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Keep Android Open

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Re: Keep Android Open

#731

Post by ece »

pino83 wrote: post #729
ece wrote: post #701

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The value is in awareness, it's easier to switch for some than others, but that comes after awareness.

The thing is: If it takes so long for you to get awareness, then better stop everything. It makes no sense at all in that velocity.

Well, mistakes like iPhones being closed have existed for decades, enshittification on modern computers is still relatively new. What makes no sense is people who should know better giving into fear based locked down computing for idiotic reasons.

Re: Keep Android Open

#732

Post by mehdix »

edg5000 wrote: post #571

I want Google as an app, not OS. Hear me out. Imagine an open device where you can run Google as just another sandboxed app. Inside, they can exert all the control they want. My bank and government can force me to use Google. Then, at least I control my hardware and my OS. It's just nasty to have your device and OS controlled by an antagonistic entity. I see this in people why have used antagonistic software for deca…

Writing this in GrapheneOS where Google Play and Services run just like another app in a sandbox. Moreover, there is a network access permission that allows you to block any app from accessing the network, which is surprisingly the reason why Google does not approve GrapheneOS as compatible to let it pass hardware attestation test (if enforced).

Re: Keep Android Open

#733

Post by pino83 »

ece wrote: post #731
pino83 wrote: post #729

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The thing is: If it takes so long for you to get awareness, then better stop everything. It makes no sense at all in that velocity.

Well, mistakes like iPhones being closed have existed for decades, enshittification on modern computers is still relatively new. What makes no sense is people who should know better giving into fear based locked down computing for idiotic reasons.

Some things were always wrong. Since day 1. And since day 1 there were people (e.g. me) who constantly told the others. But got ignored.

No, enshittification is not new. It was obvious from day 1 that it will eventually happen. To everybody who know basic mechanisms of how human beings interact with each other.

Sometimes people come to me and say "yeah, well, it's about technology, that's not my business, and I don't really care". This is stupid in various regards. At first, the same people shifted their entire life into that 'technology', and were constantly crying how everything is going to be digital in the future. Beyond that, the entire topic is not at all about tech. It's about how human beings interact. About markets, and all kinds of non-tech things.

"enshittification on modern computers is still relatively new" is like a chain smoker saying something like "lung cancer is still relatively new". Sure, in some way it might actually be new. But is it a good excuse for anything? No. That danger was crystal clear since the first cigarette. Right? Everything else is lame excuses and stupid babble.

Re: Keep Android Open

#734

Post by paulddraper »

tschumacher wrote: post #715
dhayabaran wrote: post #639

[flagged]

Google has been clear that installing apps through sideloading and from other app stores will continue to work as long as the developer went through the verification process to get their app signed. Source: https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2025/08/elevating-...

And who determines whether or not they get an accepted signing key?

Re: Keep Android Open

#735

Post by bccdee »

sulam wrote: post #510
greatgib wrote: post #180

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Even restricting the mitigation to "students and hobbyists" is bad. I should have the right to have parents, friends or anyone use a "free" store that is not under control of Google if the user and app developer wish so. But also, somehow there should be something done to avoid the monopoly forcing to use the Google services. Like major institutions like bank, gov and co being forced to provide alternatives like a we…

I'm far from a Google apologist, but at the end of the day don't they have the right to write software however they want it? You have the right to build things the way you want to, fork Android, etc etc. If you're trying to say you have the right to tell Google what the code their employees write can do, well, I don't really agree with that. Sounds coercive, honestly. I wouldn't want them to do that to you and I don'…

No, Google does not have the right. If you're building roads, you don't have a right to build them unsafely. Doesn't matter if they're privatized or not; they're important infrastructure for which we don't have meaningful alternatives.

Re: Keep Android Open

#736

Post by ece »

pino83 wrote: post #733
ece wrote: post #731

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, mistakes like iPhones being closed have existed for decades, enshittification on modern computers is still relatively new. What makes no sense is people who should know better giving into fear based locked down computing for idiotic reasons.

Some things were always wrong. Since day 1. And since day 1 there were people (e.g. me) who constantly told the others. But got ignored. No, enshittification is not new. It was obvious from day 1 that it will eventually happen. To everybody who know basic mechanisms of how human beings interact with each other. Sometimes people come to me and say "yeah, well, it's about technology, that's not my business, and I don't…

This is cynicism or worse, the way to get more open hardware and software, is to buy it and use it, regulation and understanding will catch up. Sure people care more about things other than tech, that's never stopped me from pointing out how tech should work and advocating for it.

I've used Linux for 25 years, and never have I thought it has enshittified. It's only Android in the last decade that has, much like the iPhone, Windows and the big social networks defending their monopolies in court and even losing in some cases, though maybe not enough yet.

Re: Keep Android Open

#737

Post by stackghost »

drnick1 wrote: post #667
stackghost wrote: post #397

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've owned iPhones before, they're fine.

If by fine you mean "they work," then sure. But since it is a closed platform controlled by Apple, you are always one law away from client-side scanning of your conversations, emails and any other content on your Phone. Of course, this will be done to "catch terrorists and protect the children," and Apple will obviously comply.

I don't need a condescending lecture on software freedom, thanks.
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