[jojobas]

FWIW you don't really need an app store, you could download APKs off vendors/publishers, verify signatures and mind updates (except Apple won't let you, but that's a different story).

You want to use an app store, fine, use an app store and pay some commission on what you buy there, it's not a problem, reaching into any purchase done after the initial download is.

[iforgotpassword]

Where exactly can I download my bank's app as an APK? Except random shady websites...

[turtlebits]

How is this a Google problem? Ask your bank.

[iforgotpassword]

They say I should use the app store.

[ffgjgf1]

So? Google isn’t forcing them to only publish on the Play Store.

[iforgotpassword]

Your point being? Maybe you want to read the comment I was replying to again:

> FWIW you don't really need an app store, you could download APKs off vendors/publishers.

Very evidently I do.

[rstuart4133]

I don't doubt you used Googles app store to access the banks app (as would I), but it's not because of something Google forces you to do. It's because your bank put it there, and it's a very a convenient service for both you and your bank. Unlike the iPhone environment the bank had a choice in using the app store. They could have you side load it, or they could put it in an alternate app store, or hell they could open source it and use FDroid's app store.

It seems to me there is very little stopping there being a whole pile of competing Android app stores out there. Technically there's nothing stopping it in fact, as the existence of FDroid illustrates. It's purely a matter of convenience - which is the same thing that drives Chrome's dominance on Android despite there being better browsers available for free. The play store app is pre-installed and is almost a one stop stop for all the apps you could possibly want, so who is going to bother loading another app store?

Turns out that edge in convenience is enough to create an effective monopoly in app stores, for most people anyway.

[ffgjgf1]

I did read it, I’m just not sure what are you suggesting? A law obligating everyone who publishes their apps to any app store to also provide an .apk?

[skeaker]

Hahahaha, yes, let's rely on the famously tech savvy banks to securely distribute their app.

[rowanG077]

They seem to be pretty good considering I can't just hack someones bank account and fill my pockets.

[stjohnswarts]

probably still better than myfreebankapps.ru

[niutech]

APKmirror is not a shady random website. It's well established.

[UtahDave]

Many applications such as banking applications are only available in the official app store.

[jojobas]

Google is not to blame for the fact that your bank won't trust you to verify an apk signature. There's no fundamental need for the OS vendor to oversee app distribution.

[ryao]

Definitely. Blackhats are much better at overseeing application distribution than the OS vendor. :P

In all seriousness, you already have to trust the OS vendor not to be trying to do bad things. Having them oversee software distribution at least does not increase the number of organizations you need to trust. If you have someone else do it, you will be opening the door to black hats that will be clamoring to take that role. Not relying on the OS vendor to do that is how we have scams where the victims installed the malware that harmed them. :/

[abridges6523]

Have you used an AppStore? They’re both full of scammy apps

[salawat]

Trust is a Social/People problem that most techies are uniquely unequipped to scalably solve.

[jzl]

That would be impractical and nearly impossible to do. Name even one other computing platform that works this way.

Oh, wait a minute …

[Oras]

> you don't really need an app store

> except Apple won't let you, but that's a different story

You're saying you can comment, but no one will give you access to the keyboard?

[jojobas]

The whole discussion is about Google, they do let you use whatever store, and also let you compile and deploy your own Android if you're up for the task and your phone manufacturer allows you to boot what you want.

I'd too prefer Apple to be forced by court to open their devices for everything, not holding my breath.

[johnnyanmac]

you may be able to breathe one day on that aspect. Sounds like the EU is putting groundwork to do that exact thing on IOS.