Google Bans Cryptocurrency Mining Apps From the Play Store (bleepingcomputer.com)

The Google Play Store is no longer welcoming apps that mine cryptocurrencies on users' devices. The new policy plainly states: "We don't allow apps that mine cryptocurrency on devices." As a result, Google will start to remove any app from the Play Store that violates these terms. It will however still allow mining apps that are used to control cryptocurrency mining operations on remote devices -- such as servers or desktops. Bleeping Computer reports: Preventing cryptocurrency mining on Android is crucial because untethered mining operations can easily overheat or destroy batteries -- or even devices if the battery case deforms, leaks, or catches fire. Such scenarios have already happened. Android malware strains like Loapi and HiddenMalware have been known to cause physical damage to infected smartphones. Google didn't publicly announce the policy change, but developers who had apps removed complained on Reddit. Other policy changes were also made, such as the decision to ban apps with repetitive content. You can read the new "Restricted Content" section of the Play Store Policy Center here, and compare it to an earlier version here.

Comments

I paid for my phone

[Anonymous Coward]

Why can't I run mining software on it?

Do I get a refund?

Re:I paid for my phone

[Athanasius]

Or, indeed, get a refund on a phone/OS that obviously isn't fit for purpose if user-level software running at 100% can cause physical damage to it.

Re: I paid for my phone

[Anonymous Coward]

Was it used in a datacenter app?

Re:I paid for my phone

[Anonymous Coward]

Well, in other news, I ban the users and delete 85% of the comments on my YouTube channel! :)
--
Dwayne Johnson's Rampage As A Kaiju ("Weird Beast") Monster Movie

Re:I paid for my phone

[Anonymous Coward]

You can, just install it from somewhere other than the Google store.

That said, fuck bitchcoin and its bitch users.

Re:I paid for my phone

[Tx]

You can run what you like on your phone. Google is perfectly entitle to choose what it allows in its app store, however if you have a burning desire to run malware-infested crypto-mining apps (or any other kind of restricted apps for that matter), you can get them from an alternative app store, or sideload the apk.

Re:I paid for my phone

[BeanThere]

Indeed, this really drives home the "It's not a computer, it's just a toy / dumb appliance" mentality that the major smartphone and smartphone OS vendors have.

I have eight cores in my phone but I'm not allowed to use them for actually running stuff on? I've been purchasing computers since 1995 and every one I've purchased, I've been allowed to choose what to run on it, and had the choice to run software that max'd the CPU if I wanted to.

Sure, not every "Joe Public" type user is going to understand how to do this without overheating their device (I've seen people do bad things like block laptop vents), but mass-banning the entire range of applications? A computing device *should* be able to run at 100% CPU under ordinary circumstances without overheating - if it can't, it's faulty.

This is why smartphones have failed utterly at competing with the desktop, and why desktops are still years ahead for getting real work done ... five or ten years ago I predicted that smartphones would usurp the desktop, and I was wrong, they remain basically toys / dumb appliances, with a few useful applications (e.g. navigation, flashlight, camera).

It also seems like an odd coincidence that they do this shortly after we hear that Google might be considering entering the cryptocurrency space: https://cryptoinsider.21mil.co... .... so a move that just might happen to help hurt competing currencies?

Re:I paid for my phone

[jellomizer]

You can run mining software off of it, just not with apps from the play store.

It is like selling your house, because you local hardware store doesn't have that replacement pipe.

Re:I paid for my phone

[Anonymous Coward]

Always this ultra-libertarian BS, as if legal entities have the same rights as individual humans.

No, a company is not entitled to forever control what their customer does on the device they sold some time ago. They cannot and should not be able to enforce what contracts their customer enters with software vendors later.

Subscriptions are all fine. Control and enforcement is not, unless the customer explicitly wants their contractor to do so, as in "please protect my device from malware, here is a coin for you".

Were you okay with the phone company dictating what devices you can connect on their landlines? No? Same thing. The power company cannot and should not regulate what devices customers connect unless it endangers the entire system. If a customer is willing to burn down his house with a bad electric device, they may void their fire insurance, but it's not the job of the power company. The power company supplies power. As the Google Store supplies apps and enables backtracking and recourse against malicious app developers.

Re:I paid for my phone

[Anonymous Coward]

Your car engine can probably 8,000 rpm. Briefly. Keeping it there will cause you problems.

Re: I paid for my phone

[Anonymous Coward]

If you disable the limiter. Most modern cars will not allow you to run the engine at a pace that will damage it unless it's a manual and you downshift from 5th to 1st at 100 km/h. And THAT is specifically explained as bad behaviour in the manual.

