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Google Play does not have a monopoly on Android apps. It's not even included on phones sold in some countries. Numerous apps, including high profiles one such a

Google Play does not have a monopoly on Android apps. It's not even included on phones sold in some countries. Numerous apps, including high profiles one such as Fortnite, have not been distributed in the Play Store and there are several alternatives appstores around.

ocdtrekkie 6y ago
Fortnite just launched on the Play Store because of how impossible Google has made it to distribute Android apps outside of Play.
- xvector 6y ago
  > because of how impossible Google has made it to distribute Android apps outside of Play. Or because of how much of a larger audience the Play Store has. Installing an APK from a website has never been an easier process. I do not see how Google can simplify it any more. You are asked 2 things: - Can we allow your browser to download files? - Can we install this app on your device?
  - logifail 6y ago
    > You are asked 2 things [...] Can you provide references? On at least four Android phones to allow installing unsigned APKs I've had warnings about "Scary Stuff"[tm]* if I proceed... * I paraphrase...
    - xvector 6y ago
      The “Scary Stuff” warnings are important because anyone competent will ignore them and anyone not competent will be scared away. As they should be, because potential for abuse here is rife. It works.
  - ocdtrekkie 6y ago
    Google set Project Zero on finding exploits for the Fortnite installer and then engaged in a media campaign to promote how scary installing it was. I would say in addition to the "scary stuff" warnings Google employs on devices, they went out of their way to harm any serious contender for outside distribution. Epic also went on a significant campaign to be allowed to distribute through Play, but utilize their own payment provider, but Google's monopoly wouldn't budge: Google's Play Store demands aren't about security, they're about the 30% taxation.

ocdtrekkie 6y ago

Fortnite just launched on the Play Store because of how impossible Google has made it to distribute Android apps outside of Play.

xvector 6y ago
> because of how impossible Google has made it to distribute Android apps outside of Play. Or because of how much of a larger audience the Play Store has. Installing an APK from a website has never been an easier process. I do not see how Google can simplify it any more. You are asked 2 things: - Can we allow your browser to download files? - Can we install this app on your device?
- logifail 6y ago
  > You are asked 2 things [...] Can you provide references? On at least four Android phones to allow installing unsigned APKs I've had warnings about "Scary Stuff"[tm]* if I proceed... * I paraphrase...
  - xvector 6y ago
    The “Scary Stuff” warnings are important because anyone competent will ignore them and anyone not competent will be scared away. As they should be, because potential for abuse here is rife. It works.
- ocdtrekkie 6y ago
  Google set Project Zero on finding exploits for the Fortnite installer and then engaged in a media campaign to promote how scary installing it was. I would say in addition to the "scary stuff" warnings Google employs on devices, they went out of their way to harm any serious contender for outside distribution. Epic also went on a significant campaign to be allowed to distribute through Play, but utilize their own payment provider, but Google's monopoly wouldn't budge: Google's Play Store demands aren't about security, they're about the 30% taxation.