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Introducing Android 9 Pie

android-developers.googleblog.com

261–270 of 367 posts

Re: Introducing Android 9 Pie

#261

Did anyone see these privacy changes? https://developer.android.com/about/versions/p/android-9.0-c... * Limited access to sensors in background * Restricted access to call logs * Restricted access to phone numbers * Restricted access to Wi-Fi location and connection information * Information removed from Wi-Fi service methods * Telephony information now relies on device location setting

This is the top comment I came here for. I really hope there is a way to turn off all the "machine learning stuff" because I would rather not sacrifice any of my personal data so that Google can better predict how to "optimize my phone experience". My human brain learns the random quirks of an OS in a matter of days, I don't need the OS brain trying to learn how I use it, as it would be confusing for both of us. I ju…

The top comment is describing the positive advances in privacy. I think you jumped the gun -- may be worth a second look.

Re: Introducing Android 9 Pie

#262
post #115

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They do. Customers voted overwhelmingly ‘we don’t care’ so the headphone jack didn’t return.

Did they? Or did they just express they care more about staying in Apple ecosystem than the headphone jack? This is my point: there isn't really a way to express a preference for something minor. Smartphone market is mostly "take it or leave it".

Who knew individual customers have almost zero leverage on a trillion dollar company? I'm fed up of all the anti-consumer bullshit from Apple lately. It encourages the same behavior in others too.

Re: Introducing Android 9 Pie

#263
post #260

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's the only reason stopping me from getting an Android phone. I think Apple is better on privacy.

Haha, but in Apple case, you can't even see the code, dude.

You can't even see the code for most Android OEM phones either.

Re: Introducing Android 9 Pie

#264
post #261

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is the top comment I came here for. I really hope there is a way to turn off all the "machine learning stuff" because I would rather not sacrifice any of my personal data so that Google can better predict how to "optimize my phone experience". My human brain learns the random quirks of an OS in a matter of days, I don't need the OS brain trying to learn how I use it, as it would be confusing for both of us. I ju…

The top comment is describing the positive advances in privacy. I think you jumped the gun -- may be worth a second look.

And I'm adding the NB: While they have better app-level restrictions, the real question is whether or not Google uses this information for their new ML-powered OS features.

Re: Introducing Android 9 Pie

#265

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Android may have always been available at no cost, but it was never free. Always assume if you are given a service gratis, that _you_ are the product being sold. This doesn't just apply to Android, but to gmail, Drive, Docs, etc.

I think that's a good general assumption. But in the case of Android, I think of it (and Chrome) more as a defensive move. Google's business depends on having access to users. A free browser and a free mobile OS are a loss leader so that nobody can cut off their major revenue streams. Not that we shouldn't keep an eye on them, of course. The great bulk of their revenue comes from advertising, which is all about selli…

Google location services makes the picture much worse though, which the majority of Android users (in the US at least) have enabled.

Re: Introducing Android 9 Pie

#266

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can still dodge those by disabling Location Services and using something else than Google app-wise. It is not clear how opt-out this will be. Even if it can be disabled today it might become pushed harder as time goes.

You can disable this too: Home Settings > Suggestions I believe the computation is done fully locally, as for "tracking", every single OS has a history of what applications you've launched recently, how is that any different?

> doing deep analysis of my every input and my context in order to "drive engagement" and "surfacing the best parts of the apps [I] use all the time"?

This is much richer data than a list of recently used apps, right? Do OSs also record that information?

Re: Introducing Android 9 Pie

#267

Could they cram the world Machine Learning into the article much more? If this was 12 months ago, replace every instance of the word Machine Learning with "blockchain"... Oh boy, gotta love buzzwords.

Each of the whopping 5 instances they use the phrase in are used correctly. The entire document is around 2500-3200 words. I think they could cram a lot more in and still keep it kosher.

Re: Introducing Android 9 Pie

#268
post #80
post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was pulling for (unbranded) Petit four https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petit_four

I've been living in France for 16 years and eaten a lot of petits fours. Today I learned that they can be sweet? I've never seen somebody use the term for sweet foot.

I live in Australia and I only ever see petits fours used to describe small sweet morsels served at the end of fine dining (a three course meal, a tasting menu or degustation) often delivered with your order of coffee or tea.

https://www.google.com/search?q=dinner+course+menu+petits+fo...

Re: Introducing Android 9 Pie

#269
post #224

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The random way the back button works -- moving to iOS I didn't miss it. There are plenty of ways to switch apps, or go back within an app. I thought I'd miss it. I didn't. Now I wouldn't need it on Android.

If one app activates another (camera -> album -> photo editor -> share), how do you go back from mid-way if you decided to?

There is a link at the top left of the screen that goes back to the previous app during these "app activates another another" phases.

Re: Introducing Android 9 Pie

#270

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Great stuff. However, while I'm happy that they're limiting third-party access to this data, given Google's business model, I still wouldn't trust them with it.

You're right Google no longer has the trust it used to enjoy. So many apps have been uploading entire call logs and it's really absurd this was so easiy accessible to all apps.

Could you cite some popular apps that do this? This is news to me.
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