Rendered at 09:09:05 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) with Cloudflare Workers.
ColdStream 6 hours ago [-]
It is funny how we have two storm fronts here. Google trying to lock down apps to only Google approved developers, and legal decisions to open up alternative app stores that would potentially use apps that are not Google approved.
One wonders which side will win this one? All I know is, I still want my F-Droid with apps that Google doesn't have power over.
60 minutes ago [-]
lern_too_spel 5 hours ago [-]
HN in general has completely misunderstood app verification. App verification is what allows rival app stores to be installed without a warning, even if they aren't installed from a system app store. It is a direct result of this ruling.
It's still possible to install any app with a warning. A future Google Android build will require developer mode to be enabled to install those apps. That is the problem to address, not app verification, which will be rolled out as a Google Play Services update to existing Google Android builds and makes it strictly easier to install apps than before.
crote 4 hours ago [-]
Before app verification any app store could install any app without having the user jump through crazy hoops. After app verification any app store can only install Google-blessed apps without having the user jump through crazy hoops.
App verification does not "allow" anything. Its only purpose is to block non-blessed apps through third-party stores and extracting an additional bribe from developers. You cannot view app verification's existence without considering the broader environment it was created for.
chapz 3 hours ago [-]
App verification means, Google can deny apps entry into Android for whatever reason Google comes up with. There are no clear and objective rules nor are there any real options to object.
And that is the problem. Google can just deny anything that does stuff in a creative new way or that poses a competitive risk.
And, if Google decides you are not comming in, there is no warning you can click to go around that.
NewJazz 5 hours ago [-]
What does app verification mean to you? Does it involve sending a copy of your ID to google? Because imho that alone is a problem.
benoau 5 hours ago [-]
What a day for app store regulation: when it rains it pours as the saying goes.
sgc 4 hours ago [-]
what else did I miss today?
digitalPhonix 35 minutes ago [-]
> “Have it done by a week from today”, he ordered
I’m glad judges are sick of their feet dragging. I’m sad it’s not happening to Apple too though.
Quoting BoJack Horseman ``You've been adjudicated''
alightsoul 3 hours ago [-]
I am not sure I am against app verification. I almost installed an APK that was a banking infostealer. Is there really no other way? Microsoft fixed this with a built in virus scanner on Windows
martheen 2 hours ago [-]
Android, at least those with Play Service, already have built-in scanning for APKs right now. The main problem is currently only Google can "trust" the dev signature for apps they release, so if an app or dev is in Google's naughty list, either for outright malware or for an adblocker, they're out.
At least there will be a setting for users to allow any app from any dev, which those who know about it will enable right away, and those who don't know about it have no business to use it anyway.
graemep 3 hours ago [-]
That is exactly the problem a choice of app stores solves. Instead of downloading APKs you se stores you trust, and some store apps support multiple repos. Its a Linux like solution.
One wonders which side will win this one? All I know is, I still want my F-Droid with apps that Google doesn't have power over.
It's still possible to install any app with a warning. A future Google Android build will require developer mode to be enabled to install those apps. That is the problem to address, not app verification, which will be rolled out as a Google Play Services update to existing Google Android builds and makes it strictly easier to install apps than before.
App verification does not "allow" anything. Its only purpose is to block non-blessed apps through third-party stores and extracting an additional bribe from developers. You cannot view app verification's existence without considering the broader environment it was created for.
And that is the problem. Google can just deny anything that does stuff in a creative new way or that poses a competitive risk.
And, if Google decides you are not comming in, there is no warning you can click to go around that.
I’m glad judges are sick of their feet dragging. I’m sad it’s not happening to Apple too though.
At least there will be a setting for users to allow any app from any dev, which those who know about it will enable right away, and those who don't know about it have no business to use it anyway.