Is Google locking down android?

Is Google trying to get app developers to use its play services feature to lock down android? Tons of apps that worked great without play services are now asking for it to be installed without any added functionality. Why is this happening as there is death of app compatibility with phones that are not tied to Google. What does this mean for us passport users in the future?

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Yes, they keep adding features and better APIs to Play services so that developers have a strong incentive to depend on them.

Passport users will have to rely on Cobalt.

Originally Posted by ryder55

Is Google trying to get app developers to use its play services feature to lock down android? Tons of apps that worked great without play services are now asking for it to be installed without any added functionality. Why is this happening as there is death of app compatibility with phones that are not tied to Google. What does this mean for us passport users in the future?

Posted via CB10

Yup. Soon enough the Android runtime on BB10 will be useless.

RedBerry Passport /10.3.2.2876 / Telus

Yes. There are also fewer devices that can be successfully rooted. The end result is that Google can do a more effective job of monitoring you.

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Thank goodness for the web versions of these apps or alternatives

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