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KDE Connect removed from Google Play store for violating new policy on SMS

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Re: KDE Connect removed from Google Play store for violating new policy on SMS

#161

Post by qwerty456127 »

azorin wrote: post #104

I just had the same issue last week when my app with SMS permissions for cross-platform syncing was rejected, but after some back and forth with Google I found out what they needed to let our app through. When publishing a new release on the Google Play Console, you need to create a video showing how the permissions are granted as well as the functionality that uses the permissions, making it clear that this function…

Great. I always wanted Google to ban the apps that demand permissions beyond those they obviously need to do the very job I want them to.

Re: KDE Connect removed from Google Play store for violating new policy on SMS

#162

Post by morganvachon »

Iolaum wrote: post #73
morganvachon wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Right, they have Amazon's app store which is arguably worse than Google Play (and I say that as someone who absolutely detests Google). Their "free forever" apps are only free because you're trading personalized analytics for them, which can't be turned off without removing the app in question. That being said, Amazon Fire tablets are good cheap devices if you want to experiment with custom ROMs and truly Free app st…

Can you point out a FireOS tablet that's still being sold and the custom ROM that supports it?

You'll note that I said "experiment", not use as your daily/production tablet. With that said, all but the latest generation Fire tablets are rootable, and they are available at the usual places (eBay, Swappa, etc.) in new, used, and refurbished conditions.

There are Lollipop based ROMs for all 2017 and older Fire tablets (Amazon's FireOS is based on Lollipop so it's an easy base to start from) and there is work in progress to port Oreo to the 2017 Fire tablets:

https://forum.xda-developers.com/hd8-hd10/general/rom-androi...

Re: KDE Connect removed from Google Play store for violating new policy on SMS

#163

Post by thaumasiotes »

derefr wrote: post #152
AnthonyMouse wrote: post #109

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Maybe the problem is the tight coupling. An app store is really many things. It's client software for installing apps, it's a service for verifying apps, it's a hosting service for apps, it's a payment processor. If you want to replace any piece of it you currently have to replace the whole thing, and do so all at once. Even if you create a good alternative app store, it has few apps in it, which matters if it's a se…

The thing you're ignoring is developer reputation. Google (or any app-store runner) doesn't want to allow you to use parts of their service—for which they could be held liable if those services take your money and give you nothing in return, or give you a virus—unless you're also using their identity system and thus their developer-reputation system. And if you are using Google's identity system—in what way are you n…

> Really, there's no point in them letting you have your own app store which relies on parts of their infrastructure

The proposal was to host your own app store which doesn't rely on their infrastructure.

Re: KDE Connect removed from Google Play store for violating new policy on SMS

#164

Post by lucasmullens »

Aissen wrote: post #119
pedroaraujo wrote: post #64

It's kind of ridiculous that Google is very active in shutting down legitimate apps like KDE Connect but paid clones of open source apps, or apps that promise to upgrade Android the version [1], are still happily up for download. [1] https://old.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/b1ske7/stupid_apps...

Do not forget about apps that let you download more RAM: https://play.google.com/store/search?q=more%20ram&c=apps See https://twitter.com/LukasStefanko/status/1036595679316140032 and https://twitter.com/LukasStefanko/status/1037219072633659392

That's definitely the impression those apps were going for, but the wording is careful on most of them. They're not technically saying you'll get 4 more GB of ram, just that the app can clean up some of the 4 GB of ram. They're awful, but it's not clear to me that they're violating a rule.

Re: KDE Connect removed from Google Play store for violating new policy on SMS

#165

Post by agret »

snaky wrote: post #90
snazz wrote: post #79

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I had forgotten about Yalp. Wouldn’t you still encounter compatibility issues with apps that require Play Services functionality?

An average person would be amazed by the fact most of apps he is using actually work perfectly without Play Services, despite the fact almost all of them declare Play Services in their manifests as absolutely required. This stay true even for the games, although some functions like in-game purchases and 'social' things may not work.

