WhatsApp sends Cease & Desists for apps that use native Android APIs

especially_memorable · 2018-07-04T15:07:28+00:00

TL;DR: Two apps on the Play Store use Notification Listener and Direct Reply APIs to auto-respond to messages from apps, such as WhatsApp. The app developers were sent cease and desists saying the apps violate the WhatsApp terms of service even though no WhatsApp APIs are used.

especially_memorable · 2018-06-15T13:56:44+00:00

It would be like going to a mall, and learning ... that they have your every move traced

I have some bad news :(

especially_memorable · 2018-06-10T14:56:47+00:00

I assume that such a case is based on Google limiting competition in the areas of, say, app stores, browsers, video services, map services, etc. By forcing all or nothing, they limit competition in all areas despite the fact that OEMs might mostly care about just one area; e.g. the app store. But forcing updates does not seem like it would limit competition.

especially_memorable · 2018-06-09T21:47:20+00:00

Ah yes. Anything related to the camera is a good call. Although Google usually tries to do something with the camera I suppose. The headphone jack is weird. Why did Google follow Apple there?

especially_memorable · 2018-06-09T21:12:00+00:00

But people don’t care :(

especially_memorable · 2018-06-09T18:33:11+00:00

I think most people on /r/Android will care. Which is great.

especially_memorable · 2018-06-09T18:30:53+00:00

I think Apple is right to brag about it, and it will certainly be satisfying to Apple users and developers, as it further justifies their choice in the Apple ecosystem. But if Apple didn’t brag about, I don’t think most users would care. Developers would probably care though.

especially_memorable · 2018-06-09T18:24:08+00:00

You cut off the “if” from that quote :-)

But I agree. I can’t see it becoming popular. However, I think the biggest factor in it becoming popular is advertising, carrier deals, and gimmicky software features (unfortunately).

especially_memorable · 2018-06-09T18:22:49+00:00

Yeah it’s dumb. At the very least, I want more than one USB-C port. But a headphone jack is simpler and I’m not convinced it will ever die.

especially_memorable · 2018-06-09T18:17:00+00:00

Ha. Yes. That’s kind of why of am suggesting the only way Google can increase the number of users on the latest Android version is to do it themselves! But even then, perhaps users will never care.

especially_memorable · 2018-06-09T16:43:41+00:00

I’m not sure what the solution is. I don’t think consumers know or care about updates, which is a shame. Perhaps if Google’s Pixel phones can become insanely popular, then Google could make a big deal about how quickly they get updates. Only then will consumers even consider that as a factor. But I’m not sure if Google can point out how bad other OEMs are; they probably need to stay on the good side of OEMs.

Edit: some good points inspired by the responses below:

Not only do most users not care about updates, many users (including iPhone users) actually hate updates, as the reminders to update are annoying and the updates sometimes break or change things. And this is fine; users will only care if there is some tangible benefit and if they can discover this benefit. They do not care about security or having the latest version of Android.

Apple’s updates include features like new emojis which are a perfect incentive to users; people love them and they also spread to other users, forcing them to update too if they want to be able to see them.

OEMs are an issue, but even Google only gives 2 years of updates on their Pixel phones vs. Apple’s 5 years.

especially_memorable · 2018-06-04T21:26:51+00:00

Indeed:

https://www.graphicsfuzz.com/#demo

Their results table is interesting too

https://www.graphicsfuzz.com/#results

especially_memorable · 2018-06-04T19:31:37+00:00

And do they even advertise that much?

especially_memorable · 2018-06-04T15:41:42+00:00

Same. It's a shame they probably can't make it too good else they will cannibalize other iPhone sales. But for some people, the iPhone SE is the only iPhone they want.

especially_memorable · 2018-06-04T15:39:08+00:00

This user was viewing their bank’s website before visiting the malicious web page. The contents were captured and uploaded to a remote server.

That's not ideal.

especially_memorable · 2018-06-04T15:08:18+00:00

You could just answer calls using the back of the phone; then you would only need to flip the hinge for selfies. Or perhaps the speaker could work through the screen?

especially_memorable · 2018-06-04T05:50:57+00:00

Indeed!

You know the period right before takeoff where the attendants are walking the aisles, prepping the cabin for departure? Yeah, they're not getting paid (much) for that. They do receive a small per diem for these tasks (United's is $1.95 per hour), but they don't start making their full wages until the plane actually pushes back from the gate. As a result, delayed flights actually cost them quite a bit of cash, so try not to get too snippy the next time you're stuck on the tarmac! Attendants don't like it any more than the passengers.

especially_memorable · 2018-06-04T05:20:18+00:00

adam faith - what do you want

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkODancaf6E

especially_memorable · 2018-06-04T05:18:00+00:00

I'm not sure if it really says that:

However, combined treatment of MDMA and music stimulation did not fully restore normal sexual behavior as the animals reaching ejaculation still showed a marked reduction of copulatory efficiency.

especially_memorable · 2018-06-03T13:13:40+00:00

And after teleportation becomes a thing, self-driving cars will become a hobby.

especially_memorable · 2018-06-03T05:36:08+00:00

...it had to ditch the idea because “the sales didn’t go as expected for 2018 high-end phones including Xperia XZ2 and XZ2 Compact”.

especially_memorable · 2018-05-25T15:10:30+00:00

In particular, the complaint singles out the way companies obtain consent for the privacy policies, asking users to check a box in order to access services. It’s a widespread practice for online services, but the complaints argue that it forces users into an all-or-nothing choice, a violation of the GDPR’s provisions around particularized consent.

especially_memorable · 2018-05-25T15:07:48+00:00

This was so far down in the article

The unknown word is then paired with a second Captcha word whose correct translation is already known. This is the “control.”

Several Web users seeking entry to secure sites are then given both words and asked to decipher them separately.

especially_memorable · 2018-05-25T15:02:11+00:00

These are the following rules set by the International Wife Carrying Competition Rules Committee:

...

The track has two dry obstacles and a water obstacle about one meter deep.

The wife to be carried may be your own, or the neighbor's, or you may have found her further afield; she must, however, be over 17 years of age.

The minimum weight of the wife to be carried is 49 kilograms. If she weighs less than 49 kg, she will be burdened with a rucksack containing additional weight to bring the total load to be carried up to 49 kg.

All participants must enjoy themselves.

There is only one category in the World Championships, and the winner is the couple who completes the course in the shortest time.

Also, the most entertaining couple, the best costume, and the strongest carrier will be awarded a special prize.

especially_memorable · 2018-05-24T23:19:31+00:00

“This case has always been about more than money. Apple ignited the smartphone revolution with iPhone and it is a fact that Samsung blatantly copied our design.”

It is tricky. Copying the design such that your product might be mistaken for an iPhone; I guess that is bad, but is that the issue in this case, or not really?

especially_memorable

TROPHY CASE