submitted 3 months ago by cm0002@lemmings.world to c/opensource@programming.dev

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Keep Android Open

In August 2025, Google announced that starting next year, it will no longer be possible to develop apps for the Android platform without first registering centrally with Google.

This registration will involve:

Paying a fee to Google

Agreeing to Google’s Terms and Conditions

Providing government identification

Uploading evidence of an app’s private signing key

Listing all current and future application identifiers

Sign the open letter. And get active to help oppose the enactment of the policy in other ways listed on the website. Are there any more ways to oppose this?

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[-] illusionist@lemmy.zip 7 points 3 months ago

You can still develop them, you just can't install them

[-] Kissaki@programming.dev 6 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

How viable is shifting from app to the web platform? Installable PWAs or PWA without installs.

Seems like it could be an alternative for most(?) things.

[-] illusionist@lemmy.zip 6 points 3 months ago

If you go that route, you can almost use a linux phone.

[+] Lembot_0005@lemy.lol -13 points 3 months ago

I don't want Android to be open. I want it to die.

[-] Wizard_Pope@lemmy.world 9 points 3 months ago

Okay... Why?

[-] Lembot_0005@lemy.lol -5 points 3 months ago

I never liked the idea of that "obligatory Java". I would prefer something more like a common OS for running common programs written in whatever language the programmer wants.

[-] Wizard_Pope@lemmy.world 11 points 3 months ago

But honestly what do you think would happen if android dies? There won't just immediately be a different system ready to step in and take its place.

[-] Lembot_0005@lemy.lol 4 points 3 months ago

Linux has been around for 30 years already. There isn't any technical reason why it isn't more widespread. Reasons are artificial: only blobs instead of drivers for any phone-related modules.

[-] afk_strats@lemmy.world 2 points 3 months ago

I agree. And Linux is great. We all know Android is a bastardized version of Linux... But...

Android isn't just the technology and operating system. It's am entire ecosystem of manufacturers, developers, applications, drivers, etc. The ecosystem will be difficult to replace even if the OS isn't

[-] Lembot_0005@lemy.lol 1 points 3 months ago

ecosystem

It shouldn't be replaced. It should be thrown away. Smartphones should be just handheld computers for running an arbitrary OS to run user programs. Nobody needs, wants or asked for the "ecosystem".

[-] afk_strats@lemmy.world 2 points 3 months ago

I hear you. But what are non-technical users supposed to do? Compile their own apps? Flash firmware and SSH in to install the right radios and drivers?

People treat their phones like appliances. They go to app stores to get apps which developers ensure work for specific SDKs on phones carefully tuned to work well with the carier's networks.

There are definitely users who will do everything from scratch. But like Linux for PCs, success of alternative OSs on phones will be dependent on there existing a good out of the box experience with the ability to integrate with hardware and third party software and/or quality open alternatives.

[-] Lembot_0005@lemy.lol 2 points 3 months ago

Most Linux users don't compile anything and live happily.

[-] MinFapper@startrek.website 1 points 3 months ago

This was absolutely not the case back when I started using Linux back in 2007.

There's been a lot of work put into the desktop Linux ecosystem by a many different organizations and individuals to get it to this point.

Linux phones are at the stage where you need to apply a custom kernel patch to get it to sleep/wake properly on your hardware, get the camera working, etc. It will also take a long time for desktop Linux apps to get responsive (i.e. offer a good experience with a small touch screen).

this post was submitted on 29 Oct 2025

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