Why the Kill Switch Makes Sense For Android

Technologizer writes "It came out this week that Google's Android phone OS, like the iPhone, has a kill switch that lets Android Market applications be disabled remotely. But it's a mistake to lump Google's implementation and Apple's together — the Google version is a smart, pro-consumer move that avoids all the things that make Apple's version a bad idea."

Comments

Unwarranted conclusion in self-promoting post

[93 Escort Wagon]

Okay, some guy writes an article that pretty much just amounts to, in effect, "Google's kill switch is better than Apple's because Google says it is, and I trust Google to do the right thing". There - I've saved you from reading a couple thousand words.

I think Slashdot needs to stop posting links to pieces that are submitted by the authors of those pieces. They're almost invariably a waste of time.

In other words, identical to Apple switch

[SuperKendall]

The thing is that Android allows for installing programs from -- hear and be astonished! -- other sources than Google itself, unlike Apple.

By "Apple" I assume you mean "iPhone".

Which would mean you would be wrong - jailbroken phones can install applications from sources other than the Apple App Store.

And, Android's kill switch is only for the programs that come through Google's own app store.

So does Apple's

So, you can probably pretty much bet that it's only going to be used to regulate malware, or Google's app store won't last long. Or if Google does misuse it, you'll just have to download the program in question directly from its developer.

Just like the iPhone and it's third party application sources. If Apple exerts too mcuh control that users and developers find distasteful, they will seek another route.

Re:Does not void warranty

[Darundal]

Jailbreaking DOES void the warranty, and if somehow the install ends up messed up, you are screwed with an unbootable iBrick that has no warranty.

Re: Why?

[korean.ian]

jailbreaking the iPhone is hardly inconvenient. Run program, choose firmware, hit next a couple of times and voila. If you screw up, you can easily restore your iPhone/iPod touch.

ps. There's an application for "jailbroken" iPhones that disables the killswitch.

The real amusement

[SuperKendall]

I find it amusing in a dark sort of way that anyone even thinks it's OK to buy a phone that has to even be 'jailbroken' in order to have any measure of freedom with it.

I find it even more amusing that people would not buy a fantastic device because in theory it is closed, when the reality is that it is open...

And you have a great deal of freedom asa developer with the iPhone, you can deploy anything you like. Why wouldn't I want to buy great hardware I can do anything I like with?

Your argument is confounding, on the order of someone telling you a door is locked and then you being unable to go through it even though you could just turn the knob.