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Ask HN: Genuine alternatives to Google and Apple for releasing paid apps

22 points by asjdflakjsdf 1y ago

Obviously they both offer an incredible service but competition is always good!

thorin 1y ago
Ask Epic how that worked out with Fortnite... As mentioned this is possible but not recommended for Android. I'm not sure if anyone is releasing paid apps outside of Play store though.
bitpush 1y ago
On iPhones, Apple forbids third party appstores. You cannot also sideload. So that's a no go. On Androids, I think you can install third party appstores. fdroid is the one I've heard before, but there could be more.
- teleforce 1y ago
  >On iPhones, Apple forbids third party appstores. You cannot also sideload Very sad state of affair considering we are progressing into the 2nd quarter of the 21st Century, and some people are not complaining but willingly embracing (paying) into this by design incapability in the name of security and convenience (read profit margins). It's methaphorically like willingly living in a country with virtual great wall around with a benevelont dictator but it's one of the life choices that people voluntarily need to make nonetheless.
  - pabs3 1y ago
    Interestingly, moving countries (to the EU) could get you the option to break out of Apple's great wall.
- pabs3 1y ago
  In the EU, iPhone users can install from alternative sources: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/117767 https://support.apple.com/en-gb/117767
  - Elfener 1y ago
    It's still not like Android though. > All apps available through alternative app distribution are submitted to a Notarisation process with Apple.
mackenziebowes 1y ago
Web Apps & PWAs :) There's a lot you can do to optimize offline PWA use.
- WantonQuantum 1y ago
  It would be great to see an "app store" that drives discoverability of PWA apps. Edit: googled and found this: https://store.app/ https://store.app/
  - mackenziebowes 1y ago
    Handsome site, but doesn't seem very active sadly. PWAs really struggle with distribution - it comes down to the PWA maker (or team) having enough charisma, alignment, and budget to get people to follow the kind of arcane instructions for installing each unique PWA.
    - jaggs 1y ago
      But in most cases installing a PWA requires nothing more than 'Add to Home screen' in your mobile browser of choice. 5 seconds.
      - mackenziebowes 1y ago
        Trying not to be sneering here; most consumers consider this to be offensively difficult compared to the traditional app store experience - I had to do a lot of guides and handholding to get my PWA installed. But, Yea, true for us computer expert guys.
- deleted 1y ago
  [deleted]
cranberryturkey 1y ago
PWA Babyb~~~~
glompers 1y ago
Most of these [0] started as desktop software but some have extended to mobile devices in ways that can interact via cloud with the version on your desktop, if I'm not mistaken. [0] https://www.artisanalsoftwarefestival.com/ https://www.artisanalsoftwarefestival.com/

22 points by asjdflakjsdf 1y ago

Obviously they both offer an incredible service but competition is always good!

Ask Epic how that worked out with Fortnite... As mentioned this is possible but not recommended for Android. I'm not sure if anyone is releasing paid apps outside of Play store though.

bitpush 1y ago

On iPhones, Apple forbids third party appstores. You cannot also sideload. So that's a no go. On Androids, I think you can install third party appstores. fdroid is the one I've heard before, but there could be more.

teleforce 1y ago
>On iPhones, Apple forbids third party appstores. You cannot also sideload Very sad state of affair considering we are progressing into the 2nd quarter of the 21st Century, and some people are not complaining but willingly embracing (paying) into this by design incapability in the name of security and convenience (read profit margins). It's methaphorically like willingly living in a country with virtual great wall around with a benevelont dictator but it's one of the life choices that people voluntarily need to make nonetheless.
- pabs3 1y ago
  Interestingly, moving countries (to the EU) could get you the option to break out of Apple's great wall.
pabs3 1y ago
In the EU, iPhone users can install from alternative sources: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/117767 https://support.apple.com/en-gb/117767
- Elfener 1y ago
  It's still not like Android though. > All apps available through alternative app distribution are submitted to a Notarisation process with Apple.

mackenziebowes 1y ago

Web Apps & PWAs :) There's a lot you can do to optimize offline PWA use.

WantonQuantum 1y ago
It would be great to see an "app store" that drives discoverability of PWA apps. Edit: googled and found this: https://store.app/ https://store.app/
- mackenziebowes 1y ago
  Handsome site, but doesn't seem very active sadly. PWAs really struggle with distribution - it comes down to the PWA maker (or team) having enough charisma, alignment, and budget to get people to follow the kind of arcane instructions for installing each unique PWA.
  - jaggs 1y ago
    But in most cases installing a PWA requires nothing more than 'Add to Home screen' in your mobile browser of choice. 5 seconds.
    - mackenziebowes 1y ago
      Trying not to be sneering here; most consumers consider this to be offensively difficult compared to the traditional app store experience - I had to do a lot of guides and handholding to get my PWA installed. But, Yea, true for us computer expert guys.
deleted 1y ago
[deleted]

cranberryturkey 1y ago

PWA Babyb~~~~

glompers 1y ago

Most of these [0] started as desktop software but some have extended to mobile devices in ways that can interact via cloud with the version on your desktop, if I'm not mistaken. [0] https://www.artisanalsoftwarefestival.com/ https://www.artisanalsoftwarefestival.com/