How many people actually use Apps?

[Visa Declined]

I use zero apps on PC, and I don't see anyone in my circle using them either. I spend my time in a browser, Steam/Origin, and Photoshop. If I had an x86 tablet I would probably use them though.

 

[DaveGx]

I use zero apps on PC, and I don't see anyone in my circle using them either. I spend my time in a browser, Steam/Origin, and Photoshop. If I had an x86 tablet I would probably use them though.

Same. If i had a tablet, I'd probably use more. The thing is, I have no need for a tablet. I don't commute to work by train, I'm not a college kid that lounges around a lot. My daily schedule and where I'm at, what I do, I have zero need for one. I use my phone and my pc, that's it. And programs/browser just works best for PC.

 

[Reflexx]

I dont use apps much on PC. The only apps I really use are games.

But I do use apps a lot when I'm on a tablet.

 

[BaritoneGuy]

Now that Win 10 will let me run apps in a window I expect I will use them more. At work I have a 23 inch screen and they were way too big.

I expect we will see more quality apps in the coming months as the developers can hit all of Windows with a single app. Also, the install base will be in the hundreds of millions within a couple of weeks.

 

[Tsang Fai]

Why should people only use "apps" in smartphones?

Now that universal apps run as windows, I am pretty sure people have higher motivation for using apps.

You may say that there are already lots of desktop programs for getting things done - so people do not need apps for their laptops & desktops. This is not so true. For doing simple tasks (mail, facebook chats, alarms), people enjoy using apps because they are simple, task-oriented, and lightweight. What's more, with Windows Store, people can discover their favourite apps more easily. And one important thing: there is no need to worry about downloading programs with viruses and malwares.

Even for people working in office or at home, apps can make their lives more enjoyable. It would be stupid to work on your laptop, while swiping and typing on the small screen of your smartphone, right? Apps running on a bigger screen is certainly a big plus and more comfortable experience. You can open a desktop program, snag it on the left, and an app, snag it on the right - you can never have such a wonderful experience on your phones. Well, these apps virtually replace your phone while you are working. So it is a totally improved experience of "running apps" - I think people would appreciate that.

And don't forget Windows 10 allows win32 programs to be ported to Windows Store. I expect there will be a bunch of useful apps coming from this rich source of win32 programs.

Because Windows 8 was not popular enough, people did not have enough chance to try Windows Store apps. Now the situation is different. As more and more people install Windows 10, they would at least give a try to Windows Store.

 

[Arhitecter]

I'm not use a lot of apps, but some of them use a lot. For example, Nextgen Reader, which is great RSS-Reader, I use it on my lumia, on laptop with 8.1 and on big PC with 10. I have never had a separate program for RSS on PC, and use brouser whith googlerssreader, later (when google drop it) trying to use feedly. Now I'm totaly happy with that app. On lumia I mostly use FictionBookReader for reading books, but for cross-device reading prefer BookViser, which is even better in some aspects (premium version of course). If I often look on youtube or use twitter, then I would use apps for them (I have Tubecast Pro). Now I want a good app-client for myshows.tv

 

[sentimentGX4]

I have always used the stock Microsoft apps even on my PC but I don't really use any other apps due to lack of selection. I was hoping Windows 10 would change that by bringing Window Phone's fuller app catalog to PC but the app store is as barren as ever.

The only good part about Windows 10 is that Microsoft fixed/improved the tablet multitasker and non-Modern apps finally feel like Modern apps (and vice versa).

ETA: Oh, yeah, I would love using apps for notifications but, again, almost none of the apps I use on Android exist. Supposedly Hangouts Chrome extension should be compatible, though.

 

[sentimentGX4]

How come? On my laptop, I rarely use anything BUT the touch screen. I find it so much easier to just click on the screen than move the mouse pointer.
I honestly can't think of a reason not to use the touch screen. But it seems I am in the minority.

Personally, I find it cumbersome to use the touchscreen on my laptop because I have to reach the distance of my keyboard. Also, I find that the bigger the display the less effective to have touch as an input. I prefer using touchscreen over a trackpad, though.

 

[TheCudder]

Please don't mock me for being ignorant, but what is the difference between an app and a similar program you install from say a cd or DVD? For example, on my non-touch laptop, why would I want to use a mail app if I have Outlook as part of the Office suite I have on disc?

I have Outlook 2013, but I personally prefer the lightweight Mail app for home usage. I don't need rules, archive folders, macros and other advanced settings for mail at home.

Aside from Mail, use WatchESPN, Twitter, Binder (for school), OneNote and Rhapsody. I really wish there were apps for Instagram, Yahoo Fantasy Football, Flickr, updated version of Mint.

 

[wpgeek820]

I was not using any of the apps on my PC. But now, with W10, the apps are more easily accessible and the best part is that they act as regular resizable windows instead of being full screen.

Since the upgrade, I have been using Mail, FB, Twitter apps on my PC and I love 'em! It's so convenient now.

 

[HelmutsKohl]

Even on my desktop device, I prefer Apps in many cases. Especially in case of applications by developers I can't really trust it is a big plus that I can see if they get access to my location, internet connection, personal documents, etc. Since I heard about the trojans people were infected because of the FlashGet Download Manager that I used as well, I am thankful for the sandboxed platform.

 

[AgentSplurge]

Most of the time on my laptop I'm in Firefox or emails if I'm working. I don't use my laptop for much more other than internet research, informational purposes. Some times office products and downloading music to put on my phone. I do use the One Note app, that's useful as it syncs to my phone. Now and then I'll use the Skyscanner app or the Rightmove app as they are better than using the website, but not that often. For things like eBay and Facebook though, I stick to Firefox. I don't watch movies or play games on the laptop.

