Android's Uncurated App Marketplace Draws Criticism, Google Activates 'Kill Switch' on Two Apps

[0dev]

Apple's kill switch is to stop a grown adult from accidentally seeing a pair of tits missed during the approval process. Google's kill switch is to stop malware. That's the difference

I never defended Apple's processes at all, I just explained why Google needs the kill switch. But, you do know that the iPhone has an internet browser, yeah?

 

[darkplanets]

I love how all the android fanboys come in here to beat their drum...its just like the iPhone forum...

But really though, who cares? Buy what works for you. If android works for you, cool. I don't care what android has or doesn't have, nor what you think about it, so keep preaching your fanboy drivel somewhere else, or its just another hidden poster. If you want to talk about the actual issue at hand here, and how it relates to the iphone without spewing all your fanboy bs, then awesome, that's what this is meant for.

Both OS have their merits, and faults. Anyone who denies this is clearly of a less capable mental state. It's different strokes for different folks; whatever works for you. As for the "freedom" fighters, well, you're a bit out of touch. Keep pounding that freedom drum there, in your own little world, nobody's listening.

As for the actual security aspect; it is a legitimate issue. While yes, you do have to confirm access to data, you have to consider that the public at large isn't very bright, and will probably just download anything anyways because it looks cool or what not. This means only the intelligent and reasonable are protected, which sadly is a minority. We see this time and time again on the windows platform; people download trojans and what not, then execute them to boot, because they're not the brightest crayons in the box. Windows can be a perfectly secure and stable system (especially win 7), yet users still have issues with viruses and spyware from user error. Hence the main issue with android; while some people won't bite, many will, creating the potential for a large security issue.

 

[siphyn87]

Get over windows dude! Google is the new evil right?!?! Ahhh thats right, they do not have an OS to bash for a desktop, so might as well have a left field bash at M$ he he he. Though wait a sec, this thread is about Android... mobile OS, though would be totally incomplete without the random M$ bash

On a serious note though.

So who is the greater evil right now, M$ or Google? Microsoft has kinda faded away from the Media (and not to mention Apple is becoming less and less of a computer company these days), so is Google the main challenger to Apple? I would not mind your opinion on this.

I agree I would say Google is the main competition at the moment. On another note, I have to agree with some of the others and say that I prefer android because its open. Don't get me wrong I love the iPhone and the hardware is top notch, but the fact that the phone is locked down to the point where I can't even modify simple things, like adding custom sms tones really annoys me. I mean come on apple it's the year 2010, every iPhone out there that gets a txt message shouldn't sound the same. Anyway, competition is good, the better android gets and the better the hardware gets, the more it will force apple to constantly improve. Also for the record I'm currently using an iPhone and own a macbook, so no I'm not an android fanboy it's just my opinion. I had both the original iPhone, jailbroken on T-Mobile, and I've had a 3G for two years now. I think my next phone will be the droid x just to try something different.

 

[Xavier]

This is definitely cause for concern. Also one of the major reasons why I am avoiding a Droid for the time being.

 

[yg17]

I never defended Apple's processes at all, I just explained why Google needs the kill switch. But, you do know that the iPhone has an internet browser, yeah?

True. But I bet if Apple could block that, they would

I'm surprised they haven't implemented penis-detecting technology that will drop FaceTime calls as soon as it detects wang. I hear Chatroulette is developing something like that, maybe Apple will buy it

 

[MH01]

Personally, I don't want pure freedom on my cell phone. My cell phone has so much personal info on me, it's absurd. Every email, every text, every phone call, my location a lot of the time, my contacts, my web searches, my music, my photos.

You have bigger problems then Iphone v Android. If you are storing that much personal information on your cell phone, a device that is very easy to misplace or have stolen, company policies are the least of your problems. Store only what you need on your phone. The rest store on your mac at home.

 

[MH01]

True. But I bet if Apple could block that, they would

I'm surprised they haven't implemented penis-detecting technology that will drop FaceTime calls as soon as it detects wang. I hear Chatroulette is developing something like that, maybe Apple will buy it

ha ha ha, they cannot do. There would be far too many dropped calls from "wangheads" using it

 

[DaREdBaRoN]

Wow, who'd have thought that an uncontrolled marketplace would attract malware and hackers. But wait, Apple is stifling development with all of their rules and regulations man

 

[macrazee]

The real problem with Android...

If you remember they had a major security breach right after they opened the Android Marketplace. There was some (supposed) banking application which was really a trojan stealing users' logins and passwords for online banking. It was removed fairly quickly, but goes to show the risk of having this vast, open ecosystem where anyone can put up anything.

