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Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality

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  Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality Marion <marion@facts.com> - 2025-08-26 03:32 +0000
    Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2025-08-26 05:55 +0000
      Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality Marion <marion@facts.com> - 2025-08-26 07:11 +0000
        Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2025-08-26 09:03 -0700
          Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality Marion <marion@facts.com> - 2025-09-01 02:07 +0000
            Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2025-08-31 22:11 -0700
    Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality Gabriel Coan <rockettaco37@rt37.nu> - 2025-08-31 14:44 -0400
      Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality Jörg Lorenz <hugybear@gmx.net> - 2025-08-31 22:35 +0200
        Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality Gabriel Coan <rockettaco37@rt37.nu> - 2025-08-31 21:00 -0400
          Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2025-09-01 06:13 +0000
            Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality Gabriel Coan <rockettaco37@rt37.nu> - 2025-09-01 03:59 -0400
              Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2025-09-01 08:28 -0700
                Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality Jörg Lorenz <hugybear@gmx.net> - 2025-09-01 17:47 +0200
                  Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2025-09-01 10:22 -0700
                    Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality Jörg Lorenz <hugybear@gmx.net> - 2025-09-01 20:17 +0200
                    Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality Gabriel Coan <rockettaco37@rt37.nu> - 2025-09-02 18:27 -0400
                      Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality Marion <marion@facts.com> - 2025-09-02 22:37 +0000
                      Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2025-09-02 17:53 -0700
                        Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality Marion <marion@facts.com> - 2025-09-03 05:39 +0000
                          Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2025-09-03 00:05 -0700
                            Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality Marion <marion@facts.com> - 2025-09-03 16:18 +0000
                              Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2025-09-03 11:37 -0700
                                Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality Marion <marion@facts.com> - 2025-09-03 21:02 +0000
                                  Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2025-09-03 15:36 -0700
                                    Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2025-09-04 15:17 +0000
                                      Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality Marion <marion@facts.com> - 2025-09-05 01:06 +0000
                        Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality Jörg Lorenz <hugybear@gmx.net> - 2025-09-03 08:23 +0200
                          Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2025-09-03 00:05 -0700
                            Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality Jörg Lorenz <hugybear@gmx.net> - 2025-09-03 10:23 +0200
                              Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2025-09-03 08:21 -0700
                                Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality Jörg Lorenz <hugybear@gmx.net> - 2025-09-03 18:33 +0200
                                  Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2025-09-03 11:37 -0700
                                    Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality Jörg Lorenz <hugybear@gmx.net> - 2025-09-03 22:18 +0200
                                      Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2025-09-03 15:36 -0700
                                        Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality Jörg Lorenz <hugybear@gmx.net> - 2025-09-04 08:06 +0200
                                          Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2025-09-04 07:17 +0000
                                            Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality Jörg Lorenz <hugybear@gmx.net> - 2025-09-04 09:31 +0200
                                              Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2025-09-04 09:17 -0700
                          Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> - 2025-09-03 21:10 +0100
                            Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2025-09-03 15:36 -0700
                              Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality Jörg Lorenz <hugybear@gmx.net> - 2025-09-04 12:25 +0200
                                Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2025-09-04 09:17 -0700
                                  Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality Jörg Lorenz <hugybear@gmx.net> - 2025-09-04 18:27 +0200
                                    Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2025-09-04 17:33 +0000
                              Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> - 2025-09-04 12:12 +0100
                                Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2025-09-04 09:17 -0700
                                  Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality Marion <marion@facts.com> - 2025-09-05 01:20 +0000
                                  Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> - 2025-09-05 08:40 +0100
                                    Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2025-09-05 09:47 -0700
                                    Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality Marion <marion@facts.com> - 2025-09-05 16:57 +0000
                                      Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality Qihe <Q@invalid.invalid> - 2025-11-15 18:12 +0100
                            Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality Gabriel Coan <rockettaco37@rt37.nu> - 2025-09-05 19:08 -0400
                              Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality Marion <marion@facts.com> - 2025-09-06 01:14 +0000
                                Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality Gabriel Coan <rockettaco37@rt37.nu> - 2025-09-06 20:59 -0400
                          Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality Gabriel Coan <rockettaco37@rt37.nu> - 2025-09-05 19:05 -0400
                            Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2025-09-06 00:28 +0000
                              Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality Marion <marion@facts.com> - 2025-09-06 01:22 +0000
                                Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2025-09-05 20:16 -0700
                                  Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality Marion <marion@facts.com> - 2025-09-06 18:04 +0000
      Re: Google getting more and more like iOS in term of lost functionality AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2025-09-01 01:33 +0000

