RAMChYLD Wrote:Bought a blackberry.
Because I need a device with a qwerty keyboard which leaves my choice between Android and Blackberry OS, and Android is becoming stupid (google removed the privacy settings control panel introduced in the last version of Android KitKat in a recent update, saying that the release was accidental and the world has no need to mess with app permissions- according to google, if you download an app, you agree to it's requirements including invasion of your privacy).
For now, Hazel still has Android Jelly Bean 4.2.2, customized by Samsung. Even though Google is starting to become the next MS, I still have faith in Android as an OS alone. Because of it's open source nature, people can fork it if Google starts throwing down an iron fist like Apple does with iOS. There is already an Android fork called Replicant, and according to their website, it can run on Hazel, but I would have to try and root her first. There is also the famous Cyanogenmod as well. In the end, I do hope Samsung does keep their Android devices free and retain the ability to sideload apps.
Google Play may be of a concern in the future if further Android releases strip the ability to sideload apps, which may happen since the Google Chrome Store will no longer allow you to install extensions from outside websites next month. But then, there are several alternative app stores available, like SlideME or the famous Amazon AppStore, and if Google does remove sideloading, Amazon will likely complain since IIRC the Play Store doesn't allow actual app store apps in their store. Or was that Apple? Or Both?
As for AppOps, Hazel doesn't run KitKat yet, and I'm not sure if she ever will since Samsung is focusing on their newer Galaxy Note lineup. Who knows though? As for my privacy concerns... I really don't have any at the present since most of my apps are games like Angry Birds or the BabyFirst apps. The ability to turn off GPS for certain apps would be a plus, but Hazel already has the ability to turn off GPS system wide.... unless Samsung reduces that to a per-app option.
I love foxes, especially the one in my avatar.