I'm also afraid it will make it easier for Google to bend to authoritarian regimes and ban developers whose apps are not government approved.
Think it can't happen? Think different:
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/10/apple-bends-to-t...
The reason I wasn't switching is that I install a lot of open source apps on my android device, for all kinds of things.
This change seems like it might greatly affect the current developer landscape. I've been looking for alternatives on the iphone to the apps I use and in most cases they do exist. I imagine the same will happen with android. Lots of devs are going to register and so on.
However, at that point, what difference will there be between ios and android systems that will meaningfully make me stay in android? I'll try out the iphone and see how I like it. Maybe theres something thats so commonplace right now for me that will become a deal breaker. Sort of doubt it.
Big L, as always google just doing what they do best.
Is Android doing the same? Do you have to pay them money to install your own, or open source apps?
But I need a phone, and I'd rather try the original at this point.
I expect the European Union to keep working towards keeping devices more open with time.
Unless, ofcourse, they were all fanboys who were just defending their favorite company without any reason.
