Google Removing Ad-Blockers From Play 337
SirJorgelOfBorgel writes "It appears Google has begun removing ad-blocker apps for Android from the Play store, citing breaches of the Play Store Developer Distribution Agreement. The apps would be welcome back as soon as they no longer violated the agreement, though that doesn't seem possible while keeping the apps' core functionality intact."
Update: 03/18 20:06 GMT by U L : You can still easily install ad blockers using F-Droid, the Free Software only replacement for Play.
Re:Good (Score:5, Informative)
Way to miss the point. It's about Android, not Chrome.
Re:Can you use Android without the Goog? (Score:5, Informative)
Can you use Android without serving yourself up to Google?
Yes.
Is it true that you have to have a Google account to start up your phone?
No.
Can you (easily) install apps by just downloading them to your computer and then transferring to the phone?
Yes, generally referred to as 'sideloading'.
Do you have to give up your credit card info and name/address to sign up for the Google app store? (In light of the recent story that app developers get all your info, I don't know if I want every 2-bit app to get that info. The info itself could be worth more than the 99 cents for the application.)
No, you can use a regular google account. However, to pay for an app you will need to do so.
Also, do free apps also get your personal information?
Each app has a list of what features it requests access to available on the store page (and you will be notified of them before installation). There are apps that allow you to enforce your own arbitrary restrictions on any app, but it may casue some to stop working.
Any hints or links re: using Android without the all-seeing eye?
Try some of the various alternative Android distros like Cyanogenmod. XDA Developers is a good place to start.
Re:Good (Score:1, Informative)
And what did you expect? (Score:5, Informative)
I'm quite glad Android is not completely closed, and projects like F-Droid exist:
http://f-droid.org/ [f-droid.org]
It's not half as good as official Google store at the moment, but it's open source, and it will get improved.
As for me, I won't be happy until I can apt-get install apps on my mobile
--Coder
Re:Good (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Can you use Android without the Goog? (Score:3, Informative)
Can you use Android without serving yourself up to Google?
Yes. Best way is probably the hosts file, which means you need to root the device (not hard, especially if you get a Nexus device)
Is it true that you have to have a Google account to start up your phone?
You need at least a gmail account. But that doesn't mean you have to use it for anything else.
Can you (easily) install apps by just downloading them to your computer and then transferring to the phone?
Yes.
Do you have to give up your credit card info and name/address to sign up for the Google app store? (In light of the recent story that app developers get all your info, I don't know if I want every 2-bit app to get that info. The info itself could be worth more than the 99 cents for the application.)
Credit card number only if you download non-free apps. No address. If you're worried, use a pre-paid credit card.
Also, do free apps also get your personal information?
Sometimes.
Any hints or links re: using Android without the all-seeing eye?
See above...
Builtin app replacement recommendations?
GoLauncherEx for homescreens
Playerpro (music)
ChompSMS
K9 Mail.
HTH
Re:Can you use Android without the Goog? (Score:3, Informative)
(From a Linux geek still happy with a "dumbphone", but considering Android)
Can you use Android without serving yourself up to Google?
It is difficult, but possible. Just.
Is it true that you have to have a Google account to start up your phone?
No, but without a google account you cannot use their app store, and without an account of some sort somewhere you cannot use the calendar. I personally have setup a Zarafa server with Z-push to mimic an Exchange with active-sync. Using that allows me to use the calendar and sync my email, contacts and calendar without using google at all.
Can you (easily) install apps by just downloading them to your computer and then transferring to the phone?
That depends. If they are apps from someone who has realised that Google Play is not required, and just distributes the APKs then sure, easy as pie. If they are apps that are distributed solely via Google Play then, no, not easily.
You can however install them on another android device and use something like APK Extractor to copy them to install on your phone. I keep one of my old android phones for this purpose
Do you have to give up your credit card info and name/address to sign up for the Google app store? (In light of the recent story that app developers get all your info, I don't know if I want every 2-bit app to get that info. The info itself could be worth more than the 99 cents for the application.)
No. I haven't had to at least. I would warn you though that if Google have this information from another source (i.e. Google wallet or whatever they call it) I wouldn't put it past them to 'helpfully' fill it in for you
Also, do free apps also get your personal information?
Not to my knowledge. Only the paid app get your info afaik.
Any hints or links re: using Android without the all-seeing eye?
Builtin app replacement recommendations?
