It's still a step up from iOS, which has had similar restrictions since they started.
Comment on Google will block sideloading of unverified Android apps starting next year
themachinestops@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 weeks agoYep, if this happens there is no benefit to android.
Chozo@fedia.io 2 weeks ago
Arcane2077@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
Apple allows sideloading (somewhat), this is would be demonstrably worse (if enacted)
suigenerix@lemmy.world 2 weeks 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.
Arcane2077@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
Wholly incorrect. You’re allowed to sideload up to 3 apps (or 10 appIDs, whichever comes first) without being a developer, if you’re in any part of the world. In the EU you’re allowed to install third party app stores, which isn’t sideloading
Rai@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 weeks ago
“This ad company restricting anything you can load is better than iOS” is decently a thing you can say hahahaha
NuXCOM_90Percent@lemmy.zip 2 weeks 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).
just_an_average_joe@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 weeks ago
Comrade, the ignorance of the masses should not dilute our anger
NuXCOM_90Percent@lemmy.zip 2 weeks 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.
emax_gomax@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Ui/ux is honestly worse on android compared to something like ios. The playstore is honestly stuffed with ads and seems to be actively regressing in ux (the update apps menu is hidden behind like 3 layers of dialogues). Cost wise a used iPhone is probably a better deal than a cheap new android phone.
I used android primarily because I could install apps Apple basically doesn’t care about (and after the 5th time gba4ios broke).
sem@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 weeks ago
Maybe it’s because I’m used to android, but iOS feels user hostile in ways that android never has been, especially when it comes to storage management and pushing iCloud subscriptions.
emax_gomax@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Well android phones dont have removable sd card slots anymore, the only way to transfer files is over the weird protocol that’s slower than directly writing to disk, if you use pixel or Samsung youre already inundated with annoying ads. The ecosystem is pretty awful now. Installing a custom rom is a good idea, but depending youre phone model it could be a step down and if your on any Samsung phone with knox it basically irreparably damages some attestation fuse. Apple ain’t much better. I might try a Linux phone next.