With this and Google stopping side loading in Android, I’m going to be looking hard into Linux phones.
ICEBlock Owner After Apple Removes App: ‘We Are Determined to Fight This’
Submitted 2 weeks ago by ardi60@reddthat.com to technology@lemmy.world
https://www.404media.co/iceblock-owner-after-apple-removes-app-we-are-determined-to-fight-this/
Comments
GrantsGhost@piefed.zip 2 weeks ago
jerkface@lemmy.ca 2 weeks ago
They’re not stopping it, they are planning to introduce it to the platform; no one side loads on Android today, because it’s not a walled garden yet.
GrantsGhost@piefed.zip 2 weeks ago
F-Droid is a staple of the FOSS community and it will effectively be shut down due to these changes.
Tilgare@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Sorry, you’re well out of the loop on this one, boss. Sideloading has been common practice for thousands? millions? of users since the beginning of android. There are plenty of apps not listed on Google Play - the ones that come top mind are Fortnight for a time and now the Epic Games Store app, and some VPN apps that couldn’t offer features like ad/malware blocking in their Play store versions. Sideloading means downloading an executable install file (an .APK file in this case) rather than installing from Google Play. And they are SEVERELY limiting this ability next year.
Lfrith@lemmy.ca 2 weeks ago
No one sideloads? Have you not heard of this niche indie game called Fornite that was removed from Google Play and Epic pushed sideloading means to install it?
uzay@infosec.pub 2 weeks ago
I don’t think people got your point. I assume you meant that people aren’t “sideloading” in android yet, because you just download an APK file and install it. Same as installing an EXE file in windows outside of the Microsoft Store is not called “sideloading” either.
Prove_your_argument@piefed.social 2 weeks ago
People are so stupid in this country. Do what the EU did and make it law that they have to offer sideloading and other app stores and payment methods.
It should be the law to begin with. This walled garden shit is really just another word for controlling what the user does with the device they purchased and not allowing them to do business with anybody else exclusively to add software without apple’s approval and protection racket fee.
Hudell@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 weeks ago
Everything is about control. The internet was left open by accident for a while and they are working hard to “fix” it. They are just trying to be slightly less obvious about it than China was. All of the forced AI tools, required apps and stuff like that are just ways to move users away from the open web.
Once most users restrict their Internet usage to ONLY content provided by the large companies (for example, once people no longer click on any Google result), then Internet providers will start granting access to the content from large companies for free and charge a lot more for access to anything else.
In 10, maybe 20 years, we will be needing to tell our internet providers when we change jobs so that they may change which “custom” internet services we get to have access to specifically for work.
brucethemoose@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
It wouldn’t help.
In this case, even if the app was side-loadable, that’s enough of a technical hurdle to kill its critical mass. It doesn’t have to be banned, surprising ICEBlock is basically enough to kill it.
Max_P@lemmy.max-p.me 2 weeks ago
Arguably, if it was normal to sideload apps it wouldn’t be as much of a barrier to users, but they’ve been conditionned to think they need an app and the only place you can ever get them is the store.
It’s a technical hurdle only because Apple decided they want to control everything, and same on Android because of Google’s ever increasing war on sideloading. You used to download an APK from the browser and it would go like “This is an app! Install?”, but now you have to go enable third party installation and all that, and now the whole Play Protect forcing developer validation coming up.
artyom@piefed.social 2 weeks ago
EU didn’t do anything except lower the tax on developers from 30% to 27%. And they still require Apple’s rubber stamp to install.
reddig33@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
They should have been concerned about OS lock-in, instead of app store lock in. Imagine being able to install the OS of your choice on your phone.
defaultusername@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 weeks ago
Yeah, you still can’t install arbitrary IPA files on iOS.
fdnomad@programming.dev 2 weeks ago
Was there any reason to make this an ios app as opposed to a website hosted outside the US? I’m really not surprised by the removal. What did they expect? All the Tech CEOs came to the inauguration with bags of cash.
eatCasserole@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Yeah good point. Plus if it’s a website you can use it in private mode and not have evidence that you were helping people evade the gestapo all over your phone.
dangling_cat@piefed.blahaj.zone 2 weeks ago
The only reason I can think of is the cost. Apple makes the map API free if you use Apple Maps on Apple devices. If you are building a website, you have to pay for Mapbox or Google Maps, etc., that can get pricey for indie developers.
errer@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Isn’t Open Street Map free?
