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You make this sound like a bad thing. I would rather have the flashlight option built into the OS than having to download some random app.
by wnevets 11y ago
You make this sound like a bad thing. I would rather have the flashlight option built into the OS than having to download some random app.
- _delirium 11y agoEspecially since a huge portion of those apps were malware of various kinds (why does a flashlight app need permissions for your location and address book?). I see Google finally adding a flashlight to the base Android as mostly an anti-malware mitigation measure, more than an actual feature addition.
- guelo 11y agoWe're obviously talking from an entrepreneurs perspective here. But, it was entrepreneurs that discovered that a flashlight is a very desired utility. I suppose the danger for users is that future entrepreneurs won't experiment if they can't reap any benefit.
- maxerickson 11y agoThe silly candy bar phone I had 12 years ago had a dedicated flashlight with a physical button. I think a bigger part of the explanation is that the camera feature race led to leds being in every phone.
- draw_down 11y agoBad for business (except Apple's business), good for user experience. As you point out.
- RankingMember 11y agoYep. I recall the "Brightest Flashlight" app being at the top of the ratings for flashlight apps. Then this happened: https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2014/04/ftc-approves-final-order-settling-charges-against-flashlight-app https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2014/04/ftc-a...