On my tablet I use Netflix probably 70% of the time, IE 20% of the time then the other 10% I occasionally use Office or the desktop for file transfer. I have a few games installed, but never play them on the tablet. I have a few apps installed like Facebook that I use now and then as part of that 10% but sometimes I find it's easier to use the browser than having loads of apps installed, like the eBay app seems a bit pointless.

On my phone it's slightly different. I use mostly apps. WhatsApp, Messeges, Cortana, News, Weather, Here Drive, 6Tag,One Note, Facebook, Baconit. I have lots more apps installed on my phone, but still, I have the ones I need and don't really install new ones often. On the phone eBay is better to use the app. The only one missing is SnapChat.


Over all I think I'll use apps a bit more on the laptop as they improve in quality, but still most of my time I'll still be in the web browser. On the tablet I don't have much need for apps, but it's nice to have them available. Phone, I use apps quite a bit, but don't find there is an 'App Gap' that much any more, just need SnapChat so that I'm not left out, but I use apps much more often.

 

[eigenscape]

There really is no reason to use apps on a computer.

On a computer, the web browser is far superior to apps. Apps are only valuable on mobile because the web browser is awful on mobile.

In fact, the origin of apps is basically a fluke birthed from the fact that the web browser experience on iPhone sucks compared to a desktop computer. If mobile web browsers were as good as desktop web browsers, there would never have been apps as people would just use the web browser without problems.

In terms of Microsoft's strategy of universal apps, I don't think it will necessarily fail. I think it can pay off in the very long run, because universal apps work seamlessly on desktop, tablet and mobile, so have the potential to surpass traditional desktop programs (now called "desktop apps"). But in the short run, they usually don't have as much features as the web browser version or desktop programs.

 

[iamtim]

There really is no reason to use apps on a computer.

That's odd, I thought there were at least a couple of responses in this thread which showed reasons to use them. My bad, I guess those of us who have reasons to use apps on a computer are just plain wrong.

 

[TheCudder]

There really is no reason to use apps on a computer.

I'd have to disagree whene it comes to apps in Windows 10. With the new UI direction, apps actually make sense on the Desktop.

Mail, provides a lightwight and easy to use mail experience that allows you to manage multiple mail accounts from a single location and receive notifications from the Action Center --- not every one needs full-featured Outlook capabilities at home.
MSN News, USA Today, provide news alerts via the Action Center, headlines display within tiles and a fast and customizable exerpience.
WatchESPN, Netflix, each provide a fast exerpience, dedicated media controls at the OS level and a dedicated window for watching sports and/or movies in full screen or snapped windows without interferinng with your web browsing experience --- no need to worry but ad's, browser-add on issues, browser crashes or accdiental page refreshes.
MSN Weather current weather is displayed right in my start menu and full weather details are just a click away without having to open a browser, visit a site and enter a city or zip code.
Rhapsody, again I receive dedicated media controls at the OS level to control streaming music and a better overall experience. No websites to open, no wasted tab in my browser and no going through a tab to change a track or pause playback --- I just hover my mouse over the Rhapsody app and click pause & skip. I really hope to see Rhapsody update to a Windows 10 univeral app, I also hope to see Spotify & Pandora create apps.
Wundrlist allows for me to quickly jump into my 'Lists' to add items without opening a website.

In general, apps tend to have a small footprint, open really fast & provide quicker access to information and a richer/better performing experience. Additionally, apps have the ability to offer more features than a web site can in some cases. It really all comes down to what you do on a computer and what services you use. For some things, a website, makes sense --- for example, I really don't see myself ever using the Windows Centreal app on a Desktop computer, the web browser works extremely well with their website. But I would much rather access Flickr, Instagram, streaming media sites and Calendars through an app for the richer experience.

 

[MikeSo]

I disagree that desktops don't need apps. Clearly, many things are better in dedicated applications (we used to call them "programs") than on a website.
However, yes, there is less need for them. Then again, that's all about what people are used to. If the apps really are better than the website, they will use them. The live tiles, if used right, are an advantage over websites, for example.

In some ways, apps make MORE sense on a computer. On a cellphone, they take up limited space, they take up data when installing over cellular, they use battery when running in the background. A well designed mobile site is often preferable.
These issues don't really exist on a PC, where space is usually abundant, data is usually free, and the PC is usually plugged in anyway. A website is great, especially from a developer's POV, but to say that it's the be all and end all of desktop computing doesn't seem right.

 

[RefractedPaladin]

At first I was skeptical I ever would but as I'v used it I am noticing that I do a little more. It's almost a muscle memory thing though, for me to open the weather or Twitter app versus quickly type "twi + tab + enter"
Of course Tablet mode I seem to use them much more often for what that's worth.

 

[anon(5518418)]

For me I find it just easier going to the websites. I did try apps but I found the same issue as I did with the windows phone version not very good compared to their iOS counterparts.

 

[Grimlock]

I was definitely an app hater in the desktop space, but W10 has done a good job of making SOME of them useful on my desktop pc. I don't think I'll ever download a third party app, but I do find the first party apps to be pretty good now (weather, calendar, and mail). Maybe when photos and the audio/video app improve I'll use those too.

 

[Tsang Fai]

Technically there is no difference between desktop program and apps. They are both programs.

From user point of view, having a centralized store to download/purchase quality programs is very beneficial. Apps are easy to install/uninstall.

I believe there will be more desktop-like programs being ported to / developed in Windows Store as "apps". Office Mobile is a good example set by Microsoft.