I’m not tracking Android news much, so this could be something everyone know already…
Starting in September 2026, Android will require all apps to be registered by verified developers in order to be installed on certified Android devices.
How much this will affect /e/ ?
Does “certified Android devices” list limits where /e/ can be installed (similarly to cell operators IMEI whitelist jail) ?
How about App Lounge and F-Droid apps ?
Seems it will be a subset of devices Android – Certified
I think that this is not the way it meant. Of course, that is only a pretext, to “protect” you of malware. But in reality it is simply enshittification by removing the freedom to install onto your computer (yes, phones are computers!) apps that you want. AppStore-cage incoming.
This is at the moment the main difference between Apple and Google phone (as computers) OS’es. Not that one is “better” than the other but that there is freedom. Then from 2026 on Google can control how is allowed to deliver apps. Apple like.
I have a e Foundation driven device because it gives me freedom without Google’s intervention. Nothing more, nothing less.
Will manufacturers be inclined in large numbers to register their devices as “Certified”? Will consumers be attracted? Will prices become “premium” or “discounted due to lack of freedom”?
It certainly does seem a first step in sidelining / marginalisation of AOSP.
Google/Alphabet may be forced to have less control over Android in the near future due to the ongoing monopoly trial. The company may have introduced this measure to still retain most of its influence.
I think that this is mainly and obviously motivated by keeping the Android revenue, but also by security. (Not everything is 100% black and white - it is mostly black here, yes, but not only.)
besides the malware angle, you think it’s a reaction to court decisions? rather it strikes me as giving fodder to the splitup / antitrust camp. I did speculate in the parallel thread
as for Adtech, EU went soft. Could make sense to wait out US courts
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