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.
