The Channel 3 App Is Here

I don't know if you've heard, but Channel 3 is the future. And the future is now.

Install it

You probably already saw the prompt at the top of the home feed. Click that for install instructions. Or go to: channel3.gg/app

But wait, no app store?

That's right. No app store necessary.

Ohhhh, so it's not REALLY an app then...

Yes, it's an app! And I don't appreciate your tone. Technically, the Channel 3 app is a Progressive Web Application (PWA). But don't worry about that nerd stuff; it's an app. It functions exactly like an app, on your PC, iPhone, or Android. And you don't have to worry about an App Store at all.

PROS: Oh, so it's a SUPER app

Exactly. :) I call it that in the code in some spots. It skips the App Store, which is a benefit it many ways. It's easier to install, for example. App Stores (especially Apple) also have strict rules that are difficult to implement.

But the main benefit is behind the scenes: the same code runs on all browsers and all platforms. Instead of building separate native apps for each platform (literally hundreds of thousands of dollars of dev), we can use the same code. This is mostly a behind the scenes benefit, but it's a huge one. It also allows me to continue to RAPIDLY develop new features (and bug fixes lol) and instantly deploy them across the website and all app instances. You will not need to install updates to the app. Anywhere.

So today when I'm responding to feedback, I'll be implementing bug fixes on the fly and deploying them to one spot, and then they'll be reflected on web, mobile web, desktop app, iphone app, android app, ALL OF EM.

A Progressive Web App also takes up barely any storage space on your phone. Basically negligible.

CONS: What are the tradeoffs of not being in the App Store

The main thing is we lose out on a bit of discoverability and exposure to new users who may search the app store. I'm not sure we need those randos just yet though anyways.

Right now, we do NOT have push notifications and app badge numbers enabled. But it's coming and will be ESSENTIAL.

But I've found a little bit of compatibility issues with iPhone that I'll need to work through. Stay tuned.

Overall, the pros of this approach FAR outweigh the cons.

We will be in the app stores eventually

Why don't all platforms use this approach? Well, because of the cons mentioned above. Also native apps will always be marginally better and have access to more phone features. But mainly, if you have millions of dollars in tech budget, you might as well optimize 100% for all platforms.

Eventually we'll be there too and we'll be in app stores. (Not to mention, PWAs can also be in app stores.)

We are in beta!

I'm so thrilled with this major step forward. Of course, there will be new glitches introduced because of it. Please be patient with me as I iron them out.

Thank you for being here.

It's an historic day in Channel 3 history! GGs.