Re: I paid for my phone

[Anonymous Coward]

What you're not getting is the non-libertarian argument is that if Google refused to prevent these apps that will damage your phone from being offered the government should force google to remove them.

Your argument is some third option I'm unfamiliar with.

Re: I paid for my phone

[Anonymous Coward]

Do you also get mad when your find the computer store doesn't have a copy of Emacs in stock?

Just like your PC, you are welcome to load anything you want. And the store is welcome to not stock anything they don't wish to.

There are other stores and there are even public websites where you can get software. Give them a go. If they don't have it, try writing it.

Re:I paid for my phone

[jgdnavy]

They aren't controlling what the customer does. They are controlling what is allowed to be downloaded via their service. I disagree with the blanket disallowing of the apps, but as long as they allow them to sideload, they are only changing which contracts that their system will facilitate.

Re:I paid for my phone

[drinkypoo]

No, a company is not entitled to forever control what their customer does on the device they sold some time ago.

It's a good thing they aren't doing that, then. They're controlling what apps the user can get from their store, full stop. Google doesn't remove apps from your device retroactively when they ban them from the store. You may go now.

Re:I paid for my phone

[drinkypoo]

I have eight cores in my phone but I'm not allowed to use them for actually running stuff on?

You have a brain in your head but you're not allowed to use it? Google isn't preventing you from loading cryptocurrency apps on Android. They're preventing you from downloading them from their webstore, which they own. If you want such things, sideload them. Since you've got an Android device, you can actually do that... if you can figure out how.

Re:I paid for my phone

[ichimunki]

And then go use that refund to buy which phone to replace it, exactly? I doubt any phone on the consumer market is designed to withstand that kind of use.

Re:I paid for my phone

[MightyYar]

Pretty sure you can still sideload arbitrary code. The Play Store is not the only feature of your phone.

Re:I paid for my phone

[ichimunki]

Troll.

Re:I paid for my phone

[supremebob]

I'm looking at this from Google's side. They can support mining software, and deal with:

1) People complaining about crappy battery life because they are running a miner
2) People complaining about their phone overheating and crashing because they are running a miner
3) People complaining about their cryptocurrency disappearing because the application developers didn't secure their shit right
4) Various other problems that I'm not thinking about at the moment, like compatibility issues with certain versions of Android.

OR, they can just say that it's not supported, knowing that most people who are technical enough to install a cryptocurrency miner are smart enough to know how to sideload applications on their phone.

Re:I paid for my phone

[swillden]

Google doesn't remove apps from your device retroactively when they ban them from the store.

In rare cases they do, at least if your device has the Google Play Protect (formerly called Verify Apps) service enabled. Automatic removal is only done for particularly harmful apps, though. Normally GPP just warns you.

Re:I paid for my phone

[drinkypoo]

In rare cases they do, at least if your device has the Google Play Protect (formerly called Verify Apps) service enabled.

Fair point, though as long as you can turn that off (as you still can; I am running Oreo on my Moto G 2nd and I have it disabled) you're still in control of your device. And it's only reasonable to have it on by default, since most users have no clue what they are doing. The first thing I do when I get a new device is reflash it from a known good image, whether manufacturer-provided or an alternate ROM (usually the latter, for Android devices.) The second thing I do is go through every preference page and set it up the way I want. The third thing is to install Ti backup and Solid explorer, and then start restoring apps from backup...

Re: I paid for my phone

[Anonymous Coward]

Google isnâ(TM)t a store. It is a marketplace. Do you get upset when NO HOSTS GUI FRONTENDS signs are posted outside the flea market? Thatâ(TM)s the analogy.
apk

Re:I paid for my phone

[swillden]

Yes, you can certainly disable it. Though I'd strongly recommend leaving it turned on.

And it's only reasonable to have it on by default, since most users have no clue what they are doing.

No user can possibly know everything that the apps installed on their devices do, especially since it changes day by day as updates are delivered.

Re:I paid for my phone

[Stan92057]

What i see missing one argument point for the phone makers warranty. Phones are not made or designed for that kinda use and i think its well within the phone makers rights to disallow such usage during the warranty period...wonder if that will follow soon.

Re:I paid for my phone

[Anonymous Coward]

nope, dumbass

Re:I paid for my phone

[Anonymous Coward]

Google can't manage (or doesn't care) to keep malware off the play store. How is it going to banish crypto-mining apps? Anyway, I'm sure it isn't for the end-user's safety or security - probably because a device that is mining can't show as many adverts per minute.

