Google is threatening to remove the last big reason people choose Android over Apple, and... they are on the wrong sideload of history.
  • TrackinDaKraken@lemmy.worldEnglish
    171·
    2 days ago

    The jist of it:

    In August 2025, Google announced ↗ that as of September 2026, it will no longer be possible to develop apps for the Android platform without first registering centrally with Google. This registration will involve:

    Paying a fee to Google
Agreeing to Google’s Terms and Conditions
Providing government identification
Uploading evidence of the developer’s private signing key
Listing all current and future application identifiers
  • Serinus@lemmy.world
    61·
    2 days ago

    Can’t come at a worse time. People are just learning to make things through vibe coding, and they’re gonna want to put their own apps on their phones and their friend’s phones.

    If Google embraced their side loading, it could become an even bigger selling point.

    • fallaciousBasis@lemmy.world
      4·
      1 day ago

      Holy shit that’s a terrible idea and the best reason I’ve ever heard for banning sideloading.

      You say selling point but really it’s an exploitation point.

  • mr_noxx@lemmy.mlEnglish
    7·
    2 days ago

    Thing is, I’m not seeing a lot of alternatives out there - at least not ones that are cost effective, privacy-conscious and user friendly. I’d be very grateful if someone could prove me wrong.

    • watson@sopuli.xyz
      2·
      2 days ago

      I agree, but this really pisses me off. I’m honestly thinking about buying a flip-phone. It would probably improve my quality of life too.

        • watson@sopuli.xyz
          1·
          2 days ago

          Never heard of it. I’ll check it out.

          Edit: That price does seem a little steep but I could definitely get down with a phone like that.