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It's called installing, not sideloading.
You don't sideload an app on your PC, you install it. The language they're using is specifically to demonize a normal function of a phone, so they can take control.
You don't "sideload" an app on your PC, YET. They would very much like to limit your use of your own PC too.
Microsoft has to get money from its Windows monopoly somehow.
You basically do already. Most cheaper PCs come with S mode enabled from the store. Turning it off requires accepting a scary disclaimer that it's a permanent change and you're likely to fuck up your computer.
I have to be honest though, I kinda like it for older relatives that I can't convince to switch to Linux. Prevents tech support calls to me. And if Android was setup the same way with a one time prompt, I'd be perfectly happy.
Not buying applications from monopoly markets isn't side-loading. Teach your friends & family about the pathetic semantic games they play. Your device - your rules! Stop worrying about warranty & all this would make sense.
Calling installing applications on your own hardware "Sideloading" really grinds my gears. Ugh.
I know Google was lost a long time ago, but it's a bit sad to see Android go down this path. Was good for the twenty or so years it lasted. Miss my HTC.
Way back in the day when it was introduced, I had no idea what they meant with sideloading. Then when I understood that it was installing software, I thought that there had to be some form of special process or something like that, because it had such a strange name...
Then I figured out it's just a ploy so that people don't get any ideas about their phone actually being theirs, and that it's just installing software as far as they allow you to, on your own fucking device.
It's all about control, yet again
Fuck these fucktards.
It's not side-loading, ffs! They are making it difficult to install apps on your own hardware. Stop calling it "side-loading". What the fuck is sideloading anyway? It's some crApple-specific thing.
I have a few years old Pinephone in a drawer I never really got around to using, because back then the state of phone Linux easn't really usable. Failed calls, issues with battery life and the like.
Does anyone knows if it got better?
Actually they're ending their production. Here's an alternative, Mecha Comet
I'm not really looking for a new phone, but for an OS to put onto my old PinePhone. It shouldn't matter that they are no longer made, no?
As far as I know, which isn't a lot tbh, the hardware is ok, but most of the issues were on OS level, not being mature enough.
how tf do i block this if i'm using say fdroid
I can't root my current phone, but its over month out of date. I'm pretty dependent on a number of currently 'sideloaded' apps, what should I expect really? Also phone recommendations for US are appreciated, maybe not google hardware but I may try the graphene route.. before I just switch to a pager and MP3 player maybe
E: reading through some more on this, it doesnt sound like the worst. I'm sure this will inevitibly be used regionally on some basis initially then expand. But it is pretty frictionless for some scam app to be downloaded and trick say my grandpa into installing some real shoddy adware+whatever else.. that was fun to deal with. But also to act like google play store doesn't already have absolute muck is a joke
On the one hand. I don’t like this, since I install apps off of Google Play all the time. This is beyond stupid and I hope OEMs doesn’t include it.
On the other hand I just helped a colleague try to get a cheap fitness tracker to work on her phone and the manual took her to a random website for the required app. Thankfully the link was dead but even after I said “I don’t trust this link” she proceeded to try and download it twice.
For her I hope this is enabled by default and scares her from disabling it since I feel she will have her banking details stolen if she is left to her own devices.
If you buy sleazy-ass hardware just because it’s cheap you already made a grave mistake. I would not trust their app/drivers even if they were listed on a legit app store.
That was my thought too. But when you can't stop another inertia the best you can do is make sure they do it as safely as possible.
Shatter.
Roll 3d8 thunder damage. All Android phones within 10 ft have to make a constitution saving throw; what's your spell casting DC?