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Google confirms 'high-friction' sideloading flow is coming to Android

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Re: Google confirms 'high-friction' sideloading flow is coming to Android

#31

Post by e145bc455f1 »

whyagaindavid wrote: post #22

> Matthew Forsyth, Director of Product Management, Google Play Developer Experience & Chief Product Explainer, said the system isn’t a sideloading restriction, but an “Accountability Layer.” And... What about accountability for hosting distributing spyware, malware loaded apps from Google Playstore and hundreds of copy cat, misleading apps? Why can't they pose a question when the phone is setup? - Yes, I want to side…

>And... What about accountability for hosting distributing spyware, malware loaded apps from Google Playstore and hundreds of copy cat, misleading apps?

The rules don't apply to billion dollar corporations. Meta is showing 15 billion scam ads per day.

https://www.reuters.com/investigations/meta-is-earning-fortu...

Re: Google confirms 'high-friction' sideloading flow is coming to Android

#32

Post by kristopolous »

chii wrote: post #25
jacquesm wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why the surprise, they do the same with search, they do the same with their Google workspace (the degree to which they are pushing AI is really hurting the product). Google stopped being aware of their customer's needs a really long time ago, they are so arrogant they think the audience is now fully captive.

> they think the audience is now fully captive. the audience is captive. Do you have a choice to move from android, if you didnt want to have an apple device? Do you want to use a different search engine other than google? Is there another email provider than gmail (for the non-technical person - i know you can run your own). Is there another browser other than chrome (and dont say firefox or edge - because both don'…

Once an alternative to one of their things, like immich, becomes viable, people run as fast as they can.

The strategy of doing everything you can to make sure your customers truly and utterly despise you and want to spit in your face is probably not productive.

Re: Google confirms 'high-friction' sideloading flow is coming to Android

#33

Post by swe_dima »

I am not very well educated when it comes to alternative stores landscape. But I do know that in Russia there's now Rustore: https://www.rustore.ru/en which functions by automatically downloading and updating APKs for you.

During the APK install, however, you do see the ugly Android prompt about how this app may be dangerous.

Rustore has its own app payment system, which obviously circumvents Google Play fees.

This works on regular Android phones.

Are there other examples of such stores? Perhaps it's Google's answer to that.

Re: Google confirms 'high-friction' sideloading flow is coming to Android

#34

Post by rich_sasha »

MrDresden wrote: post #24

When this whole thing got announced, I purchased a new Pixel 9 and flashed it with GrapheneOS. I am hoping that in about 6-8 years (when I realistically need to update) the landscape might be a bit better. Or who knows, maybe I'll just continue using GrapheneOS. So far I have not had a single issues with it. Apps the rely on attestation do not work, but honestly it's only two applications out of hundreds so I can liv…

I think the EU should pile in as well. It's basically an oven-ready independent mobile OS.

Re: Google confirms 'high-friction' sideloading flow is coming to Android

#35

Post by hexfish »

swe_dima wrote: post #33

I am not very well educated when it comes to alternative stores landscape. But I do know that in Russia there's now Rustore: https://www.rustore.ru/en which functions by automatically downloading and updating APKs for you. During the APK install, however, you do see the ugly Android prompt about how this app may be dangerous. Rustore has its own app payment system, which obviously circumvents Google Play fees. This w…

F-Droid and derivatives are really popular in the FOSS community.

Re: Google confirms 'high-friction' sideloading flow is coming to Android

#36

Post by necovek »

I would like to see a high friction flow for installing all the crap from the Play Store to "protect and educate users". "Are you sure you want to install this app? It's only got a score of 2.8 and only 7 reviews, and will ask for all of these permissions?"

Re: Google confirms 'high-friction' sideloading flow is coming to Android

#37

Post by swe_dima »

hexfish wrote: post #35
swe_dima wrote: post #33

I am not very well educated when it comes to alternative stores landscape. But I do know that in Russia there's now Rustore: https://www.rustore.ru/en which functions by automatically downloading and updating APKs for you. During the APK install, however, you do see the ugly Android prompt about how this app may be dangerous. Rustore has its own app payment system, which obviously circumvents Google Play fees. This w…

F-Droid and derivatives are really popular in the FOSS community.

oh, right! Didn't have my coffee yet :-)

But one difference is Rustore actually has payments and subscriptions, which hurts Google more.

Re: Google confirms 'high-friction' sideloading flow is coming to Android

#38

Post by csomar »

chii wrote: post #25
jacquesm wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why the surprise, they do the same with search, they do the same with their Google workspace (the degree to which they are pushing AI is really hurting the product). Google stopped being aware of their customer's needs a really long time ago, they are so arrogant they think the audience is now fully captive.

> they think the audience is now fully captive. the audience is captive. Do you have a choice to move from android, if you didnt want to have an apple device? Do you want to use a different search engine other than google? Is there another email provider than gmail (for the non-technical person - i know you can run your own). Is there another browser other than chrome (and dont say firefox or edge - because both don'…

> Do you want to use a different search engine other than google?

I've been on Kimi now for 3 months. I rarely used Google in that time. Kimi is largely free though sometimes when I run of the free quota I fallback to DeepSeek/Perplexity. I have no idea where they are getting their index from though.

> Is there another email provider than gmail (for the non-technical person - i know you can run your own).

There is microsoft/apple/yahoo mailboxes. However, I think most people should pay for their email especially that it's cheap and also critical (2FA).

> Is there another browser other than chrome (and dont say firefox or edge - because both don't compete)?

Firefox is a solid fallback and also webkit (Apple) is now basically a different browser (ported to Linux on GNOME Web). Not the best situation though it could be worse (given Firefox situation).

For me personally, the only two things I still use Google for are chromium and maps. I am unlikely to move from Chromium anytime soon but might consider alternative for maps (though might still need maps for reviews/photos/street view).

I am the most bullish I've ever been on Google losing its monopoly especially after they botched AI and hyper-scaling.

Re: Google confirms 'high-friction' sideloading flow is coming to Android

#39

Post by pjmlp »

AlotOfReading wrote: post #12

Google's long term strategy with Android is baffling to me. Apple has had better mobile hardware for years. Apple has higher consumer trust. Apple has better app selection (for most people). Apple has been increasingly implementing the core features that differentiate Android devices, like USB-C and RCS. Every Android user lost to the increasing iOS market share is another customer Google has to pay exorbitant fees t…

Except only a few countries in the world have wages where their citizens can afford Apple.

While I can afford Apple, out of principle I am not buying anything above 300 euros, that requires me to also buy another computer for hobby coding, and a dev license.

All my use of Apple hardware is via projects where pool devices are assigned to the delivery team.

Re: Google confirms 'high-friction' sideloading flow is coming to Android

#40

Post by nozzlegear »

chii wrote: post #25
jacquesm wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why the surprise, they do the same with search, they do the same with their Google workspace (the degree to which they are pushing AI is really hurting the product). Google stopped being aware of their customer's needs a really long time ago, they are so arrogant they think the audience is now fully captive.

> they think the audience is now fully captive. the audience is captive. Do you have a choice to move from android, if you didnt want to have an apple device? Do you want to use a different search engine other than google? Is there another email provider than gmail (for the non-technical person - i know you can run your own). Is there another browser other than chrome (and dont say firefox or edge - because both don'…

> Do you have a choice to move from android, if you didnt want to have an apple device?

Not wanting and not having a choice are two different things.

> Do you want to use a different search engine other than google? Is there another email provider than gmail (for the non-technical person - i know you can run your own)

My wife uses ddg and outlook, she's non-technical. I convinced her to use ddg but she's always used outlook/hotmail.

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