Hacker News Reader

Comment by gitgud | Hacker News Reader

So the author proposes that most apps will be consolidated onto platforms such as wechat, messenger or aliexpress. With each new app, comes new requirements of the platform to produce better and more functional API's for the sub-apps.

Eventually these platforms will bloat and bloat until they basically become their own operating system.... then tada we're back at the beginning...

View on HN

> So the author proposes that most apps will be consolidated onto platforms such as wechat, messenger or aliexpress. With each new app, comes new requirements of the platform to produce better and more functional API's for the sub-apps.

This is actually happening in China to some extent.

I'm blown away that Apple and Google actually approves apps that run a mini-OS inside them like WeChat/Alipay. I initially thought they would have rules to kick these apps off their store. These mega-apps are able to run mini-apps that effectively bypass any control from Apple/Google, the loss of control on their end is maddening.

Google and Apple have no control over whether WeChat mini-apps respect their respective App Store rules and guidelines for example. Also, WeChat got so big that I wonder if they would even ban it from the app store if transgressions are found. WeChat literally took control away from them.

Example : people install WeChat, from there install mini-apps that aren't controlled by Google/Apple, and even can pay though third party apps : Google/Apple don't get a piece of the cake like they would if you used their IAP system.

It is amazing how they are allowed to run these apps through the Play Store. I remember a few years ago Google removed thousands of alternative "app store" apps for the Play Store... Not sure how these are different...

At least for android, I'm pretty sure google doesn't control the app store(s) in China. It seems there are many app stores which explains why.

    Tencent MyApp (15.12%)
    360 Mobile Assistant (10.60%)
    Oppo Software Store (9.24%)
    Baidu Mobile Assistant (8.55%)
    Huawei App Market (8.28%)
    MIUI App Store (6.28%)
    Vivo App Store (4.81%)
    PP Assistant (1.98%)
    HiMarket (0.72%)
    Anzhi Market (0.50%)

It really made sense for the Chinese companies to go this route since they didn't own the mobile OS. They effectively become an OS like you say.

These platforms own the food delivery and ride hailing platform too so it is much more difficult to compete as users have much fewer incentives to switch.

Isn't the web such a platform in itself?

Reply on news.ycombinator.com