Modi government to set up app store alternative to Google Play, Apple App Store • Hacker News Board

Re: Modi government to set up app store alternative to Google Play, Apple App Store

#171

Post by Abishek_Muthian » Sat, Oct 03, 2020, 4:10 PM UTC

abrbhat wrote: post #82

It seems most people are arguing that the only alternative to 2 app stores is a large number of app stores. But what if the alternative is no app stores? Anyone can install whatever software they want on their device from wherever they want it. Just like it works for desktops. The need for app stores is an artificially created need (by the marketing brilliance of Jobs).

>But what if the alternative is no app stores? Anyone can install whatever software they want on their device from wherever they want it

There was already an open, accessible, free app store called - 'Internet Browser' upon which Internet was built. These companies undermined it in collusion with the duopolies to hoard more data from their customers and are now crying wolf.

Re: Modi government to set up app store alternative to Google Play, Apple App Store

#172

Post by higerordermap » Sat, Oct 03, 2020, 4:12 PM UTC

colejohnson66 wrote: post #166

wtmt wrote: post #143

This is going to be a big mess. PayTM as a company isn’t known for respecting user privacy. The CEO’s brother was caught in a sting video saying they could sell any user’s information for a price (search online and you’ll find the video). All that these Indian startups care is for them to benefit and control everything. It’s not about equitable treatment. It’s more about regulatory capture and making sure that their…

> This is going to be a big mess. PayTM as a company isn’t known for respecting user privacy. Controversial opinion here, but this is part of the reason I like that Apple makes (practically) all purchases run through them. They don’t sell my information, and they have an incentive to not change that.

Yeah, but apple devices are affordable for 0.1% of Indians.

Also, Android is not to be blamed here. The openness is why privacy-minded people can use F-Droid.

Re: Modi government to set up app store alternative to Google Play, Apple App Store

#173

Post by higerordermap » Sat, Oct 03, 2020, 4:16 PM UTC

wawhal wrote: post #121

bhaavan wrote: post #84

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would argue that an App Store, on mobile has helped avoid virus, and malware on phones, unlike how Windows was able to contain it. Having a trusted App Store by a company, who understands security, and has a financial backing to commit to a secure system, is beneficial all the way down.

> by a company who understands security and has a financial backing to commit to a secure system Not sure if this stands true for the current Indian government.

Pretty sure it doesn't.

Re: Modi government to set up app store alternative to Google Play, Apple App Store

#174

Post by [deleted] » Sat, Oct 03, 2020, 4:18 PM UTC

anaganisk wrote: post #142

Modi is a pure marketing person representing JIO and PayTM period, he just wants their spyware to be pre-installed. Nothing more, now if you want proof, watch the down votes. He is the kind of PM who doesn't meet journalists, doesn't take questions. And all he does is Marketing. No execution went atleast good till now.

[deleted]

Re: Modi government to set up app store alternative to Google Play, Apple App Store

#175

Post by monokh » Sat, Oct 03, 2020, 4:18 PM UTC

colejohnson66 wrote: post #166

wtmt wrote: post #143

This is going to be a big mess. PayTM as a company isn’t known for respecting user privacy. The CEO’s brother was caught in a sting video saying they could sell any user’s information for a price (search online and you’ll find the video). All that these Indian startups care is for them to benefit and control everything. It’s not about equitable treatment. It’s more about regulatory capture and making sure that their…

> This is going to be a big mess. PayTM as a company isn’t known for respecting user privacy. Controversial opinion here, but this is part of the reason I like that Apple makes (practically) all purchases run through them. They don’t sell my information, and they have an incentive to not change that.

On the flip side, they become the central honey pot for every apple user ever. Most of whom sit generally further along the wealthy/important person scale. Incredibly high incentives there for exploit. The high stakes should translate to proportionate attention? One can only hope.

Re: Modi government to set up app store alternative to Google Play, Apple App Store

#176

Post by sgt » Sat, Oct 03, 2020, 4:18 PM UTC

higerordermap wrote: post #172

colejohnson66 wrote: post #166

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> This is going to be a big mess. PayTM as a company isn’t known for respecting user privacy. Controversial opinion here, but this is part of the reason I like that Apple makes (practically) all purchases run through them. They don’t sell my information, and they have an incentive to not change that.

