This is a most excellent place for technology news and articles.
remember when people were actually excited about new android releases because they were weird and consumer friendly?
Weird that they want to do all the verification themselves and not just allow certificate signing using verified CAs. Oh well it's not weird because we all know Google does this to fight back against third party stores and to get developers back to their shitty one and of course to better track them.
I'm guessing what you're suggesting is that Google's proposal is the same as requiring all packages be signed and accompanied by an Extended Validation or Oragnisation Validation X.509 certificate.
While that would technically work, the problem with using the existing PKI is that it's still very expensive to get EV/OV certificates. And the most common of these certs (those for TLS purposes) will soon only last 47 days which is, to put it mildly, would be a pain in the ass to use for package-signing.
My project uses a free one from SignPath. They offer this for opensource projects and require a verifiable GitHub build process. It's not EV certs but it's good enough and free.
Perfect time for the Chinese to setup a shell company in Mexico that sells smartphones & devices with AOSP-android-based OS to the US. It'll sell like hot cakes.
It’ll sell like hot cakes.
Nope... lot of apps won't run.
Nobody is buying a phone without Google Play Certification.
Not to mention, some carriers like ATT have a weird whitelist thing.
Also, there might be compatibility issues with provisioning the SIM, since I just had an issue with LineageOS breaking data connection, but restoring factory rom fixes it, then I flash Lineage again and it broke again, so yeah... I expect similar issues with a "Non- Google Play Certified" device.
Biggest thing is: Netflix Widewine defaults back to L3 instead of L1 requited for HD stuff
Before you say "just pirate", most people don't know how to do that. Also somethings can't even get pirated since its so niche.
edit: this is an article from November, its not something new...
bullshit! if this is actually what the "new" rule is, the exact same thing was already part of their unacceptable original plans.
To accommodate educational and noncommercial development, Google will introduce a new limited developer account type aimed at students and hobbyists. These accounts will not undergo full identity verification but will instead allow app installations on a restricted number of registered devices.
no to any kind of accounts, to any kind of developer registration, and any kind of install limits! its none of google's business what apps people install outside their store, and so they shouldn't be able to enforce a global installation limit for any apps!
I use GrapheneOS (Lineage OS and CyanogenMod before that) and I'm perfectly happy witn alternative software installation sources.
My entire job depends on such an app, so this is a bit of a relief.
This framing still sucks. Google is blocking apps THEY don't approve on YOUR phone.
They won't kill side loading (the fact we even call it side loading instead of simply installing software is a problem). They'll just shoot it in the knees a little. No big deal.
They'll be able to stop a group of less technically savvy people, who currently are sideloading, from using their phones the way they choose. Apparently that's good enough for Google.
I fucking hate that word. It's not 'sideloading' to install on my own device what I want to install, to use the apps I want to use; to not use the apps I don't want to use. I am not 'sideloading' anything when I install programs on my PC. No different on my phone.
Fuck off with all these new bullshit terms that are only used to imply that what we're doing (with our own devices) is somehow outside the norm, to justify the constant enshittifcation and the growing stranglehold these corporations want on our lives. It's infuriating.
@wide_eyed_stupid @Gsus4 “You will own nothing, and if you don’t like it you can talk to the security cyberdog that has you in its sights.”
So about those linux phones....
Aaaaaaany day now..... guys..?
(I have a pinephone and no, it is absolutely nowhere near ready)
The company says it is now developing an “advanced flow that allows experienced users to accept the risks of installing software that isn’t verified.” This installation flow will include safeguards to protect people who are being coerced into installing a dangerous app, or tricked by a scammer, along with “clear warnings to ensure users fully understand the risks involved.”
IIRC we already had to enable a setting and confirm a warning popup. What are they gonna do? Add more popups? A captcha-"puzzle"? Less easy to accept dialogs?
A "concession" to use your phone, and you need to give your address, phone number, and ID. Fuck off.
Meanwhile the Play Store is full of scams. This isn't about safety, it making sure they get a cut from the scam apps.
It's a trashpile. If I need an app, I search 'site:reddit android app x' or look in f-droid
They're not killing sideloading, they're just building the gallows and sharpening the axe.
The outrage doesn't stop anything, it just makes them slow their plans and wait out the public outrage.
