Tell First Direct you want an Android app!

LeifGR

First Direct has an iPhone app but are not even working on one for Android, even though they said earlier they would "focus on Android in 2011".

There is another thread on this in the Techie forum, but since many bank customers may not look there I am appealing for anyone who banks with FD and has an Android phone to send them a secure message, phone them or tweet as per the first post in the other thread.

They have told me that they keep track of how many customers contact them with this request so every voice counts!

Gromitt

I'm with FD and have an Android phone, but see no point in an app. I've only ever wanted to login once whilst away from home and it was easy enough to just use the normal website.

What advantages would an app have?

samwsmith1

I've done this numerous times, be it through secure message, tweeting, on their facebook all of it.
When I had my iPhone I liked the 'On The Go' app as it was easier to use than a webpage.
I actually thought twice about buying my Desire S at the time because I would lose the app, but so far I've managed without it (but would prefer an app as I check my accounts a couple of times a day).

I just hope that they listen to all the suggestions on the secure key - do that in the same way, I suggested that if they introduce it it's only required when setting up new payments.

LeifGR

Gromitt wrote: »

I'm with FD and have an Android phone, but see no point in an app. I've only ever wanted to login once whilst away from home and it was easy enough to just use the normal website.

What advantages would an app have?

Perhaps someone with the iPhone app could comment but I would expect better speed and less pfaffing - in the browser, you need to move around, click on fields, zoom in/out etc., all of which you wouldn't need to do with a dedicated app.

If they get the UI right it should be a slicker experience than using the browser, and fewer chances to make mistakes (e.g. when typing) and have to start over.

eschaton

The iPhone app is handy for FD. You can't do everything with it but can do the basics.

heloid

To be honest they should have focused on a proper mobile version of their site and worried about apps afterwards. Most users in one hit as it targets almost every smartphone user. But given how they haven't touched their aged internet banking since I joined in 2007 I'm not holding my breath for a mobile site or app.

samwsmith1

heloid wrote: »

To be honest they should have focused on a proper mobile version of their site and worried about apps afterwards. Most users in one hit as it targets almost every smartphone user. But given how they haven't touched their aged internet banking since I joined in 2007 I'm not holding my breath for a mobile site or app.

They have said on their Facebook page at some point that they will be re-launching internet banking and launching a mobile version, but they said the mobile version was proving challenging at the moment.

heloid

Yeah, I really don't understand that. It's the same website, with slightly different dimensions to fit a small screen. Just like 10 years ago they had to make websites to fit 640 x 480 screens, my phone is 960 x 540. As long as all the code is running server side and they are presenting html that Webkit, Chrome and whatever Windows Phone uses can view how can it be hard?
Their current site is so basic they could squash it and call it the mobile site without too many problems...