Re:Another Way Apple's Fight With Google Is Hurting Users
by bduerst on Wednesday October 03, 2012 @11:55AM
(#4608040)
The carriers can threaten lawsuits to app providers if they allow the application to work on their network.
Case in point: Google Wallet.
Re:Another Way Apple's Fight With Google Is Hurting Users
by jeffdavis on Wednesday October 03, 2012 @12:42PM
(#4608321)
Google offers the nexus line, which is not tied to carrier contracts.
The openness of Google, nexus, and android is a big selling point for me.
Re:Another Way Apple's Fight With Google Is Hurting Users
by halvsjur on Wednesday October 03, 2012 @02:16PM
(#4608845)
From a European perspective, that sounds really strange.
I've got mobile broadband in my laptop. Imagine if the provider of that service would have a say over what programs I could run on my laptop. Very strange.
Re:Another Way Apple's Fight With Google Is Hurting Users
by bduerst on Wednesday October 03, 2012 @02:43PM
(#4608981)
It's a SLA, which typically don't come with laptops.
Video game consoles are similar - MS won't allow you access to the Xbox Live service if you've modded your hardware or installed different firmware.
Verizon doesn't care what you do with your phone, but they say that you can't get their cell phone service unless you run the device the way they want you to.
Re:Another Way Apple's Fight With Google Is Hurting Users
by TazeTSchnitzel on Wednesday October 03, 2012 @12:01PM
(#4608070)
Yep. On my Samsung I can sideload, er, dubious applications.
This is not true for Android. Some OEMs might ship a version of Android that is tied to a single app store (e.g., Kindle Fire), but I'm quite certain that vanilla Android can install any old .apk from any source.