No in-game purchases is a dealbreaker but if they are available from the Amazon store that would solve that issue. In-app purchases are way cheaper on Amazon since you can just buy $500 of coins at once and get a significant discount.

Re: KDE Connect removed from Google Play store for violating new policy on SMS

#166

Post by agret »

piedar wrote: post #154
_ylmx wrote: post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Any other great apps on F-Droid? I'm using all of the above except AdAway and: - Orgzly: Org-mode brought to your phone. I use it for capturing TODOs and push notifications for reminders. - Revolution IRC: IRC Client - Syncthing: Syncs files between my computer and phone. Mostly used for .org files - Goodtime: Pomodoro technique time-management - Loop Habit Tracker: Track habits (reading, exercise, etc.) - Slide for…

A few more: - Blockada - VPN-style ad blocker - Drum On! - Drum machine - Firefox Klar - Small privacy-focused browser - RedReader - Reddit client - Shattered Pixel Dungeon - Roguelike dungeon crawler game - Tuner - Guitar and instrument tuner

How does Firefox Klar differ to Firefox Focus?

Edit: Looks like it is actually available on the Play store and not an F-Droid exclusive.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.mozilla.kl...

Re: KDE Connect removed from Google Play store for violating new policy on SMS

#167

Post by philipov »

lucasmullens wrote: post #164
Aissen wrote: post #119

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do not forget about apps that let you download more RAM: https://play.google.com/store/search?q=more%20ram&c=apps See https://twitter.com/LukasStefanko/status/1036595679316140032 and https://twitter.com/LukasStefanko/status/1037219072633659392

That's definitely the impression those apps were going for, but the wording is careful on most of them. They're not technically saying you'll get 4 more GB of ram, just that the app can clean up some of the 4 GB of ram. They're awful, but it's not clear to me that they're violating a rule.

And that's precisely why Smart Contracts and other types of automated moderation are doomed to fail. There will always be loopholes in the letter of the law to exploit, which requires people able to enforce the spirit of the law instead.

Re: KDE Connect removed from Google Play store for violating new policy on SMS

#168

Post by beatgammit »

agret wrote: post #166
piedar wrote: post #154

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A few more: - Blockada - VPN-style ad blocker - Drum On! - Drum machine - Firefox Klar - Small privacy-focused browser - RedReader - Reddit client - Shattered Pixel Dungeon - Roguelike dungeon crawler game - Tuner - Guitar and instrument tuner

How does Firefox Klar differ to Firefox Focus? Edit: Looks like it is actually available on the Play store and not an F-Droid exclusive. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.mozilla.kl...

It's just the German version of Focus, and I think it has one minor feature removed because of German law or something. I use it because it sounds cooler and I like FDroid.

Re: KDE Connect removed from Google Play store for violating new policy on SMS

#169

Post by beatgammit »

anowlcalledjosh wrote: post #60
icebraining wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What friction? It's easier to use than the Play Store.

It also doesn't come preinstalled on any devices I'm aware of, which adds a significant amount of friction. Even once you've installed it, it can't auto-update apps.

So? Netflix didn't come preinstalled on my phone, but I still use it.

Installing F-Droid is easy, and installing and managing apps through it is also easy. I prefer it when I can find a suitable app.

Re: KDE Connect removed from Google Play store for violating new policy on SMS

#170

Post by kuschku »

qwerty456127 wrote: post #161
azorin wrote: post #104

I just had the same issue last week when my app with SMS permissions for cross-platform syncing was rejected, but after some back and forth with Google I found out what they needed to let our app through. When publishing a new release on the Google Play Console, you need to create a video showing how the permissions are granted as well as the functionality that uses the permissions, making it clear that this function…

Great. I always wanted Google to ban the apps that demand permissions beyond those they obviously need to do the very job I want them to.

That's why runtime permissions and the ability to revoke permissions exist in the first place.
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