶
> Well the reason why you are having to use a web browser

I don't have to use a web browser; I want to use a web browser. I'm not in the US, so almost nobody I know uses an iPhone, and I could easily send them APKs, but why go through the trouble?

replies(1): >>44309608 #
6. bowsamic ◴[18 Jun 25 13:12 UTC] No.44309608{4}[source]▶
I mean that’s fine but then you can’t use a huge number of system APIs so it is actually a problem if you want to write software that uses your phones features. It is not okay just because iPhones or androids have a web browser. It’s insane to me that you’re even trying to argue that it’s not a problem that Apple do not let you write native software for iOS for free

Also iPhone is not just a US thing. I’m in Germany and iPhone is very popular here too

replies(1): >>44316995 #
7. WillAdams ◴[18 Jun 25 13:52 UTC] No.44309893[source]▶
I had great hopes for Applescript Studio, and was very hopeful it would grow into a widely-used HyperCard alternative.

https://macosxautomation.com/applescript/develop/index.html

seems to show the current state, which is a heavy lift for most people.

replies(1): >>44310106 #
8. bowsamic ◴[18 Jun 25 14:15 UTC] No.44310106[source]▶
Yeah a YouTube video on HyperCard made me realise that Apple just doesn’t care anymore and honestly neither do people, but I honestly think it is brainwashing. If you let people make their own apps then how do you serve them ads and take the 30% revenue cut?
replies(1): >>44310357 #
9. WillAdams ◴[18 Jun 25 14:44 UTC] No.44310357{3}[source]▶
That's an excellent point, that enabling app development by users reduces the monetization potential --- but maybe it's something which would work for opensource?

I'd be very glad to see a platform for the Raspberry Pi (and similar devices) which would simultaneously be simple and easy for folks to access and use _and_ create the kind of sophisticated user interfaces folks are now accustomed to/expect to use for even basic tasks.

10. InsideOutSanta ◴[19 Jun 25 09:43 UTC] No.44316995{5}[source]▶
>It’s insane to me that you’re even trying to argue

I'm not arguing with you. You're arguing with me, and I'm not sure why. I don't give a shit about Apple. I'm not defending them, I don't care.

What's insane to me is that on the Internet, people constantly try to pick fights.

replies(1): >>44336582 #
11. bowsamic ◴[21 Jun 25 11:15 UTC] No.44336582{6}[source]▶
Well you don’t get to not care, that’s not allowed
replies(1): >>44338085 #
12. InsideOutSanta ◴[21 Jun 25 14:56 UTC] No.44338085{7}[source]▶
That will not stand! Have your people contact my people so they can arrange a duel between us.
replies(1): >>44339965 #
13. bowsamic ◴[21 Jun 25 19:10 UTC] No.44339965{8}[source]▶
Would if I could.