I much prefer Apple's system to be honest.

 

[Silverado]

With freedom comes responsibility.

Having a more free ecosystem means users will have to exercise more responsibility in what they add to their devices. I'd gladly take this over the Apple model.

This is a completely understandable position.

However, this most likely means that Android phones will always be relegated to second position behind the iPhone because they will only be used by those who are technical enough to be able to deal with this responsibility, NOT the consumer masses.

 

[darrenbeige]

With freedom comes responsibility.

Having a more free ecosystem means users will have to exercise more responsibility in what they add to their devices. I'd gladly take this over the Apple model.

I welcome a free-er ecosystem than what Apple has right now, but there will always be some sort of curation needed.

Even Google realizes this. Look at Google Search. There's a reason why Google filter/flag virus-and-malware-infected pages out of search results.

 

[Full of Win]

I welcome a free-er ecosystem than what Apple has right now, but there will always be some sort of curation needed.

Even Google realizes this. Look at Google Search. There's a reason why Google filter/flag virus-and-malware-infected pages out of search results.

I can accept malware based curation. However, what Apple does now, where it uses its gatekeeper status to stop/remove apps that can hurt profits (e.g. Google Voice and NetShare) is growing unacceptable, even to the most hardened Apple fan. Add to this the inconsistent nature of its control policy, such as pulling some over 17 apps, but then allowing the app from Playboy that shows as much or more then the pulled apps, is just one example.

This is a completely understandable position.

However, this most likely means that Android phones will always be relegated to second position behind the iPhone because they will only be used by those who are technical enough to be able to deal with this responsibility, NOT the consumer masses.

People have had to responsibly install software on desktop/laptops for the last 20 years+. I don't see it as being that much of an impediment.

 

[uberamd]

This is a completely understandable position.

However, this most likely means that Android phones will always be relegated to second position behind the iPhone because they will only be used by those who are technical enough to be able to deal with this responsibility, NOT the consumer masses.

Thats a good point.

I am troubled by how much access Android applications ask for. Call data? Messaging data? Location data? I am puzzled as to why many Android apps even need access to that info. It seems (to me) that Android has a lot more security risk built into it because of the kind of data the developers have access to.

I like Android as a concept, but it seems to be too fragmented and permissions grabby for my liking. I just don't like the fact that apps ask for so much data permission, that there are still so many handsets stuck at 1.6 that have been abandoned by their carriers, and that there are so many variations in hardware coming out on a monthly basis.

But before I am called a hater, look at the back of my 17" MBP, I really do like Android and I think the Nexus One is a decent device. But it just seems too fragmented to me, and the apps don't have that "Apple" polish on them.

 

[dogie678]

Just a reminder. This happened a few days ago.

Security researcher creates botnet for Android, tricks 300 users to download the app

pair of Android apps written by security researcher Jon Oberheide to demonstrate a method of creating a "botnet" of hijacked phones. By cloaking an application capable of "fetching" new exploit code at will in a fake application offering preview pictures of the upcoming "Twilight Eclipse" film, he tricked more than 300 users into downloading the software. The lesson: a less friendly developer could have used that bait and switch to plant malware on users' devices.

http://blogs.forbes.com/firewall/20...letes-and-downplays-botnet-demo-android-apps/

if Oberheide hadn't presented his research at the SummerCon hacker conference there's no reason to believe that Google would have been aware of the existence of these applications in the first place.

 

[Bigdaddyguido]

I have more personal information on my computer (as I bet most do) such as financial information, my tax forms for the past several years, complete with SSN, my keychain with passwords to all sorts of stuff including bank websites, etc, and that's an open platform and it doesn't bother anyone. Someone who got access to all the data on my phone wouldn't get much beyond a glimpse into my rather uneventful life. My computer, on the other hand, I'd be ****ed if somebody got into that.

Very true, I do have personal info on my computer as well. However, I don't buy trinket games and apps on my computer where such malware would be likely to exist, i do occasionally buy such things on my phone. I really don't want to have to spend my time looking into each indie developer to play these games.

Additionally, you have an interesting view on the needs for security if your prioritizing your tax info, which is more something a very advanced thief with a long term plan to financially ruin you would look into is a more likely scenario then someone using your day to day location habits to rob your house of tangible goods quickly and easily.

@Darkroom

the mobile security blunder back in 2007, when the iphone just came out, and i hadn't bought it yet because it was still a completely new product that would obviously have some kinks? Nice.

A Mac user can actually pay attention to all of this security information *gasp*, and i regularly make sure i'm safe with apple software, patiently waiting the day i'll actually have to worry about anything i've owned having a dangerous security breach. Fortunately, so far, I've wasted no time actually doing anything to combat these breaches by simply waiting a product cycle (hello at&t ipad leak).