Page 3 of 3 — ← Prev page 1 2 [3]

#150412

On 04.09.25 00:36, AJL wrote:
> On 9/3/2025 1:10 PM, Andy Burns wrote:
>> AJL wrote:
> 
>>> Preventing sideloading from any unverified sources would definitely
>>> increase security for the average folk. Allowing the general public
>>> to download apps from any old place online can breed trouble.
> 
>> Sideloading is off [on Pixel Android 16] by default, I doubt most
>> users even know it exists, let alone enable it, feels rather
>> nannyish to block it entirely.
> 
> Yep. My Chromebooks don't allow sideloading at all. Nanny Google is
> protecting me from myself...

On a Linux distro ist is easy to install a RPM or a DEB packages or find
things on Flathub.
No problem on a Mac either to sideload software.
Why did you buy this digital jail?


-- 
"De gustibus non est disputandum."

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#150418

On 9/4/2025 3:25 AM, Jörg Lorenz wrote:
> On 04.09.25 00:36, AJL wrote:

>> My Chromebooks don't allow sideloading at all.

> On a Linux distro ist is easy to install a RPM or a DEB packages or
> find things on Flathub.

Dedicated Linux machines were among my toys for awhile. Nothing now though.

But my Chromebooks (and tablet) all have a Linux development environment
section with developer tools, IDEs and editors. Never tried it though.

> No problem on a Mac either to sideload software.

Never had a Mac but other Apple stuff (Phone, tablets, watch) currently
live in my house

> Why did you buy this digital jail?

My Chromebooks (and tablet) all run Android so I have access to a
million plus apps in the Play Store. So it's not quite a jail...

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#150420

On 04.09.2025 18:17, AJL wrote:
> My Chromebooks (and tablet) all run Android so I have access to a
> million plus apps in the Play Store. So it's not quite a jail...

It certainly is but a very big one. Your choice.

-- 
"Roma locuta, causa finita" (Augustinus)

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#150421

On 9/4/25 9:27 AM, Jörg Lorenz wrote:
>On 04.09.2025 18:17, AJL wrote:

>> My Chromebooks (and tablet) all run Android so I have access to a
>> million plus apps in the Play Store. So it's not quite a jail...

>It certainly is but a very big one.

By that definition the earth is a very big jail.

>Your choice.

Yes I do have several toys to choose from. Right now I'm posting from an
 Amazon Fire Tablet. When I first open the tablet I get a full screen ad
 that always seems to show something I like. I wonder how Amazon knows what
 I like? I know. Amazon is EVIL... 8-O

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#150413

AJL wrote:

> Nanny Google is protecting me from myself...

Maybe they should educate people to create multiple user accounts on 
android devices, so have one account for 'risky' sideloaded apps, which 
can't touch the files of their day-to-day account?

Google appear to show that they trust isolated 'private' filesystems per 
app or per user.

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#150417

On 9/4/2025 4:12 AM, Andy Burns wrote:
> AJL wrote:

>> Nanny Google is protecting me from myself...

> Maybe they should educate people to create multiple user accounts on
> android devices

I have multiple Google accounts on all my Android devices.

> so have one account for 'risky' sideloaded apps, which can't touch
> the files of their day-to-day account?

On my Android devices the multiple accounts can be switched but they
only switch the Google stuff like Gmail, Calendar, etc. The other apps
like Netflix, Firefox, etc. work as usual regardless of what account the
Google stuff is in.

> Google appear to show that they trust isolated 'private' filesystems
> per app or per user.

So I'm doubtful multiple accounts on one device would help with a
"risky" sideloaded Android app...

