> And at least for connected devices at home, a dedicated app can have lower friction for initial setup for the "I'm not a computer person" crowd than other alternatives do.

For a router? This is the device that you will often not have internet access with which to download an app until after it's configured. Many people have wired internet specifically because they live somewhere with poor cellular reception. Meanwhile the device can give out DHCP and use the standard captive portal mechanisms to automatically direct any client device to its configuration page.

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ssl-3 5 hours ago | parent [-]

Yep. For a router.

I didn't say that I thought it was right, or fair, or just. I didn't say I liked it, or that I agree with it.

In fact, I think it's a pretty ugly state of affairs when a person in an area of poor connectivity needs to climb the hill/go into town/otherwise make plans before they can get their shiny new router to work.

I can accept that things are the way they are, or I can pretend that they're different.

Acceptance seems to be a lot more honest.

	▲	zrm an hour ago \| parent [-]
		You made the claim that companies require apps because it has lower friction for ordinary users. That claim is in error. The implication that there is nothing anyone can do to improve the existing state of affairs is also incorrect.