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JetpackJackson ,

Misread this and thought they were deleting the Play store app itself, not apps in the store lol

AbidanYre ,

The worst part is that it would be pretty on-brand for Google to do something like that.

JetpackJackson ,

I mean if a lot of people rely on it for apps I imagine a lot of people would get upset lol

dumbass ,
@dumbass@leminal.space avatar

Google: We are closing the Google Play Store and rebranding it as Android Market, we believe this better represents what our customer base requires.

Kalkaline ,
@Kalkaline@leminal.space avatar

Android Market is being discontinued as a standalone app, it will now be rolled into YouTube and you must enable Gemini to use it.

fluxion ,

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.

hitmyspot ,

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.

limerod OP ,

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.”

BlackLaZoR ,
@BlackLaZoR@kbin.run avatar

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?

ReversalHatchery ,

Pretty sure useful apps will be deleted too. What does even “engaging” mean?

I hope someone will try to make an archive, e.g. the ArchiveTeam.

Transporter_Room_3 ,
@Transporter_Room_3@startrek.website avatar

It’s a generic term they can use to justify removal of any app they don’t like, which I’m sure is what this is really about

I guess the log of “apps we want to kill but can’t justify it in a way that courts would find more acceptable” got too large.

Feathercrown ,

some no doubt on your own phone

Yes doubt

01189998819991197253 , (edited )
@01189998819991197253@infosec.pub avatar

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]…

Blackout ,
@Blackout@kbin.run avatar

Start with the YouTube app, it's unusable now and may actually convince me to cancel.

gedaliyah ,
@gedaliyah@lemmy.world avatar

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.

Hildegarde ,

That quote comes out of nowhere. Changing the policies on their store has no effect on side loading software on the os, which still supports it.

Transporter_Room_3 ,
@Transporter_Room_3@startrek.website avatar

Reminder that if they can forcibly delete the app from your phone, you don’t own your phone

Dymonika ,

So what do you have or are you gonna get?

Mango ,

They’re not doing that.

eleitl ,

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.

aniki ,

Does anyone have a list of which apps are going to get the axe?

gedaliyah ,
@gedaliyah@lemmy.world avatar

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.

Mwa ,
@Mwa@thelemmy.club avatar

great android getting ruined what am i gonna use Roms? My phone does not support them

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