4 ms·

It always seems like some sort of deflection tactic. Shouting how bad apple is, while using a device practically owned by google.

Hamuko 6y ago
Google allows third-party app stores and most of the source code for Android is out there in the open. I don't know how Google "practically owns" your device considering Apple asserts a much more complete control over your device.
- w0utert 6y ago
  >> Google allows third-party app stores and most of the source code for Android is out there in the open. Is that true though? I though pretty much all of the Google services and vendor-specific skins and OS modifications are just as closed as iOS? Last time I heard vanilla AOSP is pretty much unusable because besides the core OS functions everything is grossly outdated? Is anyone using Android phones without any of the Google services?
  - d3nj4l 6y ago
    I'll play the part and mention microG, an alternative which supplies many of the Google services that are required by a ton of apps these days. Fair warning, though. Installing microG on a lot of popular phones is non-trivial.
  - dingaling 6y ago
    > Is anyone using Android phones without any of the Google services? Yes I have a couple of phones running LineageOS without GApps. The apps are installed through FDroid or direct from the vendor ( e.g. WhatsApp.apk from their website, which also manages its own updates ).
- rootusrootus 6y ago
  > most of the source code for Android Except for everything related to the Play Store, correct? And that is a critical part of Android at this point. Google is progressively closing Android.
  - Tainnor 6y ago
    You're unfortunately right that Google is closing down Android. I dislike Apple with a passion, but the noose over hear in Android-land is getting tighter too. One example is how in newer phones it will be impossible for apps to bypass root detection. I don't know why it should be anyone's business whether I want to run my banking app on a rooted phone or not, but this is the state of modern technology unfortunately...
  - 7786655 6y ago
    You can absolutely use Android without having the Play Store installed.

Hamuko 6y ago

Google allows third-party app stores and most of the source code for Android is out there in the open. I don't know how Google "practically owns" your device considering Apple asserts a much more complete control over your device.

w0utert 6y ago
>> Google allows third-party app stores and most of the source code for Android is out there in the open. Is that true though? I though pretty much all of the Google services and vendor-specific skins and OS modifications are just as closed as iOS? Last time I heard vanilla AOSP is pretty much unusable because besides the core OS functions everything is grossly outdated? Is anyone using Android phones without any of the Google services?
- d3nj4l 6y ago
  I'll play the part and mention microG, an alternative which supplies many of the Google services that are required by a ton of apps these days. Fair warning, though. Installing microG on a lot of popular phones is non-trivial.
- dingaling 6y ago
  > Is anyone using Android phones without any of the Google services? Yes I have a couple of phones running LineageOS without GApps. The apps are installed through FDroid or direct from the vendor ( e.g. WhatsApp.apk from their website, which also manages its own updates ).
rootusrootus 6y ago
> most of the source code for Android Except for everything related to the Play Store, correct? And that is a critical part of Android at this point. Google is progressively closing Android.
- Tainnor 6y ago
  You're unfortunately right that Google is closing down Android. I dislike Apple with a passion, but the noose over hear in Android-land is getting tighter too. One example is how in newer phones it will be impossible for apps to bypass root detection. I don't know why it should be anyone's business whether I want to run my banking app on a rooted phone or not, but this is the state of modern technology unfortunately...
- 7786655 6y ago
  You can absolutely use Android without having the Play Store installed.