The first thing I tend to do with an android device is root it, and install a custom ROM. Typically Cyanogenmod, but sometimes others. I would recommend you have a good look to see which devices have the best developer community before you buy.
Second, if you don't have an exchange server available, set one up yourself on a machine you tend to leave on in your home network. That will provide most of the functionality you'd be missing by not having a google account tied to your phone. (If you are feeling adventurous you could set up a VPN and have secure access to this anywhere.
Apps wise, go grab one of the OpenStreetMap apps, which will have you covered for maps and route planning. Grab something like EStrong File manager so you can access network shares. And finally, grab something like ConnectBot, so you can ssh into your machines.
I think that pretty much covers my setup
Re:Can you use Android without the Goog? (Score:3, Informative)
I'm a happy owner of a Android phone running CyanogenMod with the FSF FreeDroid (F-Droid) Store. I didn't installed the Play Store on purpose. Sure I don't have access to 300k Apps, but most important Apps* are available and the Phone is working fine and reliable.
* That of course depends on your needs. For me its: Browser, Firefox, aCal calendar, OsmAnd Map application, shopping list, Jabber client, SIP client, GPS tracker, calculator, text editor, and a few games
Re:If you like an app buy it (Score:5, Informative)
If you like an app, pay the dollar or two for the ad free version, other wise you're stealing from the developer of the app, justify it however you like, but it is theft.
That's not always possible. There are a few apps that I use where there isn't a version without the ads. I'd happily plonk down a few quid to remove them, but the option isn't there.
Re:Good (Score:5, Informative)
You do know that Mozilla is releasing their own Phone OS, right? With their own app store.
Re:Can you use Android without the Goog? (Score:2, Informative)
In the UK you need to use a card to enable Google Music. (It can be removed again immediately afterwards).
Now you can get pre paid cards (£10/£25 - Tesco / Morrisons).
I understand that this is probably one of the better countries. (It was credit card (None prepaid) or nothing until very recently).
Re:Play store not the only source (Score:5, Informative)
That's what I love about Android. It actually feels like a PC in my pocket where I can do whatever.
Re:Good (Score:4, Informative)
You can still download them from outside of the play store. That's pretty open...unlike some other platforms.
Re:And what did you expect? (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Bad idea (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Bad idea (Score:3, Informative)
but I see no reason whatsoever that Google shouldn't make it harder for the average user to block ads.
Reason: It's opposite to what the user wants.
Re:What About App Developers? (Score:5, Informative)
I can understand why people ad-block - especially web pages.
However, developers get a slice of the ad-revenue when the ads are presented via their apps.
Typically, it's not a hell of a lot of money.
5000 user sessions per day * 2 minutes per session * 2 ads per session *80% ad network fill rate * $0.50 per works out to about 8 bucks a day, or right around $1/hour for a 52 week 40 hour work week. That's assuming that you get enough distribution numbers and the app is sticky enough that you can get that many sessions for that long per day to get your 4 ad views per session.
The ad networks would like you to believe you are going to get rich on advertising revenue when you include their ad platform library in your free version of your App, but typically you will instead usually net about $1280 a year per app, and that's if you are lucky.
So basically, you can keep those numbers up for 4 years in a row, or you could just charge the $0.99 for the app up front to realize that $5000 up front, rather than over a period of 4 years during which you have to remain relevant enough to 5000 free downloaders that they spend 2 minutes a day in your app.
The only people to pull down any heavy cash for their ad supported version of their apps are people like the Angry Birds developers, which is why they can spend all that money porting to every platform under the sun.
Re:Can you use Android without the Goog? (Score:2, Informative)
Do you have to give up your credit card info and name/address to sign up for the Google app store? (In light of the recent story that app developers get all your info, I don't know if I want every 2-bit app to get that info. The info itself could be worth more than the 99 cents for the application.)
No, you can use a regular google account. However, to pay for an app you will need to do so.
You can also use Google Play pre-paid cards to purchase apps without giving out additional info.
Re:Good (Score:5, Informative)
Google's point here is to obviously make them as invisible as possible to minimize users that block ads. Most people won't go around other android stores or internet sites searching for software, they're fairly happy with google play.
Quite right! Until today, I didn't know that there were ad blockers for Android. With today's action, not only has Google made me aware that there are, but, thanks to TFA, I know where to find them: F-Droid. Excellent!!
Ok (Score:4, Informative)
This is why I use Android anyways. Google can control the apps on their store and I don't care. What I care about is that if I don't want to use them as a source I can just go get the same apps from another place and install them on my device.