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Google must crack open Android for third-party stores, rules Epic judge (www.theverge.com)

submitted 1 month ago by RmDebArc_5@sh.itjust.works to c/technology@lemmy.world

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cross-posted from: https://sh.itjust.works/post/26302348

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[–] shrugs@lemmy.world 165 points 1 month ago (27 children)

"Allowed and supported" is something different then "its possible". The article mentions some points that seemingly haven't been "supported" in the past:

Stop requiring Google Play Billing for apps distributed on the Google Play Store (the jury found that Google had illegally tied its payment system to its app store)

Let Android developers tell users about other ways to pay from within the Play Store

Let Android developers link to ways to download their apps outside of the Play Store

Let Android developers set their own prices for apps irrespective of Play Billing

Google also can’t:

Share app revenue “with any person or entity that distributes Android apps” or plans to launch an app store or app platform

Offer developers money or perks to launch their apps on the Play Store exclusively or first

Offer developers money or perks not to launch their apps on rival stores

Offer device makers or carriers money or perks to preinstall the Play Store

Offer device makers or carriers money or perks not to preinstall rival stores

Thanks Mr. Epic Judge

[–] sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 11 points 1 month ago (18 children)

Play Store

This is all about the Play Store though, it has literally nothing to do with competing stores. I use F-Droid today and there are no restrictions from Google about what apps I can install through that store, whether I can pay for apps through that store (some apps have donation buttons inside), etc. There's nothing stopping Epic from distributing their own app store like F-Droid does even before this decision.

So I really don't understand what "cracking open Android" means here. All that seems to be happening is that Google is restricted from certain actions within its own store, which is absolutely fine by me (I don't use the Play Store), but I don't see any actual changes to Android or third-party app stores.

The closest is this one:

Offer device makers or carriers money or perks not to preinstall rival stores

But Samsung already has its own app store, no? So is there any actual evidence that this was ever a thing?

They should place these restrictions on Apple, not Google, because Apple is the one doing all of this nonsense. Yeah, Google should be reigned in a bit, but they're really not the problem here.

[–] macaroni1556@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (2 children)

Doesn't FDroid still not allow automatic updates due to restrictions in Android?

Meanwhile yes the Samsung galaxy store has extra power over other store alternatives because they are a powerful OEM and can modify Android as they like.

Other OEMs (ones that are often not able to use Play Services) also have their own 1st party app store. Amazon is one, but many others exist in China.

[–] golli@lemm.ee 12 points 1 month ago

Fdroid has automatic updates since this year.

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