 

[wilycoder]

I've heard of the "apple fanbois" all over the internet, and it seems they are all drawn to this thread.

I recently switched from a 3g iphone to an EVO 4G. Android is making huge progress, more than I would say apple is. Apple's iphone4 was a huge letdown for me so I made the switch.

Some of you people need to calm down and get a grip.

 

[iSee]

With freedom comes responsibility.

Having a more free ecosystem means users will have to exercise more responsibility in what they add to their devices. I'd gladly take this over the Apple model.

"Security" that relies on end-users to recognize and reject malware at the point of installation is fatally flawed. It only makes sense to ask someone "Is this malware?" if they are in a position to know. End-users generally are not.

A better system is a network of trust. If someone I trust who is in a position to know puts their stamp of approval on an app then I can trust it.

That's basically Apple's approach with the App Store. That's also the approach for any brand-name product. You trust them because they've invested in their brand -- their reputation -- and will therefore protect it by ensuring the products they sell under that brand are "good."

(The problem with Apple's app store is that they lock anyone else out from having a store. Various ills result, including that that makes Apple the only source of trust for apps that don't carry an established brand.)

 

[0dev]

I've heard of the "apple fanbois" all over the internet, and it seems they are all drawn to this thread.

I recently switched from a 3g iphone to an EVO 4G. Android is making huge progress, more than I would say apple is. Apple's iphone4 was a huge letdown for me so I made the switch.

Some of you people need to calm down and get a grip.

You're on an Apple forum for Apple customers who own Apple products...

 

[maflynn]

I'm an android user and I'd say that's a fair assessment. There needs to be a happy balance between some oversight and some freedom.

I noticed when searching for some solitaire apps I was presented with some "adult" type games that I'd be upset of my children stumbled upon. By the same token, I do think apple has taken the oversight/approval process much to far.

So at the moment, we consumers have a choice, freedom, but with freedom comes risks, either exposing us to stuff that we may deem offensive, or possible security risks. The other alternative is to accept apple's gilded cage approach, but a gilded cage is still a cage and there's no freedom there.

 

[joseph2166]

You're on an Apple forum for Apple customers who own Apple products...

And whilst we're on the subject, why are there so many French people in France? Bloody foreigners...

 

[Silverado]

People have had to responsibly install software on desktop/laptops for the last 20 years+. I don't see it as being that much of an impediment.

Right, but a phone is not desktop/laptop. The "average" consumer shudders when they talk about maintaining their computers. They always want someone in the know to come fix it for them. Do consumers want that type of experience to follow them to their phone? I would say definitely not.

 

[soup4you2]

You're on an Apple forum for Apple customers who own Apple products...

So then why is an Android article on this site? I find it rather amusing that MR will post something negative about Google or Android, but never anything positive.

Also i thought this was a discussion forum.. not a "I will bow down to S. Jobs, and give him a rimjob if he asked me to" forum.

 

[yg17]

You're on an Apple forum for Apple customers who own Apple products...

Apple makes more than phones. You can own an Android phone and a Mac. It's not impossible

 

[andiwm2003]

isn't there a way to bring criminal charges against the developers of malicious apps? I realize that this is difficult and many may be abroad but if you get to a few of them, bankrupt and sentence them to 10 years state prison that would have a chilling effect on all this hacking, spying and such.

smart phones have become a vital part of our infrastructure and should be protected lie street traffic and the powergrid. if you endanger street traffic you get hefty fines as well.

 

[dogie678]

"Security" that relies on end-users to recognize and reject malware at the point of installation is fatally flawed. It only makes sense to ask someone "Is this malware?" if they are in a position to know. End-users generally are not.

A better system is a network of trust. If someone I trust who is in a position to know puts their stamp of approval on an app then I can trust it.

That's basically Apple's approach with the App Store. That's also the approach for any brand-name product. You trust them because they've invested in their brand -- their reputation -- and will therefore protect it by ensuring the products they sell under that brand are "good."

(The problem with Apple's app store is that they lock anyone else out from having a store. Various ills result, including that that makes Apple the only source of trust for apps that don't carry an established brand.)

Absolutely agree with this. Apple never had to use their kill switch because they stop these malicious stuff before it happens.

The cost of keeping the Apple App Store clean of malicious software is placed on the developers who are forced to wait for approval.

The cost of keeping the Android App Market clean is placed on the users who will have to deal with the malicious apps that haven't been pulled yet.
Freedom isn't free it seems.