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General discussion

Why cross-platform runtime apps suck.

Jan 16, 2011 9:45AM PST

I couldn't have said it better myself:

"AIR, like the cross-platform widget toolkits and application frameworks that came before it, is the gray mystery meat of client-side software. It gets the job done, but it's hard to stomach. For anyone who used a computer in the 1990s, AIR probably brings back scarring memories of Java apps: slow, ugly, inconsistent, awkward."

http://al3x.net/2011/01/15/user-hostile-platforms.html

Discussion is locked

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Yes!
Jan 16, 2011 11:23AM PST

And this is also why web apps suck. Because AJAX, is also a cross-platform programming environment, and has exactly the same problems of inconsistency, slowness. And total lack of optimisation for the device. ie, touchscreen vs mouse.

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Whenever I see a company releasing and AIR or Flash app
Jan 16, 2011 2:01PM PST

I get the feeling that this decision was made by some mid level management type who knows nothing of what makes a great user experience. Either that or the choice to go cross platform was made by some write once run everywhere booster who puts ideology ahead of usability.

Pandora actually has the balls to act as if their Flash app is somehow a wonderful perk of their premium subscription (it's not). I hate the Pandora web app but I hate the Flash app even more. Sadly, their native iPad and iphone apps, that they release for free, are 10 times better.