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#150423

On Thu, 4 Sep 2025 09:17:33 -0700, AJL wrote :


>> Google appear to show that they trust isolated 'private' filesystems
>> per app or per user.
> 
> So I'm doubtful multiple accounts on one device would help with a
> "risky" sideloaded Android app...

Hi AJL,

You and Andy know more than I do, so I may be off base, but I think what
Andy was referring to might have been Android "sandboxing" capabilities.

Lately I've been toying with the idea of trying to sandbox system-level
services like Google Play Services without root but in a way it's kind of
sort of like trying to keep a shark in a fishbowl in your bedroom.

All Android apps already run in isolated sandboxes by default. But that
doesn't mean they can't ask for permissions to access your contacts,
location, storage, etc. So while the OS gives you a sandbox, it also hands
apps the keys to your data if you're not careful.

However, apps exist such as Shelter, Island & Insular which don't require
root and which use the work profile where you can clone apps and isolate
data, such that "some" apps can be potentially more deeply sandboxable.

While so far I've failed to adequately sandbox the google play services
package, I think Andy is discussing a general process for sideloading.

1. Install Shelter or Island from F-Droid onto you Android
   <https://www.xda-developers.com/shelter-open-source-sandboxing-app/>
   <https://www.gtricks.com/android/how-to-sandbox-android-apps-for-privacy/>
2. Set up a work profile
3. Either clone or sideload the desired APK directly into that sandbox
4. Manage permissions specifically for that sideloaded app in the profile

Issues I'm running into are Samsung Knox & Secure Folder interference, 
although there may be less Draconian ways to harden the sandbox such as
 a. TrackerControl:   <https://trackercontrol.org/>
    Blocks trackers and network access per app (no root)
 b. NetGuard:         <https://netguard.me/>
    Firewall-based control over app connections

Maybe we should start a separate thread on sideloaded-app containment?

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#150432

AJL wrote:

> Andy Burns wrote:
> >> AJL wrote:
> 
>>> Nanny Google is protecting me from myself...
> 
>> Maybe they should educate people to create multiple user accounts on
>> android devices
> 
> I have multiple Google accounts on all my Android devices.
Maybe I wasn't clear enough, I was talking about multiple *android* 
users, not google accounts ...

<https://support.google.com/android/answer/2865483?hl=en-GB>

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#150438

Andy Burns wrote:
> AJL wrote:

>> Nanny Google is protecting me from myself...

> Maybe they should educate people to create multiple user accounts on
>  android devices

>> I have multiple Google accounts on all my Android devices.

> Maybe I wasn't clear enough, I was talking about multiple *android*
> users, not google accounts ...

Ah. Users. Not as first said, Accounts. Got it. I was perhaps confused
because many of my Android toys have Users, Accounts, and Family Groups.

For example on my 10" Dezltid Android tablet (Android 15) there are the
following options:

I can add "Users" in Settings/System/Users.
I can add "Family Groups" in Settings/Google/Family Groups.
And I can add "Accounts" by ticking the upper right corner of most
Google apps.

Of the three options I've only ever used accounts. And currently I only
have three. One for me, one for my fake persona, and one for the wife so
I can keep an eye on things...  ;)

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#150439

On Fri, 5 Sep 2025 08:40:43 +0100, Andy Burns wrote :


>  I was talking about multiple *android* 
> users, not google accounts ...
> 
> <https://support.google.com/android/answer/2865483?hl=en-GB>

Whoa! I thought there was only two users on Android, Work & Personal.
Now I see from Andy's helpful link there are users aplenty on Android. 

A while ago I had installed insular/island/shelter which employed the Work
and Personal profiles as part of Android's enterprise features which are
designed to separate business apps and data from personal ones.

Until I clicked on Andy's link, I was unaware outside of that, Android also
allows you to create additional user accounts, guest accounts, and even
restricted profiles depending on the device and Android version.

Who knew?
Not me.

I guess I have a lot of homework to do... 