Yeah, but apple devices are affordable for 0.1% of Indians. Also, Android is not to be blamed here. The openness is why privacy-minded people can use F-Droid.

As someone in Kenya pointed out to me once, I asked someone (at Safaricom, their biggest tech company) why Kenyans seemed to prefer Android. He laughed and said: We don't prefer Android, it's what we can afford. I suppose coming from my first world bubble of friends of family it's reality check.

Re: Modi government to set up app store alternative to Google Play, Apple App Store

#177

Post by reader_mode » Sat, Oct 03, 2020, 4:21 PM UTC

colejohnson66 wrote: post #166

wtmt wrote: post #143

This is going to be a big mess. PayTM as a company isn’t known for respecting user privacy. The CEO’s brother was caught in a sting video saying they could sell any user’s information for a price (search online and you’ll find the video). All that these Indian startups care is for them to benefit and control everything. It’s not about equitable treatment. It’s more about regulatory capture and making sure that their…

> This is going to be a big mess. PayTM as a company isn’t known for respecting user privacy. Controversial opinion here, but this is part of the reason I like that Apple makes (practically) all purchases run through them. They don’t sell my information, and they have an incentive to not change that.

What exactly is the cost of having my store activity sold to someone ?

30% cut is a very real one

Re: Modi government to set up app store alternative to Google Play, Apple App Store

#178

Post by colejohnson66 » Sat, Oct 03, 2020, 4:25 PM UTC

higerordermap wrote: post #172

colejohnson66 wrote: post #166

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> This is going to be a big mess. PayTM as a company isn’t known for respecting user privacy. Controversial opinion here, but this is part of the reason I like that Apple makes (practically) all purchases run through them. They don’t sell my information, and they have an incentive to not change that.

Yeah, but apple devices are affordable for 0.1% of Indians. Also, Android is not to be blamed here. The openness is why privacy-minded people can use F-Droid.

Fair enough. But my comment was directed more just in general due to Epic v. Apple.

Re: Modi government to set up app store alternative to Google Play, Apple App Store

#179

Post by disown » Sat, Oct 03, 2020, 4:28 PM UTC

It's a good start, but doesn't go far enough. India should also temporarily ban google, facebook, microsoft, apple, intel, etc until their local software companies are strong enough to compete. India, like china, is sufficiently large and important enough to create their own tech ecosystem. But given their track record, I really don't have much confidence in india to get it right. Hope I am wrong though as the world needs genuine competition the tech space.

Now maybe the EU should get their act together? The EU was able to create airbus to compete with boeing, why can't they do the same for their own version of microsoft, google, apple, facebook, etc? They are certainly wealthy enough and given their large population, they certainly could produce the talent to drive such an initiative.

If the EU thinks their private sector is going to compete against state-backed corporations like google, facebook, microsoft, apple, intel, etc, then they really have drunk the kool-aid. The EU's private sector can no more create a competitor to these tech giants as it could have created an aerospace company to compete with boeing. These companies are fundamentally "private" state companies.

If india, EU, etc succeed, then perhaps ASEAN, Africa, etc will follow their examples and create their tech ecosystem within their economic bloc.

Re: Modi government to set up app store alternative to Google Play, Apple App Store

#180

Post by devdas » Sat, Oct 03, 2020, 4:28 PM UTC

colejohnson66 wrote: post #166

wtmt wrote: post #143

This is going to be a big mess. PayTM as a company isn’t known for respecting user privacy. The CEO’s brother was caught in a sting video saying they could sell any user’s information for a price (search online and you’ll find the video). All that these Indian startups care is for them to benefit and control everything. It’s not about equitable treatment. It’s more about regulatory capture and making sure that their…

> This is going to be a big mess. PayTM as a company isn’t known for respecting user privacy. Controversial opinion here, but this is part of the reason I like that Apple makes (practically) all purchases run through them. They don’t sell my information, and they have an incentive to not change that.

That is a threat to those not subject to US law.