• interceder270@lemmy.world
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      8 months ago

      Same shitbags who successfully convinced a generation that it’s okay to download programs with ads built-in.

      No wonder they think they can get away with anything. It’s like herding sheep at this point.

    • mycatiskai@lemmy.one
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      8 months ago

      Is there a good guide on f-droid and sideloading you recommend?

      If it is something that Google doesn’t recommend then I should probably be doing it.

      • Mint_Raccoon@kbin.social
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        8 months ago

        All you have to do is download the APK from the F-Droid website and enable installing from third-party/unknown sources in the Settings app (some versions of Android ask automatically when you try to open the APK). I also recommend disabling unknown sources for your browser once you’re done as a security measure.

      • NicoCharrua@lemmy.ca
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        8 months ago

        For F-Droid in specific, you’ll need an F-Droid client. I use Droid-ify (GitHub) (F-Droid) (IzzyOnDroid), but you can use whichever you prefer. F-Droid is a good source for open source apps.

        If you’re sideloading from different sources, Obtanium (GitHub) (IzzyOnDroid) is useful to download apps, and keep them updated. You can even kinda use it as an F-Droid client.

        Google is pretty lax on what it allows on Google play, so unless you’re trying to avoid using Google services or you want to install apps that aren’t on the play store, you don’t need to do it.

        If you want adbocking and extra features in some apps (especially YouTube), check out ReVanced.

        Google isn’t lying - there are risks to sideloading if you don’t know what you’re doing. Make sure what you’re downloading is coming from legitimate sources you trust. For example, if you look up ReVanced, some unofficial websites show up which may have malware. Triple check everything is coming from an official source.

    • makingStuffForFun@lemmy.ml
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      8 months ago

      This is the real truth. Man, the gall of that guy.

      Hi, we are a spyware company. Be aware. Don’t load apps that don’t meet our surveillance metrics. Only download our spyware. Thank you.

      Screw that guy. How about only sideload. There’s another world out there, and it doesn’t equate to surveillance capitalism.

    • LUHG@lemmy.world
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      8 months ago

      Google’s ADS as a whole are malicious. Try Google drivers or TeamViewer and the first sponsored links are malicious/adware. It’s absolutely shocking.

      I added ublock origin into my clients GPO to protect myself from viruses. Msoft just as bad if not worse since we are all using their products to be protected from.

  • EvilBit@lemmy.world
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    8 months ago

    In court: “Google isn’t a monopoly because we allow sideloading!”

    Outside of court: “Don’t sideload. It’s dangerous and terrible!”

  • kpw@kbin.social
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    8 months ago

    Recently Android added another scary “malicious” warning to the already numerous scary dialogs if one tries to install F-Droid. The “Install anyways” button also became hidden in the “More details” menu.

    • BearOfaTime@lemm.ee
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      8 months ago

      This has been the final straw for me to fully de-google my life.

      F you Google, Play, etc.

      Currently setting up my next phone with no googlage.

  • interceder270@lemmy.world
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    8 months ago

    Sideloading is one of the greatest things we have.

    I’m so glad we have it. It almost feels like power and control from a bygone age.

    Of course this guy whose net worth is >$100m will be telling us not to use it.

    Fuck him.

  • Namstel@lemmy.one
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    8 months ago

    I’ve tried downloading some of the games that are on the Play Store for my kids, and by God those apps are cancerous. An ad every 30 seconds and the games are made purely with getting the players to become addicted in mind. Get off your fucking high horse Pichai.

    • interceder270@lemmy.world
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      8 months ago

      Fun fact: You can sideload an adblocker that will legit block any ads in apps.

      It’s called Blokada 5, and you have to download it from their website and sideload it because Google banned apps that use its functionality from the Play store.

      So satisfying never seeing ads in apps.

    • bandwidthcrisis@lemmy.world
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      8 months ago

      There are some games that are genuinely aimed at being educational and fun, such as the Duck Duck Goose games. Or Starfall (from the website of the same name).

      • Namstel@lemmy.one
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        8 months ago

        Oh yeah sure! The games from Baby Bus are alright, and there are some dino games which teach you programming. All very good, but as soon as an ad appears, 9 times out of 10 it’s one of those crappy, slapped together in a day, Unity games filled to the brim with ads itself. Showing characters from popular franchises (like Marvel, and most likely not paid for), and my kid goes “dad, I want that one”. Now I have Family Link installed so I have to allow everything he wants to download or pay for, but geez there’s so much junk on there.

        I’d be sort of OK with the CEOs statement, if they did any sort of moderation on those predatory games aimed at kids. But alas.

  • weew@lemmy.ca
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    8 months ago

    aka “Please only ever buy things off the Google Play store”

  • Keith@lemm.ee
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    8 months ago

    I don’t have the Play Store on my phone. F-Droid (Droidify), Aurora Store, Obtanium, and Accrescent.

  • Sparking@lemm.ee
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    8 months ago

    So they argue that they want to protect users… from epic games? Like they are going to make a virus filled app? I kinda agree people need to be protected from fortnite, but its kind if a silly disingenuous argument.

  • sebinspace@lemmy.world
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    8 months ago

    So does the OS. It’s done that from the beginning, but it doesn’t prevent it outright. Who gives a shit?