REFERENCES:
 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCBUczkkZWM>
 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfMd4wG9llI> 
 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNEkMpG0tRU> 
 <https://www.tiktok.com/@izziboye/video/7228684055628418309> 
 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jU6lNSZ8odM> 
 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVR-QQeHN3Y> 
 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQLyQKdp9DI>

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#151343

Marion <marion@facts.com> ha scritto:

> On Fri, 5 Sep 2025 08:40:43 +0100, Andy Burns wrote :
> 
> 
>>  I was talking about multiple *android* 
>> users, not google accounts ...
>> 
>> <https://support.google.com/android/answer/2865483?hl=en-GB>
> 
> Whoa! I thought there was only two users on Android, Work & Personal.
> Now I see from Andy's helpful link there are users aplenty on Android. 
> 
Thanks to Andy for sharing it. It's similar to the  Linux
 multiuser system (don't know if these android additional users
 can run termux and login as Admin... Or vice versa Admin login as
 "user2" ).

Anyway, as I can see these additional users come with the default
 google's apps that Muntashirakon "removed" long time ago (so it
 didn't remove them completely). 

Don't know if I am doing right... adding a new user the system
 asks to "copy" data and apps. I answered "not now" because I am
 not sure I want to reduce the storage space doubling all the
 apps. More users need more storage, isn't it?

-- 
Qihe

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#150452

On 9/3/25 4:10 PM, Andy Burns wrote:
> Sideloading is off by default, I doubt most users even know it exists, 
> let alone enable it, feels rather nannyish to block it entirely.

Exactly. I don't understand why users shouldn't have the choice.

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#150456

On Fri, 5 Sep 2025 19:08:12 -0400, Gabriel Coan wrote :


> On 9/3/25 4:10 PM, Andy Burns wrote:
>> Sideloading is off by default, I doubt most users even know it exists, 
>> let alone enable it, feels rather nannyish to block it entirely.
> 
> Exactly. I don't understand why users shouldn't have the choice.

I think just giving it a fancy name of "sideloading" obscures the point
that nearly every consumer operating system allows apps from anywhere.

So it's "normal loading" for almost all the operating systems out there.

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#150480

On 9/5/25 9:14 PM, Marion wrote:
> On Fri, 5 Sep 2025 19:08:12 -0400, Gabriel Coan wrote :
> 
> 
>> On 9/3/25 4:10 PM, Andy Burns wrote:
>>> Sideloading is off by default, I doubt most users even know it exists,
>>> let alone enable it, feels rather nannyish to block it entirely.
>>
>> Exactly. I don't understand why users shouldn't have the choice.
> 
> I think just giving it a fancy name of "sideloading" obscures the point
> that nearly every consumer operating system allows apps from anywhere.
> 
> So it's "normal loading" for almost all the operating systems out there.


It's just normalizing this sort of thing, which is terrible.

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#150451

On 9/3/25 2:23 AM, Jörg Lorenz wrote:
> On 03.09.2025 02:53, AJL wrote:
>> On 9/2/2025 3:27 PM, Gabriel Coan wrote:
>>> On 9/1/25 1:22 PM, AJL wrote:
>>
>>> The point I'm trying to make here is that Google is pretending that
>>> blocking sideloading apps is "for the user's security". It's not.
>>
>> Preventing sideloading from any unverified sources would definitely
>> increase security for the average folk. Allowing the general public to
>> download apps from any old place online can breed trouble.
> 
> The classic dilemma between freedom and security.
> Personally I tend to favour freedom.
> 


I think it's entirely my prerogative what I install. Having sideloading 
disabled by default I understand, but completely refusing to allow the 
user to choose to enable it is quite frankly ridiculous in my opinion.

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#150455

On 9/5/25 4:05 PM, Gabriel Coan wrote:

>I think it's entirely my prerogative what I install. Having sideloading 
>disabled by default I understand, but completely refusing to allow the 
>user to choose to enable it is quite frankly ridiculous in my opinion.

Get an Amazon Fire Tablet. I'm posting this with one. It lets me sideload
 anything from anywhere. Course its older Android fork won't run everything
 new but that's not been a big problem for me. I can usually find a
 workaround. And it runs some of my older stuff that newer Android won't
 (like my old Groundhog newsreader). I sideloaded the Play Store so it plus
 the Amazon Appstore have apps aplenty to choose from. Just hoping that
 Amazon doesn't take Google's lead and screw things up...

