# Screw App Stores, we got a Progressive Web App!

Source: https://theblockchainsocialist.com/screw-app-stores-we-got-a-progressive-web-app
Kiwi News: https://news.kiwistand.com/stories/Screw-App-Stores-we-got-a-Progressive-Web-App?index=0x65db657f34b0b43882a578110f19d93930e094e4c8aeaf7f22a7316bf595b3dd4156e3cc
Submitted by misha on 2024-02-25 UTC, 1 upvote, 2 comments

## Summary

The Blockchain Socialist has released a Progressive Web App that users can install on phones or desktops directly from its website, bypassing app stores. The article argues that app stores control in-app payments and typically take a 30% cut, and it cites Epic Games' lawsuits against Apple and Google over that payments regime. The PWA offers offline browsing, faster loading, and notifications about new posts. The author notes it may not work on European iOS devices, which the article attributes to Apple's opposition to PWAs.

## Article

The Blockchain Socialist website now has a Progressive Web App you can download on to your phone or desktop!

If you’re reading this I’m sure you’re already at least somewhat aware of the incredible downsides of big tech platforms; how they are walled gardens of giant tech companies, make money off of surveillance and selling our data, etc. But did you know this also applies to app stores? Nearly every single big tech app store uses its position to control all payments made in apps downloaded from them. This includes the app stores of Apple, Google, Microsoft, and many more. In fact, nearly all of them take a 30% cut from all purchases made (almost like we need a digital payments system that isn’t in the control of big tech). This has led to the recent lawsuits brought to Apple and Google from Epic Games, the makers of Fortnite, for not wanting to abide by their payments regime, creating a real “assholes versus dickheads” situation.

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are a type of application software that helps get around the power of app stores by allowing websites to look and function like applications that can be downloaded directly. In this way you don’t need an app store to distribute your application. They are designed to work on any device with a web browser, offering a user experience akin to native apps whether on desktop or on the phone.

Key features of the TBS PWA include being able to:

access the site as an app on your phone or desktop like any other downloaded application

browse the site offline

have faster loading times

receive notifications about new posts directly to your device

disconnect from big tech app stores

How to Download the TBS PWA

Using a Chromium based browser (Chrome, Edge, Brave, etc.) go to theblockchainsocialist.com.

You should be prompted at the bottom to install the TBS PWA

If not, go to the top right settings button and you should find an option to download the app

Once installed you should now be able to access the “TBS App”

Be sure to enable notifications in your settings to get updates on new posts

These steps are very similar if you prefer to have it as an application on your PC as well

Note that there is a chance that it doesn’t work on European iOS devices since Apple has been fighting against PWAs considering it goes against their business interests obviously. However I highly encourage those who have not used PWAs before to use this as an opportunity to at least try it out and support the technical standards that help decentralize the web away from big tech.

Liked it? Take a second to support The Blockchain Socialist on Patreon!

## Comments

**scoop3.eth**: Not crazy about PWAs. Most just don’t function as well an app. I think it’s OK as an MVP, but if I already have traction, I’d go straight to app. 

**tim**: It is a bit of an odd choice for a blog to release a PWA, but why not, if you can convince people to subscribe to push notifications, that could be quite influential.

On the other side though, email works well too and is pretty lindy!