First Direct customer with an Android phone?

chog24

Calling all First Direct customers with Android phones!

They've just put out an iPhone app, but I asked when they're planning to put out an Android App and their response was that they're "not developing for Android".

I think what we need is to apply a little customer pressure. If you have an Android-based app phone and would like them to start developing for Android... tell them! I expect that the more of us who ask for it, the more likely they are to cross-code the app to Android.

You can:

• Phone them on 08 456 100 100 (or +44 113 2345678 if you're abroad or calling from a mobile)
• Send them a secure message online, by logging into your online banking and click "Secure Messages", "Compose New" from the menu on the left
• Write to them at first direct, 40 Wakefield Road, Leeds LS98 1FD

And if you twitter, you might wanna tweet so your followers can join the campaign For example, I just tweeted this:

"FirstDirect customer? They've got an iPhone app,but aren't developing for Andoid. Contact them & ask 'em to reconsider! #FirstDirectDroid"

RagingGoose

Don't get your hopes up, there's a good reason they're not bothering.

AHAR

Can you be bothered to tell us what that good reason is? Or is there a good reason why you're keeping it to yourself?

jayme1

why the hell did they waste their time writing an iOS app, what they should have done is written a universal web app, which would have ment:

• it would have worked on multiple devises across multiple platforms (because it is just a website)
• any security issues could be fixed immediately, without any hold ups in getting the app modified and approved
• if your phone was stolen then the theif couldn't get access to your bank account data just by pressing an app icon (which I assume remembers your password, which is bad news if the theif know how to read this on how to break the iOS keychain)

seriously some companies just think "omg we need an app to look cool" with absolutely no consideration whether it is actually the best option for their buisness and customers.

RagingGoose

• No "cool" factor
• Pretty much a whole new project (not as simple as just porting it over)
• More complicated platform to develop and support (numerous devices, differing screen sizes, various OS versions)
• Less 'app store' use on Android platform
• Greater security risks (the benefits of an 'open' platform )

Not saying the iPhone is better or anything, but it is

RagingGoose

jayme1 wrote: »

why the hell did they waste their time writing an iOS app, what they should have done is written a universal web app

This!

10char

hander

If you trust it (and I do), money toolkit works fine with android and First Direct...

http://www.moneytoolkit.com/

But agree, a universal web page would have sufficed. FD just jumped on the must-have-an-iphone-app bandwagon without thinking about Android.

Probably!

originalmiscellany

I too use money toolkit -
http://www.moneytoolkit.com/

and really like it.. Costs 2.99 I think and allows you to get a nice overview whenever you need it

epninety

hander wrote: »

But agree, a universal web page would have sufficed. FD just jumped on the must-have-an-iphone-app bandwagon without thinking about Android.

The universal webpage works just fine on my phone (Nokia N900 running Firefox) - maybe you all just need better smartphones

Hammyman

AHAR wrote: »

Can you be bothered to tell us what that good reason is? Or is there a good reason why you're keeping it to yourself?

There are many different manufacturer customised versions of Android and an app needs to be written to take not only account of the different core versions but also the manufacturers modifications. As such, many Android app developers will develop for the most popular flavours of Android - HTC, Samsung for example, but not others.

spikejd

RagingGoose wrote: »

• No "cool" factor
• Pretty much a whole new project (not as simple as just porting it over)
• More complicated platform to develop and support (numerous devices, differing screen sizes, various OS versions)
• Less 'app store' use on Android platform
• Greater security risks (the benefits of an 'open' platform )

Not saying the iPhone is better or anything, but it is

Coolio Mc Coolerson :cool: is right on a couple of points:
It is a whole new project.
You do have to bear in mind the differing screen sizes.

The only thing is, who cares? Why should we sympathize with the bank? We are the customers, and if enough ppl want an android app, the bank should make one!:)

Also, while I'm using my open-source browser (firefox) on my open-source O/S (Ubuntu/Linux), I have no problem checking my bank account. So why should an open platform be any excuse to not developing an app?