this post was submitted on 29 Oct 2025
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Keep Android Open (keepandroidopen.org)
submitted 3 weeks ago by cm0002@lemmings.world to c/opensource@programming.dev
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Keep Android Open

In August 2025, Google announced that starting next year, it will no longer be possible to develop apps for the Android platform without first registering centrally with Google.

This registration will involve:

  • Paying a fee to Google
  • Agreeing to Google’s Terms and Conditions
  • Providing government identification
  • Uploading evidence of an app’s private signing key
  • Listing all current and future application identifiers

Sign the open letter. And get active to help oppose the enactment of the policy in other ways listed on the website. Are there any more ways to oppose this?

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[–] afk_strats@lemmy.world 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I agree. And Linux is great. We all know Android is a bastardized version of Linux... But...

Android isn't just the technology and operating system. It's am entire ecosystem of manufacturers, developers, applications, drivers, etc. The ecosystem will be difficult to replace even if the OS isn't

[–] Lembot_0005@lemy.lol 1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

ecosystem

It shouldn't be replaced. It should be thrown away. Smartphones should be just handheld computers for running an arbitrary OS to run user programs. Nobody needs, wants or asked for the "ecosystem".

[–] afk_strats@lemmy.world 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I hear you. But what are non-technical users supposed to do? Compile their own apps? Flash firmware and SSH in to install the right radios and drivers?

People treat their phones like appliances. They go to app stores to get apps which developers ensure work for specific SDKs on phones carefully tuned to work well with the carier's networks.

There are definitely users who will do everything from scratch. But like Linux for PCs, success of alternative OSs on phones will be dependent on there existing a good out of the box experience with the ability to integrate with hardware and third party software and/or quality open alternatives.

[–] Lembot_0005@lemy.lol 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Most Linux users don't compile anything and live happily.

[–] MinFapper@startrek.website 1 points 2 weeks ago

This was absolutely not the case back when I started using Linux back in 2007.

There's been a lot of work put into the desktop Linux ecosystem by a many different organizations and individuals to get it to this point.

Linux phones are at the stage where you need to apply a custom kernel patch to get it to sleep/wake properly on your hardware, get the camera working, etc. It will also take a long time for desktop Linux apps to get responsive (i.e. offer a good experience with a small touch screen).