17 votes

Keep Android Open

8 comments

  1. [2]
    Wes
    Link
    I agree with the opposition to this change to Android, and do not feel that Google's 24 hour cooling off period is enough of a solution. However, this website is so heavy on fear mongering and...

    I agree with the opposition to this change to Android, and do not feel that Google's 24 hour cooling off period is enough of a solution. However, this website is so heavy on fear mongering and using persuasive language that I find myself instinctively mistrusting it.

    6 votes
    1. phoenixrises
      Link Parent
      There's a certain irony because the fearmongering that the website is using is pretty much the same tactic I feel like Google is using for side loading lol. I'm an Android developer for my job and...

      There's a certain irony because the fearmongering that the website is using is pretty much the same tactic I feel like Google is using for side loading lol.

      I'm an Android developer for my job and I think it's a good idea to lock out side loading for most people for 24 hours, but I kinda wish there was a more elegant solution. But honestly in a technological world where some people really don't know how to use their phones, I think it's pretty good mitigating scammers that use urgency. I do wonder what scammers would do to circumnavigate this though.

      6 votes
  2. [4]
    delphi
    Link
    Making an entire website postulating that "your phone will stop being yours" and that "android will stop being free" is a lot of the same fearmongering they accuse Google of doing by providing the...

    Making an entire website postulating that "your phone will stop being yours" and that "android will stop being free" is a lot of the same fearmongering they accuse Google of doing by providing the officially sanctioned alternative.

    And for what it's worth, on android, this might absolutely be about security. It's not, I get that, but the Play Store's security screenings don't do shit, and there's plenty of malware already on the Play Store. If there's ever a platform that would meaningfully benefit from even marginal improvements to the security landscape, holy hell is it ever android.

    Oh, also, very transparent AI slop website, I can't be bothered to check Pangram but all the website copy text makes my AI senses tingle. I could be wrong, but I'm not. If you demand human attention, demonstrate human effort.

    2 votes
    1. [3]
      skybrian
      Link Parent
      What do you mean it's not about security? People say that all the time but do they know anything?

      What do you mean it's not about security? People say that all the time but do they know anything?

      1 vote
      1. [2]
        delphi
        Link Parent
        Eh, if it was about security they'd crack down on bad actors, implement App Review a la Apple, tighten permissions, fix API holes, patch systems like Device Administrator Apps and so on. This...

        Eh, if it was about security they'd crack down on bad actors, implement App Review a la Apple, tighten permissions, fix API holes, patch systems like Device Administrator Apps and so on. This seems to me that they want to prevent another Epic Games from happening. You remember, when they added non-Play-Store payments to Fortnite and Google and Apple threw a hissy fit over not getting their cut?

        1 vote
        1. skybrian
          Link Parent
          Seems like Google is doing these things to some extent? It’s harder to post an app to the Play Store it used to be. The developer registration thing is the one that gets more attention.

          Seems like Google is doing these things to some extent? It’s harder to post an app to the Play Store it used to be.

          The developer registration thing is the one that gets more attention.

  3. [2]
    trim
    Link
    I make some Android games for my elderly mum to play on an unlogged in Lenovo tablet. Free from monetisation, and other scammy behaviour from play store apps. Because there is a lot of scummy...

    I make some Android games for my elderly mum to play on an unlogged in Lenovo tablet. Free from monetisation, and other scammy behaviour from play store apps. Because there is a lot of scummy behaviour in these so called “verified” applications.

    I can only get physical access to the device infrequently, so the 24 hours thing will be a ball ache. I have remote access but that’s sporadic I find. Internet issues at mums.

    But I will do that I suppose. What other choice do I have at this point?

    She can barely use my highly locked down easy launcher setup.

    In the final case, perhaps I can get Linux on to some tablet device or other but man, that’s going to be rough to use, even if I can manage it.

    1 vote
    1. Carrow
      Link Parent
      As it currently stands, you'd only be doing the steps once with only one 24hr cooldown, then free to install your games without issue :) it is still worrying for the future with what they could...

      As it currently stands, you'd only be doing the steps once with only one 24hr cooldown, then free to install your games without issue :) it is still worrying for the future with what they could opt to do, it'd be good to see the phone OS duopoly broken.

      What have you made for her? That's sweet and cool you've done that.