Re:I paid for my phone

[Highdude702]

I assume someone you dislike made a bunch of money on Bitcoin and now you're butthurt.

Re:I paid for my phone

[Anonymous Coward]

One of the reasons Android phones are rubbish. They self-destruct if put under load.

Re:I paid for my phone

[drinkypoo]

Yes, you can certainly disable it. Though I'd strongly recommend leaving it turned on.

If you turn it on, that means more spying. Google watches what you run. No thanks! I want to sideload things, and have them be my own business and not Google's.

Re:I paid for my phone

[swillden]

Yes, you can certainly disable it. Though I'd strongly recommend leaving it turned on.

If you turn it on, that means more spying. Google watches what you run. No thanks! I want to sideload things, and have them be my own business and not Google's.

The only thing GPP does is act as a built-in AV. No data is collected for use in advertising, etc.

Can google be bothered to ban

[Anonymous Coward]

Those apps that screenshot user screens and send the data to their developer masters in China/Russia?

Or is s that too much bother for the "If you have something that you don't want anyone to know, maybe you shouldn't be doing it in the first place" company?

Why would google care?

[pablo_max]

Seriously, why would Google possibly care? In what way does it have any impact whatsoever on the Android Eco-system?

Who is it hurting to run this software? If someone wants to use their phone to run cycles on mining or watching hard core Japanese porno, who's fucking business is it?

Re:Why would google care?

[Anonymous Coward]

It hurts Google. Cryptocurrency mining is a way for app developers to make money in the place of serving ads.

The danger of overheating has nothing to do with it.

Re:Why would google care?

[Anonymous Coward]

Destroys battery life, causes overheating in devices leading to hardware failures, makes products using their OS run like an Apple device post an obsolescence "update". It wasn't hard really. Now factor in "background" being added to "free" applications/games. See where this is going? Obviously not.

Re:Why would google care?

[Anonymous Coward]

It literally says in the summary that the intensive use of its hardware can cause damage to the device, including fires. Death to bitchcoin. If they want to make money, charge for the app.

Re:Why would google care?

[Anonymous Coward]

Wouldn't broken phones be good for Google? People would then have to buy more as they keep breaking.

I think this is really about what someone earlier mentioned: Cryptocurrency-supported software eliminates the need to support your software with advertisements. Google wants you to use ads, not coins, to support your software, because Google has a monopoly on Internet advertising, but they don't yet have a coin offering.

Re:Why would google care?

[Anonymous Coward]

google have always done their best to block any method of app developer income that doesn't involve them getting a cut. They will leave malware and scamming shit all over the store but a revenue stream that bypasses them will be shutdown in a heartbeat. (I don't give a shit either way as only a moron would use an app the mines on your phone)

Re:Why would google care?

[bloodhawk]

yeah right lol google have never given a shit about any app that over taxes or over heats the hardware. What they care about is a risk to Ad Revenue. luckily for a change stopping that shit probably actually benefits google as well as the user this time, but make no mistake if it was not a risk to them they would not give a shit.

Re:Why would google care?

[Anonymous Coward]

A better summary would be

"Some defective hardware can catch fire when running some apps. Instead of issuing a recall of the hardware, hardware makers have asked Google to ban cpu/gpu intensive apps. Google sided with the party with more money."

Re: Why would google care?

[Anonymous Coward]

Wouldn't broken phones be good for Google?

Nope. It is an unnecessary increase in risk that people will take offense to broken phones.

There's a reason product recalls already exist.

Re: Why would google care?

[Anonymous Coward]

I blame the government for hiding the Halt and Catch Fire instruction from us. It turns out it is really optimized for mining bitcon!

Re:Why would google care?

[BeanThere]

Here's one possible reason they might care - they may be entering the market, and this would 'conveniently' harm existing currencies that would be in competition with theirs: https://cryptoinsider.21mil.co...

Re:Why would google care?

[BeanThere]

^ This

Re:Why would google care?

[ichimunki]

Why should they care? Because if I start noticing a bunch of apps running shit at 100% in the background on my phone all the time or if my phone catches fire, I'm going to pretty much stop buying any app ever again from the Play Store. If the app has to ask for a special permission to take major risks with my hardware, then maybe. But otherwise it's all about trust, and unlike some app stores out there (ahem: Amazon), I actually trust Google a little bit. They seem to be pretty good at keeping outright scams and stuff out of their catalog.

Re:Why would google care?

[thegarbz]

Who is it hurting to run this software?