But anyway, these apps are all about accessibility to regular folks. Believe it or not many people don’t know how to bookmark a website. Also this app gives you notifications, something a website could only do via email or something.
brucethemoose@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Barrier to entry.
Many (dare I say most) folks don’t know how to use a web browser, much less find a web app. Installing an app is much easier.
artyom@piefed.social 2 weeks ago
The creator is a dumdum
captainastronaut@seattlelunarsociety.org 2 weeks ago
Building an iOS app is faster and simpler than building a web app. The developer also said he took advantage of some privacy features in the iOS development kit that made it easy to keep people anonymous.
defaultusername@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 weeks ago
But Apple still knows you downloaded and used the app. Apple collects plenty of data on iOS, and their “privacy” marketing only applies to third party apps downloaded from the App Store.
Cornpop@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Fuck the app just make it web based
G0ldenSp00n@lemmy.jacaranda.club 2 weeks ago
And then Android could use it too, so many apps should just be websites.
echodot@feddit.uk 2 weeks ago
Hasn’t the developer been proven to be kind of a dick. Wasn’t there some story a while ago about how they weren’t really handling the data in the most secure method (Which given the subject matter is kind of the whole point).
jaschen306@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
Or keep it an app, but just be a web wrapper.
FreedomAdvocate@lemmy.net.au 2 weeks ago
Those aren’t allowed.
pineapplelover@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 weeks ago
This is what sideloading is supposed to prevent
mutant_zz@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Brings new meaning to Google’s decision to (effectively) block side loading on Android
Reverendender@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
It’s still on my phone! Sorry Tim Apple!
RePsyche@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Still on mine as well. Why were folks slow to add this app?
MyTurtleSwimsUpsideDown@fedia.io 2 weeks ago
I didn’t know it existed.
Reverendender@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
Some people are republicans? 🤷♂️
(I know, I can’t explain it either.)
artyom@piefed.social 2 weeks ago
Pretty sure Tim Apple couldn’t care less, he just has to appease the orange man.
Lucidlethargy@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
You supported Apple if your own their phone. You helped them do this.
ryoshu@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Rebrand it with the same tech as something like “Friend Sightings!” It’s not a 1A violation because Apple banned it, it is a 1A violation because the government made them ban it.
Sludgehammer@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Being constantly tracked is for the plebs, not the Elites or their enforcers.
HubertManne@piefed.social 2 weeks ago
Back in the aughts I was an apple fanboy. Later they no longer had the edge but I won’t say it was completely not an option. Now it is completely not an option.
tatann@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Just in case, if you’re (still) a Nintendo, Sony, Tesla, Disney, Spotify, … fan, it’s not too late to change your mind about them too :)
cosmOS@lemmy.zip 2 weeks ago
Totally agree, but what to do? Just forsake all technology at this point?
T00l_shed@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I’ve cut those out, except tesla because I never had one, and never will
HubertManne@piefed.social 2 weeks ago
im off almost everything.
arararagi@ani.social 2 weeks ago
We all believed they cared about privacy back then, I just never got one because side loading is essencial for me.
Lucidlethargy@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
Lol. “we”. No, I was never convinced. I’m sorry, but you might be far more gullible than you think you are.
barryamelton@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
We all believed? What?
FreedomAdvocate@lemmy.net.au 2 weeks ago
What does this have to do with privacy?
HubertManne@piefed.social 2 weeks ago
honestly I never liked smartphones. it was mostly about the freebsd based os, large with lots of power and ports (this was the aughts), and the apple care was amazing. Once that went away it just made sense to save money but now its like they could be the cheap option and like no. ewww. linux was not as great at that point to.
kami@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 weeks ago
- boycott
- problem solved
Lucidlethargy@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
Yup. That would do it.
Apple fans gave up years ago, though. They don’t want to give any effort. That’s why you’re being downvoted.
