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Why is it acceptable for native apps to have sound effects?

1 points by pairing ↗ HN
There seems to be a double standard in software development on the topic of sound effects. Native applications (twitter app, operating systems, etc) have sound effects. Web applications do not. Any ideas why this split in ux has occurred? Is this still a hold over from the 90's websites that abused sound effects?

4 comments

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willcate
In a nutshell, I'd say it's probably because native apps use core mobile OS services (like sound), and web apps don't (for the most part).
pairing
Interesting, I think having sound effects gives a significant advantage to native apps because it creates a more stimulating experience.
wiml
I don't think I know anyone who doesn't turn off the sound effects as soon as they discover them.
michaelpinto
You may be using a web app on a PC or a tablet, and if that's the case you may have several browser windows or tabs open: The result would be that a window you aren't looking at would suddenly produce a sound effect.

A mobile app on the other hand tends to be a peer to a web browser in that it takes over all of the screen real estate on the device, so it's assumed that you are just looking at that app at that time.

Also sound effects for an app aren't a left over thing from the 90s: Your app may be a video game! And if that's the case you really want that sound.

But as an interface designer I beg to to not think "all sound is bad". Sound is like anything else: It's a very good thing when used correctly in the right context.