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"I should be allowed to run the programs I want on my own computer." Except wifi tethering? Contrary to popular memes Google imposes a number of restrictions o

by jsz0 17y ago

"I should be allowed to run the programs I want on my own computer." Except wifi tethering? Contrary to popular memes Google imposes a number of restrictions on the Android Market: http://www.android.com/us/developer-content-policy.html http://www.android.com/us/developer-content-policy.html

Tichy 17y ago
Maybe, but other than the iPhone with the App Store, on Android you are not tied to the Android Market. I think for tethering you still need to root the phone, but that is because of security restrictions for common apps. They usually can't change the routing table or something (I am not an expert on this). I think rooting is also not frowned upon on Android.
theBobMcCormick 17y ago
I don't know about wifi tethering, but USB and Bluetooth tethering are both supported by PDANet (http://www.junefabrics.com/android/index.php http://www.junefabrics.com/android/index.php). The iPhone version of PdaNet requires a jailbroken iPhone. The Android version is in the Android Market and works directly on any stock, unmodified Android phone. BTW.. Another difference between the iPhone and Android platforms. If an app is not in the iPhone apps store, there is literally no way for a user to install it on a non-jailbroken iPhone. With Android, it only requires checking one checkbox in the Android settings to allow you to install non-market apps on an Android phone. No rooting, jail-breaking, etc. required.
jsz0 17y ago
No doubt Android is more open but I do think if someone really wants to advocate open platforms there are better choices. Not just due to the Android Market but also closed source drivers & middle-ware. Slow developer updates due to delayed source/SDK releases, etc. I own an Android phone and quite like it but if Apple is a 1 out of 5 for openness & transparency then Android is probably a 3. I'm all about the 1 or the 5. Anything in the middle just gets the worst of both worlds and none of the benefits.

by jsz0 17y ago

Tichy 17y ago

Maybe, but other than the iPhone with the App Store, on Android you are not tied to the Android Market. I think for tethering you still need to root the phone, but that is because of security restrictions for common apps. They usually can't change the routing table or something (I am not an expert on this). I think rooting is also not frowned upon on Android.

theBobMcCormick 17y ago

I don't know about wifi tethering, but USB and Bluetooth tethering are both supported by PDANet (http://www.junefabrics.com/android/index.php http://www.junefabrics.com/android/index.php). The iPhone version of PdaNet requires a jailbroken iPhone. The Android version is in the Android Market and works directly on any stock, unmodified Android phone. BTW.. Another difference between the iPhone and Android platforms. If an app is not in the iPhone apps store, there is literally no way for a user to install it on a non-jailbroken iPhone. With Android, it only requires checking one checkbox in the Android settings to allow you to install non-market apps on an Android phone. No rooting, jail-breaking, etc. required.

jsz0 17y ago

No doubt Android is more open but I do think if someone really wants to advocate open platforms there are better choices. Not just due to the Android Market but also closed source drivers & middle-ware. Slow developer updates due to delayed source/SDK releases, etc. I own an Android phone and quite like it but if Apple is a 1 out of 5 for openness & transparency then Android is probably a 3. I'm all about the 1 or the 5. Anything in the middle just gets the worst of both worlds and none of the benefits.