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So much for net neutrality. We were arguing about the wrong thing all along. At least on Android, normal users can sideload your app, so you can bypass all of

by aftbit 3y ago

So much for net neutrality. We were arguing about the wrong thing all along. At least on Android, normal users can sideload your app, so you can bypass all of these store policies if you are big enough. For example, see Termux, PornHub, or Fortnite. On Apple, you're just out of luck if you don't want to pay 30% or comply with every technical policy. Want to try out media over QUIC? Too bad, you need to use HLS and only HLS for streaming, or your app will be removed.

deleted 3y ago
[deleted]
gkoberger 3y ago
I don’t think it makes net neutrality the wrong fight. Capitalism can afford to fight on many fronts. That being said, rumor has it Apple is going to soon allow sideloading of apps in some places due to regulatory pressure. (I assume they’re hoping to find a balance where it’s too hard for the average person, but possible enough to avoid legal woes) https://www.androidauthority.com/iphone-sideloading-misunderstanding-3387235/ https://www.androidauthority.com/iphone-sideloading-misunder...
- freedomben 3y ago
  You think they'll allow it in the US? Europe they don't seem to have a choice, but US at least for now...
  - gkoberger 3y ago
    Not right away, but it's clearly trending that direction and hopefully the US pushes for it as well.
    - freedomben 3y ago
      This would be great for consumers and app makers, but do you think this will ultimately help Apple? (honest question)
- _jal 3y ago
  My guess is that sideloading on IOS will be region-locked to be available only where legally required.
AlwaysRock 3y ago
We lost the fight for net neutrality. It took a while but more and more stories are coming out about companies punishing users who dont do xyz and that is perfectly legal for them to do. I'm sure eventually there will be lawsuits, or the current ones will resolve one way or another, about this. By the way, altstore exists on iOS. Although it is very limited.
- astrange 3y ago
  We never lost net neutrality, it was mandated in California as soon as it was deregulated federally and that was good enough to stop anyone from trying.
  - AlwaysRock 3y ago
    But we did... California has state laws around it but not every company is headquartered in California. Many companies also have tech specific to CA residents then tech that applies to everyone else.
    - astrange 3y ago
      What matters is that so many people live in California that it wasn't worth developing policies for the other states. It doesn't always work (NYT lets you cancel online in California but not other places) but it did here. We already know ISPs stayed net neutral.
bogwog 3y ago
Sideloading isn't a solution to this. The average user isn't going to figure out how to do that on their own (and if you disagree, then you're living in a bubble surrounded by tech nerds). There's a reason Google Play is the dominant store on Android even though sideloading has been possible since the first Android devices came out, and it has been a piece of crap through all of that time.
- hospitalJail 3y ago
  >Sideloading isn't a solution to this. The average user isn't going to figure out how to do that on their own (and if you disagree, then you're living in a bubble surrounded by tech nerds). Disagree. I seen literal children figure out how to torrent stuff.
  - bad_user 3y ago
    Torrenting apps are allowed on Google Play. Search for LibreTorrent. But yes, if you have a look at Fortnite, the 2 methods they provide are (1) downloading the APK, or (2) Samsung's Galaxy Store: https://www.fortnite.com/mobile/android https://www.fortnite.com/mobile/android Even though they probably lose installs this way, I'm pretty sure that many kids manage to install Fortnite just fine.
  - skydhash 3y ago
    Also disagree. When Whatsapp was paid, everyone used to sideload it (Telecom services are bad that whatsapp was a very good option, but no payment option in my country). Some people wanted to sideload it because of internet issue, cheaper to got someone else to share the apk file. Sideloading was very easy.
  - babypuncher 3y ago
    Again, bubble surrounded by tech nerds. Children can be tech nerds too.
    - wiseowise 3y ago
      Tech nerds? My aunt figured out how to use torrents 15 years ago.

by aftbit 3y ago

deleted 3y ago

[deleted]

gkoberger 3y ago

I don’t think it makes net neutrality the wrong fight. Capitalism can afford to fight on many fronts. That being said, rumor has it Apple is going to soon allow sideloading of apps in some places due to regulatory pressure. (I assume they’re hoping to find a balance where it’s too hard for the average person, but possible enough to avoid legal woes) https://www.androidauthority.com/iphone-sideloading-misunderstanding-3387235/ https://www.androidauthority.com/iphone-sideloading-misunder...

freedomben 3y ago
You think they'll allow it in the US? Europe they don't seem to have a choice, but US at least for now...
- gkoberger 3y ago
  Not right away, but it's clearly trending that direction and hopefully the US pushes for it as well.
  - freedomben 3y ago
    This would be great for consumers and app makers, but do you think this will ultimately help Apple? (honest question)
_jal 3y ago
My guess is that sideloading on IOS will be region-locked to be available only where legally required.

AlwaysRock 3y ago

We lost the fight for net neutrality. It took a while but more and more stories are coming out about companies punishing users who dont do xyz and that is perfectly legal for them to do. I'm sure eventually there will be lawsuits, or the current ones will resolve one way or another, about this. By the way, altstore exists on iOS. Although it is very limited.

astrange 3y ago
We never lost net neutrality, it was mandated in California as soon as it was deregulated federally and that was good enough to stop anyone from trying.
- AlwaysRock 3y ago
  But we did... California has state laws around it but not every company is headquartered in California. Many companies also have tech specific to CA residents then tech that applies to everyone else.
  - astrange 3y ago
    What matters is that so many people live in California that it wasn't worth developing policies for the other states. It doesn't always work (NYT lets you cancel online in California but not other places) but it did here. We already know ISPs stayed net neutral.

bogwog 3y ago

Sideloading isn't a solution to this. The average user isn't going to figure out how to do that on their own (and if you disagree, then you're living in a bubble surrounded by tech nerds). There's a reason Google Play is the dominant store on Android even though sideloading has been possible since the first Android devices came out, and it has been a piece of crap through all of that time.

hospitalJail 3y ago
>Sideloading isn't a solution to this. The average user isn't going to figure out how to do that on their own (and if you disagree, then you're living in a bubble surrounded by tech nerds). Disagree. I seen literal children figure out how to torrent stuff.
- bad_user 3y ago
  Torrenting apps are allowed on Google Play. Search for LibreTorrent. But yes, if you have a look at Fortnite, the 2 methods they provide are (1) downloading the APK, or (2) Samsung's Galaxy Store: https://www.fortnite.com/mobile/android https://www.fortnite.com/mobile/android Even though they probably lose installs this way, I'm pretty sure that many kids manage to install Fortnite just fine.
- skydhash 3y ago
  Also disagree. When Whatsapp was paid, everyone used to sideload it (Telecom services are bad that whatsapp was a very good option, but no payment option in my country). Some people wanted to sideload it because of internet issue, cheaper to got someone else to share the apk file. Sideloading was very easy.
- babypuncher 3y ago
  Again, bubble surrounded by tech nerds. Children can be tech nerds too.
  - wiseowise 3y ago
    Tech nerds? My aunt figured out how to use torrents 15 years ago.