I'm also afraid it will make it easier for Google to bend to authoritarian regimes and ban developers whose apps are not government approved.
Think it can't happen? Think different:
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/10/apple-bends-to-t...
I use food as an example to illustrate the point. I'm aware that food != app, but the point is when you offer goods/services in a modern society at scale, it is reasonable to verify yourself.
Come on. There's a reason government regulates food and not apps. Government is at least accountable to us, and at the time food safety regulation norms were established, was trustworthy to act in our interest. Google and Apple never were.
How do you do that? Do you read the source code of the app you're sideloading?
And the point isn't that it's impossible for me to get it wrong, it's that it should be my choice and my business and I'll accept the responsibility if it's less easy than I thought. The Apple types can have an easy mode where Apple decides what's safe. We can have it both ways.
And don't call me Shirley
The reason I wasn't switching is that I install a lot of open source apps on my android device, for all kinds of things.
This change seems like it might greatly affect the current developer landscape. I've been looking for alternatives on the iphone to the apps I use and in most cases they do exist. I imagine the same will happen with android. Lots of devs are going to register and so on.
However, at that point, what difference will there be between ios and android systems that will meaningfully make me stay in android? I'll try out the iphone and see how I like it. Maybe theres something thats so commonplace right now for me that will become a deal breaker. Sort of doubt it.
Big L, as always google just doing what they do best.
Is Android doing the same? Do you have to pay them money to install your own, or open source apps?
What differentiates them to me is that Android is still marginally freer, but it's only grudgingly at this point that I choose either.
But I need a phone, and I'd rather try the original at this point.
I expect the European Union to keep working towards keeping devices more open with time.
lambdadelirium•4mo ago
Spivak•4mo ago
bitpush•4mo ago
Unless, ofcourse, they were all fanboys who were just defending their favorite company without any reason.
gumby271•4mo ago
Neywiny•4mo ago
netdevphoenix•4mo ago