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F-Droid 1.0 for Android Released 2017/10/20

posted by mrpg on Sunday October 22 2017, @02:14AM   Printer-friendly
from the gratis-and-libre-only dept.

-- OriginalOwner_ writes:

Martin Brinkmann reports via gHacks

F-Droid is an alternative application store for Android [...] that provides users with a catalog of free and open source software. [It is] useful for Android users who don't want to link their device and data to the Google ecosystem, and [...] for installing applications that are not offered on Google Play.

Note: The last [pre-1.0] version is offered [...] on the main F-Droid homepage at the time of writing. You need to visit this page on the website to download version 1.0 of the application. Also, note that you need to enable the installation of apps from unknown sources in the settings to install the application.

[...] F-Droid 1.0 comes with a redesigned interface. The application opens a What's New page on start that highlights new releases.

Note that you cannot switch the program language [any more], at least not right now. This means that you are stuck with the Android device's language.

[...] new features are [...]

  • Improved tracking protection (HTTP Etag, TLS).
  • Background updates with privileged extension. workflow for updating applications overhauled completely.
  • Faster index updates.
  • A "What's New" section that highlights changes in the current release.
  • Screenshots and feature graphics support, if available.
  • Fully translatable app summaries and descriptions.
  • Support installing media, OTA, Zip and other files.
  • Donations to app developers highlighted.

The general feel of the application has not changed, however.

In the comments there, Coriy notes that installed apps are now beneath a tab ("annoying, but livable"); auto-updates to your local repository are now clunkier; and that FOSS app updates have always been slow in reaching F-Droid relative to the stuff at Google Play.

Original Submission

 
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  • (Score: 2, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday October 22 2017, @10:31AM

    by Anonymous Coward on Sunday October 22 2017, @10:31AM (#585924)

    Why should I bother with application binaries when android phones and tablet likely ship with closed source drivers, too big and frequent to be custom rebuilt android updates, radio modem chips that can access memory? If you need a trusted platform for mobile, you have much work to do.
    Reduced privileges OTOH means that everyone and his dog cannot easily get data out using apps.

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