The days of Google encouraging third-party stores and users to sideload apps regardless of origin are long gone. We are fast approaching Play becoming as near a simile to Apple’s App Store as we could ever see.
I think it’s a stretch to say that Google ever encouraged side loading. But if their plan is to eliminate it all together, that’s a pretty scary thing. I don’t think it’ll go over well in Europe either.
There is a building expectation that this will even hit some popular apps with millions of installs, and some legitimate apps which are low on the quality mark will also fail to make the cut.
Like what? This seems pretty unlikely based on the statement from Google. There is an awful lot of pointless garbage on there.
I run LineageOS on my phone (with gapps) and my tablet (sans gapps). If Google tries deleting stuff it doesn’t own on my phone it’s LineageOS sans gapps for my phone and probably buying a phone for GrapheneOS.
If you still prefer a standalone app however Android now offers Google Play Store, which works similarly to Android Market. It’s only available as part of the Google Business Suite however.
We are now launching a messaging app with android market functionality. Its available USA only and not to business suite customers. Using it will require your google account to be converted to a google-youtube account and your personal details, like your name, are now public.
This update adds user privacr features by ensuring all private data on your phone is stored on ggogles secure servers rather than on your phone.
Cue the imminent Play Store mass app deletion which Google has just previewed and confirmed is now just six weeks away: “We’re updating the Spam and Minimum Functionality policy to ensure apps meet uplifted standards for the Play catalog and engage users through quality functionality and content user experiences.”
From August 31, the type of apps in Google’s crosshairs will include those “that are static without app-specific functionalities, for example, text only or PDF file apps, apps with very little content and that do not provide an engaging user experience, for example, single wallpaper apps, and apps that are designed to do nothing or have no function.” Of which there are literally millions—some no doubt on your own phone.
For developers, Google warns apps must “provide a stable, responsive, and engaging user experience… Apps that crash, do not have the basic degree of adequate utility as mobile apps, lack engaging content, or exhibit other behavior that is not consistent with a functional and engaging user experience are not allowed on Google Play.”
basic degree of adequate utility as mobile apps, lack engaging content, or exhibit other behavior that is not consistent with a functional and engaging user experience are not allowed on Google Play.”
They couldn't define it any broader couldn't they?
For developers, Google warns apps must “provide a stable, responsive, and engaging user experience… Apps that crash, do not have the basic degree of adequate utility as mobile apps, lack engaging content, or exhibit other behavior that is not consistent with a functional and engaging user experience are not allowed on Google Play.”
They kind of just described nearly all of their own apps [as unfit for the Play Store]…