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Android now forces apps to include proprietary code for push notifications

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Re: Android now forces apps to include proprietary code for push notifications

#61

Post by pzmarzly »

mehrdadn wrote: post #40
pzmarzly wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was using clean LineageOS for over 2 years, recently switching to LineageOS+microG. I'm using APKPure and F-Droid for apps, Chrome for browsing (as in Firefox, last time I checked, one tap separates you from losing all open tabs). Some apps refuse to work or break (e.g. Bitwarden does not sync), some have degraded functionality (e.g. WhatsApp sometimes does not ring when someone is calling you), many are just spamm…

Tangent, but can I ask what made you choose 9.69.1? I spent hours trying out a bunch of versions and ended up choosing 9.42.3 as it started up fast and was the last version that didn't have the "explore the city" nonsense taking up half the screen on startup. Curious what sweet spot you found in 9.69.1!

When I updated Maps and found out the latest version requires Play Services to start, I just went to apkmirror and grabbed random old version. Or maybe I grabbed one I had in Titanium Backup backups - I don't remember precisely.

I actually didn't know what you were talking about until I opened the app few seconds ago. I was just tapping the search bar as soon as the app started every time, and did not even notice something was appearing on my screen. But I agree, now that I looked at this panel, it does seem useless.

Re: Android now forces apps to include proprietary code for push notifications

#62

Post by gwicks56 »

pfortuny wrote: post #57
kartan wrote: post #26

> Problem: The Firebase Android client library is proprietary, meaning FOSS apps can not use it. Apps that do not comply are reported to the user as "using too much battery". This is a standard on the industry. From 1999: https://www.theregister.co.uk/1999/11/05/how_ms_played_the_i... It doesn't matter how much money Google is going to have to pay in the future as a fine for this practice. The amount of money that th…

So, if I understand correctly, the GPL prevents you from using a non-free library in your code? (Asking honestly: I have tried to find this elsewhere but the FSF page on the GPL is rather ... convoluted). If that is so, then this is obviously a killer and quite seemingly arbitrary requirement. Your MS example is quite good.

Yeah I'm confused too. I run an open source Android app used by a bunch of Universities, I'm not sure what this means? Surely you can still open source apps that use Firebase to send messages, you kind of don't have a choice.

Re: Android now forces apps to include proprietary code for push notifications

#63

Post by pfortuny »

throwayEngineer wrote: post #60
deogeo wrote: post #18

Perhaps it is time to treat Google as the enemy, because that is how it is treating us.

Google puts 1 restriction, they are the enemy. Apple has created priopritary connectors, closed off systems, paid barriers to entry, and banning apps from their store. Where is Apple and Microsoft on the scale from Friend to Enemy?

Hi. Nobody said they are the friends here.

Just that Google is not.

Re: Android now forces apps to include proprietary code for push notifications

#64

Post by pfortuny »

gwicks56 wrote: post #62
pfortuny wrote: post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So, if I understand correctly, the GPL prevents you from using a non-free library in your code? (Asking honestly: I have tried to find this elsewhere but the FSF page on the GPL is rather ... convoluted). If that is so, then this is obviously a killer and quite seemingly arbitrary requirement. Your MS example is quite good.

Yeah I'm confused too. I run an open source Android app used by a bunch of Universities, I'm not sure what this means? Surely you can still open source apps that use Firebase to send messages, you kind of don't have a choice.

I guess the question resides mainly on the GPL. Other licenses like BSD/MIT do not care what you do with the code or what you use to run it, AFAIK.

Re: Android now forces apps to include proprietary code for push notifications

#65

Post by pzmarzly »

jeroenhd wrote: post #37
pzmarzly wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was using clean LineageOS for over 2 years, recently switching to LineageOS+microG. I'm using APKPure and F-Droid for apps, Chrome for browsing (as in Firefox, last time I checked, one tap separates you from losing all open tabs). Some apps refuse to work or break (e.g. Bitwarden does not sync), some have degraded functionality (e.g. WhatsApp sometimes does not ring when someone is calling you), many are just spamm…

In my experience, Firefox with the Bitwarden addon installed syncs well without requiring you to install any Google services. The obvious downside being that you need to open Firefox to copy your password, but that can probably be worked around by adding a shortcut to the Bitwarden addon page to the home screen. I don't know what you mean with "one tap away from losing all your tabs" though, perhaps you have an issue…

I forgot to mention that I keep Firefox just for Bitwarden extension. Though I usually just copy the password on my PC, and KDE Connect syncs the clipboard. I also try to be logged into as few services as possible on my phone, in case someone steals it while the phone is unlocked. Since the phone is rooted, determined thief would have many opportunities.

By "one tap", I meant the "Close all tabs" options next to "New incognito tab". If you tap "Close all tabs" in Chrome, you get an "Undo" button for few seconds. If you do the same in Firefox, you don't. There are "Recently closed tabs", but I learned the hard way that it only holds few tabs.

Re: Android now forces apps to include proprietary code for push notifications

#67

Post by _bxg1 »

pzmarzly wrote: post #22
jmkni wrote: post #6

I'd love to know just how different/bare bones AOSP (Android Open Source Project) is to regular Android. As an experiment, I'd love to compile it, put it on a spare phone and use it as my daily driver for a week.

I was using clean LineageOS for over 2 years, recently switching to LineageOS+microG. I'm using APKPure and F-Droid for apps, Chrome for browsing (as in Firefox, last time I checked, one tap separates you from losing all open tabs). Some apps refuse to work or break (e.g. Bitwarden does not sync), some have degraded functionality (e.g. WhatsApp sometimes does not ring when someone is calling you), many are just spamm…

microG still sends data to Google though, I believe, even though the local code is open. Without Google involved at all, Android is barely usable as a daily driver. I tried for a while.

Re: Android now forces apps to include proprietary code for push notifications

#68

Post by gwicks56 »

pfortuny wrote: post #64
gwicks56 wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah I'm confused too. I run an open source Android app used by a bunch of Universities, I'm not sure what this means? Surely you can still open source apps that use Firebase to send messages, you kind of don't have a choice.

I guess the question resides mainly on the GPL. Other licenses like BSD/MIT do not care what you do with the code or what you use to run it, AFAIK.

I don't get it. The Telegram GitHub says: "Since one can't use Google's push messaging in a FOSS app", but I can't work out why? Lots of FOSS apps on GitHub, mine included, use Firebase. It had never occurred to me it might be an issue.

Re: Android now forces apps to include proprietary code for push notifications

#69

Post by SketchySeaBeast »

pfortuny wrote: post #63
throwayEngineer wrote: post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Google puts 1 restriction, they are the enemy. Apple has created priopritary connectors, closed off systems, paid barriers to entry, and banning apps from their store. Where is Apple and Microsoft on the scale from Friend to Enemy?

Hi. Nobody said they are the friends here. Just that Google is not.

In this case I guess there are no friends, only enemies?
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