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But that model is flawed, and it's been more than a decade to learn that. The interesting thing is: We already have a model that works much better, and it's bee
by hannob 6y ago
But that model is flawed, and it's been more than a decade to learn that.
The interesting thing is: We already have a model that works much better, and it's been around for longer. If you buy a computer with Windows it is completely normal that you still get your updates from Microsoft, even if your computer is built by a company that may no longer exist by the time you install the update.
(That's not to say Windows and Microsoft don't have their own security issues - but the idea that "we provide an OS and we add a middle man for OS updates that by all experience doesn't do his job" is a good model is at this point preposterous.)
- paul_f 6y agoUsers of the Android OS are not Google's customers.
- neop1x 6y agoMost of them are. :) Except for Huawei, I haven't seen an Android user not using Google Play Services. There is probably statistically-insignificant number of users just having F-Droid on a LineageOS who do not use Play Store, Push services or don't consume their ads. So most Android users are indirectly also Google users.
- acoard 6y agoI'd wager that's untrue. Anyone who buys an app, or in app purchase, is directly a Google customer. I'd also argue that even if someone uses Play Store services, but doesn't pay a penny, they're still a "customer" in a looser sense of the word. They're engaging in the market-place, likely using free apps subsidized by advertising. Even if you want to argue that they're the product instead of the client (and I'd be inclined to agree), they're still revenue-generating users.