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.
(Score: 4, Informative) by jmorris on Sunday October 22 2017, @04:17AM
Ok, I updated F-Droid and it didn't show as an update. Looked at the F-Droid app manually and it showed the 1.0 update available. Installed and it lost the shortcut icon but it is still listed in the full list of apps and it runs. Looks much nicer. Congrats to the F-Droid team for yet more awesome Free Software!
Warning: If you had auto updates disabled, gotta do it again because it reset that.
(Score: 4, Informative) by Bot on Sunday October 22 2017, @08:08AM (4 children)
Before going to google play I try f-droid. Much easier to find gpl stuff that just work needing the minimum amount of privilege. Highly recommended.
Account abandoned.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday October 22 2017, @08:28AM (2 children)
Is there built-in support for PGP signatures or the like?
(Score: 2, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday October 22 2017, @10:31AM
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.
(Score: 2, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday October 22 2017, @10:37AM
Yes, they are all signed. Applications in the main repository are signed by the f-droid keys, and the system will complain if you try to install the same application from a different source, such as the Play store (you are required to uninstall the application from one repository before installing it from another).
(Score: 4, Informative) by bart9h on Monday October 23 2017, @05:34PM
Exactly. I reluctantly go to Play store only if I don't find a suitable app on F-Droid.
The apps are usually much smaller and to-the-point.
I have dozens of F-Droid apps installed. Some recommendations: Clip Stack, DiskUsage, FBReader, Ghost Commander, Hacker's Keyboard, Mathdroid, NewPipe, OsmAnd, OS Monitor, Throughput, Puzzles.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday October 23 2017, @02:18AM
The spirit of Windoze lives on in the mobile world in the form of Android.
Instead of antivirus on mobile, I suspect we would be better off with proper user controllable information flow control, like NoScript or RequestPolicy for network using programs.