So google now requires Id verification for submitting apps to android, what does it mean for Foss apps, for Foss stores like fdroid and for future development?
A month ago I just bought a xiaomi tablet for my main work machine. Full android, with no google play / google play services, and it runs f-droid and all the apps fine. Haven’t missed any app on the google play store, or that require play services.
If google keeps on alienating people, people will move over to HarmonyOS, or a lot of the larger chinese companies making android devices will maintain their own AOSP fork, and google will be as irrelevant worldwide as apple is.
do xiaomi let people unlock bootloaders?
Generally no then yes,Depends from region and cpu ,nine circle of hell ;) https://github.com/melontini/bootloader-unlock-wall-of-shame/tree/main/brands/xiaomi
I hope we can elevate the discourse in the Android world to accept that Android isn’t about FOSS. It is, at its core, about making Google more money by getting Google more of your personal data.
Ad blockers and apps with ad blockers are hurting Google’s revenue and they’re going to go after it.
Honestly it’s not that much better (some argue it’s worse) on my side, being an iPhone user. Like yeah, we can’t sideload, but I’ve never really felt the need to. I think both platforms should have the option though. And screw these Apple guys who say “well you should buy Android if you want that,” doubly so now that it’s not guaranteed in the future.
Android has tons of FOSS software compared to iOS. Probably the only reason I am on it.