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#150457

On Sat, 6 Sep 2025 00:28:54 -0000 (UTC), AJL wrote :


> On 9/5/25 4:05 PM, Gabriel Coan wrote:
> 
>>I think it's entirely my prerogative what I install. Having sideloading 
>>disabled by default I understand, but completely refusing to allow the 
>>user to choose to enable it is quite frankly ridiculous in my opinion.
> 
> Get an Amazon Fire Tablet. I'm posting this with one. It lets me sideload
>  anything from anywhere. Course its older Android fork won't run everything
>  new but that's not been a big problem for me. I can usually find a
>  workaround. And it runs some of my older stuff that newer Android won't
>  (like my old Groundhog newsreader). I sideloaded the Play Store so it plus
>  the Amazon Appstore have apps aplenty to choose from. Just hoping that
>  Amazon doesn't take Google's lead and screw things up...

Hi AJL,

One of the problems is that Google is preventing us from building an APK
without each and every one of us registering ourselves as real developers.

As you know, I wrote a tutorial on c.m.a. recently for building an APK from
source code, where I just looked up Groundhog and apparently it's open src.
 From: Marion <marion@facts.com>
 alt.comp.os.windows-10,comp.mobile.android,alt.comp.os.windows-11
 Subject: Tutorial: Build your first Android APK on Windows from Github
 Date: Sat, 23 Aug 2025 09:23:09 -0000 (UTC)
 Message-ID: <108c19t$1o40$1@nnrp.usenet.blueworldhosting.com>

Based on a search result run just now, apparently the Groundhog Usenet
newsreader for Android was released under the GPL open source license and
its full source code is publicly available. The author, Juan J. Sanchez
(juanjux), published it on GitHub and stated that anyone is free to fork
and continue development. This means we can legally download the code, open
it in Android Studio or another Java/Android build environment, and compile
your own APK using the methods outlined in my recent tutorial.

Based on my quick search results, there are no official prebuilt releases
from the original repository. The codebase is said to be from around 2010,
so we may need to update project files, Gradle settings, and Android SDK
targets to build it on modern tools. It is also described as written almost
entirely in Java, with no proprietary dependencies beyond standard Android
libraries and a few bundled open source components. 

The repository is here: <https://github.com/juanjux/groundhog>

The main point is that while we can build an APK from source today, Google
is trying to make that impossible - which is simply too much like what
Apple does for me to handle it well.

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#150459

On 9/5/2025 6:22 PM, Marion wrote:
> On Sat, 6 Sep 2025 00:28:54 -0000 (UTC), AJL wrote :
>> On 9/5/25 4:05 PM, Gabriel Coan wrote:

>>> I think it's entirely my prerogative what I install. Having sideloading
>>> disabled by default I understand, but completely refusing to allow the
>>> user to choose to enable it is quite frankly ridiculous in my opinion.

>> Get an Amazon Fire Tablet. I'm posting this with one. It lets me sideload
>>  anything from anywhere. Course its older Android fork won't run everything
>>  new but that's not been a big problem for me. I can usually find a
>>  workaround. And it runs some of my older stuff that newer Android won't
>>  (like my old Groundhog newsreader). I sideloaded the Play Store so it plus
>>  the Amazon Appstore have apps aplenty to choose from.

> Hi AJL,
> One of the problems is that Google is preventing us from building an APK
> without each and every one of us registering ourselves as real developers.

So your choices are to either register or don't use a Google device. My 
above described Amazon tablet is such a non-Google device. It should run 
your non-registered apps just fine.

All my other Android toys require Google to operate. Are there any other 
Android OS tablets out there that you can buy that work without Google?

> Based on a search result run just now, apparently the Groundhog Usenet
> newsreader for Android was released under the GPL open source license and
> its full source code is publicly available. The author, Juan J. Sanchez
> (juanjux), published it on GitHub and stated that anyone is free to fork
> and continue development. This means we can legally download the code, open
> it in Android Studio or another Java/Android build environment, and compile
> your own APK using the methods outlined in my recent tutorial.

