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So Android is not as free as many commenters here used to say while arguing that there is an alternative to Apple.

pbhjpbhj 3y ago
You don't have to use the Google Play store, other app stores and side-loading are available, so there is still freedom in Android, but not so much in Google Play. In other words, Android gives access to multiple curated app stores, and side-loading. Whilst I understand that Apple only allowed use of apps from their own store until the EU stepped in, and now they have an EU-available update that allows side-loading.
II2II 3y ago
Android is not the same thing as the Play Store. As far as I can tell, every Android user has the option to enable the installation of 3rd party software (though I could be wrong here, since my experience is with phones/tablets and not other Android based devices). When you deal with the Play Store, you are dealing with the store's policies rather than a limitation of the Android platform.
sanitycheck 3y ago
The freedom, such as it is, comes from alternative app stores. I trust F-Droid (https://f-droid.org/ https://f-droid.org/) somewhat more than I trust apps on the Play Store so that's my first stop when I'm looking for something.
- MikusR 3y ago
  Google Play has started to hijack apps installed from Fdroid. As the keys don't match the upade fails and is stuck in the updates available notification. In essence breaking manual check for updates, because the button to check for update is the same as show updates.
anta40 3y ago
Well, you can use 3rd party app stores like F-Droid, which is open source...
- leotravis10 3y ago
  https://social.treehouse.systems/@Aissen/112150271082031967 https://social.treehouse.systems/@Aissen/112150271082031967 "not really, it would just leave users behind, which is what they are trying to prevent. And the f-droid versions are built (from source) and signed by f-droid, not VLC."
  - prmoustache 3y ago
    f-droid, the software, supports third party repo. VLC can host its own f-droid repo with its own signature, the same way newpipe does.
LelouBil 3y ago
Well, Google's strategy is about imposing more restriction on the actually free AOSP. If you don't want any google product, you can still use Android. I'm not aware of any iPhone that has documentation for unlocking the bootloader. However, I agree that for the average person, they're both almost as free.

You don't have to use the Google Play store, other app stores and side-loading are available, so there is still freedom in Android, but not so much in Google Play. In other words, Android gives access to multiple curated app stores, and side-loading. Whilst I understand that Apple only allowed use of apps from their own store until the EU stepped in, and now they have an EU-available update that allows side-loading.

II2II 3y ago

Android is not the same thing as the Play Store. As far as I can tell, every Android user has the option to enable the installation of 3rd party software (though I could be wrong here, since my experience is with phones/tablets and not other Android based devices). When you deal with the Play Store, you are dealing with the store's policies rather than a limitation of the Android platform.

sanitycheck 3y ago

The freedom, such as it is, comes from alternative app stores. I trust F-Droid (https://f-droid.org/ https://f-droid.org/) somewhat more than I trust apps on the Play Store so that's my first stop when I'm looking for something.

MikusR 3y ago
Google Play has started to hijack apps installed from Fdroid. As the keys don't match the upade fails and is stuck in the updates available notification. In essence breaking manual check for updates, because the button to check for update is the same as show updates.

anta40 3y ago

Well, you can use 3rd party app stores like F-Droid, which is open source...

leotravis10 3y ago
https://social.treehouse.systems/@Aissen/112150271082031967 https://social.treehouse.systems/@Aissen/112150271082031967 "not really, it would just leave users behind, which is what they are trying to prevent. And the f-droid versions are built (from source) and signed by f-droid, not VLC."
- prmoustache 3y ago
  f-droid, the software, supports third party repo. VLC can host its own f-droid repo with its own signature, the same way newpipe does.

LelouBil 3y ago

Well, Google's strategy is about imposing more restriction on the actually free AOSP. If you don't want any google product, you can still use Android. I'm not aware of any iPhone that has documentation for unlocking the bootloader. However, I agree that for the average person, they're both almost as free.