Hacker News Reader

Comment by happymellon | Hacker News Reader

Android is the Windows of the mobile world.

Slowly getting worse, and slowly becoming more locked down. Petitions won't stop this, at best they delay for 6 months until a "bug" prevents the side loading, they "fix it" now and then it regresses.

View on HN

This is a curious statement. Installing your own programs is not under threat from Microsoft the way it is from Apple. And not that I think Windows getting worse is a substantive argument vs. blind hate, but for the record Windows 8 was the worst version and 8.1/10/11 have been slowly improving over it, not getting worse.

Only because UWP and Win32 sandboxing haven't taken off as Microsoft would like, mostly because they messed up the delivery.

Windows 11 was taken from the ashes of Windows 10X project.

https://youtu.be/ztrmrIlgbIc?is=6a5CpyAUUpcbDL3n

Anyway in enterprise context, IT can already restrict what you run via group policies.

Is there any Windows computer in the last 10 years that doesn't have the ability to turn off secure boot?

Is there any plans for Google to phase out unlocking the bootloader on Pixel devices?

Not sure how more locked down is correct. Malware on Android is common and usually targets those who are technically illiterate, all Google is here doing is raising the bar slightly at the cost of a minor inconvenience of a smaller user base who use a feature.

I'm technically literate, I've compiled AOSP for work and sideloaded many apps for personal use. And I have not once unlocked the bootloader on one of my personal devices. Flashing a new OS is a hassle that I don't want to bother with. The idea that I should have to do that in order to run my chosen programs one day is absurd. It's why I chose Android in the first place.

Private companies and authoritative governments have too much to gain from locking things down, and recent examples show that this is happening more, not less, at a fast track pace.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com