Come September 2026, are you sticking with Android

[mustang7757]

I liked Tizen on the watches.. lol

The more I think about it the less likely we will see anything outside a SteamOS flavored OS. It's risky, expensive and needs to have apps.

Amazon was the closest and they caved and are asking GPS. When you're that close and still say NAH, I don't see much hope.

Yeah I agree

 

[Laura Knotek]

As Android developer verification gets ready to go, here's a new reason to be worried

An Android SDK update raises questions about the impact of developer verification on users' ability to sideload apps when offline.

www.androidauthority.com

Add this to this list. I'm over it. Android is dead. RIP. It was nice while it lasted. Google eventually destroys everything it touches.

Typical to the corporate world where a CEO is so out of touch with what they are doing but doesn't matter as long as stock prices are up.

I hope they get smacked off their throne to near bankruptcy. It could happen, look at Intel. They are in deep right now. A year or two ago that was impossible to imagine.

When would someone not have network connectivity or access to a PC? I don't see where this is a problem. I download APKs on mobile network or wifi and then install.

 

[SyCoREAPER]

When would someone not have network connectivity or access to a PC? I don't see where this is a problem. I download APKs on mobile network or wifi and then install.

They are proposing DRM for everything. This is what GOG is fighting agaisnt with games. Freedom of what we own.
Same as polarizing Louis Rossman. This is another step of locking down Android.

No sideloading without a server check-in? Privacy nightmare too, big brother knowing every app you install. Breach waiting to happen ?
Does this mean no downgrades too?

Everything about this is wrong. DRM/Install server checks should be for licenses only. Not every install.

 

[Laura Knotek]

They are proposing DRM for everything. This is what GOG is fighting agaisnt with games. Freedom of what we own.
Same as polarizing Louis Rossman. This is another step of locking down Android.

No sideloading without a server check-in? Privacy nightmare too, big brother knowing every app you install. Breach waiting to happen ?
Does this mean no downgrades too?

Everything about this is wrong. DRM/Install server checks should be for licenses only. Not every install.

OK, now I understand. Incidentally the APKs I use are for paid and licensed apps.

 

[SyCoREAPER]

OK, now I understand. Incidentally the APKs I use are for paid and licensed apps.

Yeah so picture that but for everything free; Messaging, Productivity, Social, Banking, etc..

I have no issue with paid and licensed apps doing checks but free is a long jump too far.

 

[Laura Knotek]

Yeah so picture that but for everything free; Messaging, Productivity, Social, Banking, etc..

I have no issue with paid and licensed apps doing checks but free is a long jump too far.

I wouldn't trust any free banking app.

 

[SyCoREAPER]

I wouldn't trust any free banking app.

lol what?

You mean banking app in general on a phone? I was just rounding off examples of apps affected

 

[Laura Knotek]

lol what?

You mean banking app in general on a phone? I was just rounding off examples of apps affected

Banking APKs in general are a no go for me.

 

[notforhire]

Banking APKs in general are a no go for me.

helpful clarification for the masses

 

[SyCoREAPER]

Banking APKs in general are a no go for me.

Absolutely agree.

I'd never do that either. Sensitive apps before every update I make a backup of the previously installed version just in case they botch it.

 

[BerryBubbles]

Absolutely agree.

I'd never do that either. Sensitive apps before every update I make a backup of the previously installed version just in case they botch it.

I never thought of that!

That's a good practice to follow!

 

[SyCoREAPER]

Here's another thought. As I'm doing an Amazon return and dealing with this idiot AI chatbot the implemented that takes 5 minutes to do 1 return, it also wasn't working properly.

Hmm maybe it's AdGuard.

Well damn. There's another thing we can say goodbye to. AdGuard. Blokada, Route-whatever.

Some of you will say well I use Brave or whatever, it doesn't affect me. You're right, for now. After they control the narrative with the PlayStore, I bet you they will start clamping down on what is in the store and what tighter guidelines.

RIP Android.

 

[SyCoREAPER]

There's now a what I'd consider rumor in its state, that Google will allow sideloading for power users. Not sure what that will look like how what restrictions it will create.

 

[SyCoREAPER]

Forgot I made this thread. Louis Rossman made a video on the very misleading way Google is "allowing" sideloading.

Watch his video and visit to see that this is really happening and those that think you won't own a Google iFruit are sadly mistaken.

Keep Android Open

Advocating for Android as a free, open platform for everyone to build apps on.

keepandroidopen.org

 

[BerryBubbles]

Forgot I made this thread. Louis Rossman made a video on the very misleading way Google is "allowing" sideloading.

Watch his video and visit to see that this is really happening and those that think you won't own a Google iFruit are sadly mistaken.

Keep Android Open

Advocating for Android as a free, open platform for everyone to build apps on.

keepandroidopen.org

Subject matter aside, that's a pretty impressive compilation of information.

 

[Mooncatt]

Forgot I made this thread. Louis Rossman made a video on the very misleading way Google is "allowing" sideloading.

Watch his video and visit to see that this is really happening and those that think you won't own a Google iFruit are sadly mistaken.

Keep Android Open

Advocating for Android as a free, open platform for everyone to build apps on.

keepandroidopen.org

I think they lost a lot of credibility when they said this:

Until Google provides a shipping implementation that can be independently verified, our position remains unchanged: all apps from non-registered developers will be blocked once their lockdown goes into effect in September 2026.

I'm other words, they are going to intentionally promote what is likely a falsehood as fact because their speculation hasn't been proven false. Sure, they have reason to believe Google could change its mind, but as of right now the only thing they have to go on is Google's bypass instructions that they are treating as currently and factually false.

A better way to express it would be something like: While we recognize Google is offering a workaround so that non-registered apps are not necessarily locked out, our opinion is that workaround is subject to being revoked at any time, if not abandoned all together before the rollout, keeping non-registered apps at risk of being locked out.