I've been thinking of trying out the iphone for a while now.
The reason I wasn't switching is that I install a lot of open source apps on my android device, for all kinds of things.
This change seems like it might greatly affect the current developer landscape. I've been looking for alternatives on the iphone to the apps I use and in most cases they do exist. I imagine the same will happen with android. Lots of devs are going to register and so on.
However, at that point, what difference will there be between ios and android systems that will meaningfully make me stay in android? I'll try out the iphone and see how I like it. Maybe theres something thats so commonplace right now for me that will become a deal breaker. Sort of doubt it.
Big L, as always google just doing what they do best.
On iPhones, you need to pay Apple $99/yr+taxes to do even personal development.
Yes, technically they have a free tier, but it supports a max of 3 devices, which you can't change, ever. It's so painful that it might not as well exist.
Is Android doing the same?
Do you have to pay them money to install your own, or open source apps?
That's what it looks like. You pay $25 and give your ID (yay more exposure from data breaches wooooo) and then you become verified. That lets your apps get installed. But if you're just installing on your own devices (with ADB), such as for development, you're fine. I see no upside to this
No. We are rewarding Apple for having well designed hardware and software integration. Something Android (Google) has failed at, but the community has carried in Googles place. Now that Google is turning their backs and slamming the door in the communities face, Android has no real competitive edge over an Apple device.
Right!? Apple has got to be thrilled about this. Android's one philosophically differentiating feature, that you're not bound by The App Store, just gone overnight.
But the Android users are the exact people Apple doesn't want. Just look at how the iOS App Store defenders come out whenever someone suggests that iOS should be more open. The response is, without fail, "just go buy an Android if that's what you want". Meanwhile the success that Apple has with those people has lead Google to realize it's a great idea. What will be the response now? "Just go buy a Linux phone"?
I mean, not overnight, it's 2 years from now and it's been long time coming. Play protect getting in the way, permissions to install apps from other apps (honestly a really good idea and should've been there from the start but the key is I can grant it), etc. The whole thing with getting rid of working apps that aren't updated for the sake of being updated. The writing's been on the wall.
Isnt it going to be the opposite. Everytime EU says app store needs to be opened, there's a lot of HN commenters say how that's a bad idea and how App Stores help keep "malware" away. I'm assuming a lot of those folks would be thrilled to now be on Android.
Unless, ofcourse, they were all fanboys who were just defending their favorite company without any reason.
It wont'. For now. But this is a long game. Google has apparently reduced the amount of contributions to AOSP and it would not be surprising if they went fully closed source in the near future. That would be the end of all roms.
Readit News
I'm also afraid it will make it easier for Google to bend to authoritarian regimes and ban developers whose apps are not government approved.
Think it can't happen? Think different:
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/10/apple-bends-to-t...
And don't call me Shirley
The reason I wasn't switching is that I install a lot of open source apps on my android device, for all kinds of things.
This change seems like it might greatly affect the current developer landscape. I've been looking for alternatives on the iphone to the apps I use and in most cases they do exist. I imagine the same will happen with android. Lots of devs are going to register and so on.
However, at that point, what difference will there be between ios and android systems that will meaningfully make me stay in android? I'll try out the iphone and see how I like it. Maybe theres something thats so commonplace right now for me that will become a deal breaker. Sort of doubt it.
Big L, as always google just doing what they do best.
Is Android doing the same? Do you have to pay them money to install your own, or open source apps?
But I need a phone, and I'd rather try the original at this point.
I expect the European Union to keep working towards keeping devices more open with time.
Unless, ofcourse, they were all fanboys who were just defending their favorite company without any reason.
Dead Comment