Potentially turning a negative of Google's tightening restrictions into a positave
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I am not sure if this is the right place for this, and even then it comes from a high level of ignorance to software development on my part.
I am sure some of you folks have seen the news about Google's impending removal of the ability to side-load any applications starting September 2026 and rolling out through 2027, as well as requiring any app developers who wish to publish apps to android in any capacity to register with them and upload a government ID.
In a recent interview F-Droid has warned that it could effectively kill alternative app stores entirely. While no one can know the exact ramifications of something like this it's easy to imagine this will likely have a negative impact and possibly leave some developers of open source apps on a platform like fdroid without a platform at all.
I am sure that porting an android application to run on UT is not a simple switch that can be toggled.
However is there a guide, roadmap, or toolkit in any capacity to do so at this point?
If not it may be worth putting something together and possibly welcoming impacted developers to an open store with a community that I am sure would be happy to welcome and see them there. -
While I agree to 100% I believe there will be several major obstacles that needs to be faced by the FOSS community.
Unlike computers and many other appliances where FOSS has started to take market, smartphone has become an extension of you as a person. As in;
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We are heavily dependant to major organisations to develop apps for Banking, Digital ID or even other services. Many of these organisation has incentive to keep going Google/Apple route for reasons. Worst would be if they start limiting where you can connect from.
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Hardware which supports opensource alternative is starting to expand but is still in its infancy which makes it more sensitive for regulations and is tougher to get that competitive.
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Seeing as US, UK, AU and even EU is starting to foster acts, regulations and laws to control both HW and software freedom. Referring to EUs laws of standard charge cable or EU's laws regarding to chat control.
Chat Control and Digital ID is one of the reasons why I am about moving to Ubuntu Tough, and for this reason I will continue to cheer, support and bet on these intiatives!
TL;DR
While the escalation of government control of our communications is increasing we are at a very sensitive stage still. -
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@t12392n
Less about the geopolitical aspect, FOSS phone OS state, and more of just offering some talented people who are likely already making FOSS applications a place to be welcomed and bring their talent and applications etc.
