AIBU to think there's too many apps

[NachoNachoMan]

Is it just me, or is there too much reliance on smartphone apps, and assumption that everyone has a smartphone?

My phone often tells me it's running low on space, but I don't exactly have much on it! There seems to be so many companies that have made things difficult or impossible if you don't have a smartphone. They don't seem to acknowledge that not everyone wants an app for everything, let alone data to download it (as well as a connection, space on their phones, battery remaining or even a smartphone full stop!

Examples:

• I have an app for my youngest at nursery, another one for primary school info, and one for ordering school dinners. All school info is sent via the app.

• I have an app for banking - I'd rather just log on to the computer but I need the app for 2 step verification.

• Facebook now requires a separate app for messenger, a few years ago you could do it all on one app.

• I went to the click and collect point at Asda to pick up some clothes - I entered the order number into the machine. Waited for ages and asked someone who said the machine is no longer linked and I need to download the app and click to say I'm there.

• I did a supermarket shop at a different Sainsbury's to the one I usually go to - I asked if they had scan & go and they said they have the tills but not the handheld devices - I need to download the app instead.

• I parked in a council car park - the machines no longer work and I have to download a parking app (or ring up to pay for parking).

I'm sure you can all come up with some more examples. I'm perfectly capable of using my phone, and could easily buy a more expensive phone to cope with more apps. But I think we're going too far too fast, and there's too much reliance on technology. I fear some people in society will be left behind as we become more & more reliant on technology.

YABU: Technology is great - more apps please!

YANBU: Too many places and companies are reliant on apps, and we don't want them!

Yes, I agree with you. Especially since lockdown has eased and restaurants are reopening. Every bloody restaurant I've been to I've been forced to download the app and order from there. Very annoying - I like human contact!

I use my browser to avoid filling my phone with apps. They just irritate me. I am using Mumsnet app but it's one of a handful.

I love an app. Find it so much easier. Everything’s just on my phone.

@ChickenwingChickenwing

I use my browser to avoid filling my phone with apps. They just irritate me. I am using Mumsnet app but it's one of a handful.

Me too, for everything I can. I have Facebook messenger at the moment as selling a few things on Facebook marketplace and want to recieve notification, but normally I just wait til I'm on the computer or the browser on my phone (in desktop view).

YES! There's an app for this there's an app for that! It drives me crazy.

Irritates me even more was when I want to speak with council I go through numerous automated messages "press 1 for...2 for...etc" finally get the option I want and they say to go to their website! If I could do it on their website I would have done so already! That's why I'm phoning!

I like and miss phone calls with actual people and really appreciate it when I do!

@KeepSmiling89

YES! There's an app for this there's an app for that! It drives me crazy.

Irritates me even more was when I want to speak with council I go through numerous automated messages "press 1 for...2 for...etc" finally get the option I want and they say to go to their website! If I could do it on their website I would have done so already! That's why I'm phoning!

I like and miss phone calls with actual people and really appreciate it when I do!

I think when you ring a company and you have to press the buttons in a certain order to actually speak to someone, it's like one of those puzzle codes. Only one combination is correct - and there's a reward of human interaction if you enter the options correctly! 🤣

Just wait until there is a freak storm with power failures and no cell towers either. Happened recently to me and I could do nothing. Even my library books are on a bloody app. Had to go and sit in the car to listen to the radio to hear what was going on. Shops were stuffed too as they couldn’t take card payments. Cash only and not many people had cash to hand because cash and Covid don’t mix. I realised I am too reliant on technology to get my news / shopping / money.

Yes, it excludes people who can't afford or don't want a smartphone with data on it, or who can't reliably keep their phone charged for all the situations it might be required in, who are more likely to belong to social minority groups, so it is indirect discrimination.

One example is being able to get cheaper bus tickets via the operator's app. So it's only people who can afford to pay for data in the first place who can get the cheaper tickets, not those who actually need the discount...

One example is being able to get cheaper bus tickets via the operator's app. So it's only people who can afford to pay for data in the first place who can get the cheaper tickets, not those who actually need the discount...

My local bus operator brought out an app where the cheapest tickets weren't available.

I love the option of an app. I hate the fact that everyone is expected to have a smartphone and the fact that apps are almost necessary to access some services.

Yes, it excludes people who can't afford or don't want a smartphone with data on it, or who can't reliably keep their phone charged for all the situations it might be required in, who are more likely to belong to social minority groups, so it is indirect discrimination.

This, exactly.

Everyone posting on mumsnet has internet access and some sort of electronic device or access to one, as well as a good understanding of written English and the ability to formulate responses to posts, but I'm sure we all know at least one person who doesn't have the resources or ability to be able to use apps when it's the only option available.

@ValidUser

I love the option of an app. I hate the fact that everyone is expected to have a smartphone and the fact that apps are almost necessary to access some services.

Spot on!

Apps are great. If your phone is constantly running out of space then just get a cheap micro SD card. (Unless you've got an iPhone, but then if you can afford an iPhone maybe you don't need to worry about the cost of things.)

If you don't want a data contract you can use pay as you go, and most places that require apps to be used have free wifi nearby.

Sure some people will get left behind as technology develops - but that's always been the case! People who wouldn't/couldn't use a computer got left behind in the jobs market. People who refused to move away from horses got left behind when cars became affordable.

The people who I know that don't have smartphones have made a deliberate choice not to have one, so they can't really (and don't) complain about not being able to use apps.

yanbu... it's funny, though. I notice that DC organise their apps into folders (they never organise their emails at all). They manage apps better than me.

Meanwhile my emails are organised neatly into folders. DC have no idea what's in their Email inbox. But my apps are organised by colour! I need to remove a few apps I doubt if I'll use again this year, too.