5 ms·

The freedom to install the software of your choosing? The freedom to actually own your own computer? Seriously?

• thezilch 13y ago
  No installation freedoms were lost; you can still install the software from the article or the secondary software installed by the article's software. No ownership freedoms were lost -- whatever that has to do with the article. Seriously.
  • drcube 13y ago
    You can install what you want -- maybe, if your carrier lets you or you find an exploit to root your non-Nexus phone -- on Android only. That's not the case with iPhones or Windows phones. And yes, this is worse (read: less freedom) than you got with a Windows machine in the 90s.
    • victorhooi 13y ago
      No, you can just sideload the ADB from outside the Android Market. That's a pretty basic task for any Android user. In fact, if you can't do that, then you probably have no business whatsoever installing a customer ROM. Think of it as a basic intelligence test - you want to change your car's air filter - first step is to pop open the bonnet. If you can't do that, then you probably want to seriously consider, gee, should I just get a mechanic to do this?
      • drcube 13y ago
        Can you sideload anything on Windows or Apple phones? No. And on most carrier locked Android phones, you have to find an exploit to root your device before they let you sideload apps. So my point, that you are less free today with modern smartphones than you were with your PC under MS dominance in the 90s, stands. This isn't like some test to pass before changing your oil. It's like requiring Ford's permission to install some fuzzy dice or a custom seat cover.
        • unfasten 13y ago
          > And on most carrier locked Android phones, you have to find an exploit to root your device before they let you sideload apps. This is wrong. Allowing this is built in to Android and it's a user togglable setting. Verizon explicitly mentions sideloading and how to enable it: http://mobile.vzw.com/LocationAgent http://mobile.vzw.com/LocationAgent For Android devices, please confirm the device's Location Services setting GPS and Verizon Location Services (if present) are set to on and the device's Settings > Security > Unknown sources is checked. http://cache.vzw.com/multimedia/mim/mot_droid_razr_hd/razrHD_manual.pdf http://cache.vzw.com/multimedia/mim/mot_droid_razr_hd/razrHD... PDF Page 15: To let your smartphone install apps that are not from Google Play, tap Apps >Settings >Security & Screen Lock and check Unknown sources Ditto AT&T: https://www.wireless.att.com/businesscenter/en_US/pdf/att-toggle-30-faqs.pdf https://www.wireless.att.com/businesscenter/en_US/pdf/att-to... PDF Page 3: In order to install these apps, you must ensure the 'Unknown Sources' box is checked [...] Follow the instructions on your phone to enable this feature and continue with AT&T Toggle installation. http://www.att.com/esupport/article.jsp?sid=KB410684&cv=820 http://www.att.com/esupport/article.jsp?sid=KB410684&cv=820 Before you begin, you'll need to set your Android smartphone to allow downloads from non-Market sources by selecting Unknown sources in the Settings menu on your device. Ditto Sprint: http://eguides.sprint.com/support/eguides/htcone/content/htc_one_ug/transfer_content_from_an_android_phone_without_data.html http://eguides.sprint.com/support/eguides/htcone/content/htc... Go to Settings > Security, and then select the Unknown sources option to allow the download and installation of the tool through your Web browser. http://eguides.sprint.com/support/eguides/sprintvital/content/sprint_vital_ug/unknown_sources.html http://eguides.sprint.com/support/eguides/sprintvital/conten... If you want to install apps from sources other than the Google Play Store app, you must allow the installation of apps from unknown sources first.
          • drcube 13y ago
            Fair enough. I've seen phones that disable the setting for allowing sideloaded apps. But fortunately it's not as prevalent as I thought.
            • 13y ago