I Wish My Mobile Apps Would Download My Updates Instead Of Just Notifying Me

I’ve finally started using a few apps on my phone for some of the sites I use most frequently. Specifically, I’ve started using the ones for Goodreads and Facebook. I do like how they pop up messages on my phone that I have new updates that I might want to look at. However, I kind of wish they would actually go and get these updates instead of just telling me about them.

What I mean is that I’ll get a little notice on my Goodreads or Facebook icon on my phone that indicates new updates. I’ll click on the icon and then have to sit and wait while the program updates, actually going to get the data. Depending on what is going on with my connection, this can take a while…sometimes leaving me just staring at my phone.

Frankly, it gets a bit frustrating. If the app got the data that I had updates, why does it then have to make me wait while it goes out and get the updates when I try to view them? Why bother telling me when it isn’t ready to show them to me? Why not just wait until it’s ready to tell me?

I’m sure this has something to do with the fact that the app isn’t sure it’s going to actually need those updates to display until I click the app to indicate that I’m actually going to view them, but that sucks. If it tells me I have an update, I’m going to want to see it…if for no other reason than to clear it. I have no problem waiting for updates until they can download, but I do mind them telling me and then making me wait to see them. Just get the updates and then tell me, mobile applications.

Seriously, this isn’t a very convenient arrangement. If these apps can get the notification that I have updates, they can get the updates too so they’re ready to view when I click to see. This waiting is crap.