That apk modifying stuff is beyond my pay grade. But I've been using 
Groundhog for many years now. I use it for Usenet reading only since the 
posting function broke around Android 9. But reading is a PITA with my 
other Android newsreader PhoNews. So it's Groundhog until I want to 
post, then I switch. I'm still looking for a good modern Android 
newsreader but I think we both agreed that there isn't one.

> The main point is that while we can build an APK from source today, Google
> is trying to make that impossible -

It's a security thing IMO but we've been over that before. I just can't 
see where Google will lose much cash over the sideload crowd. Maybe you 
should just join up and make some bucks selling your apps in the Play 
Store...  8-O

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#150471

On Fri, 5 Sep 2025 20:16:26 -0700, AJL wrote :


>> One of the problems is that Google is preventing us from building an APK
>> without each and every one of us registering ourselves as real developers.
> 
> So your choices are to either register or don't use a Google device. My 
> above described Amazon tablet is such a non-Google device. It should run 
> your non-registered apps just fine.

Hi AJL,

Good discussion. We can all learn from each other. As we're all different.

You said it well. What will "likely" happen, as I consult my crystal ball 
with animal entrails wrapped around it, is either Google will change their 
mind, or, more likely perhaps, "Something Else" will solve the problem.

I'm assuming developers will come up with a universal developer account (or 
something of that ilk) which will allow us to be that universal developer.

Kind of like how we each are an account on the Google Play Store repository 
when we use Aurora to get the official exact actual real APKs from Google.

Sure, we can't pay for it as that universal user, but we can get free APKs.
My assumption is something like that will be available to us at that time.

> All my other Android toys require Google to operate. Are there any other 
> Android OS tablets out there that you can buy that work without Google?

Well, bear in mind I don't have a Google Account on my Samsung Galaxy.
And, if I could root it, I would have rooted it long ago (but I can't).
 
>> Based on a search result run just now, apparently the Groundhog Usenet
>> newsreader for Android was released under the GPL open source license and
>> its full source code is publicly available. The author, Juan J. Sanchez
>> (juanjux), published it on GitHub and stated that anyone is free to fork
>> and continue development. This means we can legally download the code, open
>> it in Android Studio or another Java/Android build environment, and compile
>> your own APK using the methods outlined in my recent tutorial.
> 
> That apk modifying stuff is beyond my pay grade.

Just to be clear, I have "apk-modifying stuff". That's different.
a. That's cloning
b. And that's editing the clone
c. And then you rebuild the edited clone
 <https://xdaforums.com/t/tool-apk-editor-studio-free-apk-reverse-engineering-tool.3972529/>
 <https://xdaforums.com/t/tool-clonemyapp-android-apk-cloner.4513777/>
 <https://clonemy.app/>

Some day I may write a tutorial for others to clone/edit/rebuild an APK.
 *APK Explorer & Editor*
 <https://apk-editor.github.io/general/>
 <https://f-droid.org/packages/com.apk.editor/>

> But I've been using 
> Groundhog for many years now. I use it for Usenet reading only since the 
> posting function broke around Android 9. But reading is a PITA with my 
> other Android newsreader PhoNews. So it's Groundhog until I want to 
> post, then I switch. I'm still looking for a good modern Android 
> newsreader but I think we both agreed that there isn't one.

Here is a copy-and-paste from one of my old logs about Android newsreaders.
 1. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=at.cmg.android.phonews
    https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cmgapps.android.phonewspro
 2. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.almarsoft.GroundhogReader
 3. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.piaohong.newsgroup
 4. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ken.android.nntpreader.pro
 5. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.noasy.newsreader
 6. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=usenet.sinaapp.com

Some of those are no longer valid URLs but I'm just looking for the package
names of all known Android Usenet news newsreaders (whether they're bad or
worse) as once I know the package I can get the APK from mirrors such as
https://m.apkpure.com/groundhog-usenet-reader/com.almarsoft.GroundhogReader
https://www.appbrain.com/app/noasy-reader/com.noasy.newsreader

newsreader usenet news
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.noasy.newsreader

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.piaohong.newsgroup
Last update: Nov 2019.
Adware.
Author's web site is dead (usenet.sinaapp.com).