DrFistington@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Stop. Fucking. Using. Apple. Products.
Why would you pay 1k+ for a phone you don’t even own/control?
jerkface@lemmy.ca 2 weeks ago
You’ve heard about Android, right? We all have like six months to find a new platform.
Lucidlethargy@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
On their defense, that’s a lot longer than Apple has had in the last DECADE.
sadfitzy@ttrpg.network 2 weeks ago
Stupidity.
Intelligent people don’t use apple products.
blargh513@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
All the apple fans out down voting today…
FYI this may not be the time to take allegiance with them if you at all understand what is going on.
desmosthenes@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
on google based phones if using google services, the product is you
Lucidlethargy@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
Lol. As if apple is any different. Stop drinking the Kool Aid.
Lucidlethargy@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
Do you own an iPhone? Oh, hey, you helped ICE.
Yes, you did.
black_flag@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 weeks ago
ICEBlock was really poorly designed from what I understand.
athairmor@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
For people downvoting the above, read some criticisms the app such as:
micahflee.com/unfortunately-the-iceblock-app-is-a…
I don’t know of the take-down legit but the security of the app has been questioned, too.
defaultusername@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 weeks ago
IIRC it’s also not open spuce, which for me os a big barrier to using it (other than it being iOS-only).
FreedomAdvocate@lemmy.net.au 2 weeks ago
The apps purpose is to aide illegals, break the law, and to incite/encourage political violence against law enforcement - the owner will find himself in a world of hurt the more he pushes this.
Jumbie@lemmy.zip 2 weeks ago
The world has zero respect for you, MAGA. None.
piecat@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
freedomadvocate
So that was a lie
Kalon@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
You don’t own your device.
blave@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Wrong
“Ownership“ doesn’t mean “I can do whatever I want with it”.
GrantsGhost@piefed.zip 2 weeks ago
It should
SARGE@startrek.website 2 weeks ago
So go pander to them.
If I own something, I can do whatever I like with it because it’s mine.
If I can’t do what I like, it’s not truly mine.
teft@piefed.social 2 weeks ago
I love when newbie accounts think lemmy is reddit. Makes them easier to ignore.
Capricorn_Geriatric@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
“Ownership” totally does mean it’s yours and you can do whatever you want with it.
That means you can do it, not that you should, nor that what you do won’t have consequences.
It just means your phone won’t stop you from downloading an unapproved app just like a gun won’t stop you from loading an unapproved bullet.
It means your gun has a safety mechanism you can unlock to shoot, as does your phone to download “unverified” apps.
It means you can sell either freely to someone else without it becoming bricked or the new owner losing any rights (lookin’ at you, Tesla cars).
It means defaulting on the loan will require the physical reposession of your phone or gun, and that neither will magically lock you out of using it using telemetry.
It means anyone with the right knowledge and tools can fix your phone and it’ll work, just like your gun.
It means your phone works for you, and not for someone else - just like your gun.
Your phone is a tool. Just like your gun. It can be used for good - and for bad.
What you do with it is up to you, and not up to it or its manufacturer.
It means you can shoot people with your gun, just as you can extort and blackmail people with your phone. Nothing, other than your own morality, the morals of society and therule of law are preventing you from doing bad things. Certainly not the will of the manufacturer.
Any forensic inquiry into a phone on a crime scene would be like that of a gun.
Any taking of your phone from your home or person would require a warrant - like with a gun.
Any inquiry into your phone’s contents and qualities should require outside tools - like a similar inquiry into your gun.
Your phone won’t have a special police-only history of what you’ve used it for - like your gun.
Your phone won’t report what you’ve been doing with it to 3rd parties without your consent - like won’t your gun.
And so on.
Goodlucksil@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 weeks ago
But that’s what it means. Or at least, it used to
jerkface@lemmy.ca 2 weeks ago
“A stitch in time saves nine”
Wrong
You can’t sew time
FreedomAdvocate@lemmy.net.au 2 weeks ago
Yeah if you thought Reddit was delusional about things like rights and ownership you’ve come to the wrong place lol. Lemmy and blue sky are the only places in the internet that can make some of Reddit look even slightly intelligent.