I’m seeing a bunch of posts about how Google has decided to stop allowing side loading on Android phones. But the EU relatively recently forced Apple to do the exact opposite. Won’t they just do the same thing for Android phones? Sure, people outside the EU market will lose this ability as a default, but presumably you can just order a Euro phone on ebay if you are outside the EU.
So why is everyone panicking? I think Google is definitely being shitty by trying to do this, and I support the development of other open source alternatives. I like the fact that this could be a big wakeup call for that effort. But I am wondering if this is also not as big of a deal as everyone is making out.
The EU requires Apple to allow direct installation of apps, but tolerates Apple requiring the apps to be signed with an Apple-approved key, which makes it possible for Apple to ban developers.
Google’s plan seems to be similar.
I mean, sure. If you want to actually read and understand the details then I suppose this is fine. But what if you just want to circle jerk on the internet? Eh? What do you have say about that? 🙃
You see, that’s the fun thing.
Android will still technically allow sideloading, they’ll just make it difficult and scary for average user, and annoying for devs.
