Google have declared Droidscript is malware • Hacker News Board

Re: Google have declared Droidscript is malware

#261

Post by arp242 » Tue, Apr 27, 2021, 5:47 PM UTC

swiley wrote: post #196

arp242 wrote: post #82

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The biggest problem with "alternative" platforms is just the lack of app support. I used to have a Nokia N9; great phone. But it didn't support WhatsApp and I was out on the loop on the WhatsApp chat all my other coworkers were in. Then there's things like banking apps, flight check-in apps, food ordering apps, dating apps, etc. etc. Can you do without those? Sure, of course. But if I want to order food where I live…

I keep hearing this and it's totally wrong. Desktop Linux has a huge app ecosystem and arguably has more high quality software than Android does. All of this works on the pinephone and other similar devices.

Okay, so how can I chat to my friends or companies with WhatsApp on Linux? How can I order food similar to Grab or Gojek on Linux? How can I get a date on Linux like Tinder?

You can't. Sure, there are technological solutions to all of those, but in the real world that alone is pretty much useless.

Re: Google have declared Droidscript is malware

#262

Post by throwaway823882 » Tue, Apr 27, 2021, 5:48 PM UTC

So, what would be needed to start a real, honest-to-god replacement for Android/iOS?

You'd need a whole governance structure for your project so it wasn't controlled by a sole entity. There would need to be assurances that using your project was stable long-term. That there were adults driving the bus, and that everyone could use the bus, etc.

You'd need to provide a roadmap for everything needed to be built to replace Android, piece by piece. (I guess you could re-use sections of open source code, but some would need to be rewritten from scratch?)

You'd need to contact developers, vendors, service providers, etc, the whole ecosystem existing around smart phones, and get them on board with your project. Sell it to them as "no longer being answerable only to Google and Apple". You'll also have to provide alternative revenue sources, as they may depend heavily on Google and Apple services for their revenue.

And then you need to find people to do the work, and get paid for it.

I'm guessing all this would take at least 6-12 months to get off the ground and some serious capital.

Re: Google have declared Droidscript is malware

#263

Post by dcow » Tue, Apr 27, 2021, 5:50 PM UTC

harrierpigeon wrote: post #220

dcow wrote: post #144

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What’s wrong with Tesla software?

One thing that comes to mind is that the wiper functionality has to be accessed from the center console touchscreen, and generally when you need it on you need it right then.

Not on the Model 3,Y, it doesn't. You press the button on the left widget behind the steering wheel (the lever/knob you use for your turn signal).

Re: Google have declared Droidscript is malware

#264

Post by dcow » Tue, Apr 27, 2021, 5:51 PM UTC

Aperocky wrote: post #227

dcow wrote: post #144

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What’s wrong with Tesla software?

The ratio of amount and significance of action it takes over my trust in it is too high.

You don't need to use any of the driver assistance features. It’s not doing any of that if you don’t explicitly engage it and sometimes even requires enabling settings toggles.

Re: Google have declared Droidscript is malware

#265

Post by spicybright » Tue, Apr 27, 2021, 5:51 PM UTC

brobdingnagians wrote: post #256

Loughla wrote: post #241

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have had my same fridge for 10 years, with no signs of failure. Unless the monthly payment was $3.00 or less, I would be paying more than I should starting in June. The rental/do not own anything model is just awful, in my opinion.

Totally agree. The more time passes, the more I realize that I want to own what I have. I've grown more selective about what I purchase in general and I've become more minimalistic; but if I want to have it at all, then I want it to be mine free and clear. Especially when it comes to tools, land, and personal items. I want Good Quality and paid for with cash. I tend to use things until they completely wear out, and I…

Couldn't agree more. Anything you don't own 100% can be put in jeopardy totally at randomly. If it's something important that can be incredibly stressful.

Re: Google have declared Droidscript is malware

#266

Post by ur-whale » Tue, Apr 27, 2021, 5:54 PM UTC

Here's a prediction:

Within 20 years, you will need the equivalent of a concealed carry permit to run Linux on a computer connected to the internet.

Re: Google have declared Droidscript is malware

#267

Post by passivate » Tue, Apr 27, 2021, 5:54 PM UTC

thereddaikon wrote: post #4

Google is pretty infamous for the over reliance on automation for customer service. But ultimately the reason why they persist is because they can afford get away with it.

Google's business model is where they automate everything, and you keep running on the treadmill. From a business standpoint, its fabulous, and I'd probably applaud them if they weren't so awful.

Re: Google have declared Droidscript is malware

#268

Post by cwkoss » Tue, Apr 27, 2021, 5:56 PM UTC

shadowgovt wrote: post #55

ericol wrote: post #16

TL;DR: They are being accused of ad fraud, without any evidence provided, and they are asked to reply with an analysis of why they think their traffic ?? is legit (when they have no idea what is it that Google considered "not legitimate"). The biggest issue here I don't think is the malware tag, but the ad fraud accusation. Even thought as somebody pointed out the page linked can be biased, based only on what they st…

It is extremely possible that from Google's point of view, an inability to give such an analysis is itself justification to remove the app from the Play Store. If Droidscript is flexible enough to allow end-users to create an ad fraud engine, it's too flexible for the store. Play Store is relatively consistent in its position that a tool that bootstraps policy violations is itself a policy violation. But it would be…

Is there a service where I can host a raspi on my network and let people send it instructions about which ads should be clicked on and it gradually earns crypto over time?

I'd love to make some money while fucking with ad networks... :)

Re: Google have declared Droidscript is malware

#269

Post by passivate » Tue, Apr 27, 2021, 5:59 PM UTC

ajross wrote: post #14

blakesterz wrote: post #2

I had to go look to see what this was: "DroidScript is an easy to use, portable coding tool which simplifies mobile App development. It dramatically improves productivity by speeding up development by as much as 10x compared with using the standard development tools. It’s also an ideal tool for learning JavaScript, you can literally code anywhere with DroidScript, it’s not cloud based and doesn’t require an internet…

Time for one of these again. So... having read through their marketing material, this is an on-device tool that opens up what appears to be most of the Android application API to at least the user of the device, and potentially to any Droidscript applications they grab from other sources, and... maybe to other apps on the device? It's not clear from a quick read how extensive the runtime control is. So just right out…

> My guess is that when details come out it will turn out that at-least-plausibly harmful Droidscript garbage was being pushed to users and Google decided to kill it.

Yes, I'm sure Google will carefully release details that paint them as the good guy. Certainly, we don't want to be needlessly unfair to them, but there is zero reason to give them free trust them at this point.

Re: Google have declared Droidscript is malware

#270

Post by bakatubas » Tue, Apr 27, 2021, 6:03 PM UTC

wwarner wrote: post #177

ballenf wrote: post #87

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The battle really parallels the larger right to repair debate. (Especially if we realize the latter is probably is better called the right to exercise control over purchased goods.)

Agreed. I would feel better about this if I didn't think apps and local computing were really important. The alternative to phone apps is the web, but the web will never be fast (imo) and is simultaneously getting less open every day as well.

The web is the way for universal exposure. Regardless of speed it’s the only standardized, universal and widely used interface.

WebAssembly will be the ticket there—once it’s developed a bit more.

That being said, nothing compares to native. You could have shitty hardware by today’s standard with amazingly performant software if there weren’t so many damn layers in-between.

People are fickle with hardware though and we devs need things to slow down a bit to appreciate the nuances of each device!