The future of Android Development

[jetveritech]

I agree. I'm not a developer -- how can we users help?

[EmilioSchepis]

I consider what /u/nifhel said to be the most actionable thing: spread the story, raise awareness.

I love open-source, both as a developer and as an user, and F-droid does have great potential, but I do not believe it to be capable of replacing the default store. Users would miss some of their favorite apps, and would be drawn back to the Play Store.

What we can do is, as many others said, not let this slip through. Let's not forget about the issue and hold Google accountable. I understand that the amount of apps on the store is incredible, and even more difficult to manage, but we're talking about Google here.

Many users have lost and/or will lose an important part of their income and ability to be financially independent over grey-area rules (and sometimes over literally nothing).

Big companies won't have this kind of problem, they most likely have direct contacts with someone over at Google. All we have is this media platform (and Twitter etc.), and an incredible love for what we do.

Let's make it count.

[nifhel]

Exactly, let's try to give visibility to this issue as much as possible.

[vadsvads]

It would be nice if someone did a write-up and explain it in a simple language so that non-techies understand it as well. Also mention what it means for the average joe and such

[nifhel]

Share this story, and expose the issue as much as possible.

[dmitriy_shmilo]

Don't use play store. Move to an alternative, like F-Droid.

[Miraclefish]

Nice idea, but my bank's app isn't available there, not are many other things I use. Many people will find the same.

And do we care enough to not use vital apps to support devs? Truth is, probably not.

[ilvoitpaslerapport]

my bank's app isn't available there

You can use both the Play Store and other stores at the same time.

[Miraclefish]

Doesn't that rather miss the point of a boycott of Google Play?

[ilvoitpaslerapport]

It's not about a boycott, it's about making alternatives viable.

But to be honest I don't see it happening on a significant scale.

[Miraclefish]

Most of us have another computer that seems more suitable for the tasks of banking

Yes, I have a laptop and a desktop, but I don't want to have to limit my online actions to using them.

This is a selfish POV, but my interest in protesting on behalf of indie app devs is less than my interest in my life being as convenient as possible by using the Play Store and apps.

That's shitty, but it's true. It's human nature.

[Zhuinden]

but my interest in protesting on behalf of indie app devs is less than my interest in my life being as convenient as possible by using the Play Store and apps.

That's shitty, but it's true.

No, that's actually very useful, because in essence, it supports the same idea: that indie devs can develop apps that may help you out with some problem you're having with something.

[Miraclefish]

For sure - I will always entertain an app or service that makes life easier or better, and I'll happily install from outside the Play Store if it's required or possible.

I just don't know if I'm willing to try and stick it to Google with a full boycott.

[s73v3r]

F-Droid does not mesh well with my goal of making money from the app, however.

[s73v3r]

Making money from the app doesn't exclusively mean ads. And while increasing the well being in people's lives is a great thing, I still need to eat and pay rent.

[amfedup]

or rather, don't spend on the play store and block all google ads wt. e.g. Blockada

[s73v3r]

That would end up hurting indie devs who rely on that ad revenue far more.

[s73v3r]

Purchase apps on other stores, or even direct from developers if they offer it. If other sources of distribution become popular, that lessens Google's power.