Comment on Google will block sideloading of unverified Android apps starting next year

TommySoda@lemmy.world ⁨6⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago

• Bogasse@lemmy.ml ⁨7⁩ ⁨minutes⁩ ago

  Linux phones are moving fast but it feels like Android is moving faster on the other direction 😥

  (Yes I know Android is built over Linux, I mean more traditional and open distros like postmarketos)

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• themachinestops@lemmy.dbzer0.com ⁨6⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago

  Yep, if this happens there is no benefit to android.

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  • NuXCOM_90Percent@lemmy.zip ⁨6⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago

    I mean, there is still UI/UX, app store policies, and general cost/options.

    This definitely makes Android a lot less appealing. But it is also questionable to act like the biggest reason to use android was sideloading apps since the vast majority of users don’t even know that is an option (and probably shouldn’t since they have no understanding of how to vet them).

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    • just_an_average_joe@lemmy.dbzer0.com ⁨4⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago

      Comrade, the ignorance of the masses should not dilute our anger

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      • NuXCOM_90Percent@lemmy.zip ⁨4⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago

        So… “the ignorance of the masses” should be combatted by willful ignorance and nonsense that falls apart the moment anyone looks at it?

        Get angry. I sure am. Look for alternatives. Graphene sure ain’t it but I hope it will be in the next four or five years. But this is something google are willing to futz with for a reason: The vast majority of users don’t care about it and even with the changes it isn’t significantly worse than the competition.

        Yet everywhere I see “Well, I guess I have to buy Apple now” which is just… buy it if you want to but don’t pretend this shit is why.

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  • Chozo@fedia.io ⁨6⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago

    It's still a step up from iOS, which has had similar restrictions since they started.

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    • Arcane2077@sh.itjust.works ⁨5⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago

      Apple allows sideloading (somewhat), this is would be demonstrably worse (if enacted)

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      • suigenerix@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨hour⁩ ago

        somewhat

        Yes. Only in the EU and only since 2024 when Apple was forced to do it by new laws. It’s reasonable to assume Google would be subject to the same laws.

        If you live outside if the EU, it’s “no sideload for you!” There are computer programs that can do sideloading to iPhones, but they have limitations, like having to refresh the sideloaded apps every seven days.

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• Ulrich@feddit.org ⁨1⁩ ⁨hour⁩ ago

  Whatever things made people get into Android some 20 years ago are no longer relevant to the majority of people.

  The biggest benefit will remain the apps. People love apps. In that regard, their only competition is Apple. It’s why no one can make a new phone OS.

  The other reason is cost. If you want a cheap device, Apple has no such thing. There are hundreds of Android devices you can buy for a couple hundred dollars.

  For those who buy Samsung flagships for more than an iPhone, well those people I can’t explain.

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• Fedditor385@lemmy.world ⁨4⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago

  Unfortunately, that is 0.1% of their global market that is affected. So, they don’t really have much to lose.

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