alt.hn

4/18/2026 at 6:00:39 AM

Remember? "Sideloading" is here to stay, and won't go away, they said?

 https://floss.social/@IzzyOnDroid/116415766636505917

by pabs3

4/18/2026 at 7:29:42 AM

Android is the Windows of the mobile world.

Slowly getting worse, and slowly becoming more locked down. Petitions won't stop this, at best they delay for 6 months until a "bug" prevents the side loading, they "fix it" now and then it regresses.

by happymellon

4/18/2026 at 1:31:13 PM

This is a curious statement. Installing your own programs is not under threat from Microsoft the way it is from Apple. And not that I think Windows getting worse is a substantive argument vs. blind hate, but for the record Windows 8 was the worst version and 8.1/10/11 have been slowly improving over it, not getting worse.

by add-sub-mul-div

4/18/2026 at 4:18:48 PM

Only because UWP and Win32 sandboxing haven't taken off as Microsoft would like, mostly because they messed up the delivery.

Windows 11 was taken from the ashes of Windows 10X project.

https://youtu.be/ztrmrIlgbIc?is=6a5CpyAUUpcbDL3n

Anyway in enterprise context, IT can already restrict what you run via group policies.

by pjmlp

4/18/2026 at 9:12:02 AM

Is there any Windows computer in the last 10 years that doesn't have the ability to turn off secure boot?

Is there any plans for Google to phase out unlocking the bootloader on Pixel devices?

Not sure how more locked down is correct. Malware on Android is common and usually targets those who are technically illiterate, all Google is here doing is raising the bar slightly at the cost of a minor inconvenience of a smaller user base who use a feature.

by ChocolateGod

4/18/2026 at 10:25:31 AM

I'm technically literate, I've compiled AOSP for work and sideloaded many apps for personal use. And I have not once unlocked the bootloader on one of my personal devices. Flashing a new OS is a hassle that I don't want to bother with. The idea that I should have to do that in order to run my chosen programs one day is absurd. It's why I chose Android in the first place.

by tdeck

4/18/2026 at 12:13:44 PM

Private companies and authoritative governments have too much to gain from locking things down, and recent examples show that this is happening more, not less, at a fast track pace.

by trekkie99

4/18/2026 at 8:54:37 PM

The powers that be do not want any code being run that hasn't been approved by a central authority. The same applies to running any code that is not authenticated to an actual person backed by some form of ID. Facial, drivers license, phone number, etc. to a central authority. The financial interests also want to force the advertising system on everyone and side loaded apps like new pipe and others threaten the monopoly.

It is about much more than just owning a device.

by treebeard901

4/18/2026 at 4:20:16 PM

Well, and Amazon just moved away from their Android fork into Vega OS, their own Linux distribution with React Native/C++ as app programming model, for Fire devices.

No sideloading allowed.

by pjmlp

4/19/2026 at 2:11:18 AM

Does that apply to their tablet as well or just streaming devices ereader and smart speakers? Giving up android on their tablet would kill their whole app library i don't see them doing that lightly.

by smegger001

4/19/2026 at 5:03:56 AM

Only for the sticks for the time being,

https://developer.amazon.com/apps-and-games/vega

But it would surprise me otherwise, I never seen those Amazon Android tablets around here in Europe.

Kindle yes, the e-ink ones, all over the place, including at beach during Summertime.

Regular Android tablets it is mostly Samsung, Huawei and Xiomi.

by pjmlp

4/19/2026 at 7:23:47 PM

Looks like Google is taking a page from Microsoft regarding embrace, extend, extinguish.

At this point, they’re at the Extinguish stage.

by cmxch