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You can install apps that aren't in an app store. You can just download the app from a website like any other piece of software. You have to check a checkbox in

You can install apps that aren't in an app store. You can just download the app from a website like any other piece of software. You have to check a checkbox in system settings to allow it, but you are prompted to do so upon downloading the app.

evgen 16y ago
You can, and probably just about everyone on HN could do so, but the vast majority of the phone-using public can't/won't. Defaults like this become self-reinforcing and apps that prosper outside of the built-in distribution channels will be very, very rare.
- moultano 16y ago
  It's really easy to change the default though. You don't have to go deep into a menu to find the setting, it prompts you when you download the app. It's no worse than any other scary warning that users have become inured to on every other platform.
  - jbrennan 16y ago
    I would be willing to wager the vast majority of users never become "used to" dealing with every other platform. My general understanding is most of them are are completely terrified of computers. Modern smartphone OSes (iOS and Android at least) have a chance to take all the scary away. So far, iOS is doing well, and Android looks to be too. But really only because they have non-scary user interfaces with stellar defaults. And as far as most users are concerned, defaults are just how the OS works.
  - CaseOfEmergency 16y ago
    Yep. My mom did it, without any instructions. I sent her an apk in an email, thinking I would tell her how to install it later. Then she called and already had it installed.
- mcantelon 16y ago
  People have downloaded shareware and freeware for their desktops off websites for years. While people definitely veer towards convenience, I don't think acquiring mobile apps from websites is beyond the capabilities of the layman.
m0nastic 16y ago
I feel a little silly replying to this comment in every story about Android, but hopefully I won't always have to (as it will become a non-issue); but you can't download non-market store apps from numerous Android devices (all of the ones sold by ATT for example), as the carrier has disabled the ability to install a non-market application. Hopefully this trend doesn't spread to other carriers (although if Verizon is launching its own app store, they may very well implement this in the future).

evgen 16y ago

You can, and probably just about everyone on HN could do so, but the vast majority of the phone-using public can't/won't. Defaults like this become self-reinforcing and apps that prosper outside of the built-in distribution channels will be very, very rare.

moultano 16y ago
It's really easy to change the default though. You don't have to go deep into a menu to find the setting, it prompts you when you download the app. It's no worse than any other scary warning that users have become inured to on every other platform.
- jbrennan 16y ago
  I would be willing to wager the vast majority of users never become "used to" dealing with every other platform. My general understanding is most of them are are completely terrified of computers. Modern smartphone OSes (iOS and Android at least) have a chance to take all the scary away. So far, iOS is doing well, and Android looks to be too. But really only because they have non-scary user interfaces with stellar defaults. And as far as most users are concerned, defaults are just how the OS works.
- CaseOfEmergency 16y ago
  Yep. My mom did it, without any instructions. I sent her an apk in an email, thinking I would tell her how to install it later. Then she called and already had it installed.
mcantelon 16y ago
People have downloaded shareware and freeware for their desktops off websites for years. While people definitely veer towards convenience, I don't think acquiring mobile apps from websites is beyond the capabilities of the layman.

m0nastic 16y ago

I feel a little silly replying to this comment in every story about Android, but hopefully I won't always have to (as it will become a non-issue); but you can't download non-market store apps from numerous Android devices (all of the ones sold by ATT for example), as the carrier has disabled the ability to install a non-market application. Hopefully this trend doesn't spread to other carriers (although if Verizon is launching its own app store, they may very well implement this in the future).