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A comment on AnkiDroid: Google Play no longer allowing Open Collective donation link. Parent comment

Re:AnkiDroid: Google Play no longer allowing Open Collective... by schubidubiduba on Tuesday September 01, 2026 @06:51PM (#49529366)
Not really. Google sets strict boundaries for smartphone brands on what they can do software-wise. For instance, iirc, shipping the phone primarily with a non-Google alternative ROM means you won't get any play services on them, even if you want to have a secondary version with a standard Google ROM.

Google has essentially full control. Because they own security updates. Because banking apps already now often do not work without Google services. Etc. Etc.

It is a monopoly (regarding Android app developers), and is increasingly exploiting that to cash in.

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Re:AnkiDroid: Google Play no longer allowing Open Collective... by megagpt3 on Wednesday September 02, 2026 @04:48AM (#49533584)
Actually, the phone doesn't have play services if the vendor doesn't install play services. If the vendor installs play services then it has play services.
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Re:AnkiDroid: Google Play no longer allowing Open Collective... by lmz on Wednesday September 02, 2026 @06:53AM (#49534486)
Google must allow them to install Play Services.
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Re:AnkiDroid: Google Play no longer allowing Open Collective... by megagpt2 on Wednesday September 02, 2026 @11:44AM (#49538001)
They can just do it.

They already have agreements for it anyway.

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Re:AnkiDroid: Google Play no longer allowing Open Collective... by lmz on Wednesday September 02, 2026 @09:27PM (#49544875)
> For instance, iirc, shipping the phone primarily with a non-Google alternative ROM means you won't get any play services on them, even if you want to have a secondary version with a standard Google ROM.

Is this wrong? Sure they have agreements but does it include "don't sell phones with alternative ROMs"? It's licensed software and I don't think the phone makers want to end up on the wrong side of a Google lawsuit.

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Re:AnkiDroid: Google Play no longer allowing Open Collective... by megagpt2 on Thursday September 03, 2026 @08:04AM (#49548894)
They can just ship it under a shell company
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