Android could soon be a very different place.
  • cum@lemmy.cafeEnglish
    1·
    2 months ago

    Tldr for those who are confused, since Android already does support side loading and even seamless updates for third-party app stores (like Droid-ify, etc), these are mostly legal changes.

    Basically Google can’t force Google IAP as the only method of payment in apps anymore, can’t block companies from advertising how to find them on non-Play Store android app stores. So good changes overall.

    Also when you download third party apks, on Android, while it’s still relatively easy to do, it does give bit of a scary warning saying security issues are on the user for doing so. This creates the assumption that Play Store is the only secure way to get apps on Android, and the OS gives all sorts of special security exceptions to the Play Store for that. Obviously other secure app stores can exist, so this can be seen as an anti-competitive method since Google is exempt from their own scary apk install message.

    • shrugs@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      2 months ago

      “Allowed and supported” is something different then “its possible”. The article mentions some points that seemingly haven’t been “supported” in the past:

      • Stop requiring Google Play Billing for apps distributed on the Google Play Store (the jury found that Google had illegally tied its payment system to its app store)
      • Let Android developers tell users about other ways to pay from within the Play Store
      • Let Android developers link to ways to download their apps outside of the Play Store
      • Let Android developers set their own prices for apps irrespective of Play Billing

      Google also can’t:

      • Share app revenue “with any person or entity that distributes Android apps” or plans to launch an app store or app platform
      • Offer developers money or perks to launch their apps on the Play Store exclusively or first
      • Offer developers money or perks not to launch their apps on rival stores
      • Offer device makers or carriers money or perks to preinstall the Play Store
      • Offer device makers or carriers money or perks not to preinstall rival stores

      Thanks Mr. Epic Judge