Google Also Includes 'Kill Switch' for Apps in Android
Reviews of the T-Mobile G1 Android phone have started trickling out. Walt Mossberg found the phone to be a "very good first effort".
Computerworld reveals, however, that the new Android phone also includes the ability for Google to remotely remove applications from the device:
Computerworld reveals, however, that the new Android phone also includes the ability for Google to remotely remove applications from the device:
In the Android Market terms of service, Google expressly says that it might remotely remove an application from user phones. "Google may discover a product that violates the developer distribution agreement ... in such an instance, Google retains the right to remotely remove those applications from your device at its sole discretion," the terms, linked to from the phone, read.
Apple received some negative press after it was revealed that the iPhone included the ability to remotely deactivate applications. Jobs later defended this ability:
"Hopefully we never have to pull that lever, but we would be irresponsible not to have a lever like that to pull"
Top Rated Comments
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43 months ago
Isn't it kinda mandatory? Otherwise you'll get spammed with Identity theft apps...
43 months ago
A feature like this should make the users feel more safe... until they go to use an application one day and it's gone. I wonder if the user is notified before or after the application is removed.
By the way... I'm not against this feature at all, I'm just wondering.
By the way... I'm not against this feature at all, I'm just wondering.
43 months ago
I'm with Jobs on this one. If someone made an app that uploads a virus onto whatever network it is connected to... Flip the switch guys.
43 months ago
I don't see how these 'kill switches' are worthy of press. It's a simple concept. If an application happens to skip the radar and it has some sort of malicious tendency, then yes, I don't think anyone would disagree, it should be removed from all devices immediately in order to save the users of the device from a mass of trouble.
43 months ago
it just depends how much they care to be control freaks. That's all that matters, not the presence or absence of the switch.
43 months ago
Why is walt mossberg always the oracle on all things electrical? Why should anyone give 2 tosses what he thinks about anything.
43 months ago
It's a big deal because, to my knowledge, they don't have these killswitches in Mac OS X or in Windows. With personal computers, we have the model where the user is responsible for their own system, and the vendor has no say in what runs or doesn't. Whether or not you think the killswitches are a good idea, it's still a big deal because you have a change in the application model.
To people defending the killswitches, I guess you would have to say you would want one on your Mac too, or explain why mobile phones are different from personal computers.
To people defending the killswitches, I guess you would have to say you would want one on your Mac too, or explain why mobile phones are different from personal computers.
43 months ago
What happened to do no evil? Wasn't Apple called evil for having such an ability? Now Google is evil as well? EVIL EVIL EVIL!
Who's left now? Microsoft? I bet you'll never see something like this on the Zune!
:D;)
Who's left now? Microsoft? I bet you'll never see something like this on the Zune!
:D;)
43 months ago
.
I think you posted this on the wrong website. This is the iPhone news forum, on the MacRumors website. :)
I think you meant to go to GoogleRumors.com. Please remove this thread and repost it in the proper section.
................................... :apple:
I think you posted this on the wrong website. This is the iPhone news forum, on the MacRumors website. :)
I think you meant to go to GoogleRumors.com. Please remove this thread and repost it in the proper section.
................................... :apple:
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