Link: https://www.theverge.com/policy/965792/google-epic-withdraw-injunction-third-party-app-stores-coming-google-play

https://archive.ph/ggjw0

Didn’t Android always have third party app stores?

I’ve been on iOS for a few years now, but having multiple install sources was always a thing on Android, I thought…

Time for graphene!

No, this is about official support from Google.

Judge James Donato originally agreed that forcing Google to carry rival Android app stores within its own Google Play store, and share its own entire catalog of apps with those stores, would be the best way of undoing the company’s illegal monopoly over Android applications.

...

there may be two different tracks for Android: stores-within-a-store in the United States, and Registered App Stores everywhere else.

Consumers are lazy and big tech exploits it by creating just enough friction to keep them in semi-walled gardens. Enabling installing of an app that’s labeled as „file might be harmful” by enabling installation of „unknown apps” won’t stop my grandma from installing malware but it stops many from even bothering with alternative app stores.

Or, if your bootloader is unlockable, root it, if you - like me - for some reason don't want to ditch your Graphene incompatible device. 🫣🤫