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=at.cmg.android.phonews
Reveals phone number and OS in headers of submissions.
Adware.  Pay to get rid of ads (and that's all you pay for); see:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cmgapps.android.phonewspro
Nags to have you rate the app.

Groundhog
Home site (http://www.almarsoft.com/) is dead.
No longer listed at Play Store.  Available at: 
https://m.apkpure.com/groundhog-usenet-reader/com.almarsoft.GroundhogReader

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ken.android.nntpreader.pro
Payware.
Last update: Oct 2014.
https://nzbget.net/download

Some Usenet providers have their own HTTP-to-NNTP gateway to let you
access Usenet using your web browser.  For example, 
https://help.easynews.com/kb/article/368-how-to-get-easynews-on-your-mobile-device/.
There are also web-based forums that leech from Usenet using an
HTTP-to-NNTP gateway.

Yeah, there's Google Groups which have private web-based forums and
Usenet (newsgroups) mashed together.  However, many Usenetizens filter
out Google Gropers due to all the spam, trolls, peuriles, and uber-boobs
that reside there.
http://twovoyagers.com/improve-usenet.org/

Read the reviews of each app at the Play Store.  All the Android NNTP
apps are crap if you are accustomed to using NNTP clients on desktops.
For *read-only* web based search & read access to the automatically archived Android newsgroup, this is the URL you would use on a shortcut.
  <https://groups.google.com/g/comp.mobile.android>

Before anyone gets their panties all twisted up that the word 'google' 
is in the domain - just ignore that - it's _not_ Google Groups. 

It's DejaNews.

There are many ways to create a one-tap shortcut to DejaNews archives.
 <https://groups.google.com/g/misc.phone.mobile.iphone>
 <https://groups.google.com/g/comp.sys.mac.system>
 <https://groups.google.com/g/alt.comp.microsoft.windows>
 <https://groups.google.com/g/rec.photo.digital>
 <https://groups.google.com/g/comp.text.pdf>
 etc.

One way is to use the free "Website Shortcut" app (but methods abound).
 <https://i.postimg.cc/fTppT16Q/newsgroup01.jpg>
 Website Shortcut, by Deltac Development (free, adfree, gsffree, rated 4.3)
 <https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.deltacdev.websiteshortcut>

>> The main point is that while we can build an APK from source today, Google
>> is trying to make that impossible -
> 
> It's a security thing IMO but we've been over that before. I just can't 
> see where Google will lose much cash over the sideload crowd. Maybe you 
> should just join up and make some bucks selling your apps in the Play 
> Store...  8-O

If I knew more about Android I'd go the simple mobile tools route.
I'd make a bunch of simple Android tools.
And I'd let everyone have it for free.

Much like IrfanView and VLC are for Windows PCs.
But I'm not that good.

SO for now, I will pray that God will deliver us from evil by 
directing developers to come up with a solution to the problem.

I think the most straightforward solution is for a universal
developer account (much like what Aurora uses) but maybe that
would have its own inherent issues so I'll just wait for now.

What's great is we're all discussing it. 
Years before it will take effect.

That's what well-informed people should be doing.
So kudos, to us!

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#150362

On 8/31/25 11:44 AM, Gabriel Coan wrote:
>On 8/25/25 11:32 PM, Marion wrote:
..
>> Starting in 2026, only apps from verified developers will be installable on
>> most certified Android devices

>Correct me if I'm wrong, but there's absolutely no reason why Google 
>should be able to decide what I choose to run on *my* device.

I'm guessing it's a security thing. I'm now posting with a Google Chrome OS
 tablet (Lenovo 10e) that doesn't let me sideload anything. It's the Google
 store way or the highway for Android apps. Kinda like what's apparently
 coming with the verified developer thing. However I do have an Android
 tablet (Amazon Fire HD10) that does let me sideload Android apps from
 anywhere. But I suspect that I could easily get into trouble on it by
 loading apps from just any old website. So on my Google stuff (like you,
 all owned by me) Google is apparently my unrequested boss and protector...
 8-O

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