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Google to pay $700 million in case over whether its app store is an illegal monopoly (www.npr.org)

submitted 11 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 11 months ago (4 children)

Just try getting a popular app anywhere else. There are options of course, but they require a working knowledge of APKs and other technical concepts which many casual users may not be familiar with. Even once you get them installed, these apps often don't work without play services, and -- depending on the source -- can be less secure.

[–] [email protected] 36 points 11 months ago (2 children)

Uhm. This is not true. They don't require working knowledge of apks and Android walks you through the process of installing via Unknown Sources.

Try installing packages from outside iOS..

[–] [email protected] 4 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I don't use iOS and have only been able to install many popular apps through APKs sourced from other sites like github and apkpure.

Ill admit I don't know much about side loading but I think that only supports my original point that the average user isnt aware of less intuitive alternatives to the play store.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

Let me introduce you to [email protected]

Also Amazon has an app store for android as well.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I'm vaguely familiar with fdroid, but thanks for linking. My understanding is that fdroid doesnt support automatic updates, though I might be wrong. I use obtainium instead.

Amazon store is indeed another option. Personally my issue with the Google play store is the sketchiness of the company though, so Amazon isn't a good alternative for people like myself.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I'm sure this isn't the right place to ask this, but does anyone have a website they use for apks that is pretty solid?

I'm trying to de-google my life and the play store is the last holdover for me. I already use F-droid but that is more for open source software.

apologies if this was the wrong place to ask.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 11 months ago (2 children)

The one I use is called Aurora Store.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago

thank you! I will check it out.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

That just connects back to Play Store. It's essentially just a front-end for it.

F-droid is actually unconnected to Google. They both have their place, but it's best to clarify that.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

It shows what I know!

[–] [email protected] 7 points 11 months ago (1 children)

https://f-droid.org/en/

[–] [email protected] 4 points 11 months ago

F-droid is awesome, but I don't think it will ever be mass market

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

My phone can install APKs out of the box. XAPKs need a separate installer though, but that is a one time problem. Many APKs even get recognised by the playstore which made it easier to update it.

My device either isn't verified or in some way geolocked for some apps so I had to get APKs of them to use those apps and I never had a problem with that.