5 ms·

why do we need appstore’s at all? on my computer i can just download an executable from any website i please. i don’t need an app store intermediary

• bosswipe 6y ago
  Note that Apple has been slowly moving to restrict that ability in MacOS as well. Each release makes it harder to install applications from developers that haven't kissed Apple's ring.
  • sebmellen 6y ago
    This is a good point. They've also been filling MacOS with more bloat while disregarding key development features. The latest Catalina update is a complete mess and shows how misguided Apple is on this front.
  • jki275 6y ago
    It only does that for end users who don't want to run the commands necessary to turn all that off. It's mildly annoying, but it doesn't restrict what I as a dev can do with my Macs.
    • RonanTheGrey 6y ago
      Can you share how to do this? I'm beyond annoyed at this behavior. I don't even know what to search for. "MacOS stop verifying apps"?
      • Jtsummers 6y ago
        Long link below. That seems to be the current one. It shows how to enable non-App Store applications by identified developers, and also how to open applications it can't verify (I rarely run into this, but occasionally with open source software or niche tabletop gaming software). https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202491#:~:text=View%20the%20app%20security%20settings%20on%20your%20Mac&text=In%20System%20Preferences%2C%20click%20Security,%E2%80%9CAllow%20apps%20downloaded%20from.%E2%80%9D https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202491#:~:text=View%20the%...
        • RonanTheGrey 6y ago
          Got you, thank you very much!
    • Jtsummers 6y ago
      But it does, conveniently, keep my parents from screwing up their Mac too badly before I make my (much less frequent now) trips home to assist them.
• Larrikin 6y ago
  The play store provides value on Android even though you can install any apps you find on the internet. The platform didn't get in your way in that regard. Google services have recently made it very hard to distribute APKs through means other than their store though. Gmail blocks APK attachments for example.
  • syshum 6y ago
    >>The platform didn't get in your way in that regard. Modern version of Andriod are less and less Free. With every new version they move features and service out of AOSP and into Google "Play" Services. Most of what people think about when they think of an "Android" phone is not the base OS anymore, it is Play Services I think they are doing this for 2 reasons, one I believe they are wanting to drop both their Java Dependency and their Linux Dependency at some point
  • fomine3 6y ago
    How "very hard to distribute APKs"? I don't think so. Blocking .apk on Gmail is similar thing for blocking .exe.