Headunit app for Android Auto removed from Google Play agai

[mikereidis]

My Headunit app for Android Auto was removed from Google Play AGAIN !!

The first time it appears was because I used the words "Android Auto" in my app description. I asked Google for permission and it was denied, with no reason.

It looks like the Play removal may be permanent this time because Google will not allow software based Headunit apps on Google Play.

Please help to spread this news with news site tips etc. There has been a HUGE interest in this Headunit app the last few weeks, but Google does not care and wants to kill it.

Recent events indicate Google has become evil and very unfriendly to small independent developers who scrape by with little or no income while Google rakes in billions. Google is now regularly removing apps for alleged infractions that often require twisted reasoning to justify. App devs have little or no recourse.

DAMMIT Google !! Don't be EVIL !

Google Play Support <googleplay-developer-support@google.com>
2:55 PM (1 hour ago)
to me

This is a notification that your application, Headunit for AA - EXPERIMENTAL, for package ID ca.yyx.hu, has been removed from Google Play.
Please address the issue described below and submit a compliant update. Once approved, your application will again be available with all installs, ratings and reviews intact.
REASON FOR REMOVAL:Violation of section 4.4 of the Developer Distribution Agreement.
After a regular review we have determined that your app interferes with or accesses another service or product in an unauthorized manner. This violates the provision of your agreement with Google referred to above.
All removals are tracked. Repeated removals will result in app suspension, at which point this app will count as a strike against the good standing of your developer account and no longer be available on Google Play.
This notification also serves as notice for other apps in your catalog. You can avoid future removals and/or app suspensions by immediately ensuring that no other apps in your catalog are in violation of (but not limited to) the above policy. Before publishing applications, please ensure your apps’ compliance with the Developer Distribution Agreement and Content Policy.
If you feel we have made this determination in error, you can visit this Google Play Help Center article.
The Google Play Team

 

[Dr Claw]

Re: Headunit app for Android Auto removed from Google Play AGAIN ! (Evil Google.)

What does your app do?
And the actions of Google here don't surprise me.

 

[mikereidis]

Re: Headunit app for Android Auto removed from Google Play AGAIN ! (Evil Google.)

What does your app do?
And the actions of Google here don't surprise me.

It turns a tablet, or any Android 4.1+ device into a basic (no AM/FM/CD/...) Android Auto compatible headunit that won't require a new car or a $600+ hardware headunit.

It's experimental at this time (but works pretty well on my 4 test tablets) and the biggest missing feature is voice input / hands-free phone calls.

Google wants to control HUs; (So called) "Open" Auto Alliance members must allegedly submit them to Google for approval. A software HU bypasses that control.

I am open sourcing this Headunit app and this is partly in response to Google's ban.

3 HU OEMs that are not "Tier 1" have contacted me to license the code. I may collaborate with some of them, but would not be surprised to see "Cease & Desist" threats against us, despite no logical legal basis I can see.

 

[88 FLUX]

Re: Headunit app for Android Auto removed from Google Play AGAIN ! (Evil Google.)

It turns a tablet, or any Android 4.1+ device into a basic (no AM/FM/CD/...) Android Auto compatible headunit that won't require a new car or a $600+ hardware headunit.

It's experimental at this time (but works pretty well on my 4 test tablets) and the biggest missing feature is voice input / hands-free phone calls.

Google wants to control HUs; (So called) "Open" Auto Alliance members must allegedly submit them to Google for approval. A software HU bypasses that control.

I am open sourcing this Headunit app and this is partly in response to Google's ban.

3 HU OEMs that are not "Tier 1" have contacted me to license the code. I may collaborate with some of them, but would not be surprised to see "Cease & Desist" threats against us, despite no logical legal basis I can see.

I very much appreciate what you are trying to do in regards to development. But I fully side with Google on this one. Any type of application designed to be used while a driver is operating a vehicle should be HIGHLY regulated. Safety is the highest and only priority in this app category. What you are doing requires reverse engineering and goes against their policies. You are more than welcome to distribute the app and people are more than welcome to sideload. But if Google freely allowed you to host an unsupported modification of their internally-developed application on their own app store, they are risk liability in the event that a bug causes a distracting issue that results in a crash.

I'm not saying any of that to discourage you. Please continue with being a positive contribution to the developer community.

Also, I have no affiliation with Google.

 

[Almeuit]

Re: Headunit app for Android Auto removed from Google Play AGAIN ! (Evil Google.)

I get wanting to have your own app and do what you want (OpenSource Style) but if you want something within the Google Play store you will have to play by their rules. These rules were presented to you by Google when you made your DEV account. If you violate the rules you will face the consequences. This really should be no surprise as this is how most app stores and other things of this nature work.

 

[mikereidis]

Re: Headunit app for Android Auto removed from Google Play AGAIN ! (Evil Google.)

Sure, Google's Play store runs by Google's rules.

I understand that.

But reverse engineering for the sake of interoperability is a well established right. Without it we would not have had IBM PC clones in the 1980's and we would not have had the PC revolution as massive as it was. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverse_engineering#United_States and EU below it.

There are LOTS of apps out for that support Car Modes and that people use while driving. In fact Google has documented official APIs for Car Mode: UiModeManager | Android Developers

How many people are claiming apps like Torque should be banned because they distract ?

My Headunit app provides the Android Auto experience. It has virtually no UI. Any distraction is due to Android Auto itself, forgiving for the moment that my Headunit app is still labeled experimental and will be officially released only when it seems reliable.

 

[RmZ19]

Im really excited and I think google doesnt play good to remove your app. If people cant drive well its not the apps fault

Is there any way to get the app? I really want to try it on my lenovo tablet

 

[J Wadle]

Where can I get the app??

Thanks

 

[bjrosen]

Google is moving away from open source and towards an Apple like model, just look at the Pixel, it's not just a rebranding of Nexus it's the opposite of Nexus. The Nexus was open and had no carrier lockins, the Pixel is a Verizon exclusive and the Verizon version has a locked bootloader. The Pixel also has Pixel only software that's not available to other platforms.

There is no technical or safety reason that Google isn't allowing your software headunit, AA is just an X Server type thing, the UI is entirely controlled by the application. Google is asserting complete control over the platform, and if they aren't already, they will at some point start charging licensing fees.

You're best bet is to put in the Amazon app store. The Amazon store is a pain to use because you have to temporarily disable "Unknown Sources" when you do an install, but it does work. You have to use Amazon's store to install their video player because they don't offer it through Google Play.

 

[speculatrix]

https://forum.xda-developers.com/general/connected-car/openhu-project-continuing-mike-reids-t3410038