> The one catch is that it can be difficult to trick certain picky apps into running on an "unsecured" device.
Imho, this is where we should fight for regulation.
"All mobile apps must allow the user to acknowledge the risks of running on an unsecured platform, but then launch normally"
Couple it with a liability shield for user security issues, if the user acknowledges risk.
The real Android lock-in is the universe of essential apps that, through developer laziness, refuse to launch on alternative platforms.
Eh, I disagree.
You can never catch all "bad actors". Sure, you can make a best effort, but govts are not efficient/usually work better at doing one thing, not 100 - they should be regulating the common platform not all actors on it.
Anyways, that's just as bad as what Google's trying to do.
> that, through developer laziness, refuse to launch on alternative platforms.
Android Dev is (relatively) quite difficult. The code and UI elements do not translate easily to other platforms. If a solitary developer (keep in mind, they may be a volunteer doing things in their free time, or just someone scratching a personal itch) does not then go out, purchase multiple other pieces of hardware, and write the application on multiple other platforms, that is not "developer laziness", rather that is a high cost to entry creating practical hurdles.