Thread

1. Gareth321 · 1789560773 · focus · HN ↗

   MAYBE operating systems shouldn't have gatekeepers which can deny access to billions of customers for any and no reason at all. Apple and Google are WELL past due for regulation in this space. The fact that we cannot download and install software from the internet onto our phones JUST like we can do with our computers is a symbol of our inept and ineffective politicians.

   And before someone says "well akshully you can technically do it on Android," Google has been working tirelessly to make it as onerous as possible for both developers and customers. For example, users need to separately authorise each app (browser, files manager, alternative store, etc) to install an APK from outside the Play Store. Google also does background scans using "Play Protect" which will periodically delete apps Google doesn't approve of. This happened to me with SmartTubeNext. I have a dozen other ways Google ensures users are discouraged from stepping outside the Play Store.

   1. killerstorm · 1789576244 · focus · HN ↗

      Back in early 2000s, pretty much all Windows machines were infested with malware.

      Do you want to bring back those glorious days?

      Back in the day users didn't really have much valuable and sensitive stuff on their machines and malware was rather benign - just sending spam, not trying to fuck up that specific user. Could be a bit different when it's a smartphone user depends on.

      1. mrguyorama · 1789584550 · focus · HN ↗

         The reason that modern computers are no longer filled with malware has nothing to do with completely irrelevant locked garden app stores on phones.

         The reason is because Bill Gates put out a memo because it was fucking embarrassing that you could trivially smash the stack on default open API endpoints for services that consumers never used and shouldn't have been trivially routable from the open web in the first place.

         Meanwhile in app stores, you don't have to hack anything, because consumers just download your botnet software willingly and directly.

         42% of all apps on LG smart TVs turned your TV into a "residential proxy" botnet participant. 30% on Samsung TVs. There is no "hacking" in the world of apps because it's completely normalized for whatever app you build to also for some reason include remote control functionality from like 6 different companies. All of those apps pass review no problem.

         1. killerstorm · 1789594404 · focus · HN ↗

            Interesting that you mention LG and Samsung TVs.

            Does it happen on Google Pixel phones?

            Obviously, the quality of the walled garden depends on the maintainer. Google's quality standards are lower than Apples, but higher than LGs.

Unofficial Hacker News client; not affiliated with Y Combinator.