Google Begins Certifying Registered App Stores For Android (arstechnica.com) 25
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Ars Technica: Running an app ecosystem has gotten a lot more complex for Google after its loss in the Epic Games antitrust case. While U.S. users can access app stores in Google Play by court order, international users will use Google's voluntary Registered App Stores program. Google has announced that stores wishing to be part of that program are now free to apply, and support will roll out to some Android devices later this year. App stores accepted into the program will enjoy preferential treatment on the Android platform. Users of approved stores will be able to install apps with a single click, similar to the experience in the Play Store. These stores will also be allowed to update apps silently in the background like Google's store does.
[...] Registered App Stores are still happening on Android, but they won't be supported in the U.S. -- you can go to Google Play for alternative stores stateside, but so far, Aptoide remains the only one listed. Those operating Android app storefronts who want to be included in the international program can now review the program and begin the enrollment process. Any store hoping to get approval will have to adhere to a number of requirements, including protecting intellectual property, removing illegal content, and publishing a privacy policy for both users and developers. Google also requires several ongoing security measures to ensure the stores do not give malware easier access to Android devices. As part of the application process, store operators must provide documentation for all these points (in English) and upload copies of all their apps.
It costs $10,000 per year to participate in the Android Registered App Stores program, and that fee must be paid before Google will review the application. Google says this fee covers the additional support necessary to run the program. There may also be additional review fees if Google detects a store has a problem with malware. Google plans to roll out support in dozens of nations, which includes most of the world outside of the U.S. and Europe. The program goes live on December 1, but it will only work on Android devices running the latest builds of Android 17. Google says support will start with Android 17 QPR2, which is expected to arrive on Pixel phones in the coming weeks.
[...] Registered App Stores are still happening on Android, but they won't be supported in the U.S. -- you can go to Google Play for alternative stores stateside, but so far, Aptoide remains the only one listed. Those operating Android app storefronts who want to be included in the international program can now review the program and begin the enrollment process. Any store hoping to get approval will have to adhere to a number of requirements, including protecting intellectual property, removing illegal content, and publishing a privacy policy for both users and developers. Google also requires several ongoing security measures to ensure the stores do not give malware easier access to Android devices. As part of the application process, store operators must provide documentation for all these points (in English) and upload copies of all their apps.
It costs $10,000 per year to participate in the Android Registered App Stores program, and that fee must be paid before Google will review the application. Google says this fee covers the additional support necessary to run the program. There may also be additional review fees if Google detects a store has a problem with malware. Google plans to roll out support in dozens of nations, which includes most of the world outside of the U.S. and Europe. The program goes live on December 1, but it will only work on Android devices running the latest builds of Android 17. Google says support will start with Android 17 QPR2, which is expected to arrive on Pixel phones in the coming weeks.
10000 a year! (Score:5, Insightful)
10k a year fuck right off with that bullshit. These are all roadblocks you idiots put up so removing them costs nothing you sniveling fuckers
Re: (Score:2)
It probably does cost Google something. They scan apps and devices for malware, and anything that increases the number of apps and ways to distribute them will increase the cost. They also have to certify these app stores, they aren't just going to let anyone set one up and start distributing malware or pirate streaming apps.
It feels calibrated to deter unserious applicants, but not cause further legal woes.
The real issue is F-Droid and similar open source app stores. It remains to be seen exactly how it is
Re: 10000 a year! (Score:2)
"They also have to certify these app stores, they aren't just going to let anyone set one up and start distributing malware or pirate streaming apps."
Yeah, you have to put those apps on their app store so they can benefit.
I joke slightly, though they have distributed malware before.
Re:10000 a year! (Score:4, Insightful)
Totally agree, but if it costs google anything, then $10k doesn't cover it. Even if 10 independent stores sign up, $10k/store doesn't even cover a single FTE for a year, and they will probably need a small team to run this this program. The $10k is not there to "cover costs" as they say. It is there to deter small open source groups from running their own store. It really does feel targeted at F-Droid.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
It feels calibrated to deter unserious applicants, but not cause further legal woes.
that sounds about right. the requirements for shops already mandate scanning and verification, they even wash their hands about possible ip infringements and the shops are also expected to fully identify developers on their own. so they're offloading the whole thing, and if any shop doesn't comply then even better, they will be more than happy to cut it off and say "we told you so".
alternative shops are a nuisance for google, they're just acquiescing because of legal pressure in certain markets, but it's no
Re: (Score:2)
On an android phone/tablet you can download any app, and install it with the File Explorer.
No appstore needed.
Re: (Score:2)
Yes although they dearly wanted to end that also. Starting recently it requires waiting 24 hours to enable side loading. And there's nothing that prevents them from shutting off side loading frequently, requiring another 24 hour wait for the next time.
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would be pretty annoying ... don't need it often though.
Worst case I can build most stuff from F-Droid, as F-Droid only distributes stuff , that has public available sources. Hm, funny spelling mistake afailable.
Thanks Sweeney (Score:3)
Now take Epic games and fuck right off. You're not doing this for us....everything you do has fucked the consumers. You're doing it for yourself youselfish asshat.
Re: (Score:2)
Some times the rich fuckers goals align with the goals of the common people. Sometimes. Usually not. And certainly not for everything else that fucker is doing, but in this case yes.
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> everything you do has fucked the consumers
Say more ... how has suing to end the Play App Store monopoly 'fucked consumers'?
Will they be subjected to their own rules? (Score:2)
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IP infringement is the name of the game on the Google Appstore, filled with copycats and straight rip-offs any cursory check would pick up before allowing publishing.
It's not illegal to make and sell a similar product with a similar name. Retail stores are filled with them. This doesn't make the App Store good, it isn't, it's crap. But it also means that they don't have any duty to prevent those apps from existing. They may chase them off the store if enough people complain, but only because people are complaining and it's cheaper than some other approach.
Re: Will they be subjected to their own rules? (Score:2)
Running out of pages. (Score:2)
Google has announced that stores wishing to be part of that program are now free to apply, and support will roll out to some Android devices later this year.
Is Google aware what the date is?
Nokia S60 (Score:2)
I wonder how this all compares with how things were before the Google and Apple duopoly. Reading through the description, I had some flashbacks of the hoops app developers needed to jump through.
There's a sniff of, embrace, extend, extinguish...
Re: (Score:1)
Removal of user control (Score:2, Insightful)
This seems to be a part of the android's ios-ification.
Block installing unsigned APKs, and likely eventually all APKs by users entirely. Then when no one can install alternative app stores from APKs any more, and anti-monopoly people come knocking, have this "program" to show them.
Smart.
Dearest Google (Score:2)
This won't last long (Score:4, Funny)
As much as I hate that fucker Tim Sweeney I'm sure he won't settle for a US only win, and if he lodges a complaint in Europe the EU will certainly have things to say about Google, a certified gatekeeper under the DMA demanding a $10k participation fee.
I'm not sure which lawyer approved this at Google but I suspect they are counting on making enough profit in a short time to offset the almost certain fine they will get.
this what you would call malicious compliance (Score:2)
Also, is there a point, when any app uploaded to one of these app stores would have to basically comply with the same terms and conditions as apps on the Google Play Store, from the looks of it?
Google is trying to claw back some of their precious per-sale revenue loss by charging that $10K, and increasing the barrier to entry to the point where only serious businesses will attempt it. It's obvious that having third party app stores provides no benefit for Google, so they are doing everything they legally
Dozens (Score:2)
Google plans to roll out support in dozens of nations, which includes most of the world outside of the U.S. and Europe.
13.75 dozens?