Thoughts on starting a bounty

[SyCoREAPER]

Parallel to my thread about Google making sideloading a nightmare, this thread is to keep that one on topic and discuss here.

I've been thinking about the above situation and how I may move back to Pixel (until Google dosables the unlock unlockable bootloader..)

With that said, I wanted to see if there's interest in a bounty of sorts for a reputable developer to pick up where HASHCODE left off. Safestrap.

For those not familiar, Safestap was TWRP but with multiple boot slots. You could keep stock but have numerous other ROMs at the same time. It basically created a sandbox so you could test ROMs fully without wiping your existing system.

I miss it, HASHCODE said it was device specific at the time and was not going to continue developing it. With Pixels as popular as they are, I think the user base and dev incentive there would be worth it.

 

[SyCoREAPER]

Really? Nobody is interested in multi-boot om their device?

 

[mustang7757]

Most that would be interested is pixels and Chinese phones they like to Root and change things up . My pixel 10 pro xl is unlocked with a unlocked bootloader if i choose to in developer settings under OEM unlock but I've out that game for awhile.

 

[notforhire]

out of my league

 

[Laura Knotek]

I haven't done anything with custom ROMs for over 10 years.

 

[SyCoREAPER]

Most that would be interested is pixels and Chinese phones they like to Root and change things up . My pixel 10 pro xl is unlocked with a unlocked bootloader if i choose to in developer settings under OEM unlock but I've out that game for awhile.

Pixel is the demographic I'm targeting. I might jump ship if Google doesn't pull hard to to starboard on sideloading.

out of my league

Mine too lol that's why I'd like to gage interest and see if theres a reputable XDA Dev willing to taken it on

I haven't done anything with custom ROMs for over 10 years.

As have I. It would be like learning all over again but might come to that if Google doesn't reverse their sideloading decision. If anything, a Safety Safetynet resurrection might be perfect. Boot stock OS for apps that won't run on custom ROMs and boot into a secondary for anything FOSS or otherwise.

 

[YankInDaSouth]

.If anything, a Safety Safetynet resurrection might be perfect. Boot stock OS for apps that won't run on custom ROMs and boot into a secondary for anything FOSS or otherwise.

Man, I'm so far removed from the game, I have no idea what any of this even means LOL.

 

[tube517]

I don't even think of this stuff anymore
I used to stay up all night playing with all that stuff. Now I am too old

 

[SyCoREAPER]

Man, I'm so far removed from the game, I have no idea what any of this even means LOL.

lol I get it
Google is taking away the ability to sideload apps, aka turn us into Apple iFruit equivalents relegated to the Play Store. No more (Free-)Open-Source(-Software) Blokada, Adguard, Epic Store, F-Droid.. all dead.
Typo above, meant Safestrap. Safestap is/was basically TWRP but allowed you to install multiple ROMs. IIRC 6 total, 1 of which was reserved for stock but could be used for custom.

The idea being you install ROMs wtihout wiping your system and starting from scratch or spending time restoring a backup wasting time and adding versatility.

With sideloading going away as of now, a completely stock OS could be kept on one's phone in the first slot and other slots could be used for a custom ROM where you can still install aideloaded apps without risking the main OS. And official apps will likely stop working on custom ROMs a win-win for both Android camps.

I don't even think of this stuff anymore
I used to stay up all night playing with all that stuff. Now I am too old

So have I until recently and really dont want to. But I also don't want a phone that no longer does what I need it to do.

At that point we all might as well switch to Apple and have guaranteed updates with a almost always competitive camera.



Google is just steering itself into yet another path of self destruction that will fall on its face just like when they kill off every other product and people flock away.

 

[Bkdodger1]

My rooting days are over. It was a fun ride back in the day but I definitely have no interest. I did read recently that they are going to allow side loading. I have to look for the article..

 

[martint235]

I haven't done anything with custom ROMs for over 10 years.

Same here. Back when I had a HTC I would spend days over on XDA getting new ROMS for it but my interest has waned. You used to get some pretty good stuff but it was invariably at the expense of battery life iirc

 

[Bkdodger1]

It's definitely not as clear on how they plan to go forward with the side loading and some more info on both videos

 

[SyCoREAPER]

It's definitely not as clear on how they plan to go forward with the side loading and some more info on both videos

The way sideloading will work ks the developer must provide Google their ID snd i believe source code. There's probably a fee in there.

98% of developers are not going to want to deal with thar hassle and privacy invasion. Android itself will have a built in package check phoning home for each one you install or try to install to ensure said developer is registered AND violating your privacy further.

From cool kid on tbr block to literal villain.

 

[mustang7757]

On Android, sideloading an APK doesn’t require the developer to submit ID or source code to Google. A developer can distribute an APK directly and users can install it as long as “Install unknown apps” is allowed on the device.
Google Play has its own requirements (developer registration, fees, policies, etc.), but those apply only to apps distributed through the Play Store. Sideloaded apps can be signed by the developer’s own key and installed without going through Google’s store.
Android may run Play Protect scans to check for known malware, but that’s a security scan, not a system that verifies whether the developer is “registered” with Google. It doesn’t require source code or developer identity for sideloaded packages.
So sideloading itself still exists specifically to allow distribution outside the Play Store—open source projects, enterprise apps, beta builds, etc.

 

[Bkdodger1]

Occasional APK I'm good don't need much

 

[Golfdriver97]

On Android, sideloading an APK doesn’t require the developer to submit ID or source code to Google. A developer can distribute an APK directly and users can install it as long as “Install unknown apps” is allowed on the device.
Google Play has its own requirements (developer registration, fees, policies, etc.), but those apply only to apps distributed through the Play Store. Sideloaded apps can be signed by the developer’s own key and installed without going through Google’s store.
Android may run Play Protect scans to check for known malware, but that’s a security scan, not a system that verifies whether the developer is “registered” with Google. It doesn’t require source code or developer identity for sideloaded packages.
So sideloading itself still exists specifically to allow distribution outside the Play Store—open source projects, enterprise apps, beta builds, etc.

I think @SyCoREAPER is looking into the future. Currently, I think you are still correct, but it does sound like Google is going to Google. As in light a match to start a gasoline doused dumpster fire that they seem to like doing over the past several years.

As for the original purpose of the thread...I loved flashing new ROMs on my phone back in the day, but at the same time, the independent ROM devs were needed back then because you needed root to get rid of garbage apps that were installed on the system level.

But now....it's not really needed. I mean yeah sideloading should be a core function. But I don't know what we can do. Even if every member of AC and even XDA rose up with torches and pitchforks....we are still a small drop in the bucket. We'd represent, what 10% tops? Big G won't care.

 

[mustang7757]

I think @SyCoREAPER is looking into the future. Currently, I think you are still correct, but it does sound like Google is going to Google. As in light a match to start a gasoline doused dumpster fire that they seem to like doing over the past several years.

As for the original purpose of the thread...I loved flashing new ROMs on my phone back in the day, but at the same time, the independent ROM devs were needed back then because you needed root to get rid of garbage apps that were installed on the system level.

But now....it's not really needed. I mean yeah sideloading should be a core function. But I don't know what we can do. Even if every member of AC and even XDA rose up with torches and pitchforks....we are still a small drop in the bucket. We'd represent, what 10% tops? Big G won't care.

I did like custom ROM also but to me it's just not worth it anymore and most of the time there were bad glitches, poor battery life well you know what comes with it when you do these things.