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As a developer for Android devices, i must say this article makes me really sad. How can a developer be satisfied with limitations and just put the "but it's ho

As a developer for Android devices, i must say this article makes me really sad. How can a developer be satisfied with limitations and just put the "but it's how it is to be more secure" stamp on it. I find it ironic that an Android developer is saying this. Android only has what, 256MB of available disk space for 3rd party programs? That is extremely limiting for all kinds of useful apps that might need a local database, or for large apps like games. Also, the Android marketplace has similar limitations to the App store, but none of the safety. Google can and will pull your app if it doesn't like it, however, their post-release approval process lets malicious apps get through. There's already been one phishing app released. It seems like Google has all of the bad features of an open PC (viruses, worms, malware) and all of the bad features of a sandbox (complete control over code execution, unless you root your device).

illumin8 17y ago
Don't downmod me because you disagree. Reply and tell me why I am wrong.
vetinari 17y ago
The 256 MB (or whatever) is not Android limitation, it is limitation of specific device. Large applications can put data on SD card, where they are limited by the card size. I have the ADP1, which has around 70 MB partition for applications, yet I use navigation app, which has 2.8 GB worth of data (entire EU + few surrounding countries).
buster 17y ago
Well, you should get your facts straight first. "Android only has what, 256MB of available disk space for 3rd party programs?" That's nonsense. It depends on the device. Also, the G1 has far less then 256 MB free for apps, yet a typical app is around 100kB large. Also data can be on the SD Card and future version of android will be able to install apps on the sd card as well (maybe even the current version, don't know). "Google can and will pull your app if it doesn't like it" Where is the proof for that? Afaik they still have to show the behavior Apple is showing constantly by pulling normal apps. Guess what, you can easily install and use another market application and Google won't forbid you to do so: http://slideme.org/ http://slideme.org/ is a good example. You can install it easily on an _unrooted_ device like other applications. I agree that the android market could use some approval process for applications that need security (like banking apps). Something like the SSL-Info in your browser. But that's about it. Also could you please point me to any viruses and worms you are mentioning? By the way, what do you mean by "complete control over code execution, unless you root your device"? who is controling what exactly? If you mean native code (i suppose you mean the sandbox is the dalvik vm), i should point you to http://developer.android.com/sdk/ndk/1.5_r1/index.html http://developer.android.com/sdk/ndk/1.5_r1/index.html .

illumin8 17y ago

Don't downmod me because you disagree. Reply and tell me why I am wrong.

vetinari 17y ago

The 256 MB (or whatever) is not Android limitation, it is limitation of specific device. Large applications can put data on SD card, where they are limited by the card size. I have the ADP1, which has around 70 MB partition for applications, yet I use navigation app, which has 2.8 GB worth of data (entire EU + few surrounding countries).

buster 17y ago

Well, you should get your facts straight first. "Android only has what, 256MB of available disk space for 3rd party programs?" That's nonsense. It depends on the device. Also, the G1 has far less then 256 MB free for apps, yet a typical app is around 100kB large. Also data can be on the SD Card and future version of android will be able to install apps on the sd card as well (maybe even the current version, don't know). "Google can and will pull your app if it doesn't like it" Where is the proof for that? Afaik they still have to show the behavior Apple is showing constantly by pulling normal apps. Guess what, you can easily install and use another market application and Google won't forbid you to do so: http://slideme.org/ http://slideme.org/ is a good example. You can install it easily on an _unrooted_ device like other applications. I agree that the android market could use some approval process for applications that need security (like banking apps). Something like the SSL-Info in your browser. But that's about it. Also could you please point me to any viruses and worms you are mentioning? By the way, what do you mean by "complete control over code execution, unless you root your device"? who is controling what exactly? If you mean native code (i suppose you mean the sandbox is the dalvik vm), i should point you to http://developer.android.com/sdk/ndk/1.5_r1/index.html http://developer.android.com/sdk/ndk/1.5_r1/index.html .