I’m pretty sure my bank’s android app is just webview considering it has a cookie banner when starting it and it looks almost identical to the actual bank website. The biggest feature of the bank app is for 2FA, but it’s not like it’s much more convenient than SMS and they really should be supporting FIDO2 and TOTP codes for actually secure 2FA.
I don’t understand the banking comment, and I’ve seen it several times. Don’t other people’s banks have web portals? Other than maybe depositing a check remotely, are there features you actually need a native banking app for?
My bank offers both an app and a website which is nice, but the app is mandatory for doing any kind of operation involving money (which is not that uncommon when logged-in in your bank accounts ;) even when connecting through their website, as the app is used for some ID-ing process.
Then, there are a few not-mandatory but such-an-effing-pain-to-not-use apps, say to ID oneself with some (public) services.
I use a dumbed down iPhone (like, really: no social, no games, no whatever not even email is configured on it) just so I can access those few apps.
I use that occasionally but only like 2-3 times a year now. I use my bank’s app primarily just because it’s a fast dedicated way to check my balance. But I’d use the web app if I needed to for some reason
My bank warned that they are planning to phase out the code booklet and replace it with a mobile app. Sure, you can continue to use a web browser, but how do you verify anything without a mobile app?
Also, some apps are very picky and refuse to work properly unless your android has GAPPS and is in the in an unmodified state just like the OEM intended. That’s bad news for privacy oriented Android users, let alone anyone who wants to run something even more FOSS.
What if you have appliances such as a scale, lights, watch or something? Pretty much guaranteed that those won’t work unless you use their app. If you want to go FOSS, you may need to sell all of your smart stuff and replace them with similar devices that work in a privacy respecting strictly FOSS environment.
Here’s an idea: not buying “smart devices” that turn into fancy paperweights the second they aren’t connected to a WiFi network.
A scale doesn’t need to connect to a server.
The lights in your house don’t need to be connected to a server.
Your fridge, etc.
If they do, that’s for something completely different than what you bought them to do. And if there’s no FOSS app to control those extraneous features, it’s a black box.
Yes, an IoT device would certainly be a huge headache if it was on a proprietary protocol, I’d avoid that if at all possible. Thankfully, they haven’t made something absolutely indispensable yet.
It’s really just banking, I can still use the browser for most other things.
I’m pretty sure my bank’s android app is just webview considering it has a cookie banner when starting it and it looks almost identical to the actual bank website. The biggest feature of the bank app is for 2FA, but it’s not like it’s much more convenient than SMS and they really should be supporting FIDO2 and TOTP codes for actually secure 2FA.
I don’t understand the banking comment, and I’ve seen it several times. Don’t other people’s banks have web portals? Other than maybe depositing a check remotely, are there features you actually need a native banking app for?
My bank offers both an app and a website which is nice, but the app is mandatory for doing any kind of operation involving money (which is not that uncommon when logged-in in your bank accounts ;) even when connecting through their website, as the app is used for some ID-ing process.
Then, there are a few not-mandatory but such-an-effing-pain-to-not-use apps, say to ID oneself with some (public) services.
I use a dumbed down iPhone (like, really: no social, no games, no whatever not even email is configured on it) just so I can access those few apps.
Mine does but there’s 2fa using a dedicated app. Although a 2fa machine is available and sent out also.
Why “other than depositing a check remotely”? Depositing a check remotely is the reason I have to use my bank’s mobile app.
I use that occasionally but only like 2-3 times a year now. I use my bank’s app primarily just because it’s a fast dedicated way to check my balance. But I’d use the web app if I needed to for some reason
Sadly, some finance services are app only, app-that-don’t-run-without-Play-Store only.
My bank warned that they are planning to phase out the code booklet and replace it with a mobile app. Sure, you can continue to use a web browser, but how do you verify anything without a mobile app?
Also, some apps are very picky and refuse to work properly unless your android has GAPPS and is in the in an unmodified state just like the OEM intended. That’s bad news for privacy oriented Android users, let alone anyone who wants to run something even more FOSS.
Where I live, cashless payments via NFC. But I have the option of using a plastic card too.
What if you have appliances such as a scale, lights, watch or something? Pretty much guaranteed that those won’t work unless you use their app. If you want to go FOSS, you may need to sell all of your smart stuff and replace them with similar devices that work in a privacy respecting strictly FOSS environment.
Here’s an idea: not buying “smart devices” that turn into fancy paperweights the second they aren’t connected to a WiFi network.
If they do, that’s for something completely different than what you bought them to do. And if there’s no FOSS app to control those extraneous features, it’s a black box.
You can try: https://gadgetbridge.org/ https://github.com/oliexdev/openScale
(although they are android apps)
Yes, an IoT device would certainly be a huge headache if it was on a proprietary protocol, I’d avoid that if at all possible. Thankfully, they haven’t made something absolutely indispensable yet.