Users. Phone damage aside there's pretty much no legitimate idiot who would download this. Most of this software is mining without the user's knowledge.

Re:Why would google care?

[Anonymous Coward]

Wouldn't broken phones be good for Google? People would then have to buy more as they keep breaking.

You are short-sighted. When enough phones are broken in a similar way, some people will start investigating. They will find the cause which comes from the apps that Google allowed to stay in their store. Then Google will be bashed (again) and their store reputation will be tarnished (again). What they are trying to do is to get their reputation better. It is a prevention, and at the same time makes users feel better about their store. A bonus is that they removed those that don't want to serve ads on their app. All in all, it is a WIN-WIN situation for Google.

Re: Why would google care?

[Anonymous Coward]

I ran a crypto mining tool to test the thermal design of an embedded system running Android. It passed with the fan running but didn't produce an appreciable amount of coins ;) cpu is comparable to flagship phone of last year, so I think it is only useful to run it without the user knowing...

Re: Why would google care?

[AHuxley]

AC the CPU is needed for the ads and the mic to be responsive.
Real customers who paid for ads do not want consumers using their ads CPU power.

Re:Why would google care?

[Anonymous Coward]

Seriously, why would Google possibly care? In what way does it have any impact whatsoever on the Android Eco-system?

Who is it hurting to run this software? If someone wants to use their phone to run cycles on mining or watching hard core Japanese porno, who's fucking business is it?

They are saving you from yourself by making sure that when you have to dial 911 the next time, your battery isn't flat because you've been mining Shitcoins.

The reason they have to do this is that you're an unbelievable fucking idiot.

Re:Why would google care?

[Anonymous Coward]

It hurts Google. Cryptocurrency mining is a way for app developers to make money in the place of serving ads.

The danger of overheating has nothing to do with it.

Whenever anyone asks me about how cryptocurrency works, I just tell them that it involves forming an unalterable Cock-chain with other like-minded gentleman and then using that to excavate Buttcoins. And that these coins increase in value the longer that you can "HODL" them in your butt.

Re:Why would google care?

[Anonymous Coward]

Good, anything that hurts cryptards is good in my book

"Repetitive content"?

[Anonymous Coward]

So basically all endless games, then?

Re:"Repetitive content"?

[BlackOverflow]

Here's what it says:

Repetitive Content
We don't allow apps that merely provide the same experience as other apps already on Google Play. Apps should provide value to users through creation of unique content or services.
Here are some examples of common violations:
* Copying content from other apps without adding any original content or value.
* Creating multiple apps with highly similar content and user experience. If these apps are each small in content volume, developers should consider creating a single app that aggregates all the content.

So basically a company with a monopoly is encouraging developers to not compete with each other.

Re:"Repetitive content"?

[Nidi62]

So basically a company with a monopoly is encouraging developers to not compete with each other.

No, they are saying if you make an Angry Birds clone called Ornery Penguins, you're going to get pulled. I see this as Google saying they don't want clones and spammy apps all with the same content, they want real competition with original content.

complained?

[sad_]

"...developers who had apps removed complained on Reddit"

Really, THEY complained?! Those poor developers!

Yes, you can run mining software - sideload it.

[robbak]

No problems here at all. If you want to cook your android device by running constant encryption on it, generating coins at a cost of many times their market value - go ahead and sideload the miner.

But most of the apps containing mining software are tricking users into mining for the app developer - and it's a good thing that they are being removed.

Re:Yes, you can run mining software - sideload it.

[Merk42]

Exactly! That's why Google doesn't allow paid an apps where you login with a paid account you paid elsewhere. Oh wait.

Re:Yes, you can run mining software - sideload it.

[ichimunki]

Yeah, mining crypto on devices that are not remotely designed for such a use case is _the_ alternative to ad revenue. Because there's no such thing as Kickstarter, Patreon, PayPal, sending money orders by mail, or any of a million other ways to raise money out there.

Re:Yes, you can run mining software - sideload it.

[Anonymous Coward]

No problems here at all. If you want to cook your android device by running constant encryption on it, generating coins at a cost of many times their market value - go ahead and sideload the miner.

But most of the apps containing mining software are tricking users into mining for the app developer - and it's a good thing that they are being removed.

It's not so much that you'll cook your device, that will just send you running to the store to buy a new one. I think what worries Google is that people will buy flagship Android phones, download free apps that do crypto currency mining, discover that their new phone is really slow and lethargic which will result in an avalanche of complaints about the lates Android phones being crap with the consequent reduction in sales.

Re:Yes, you can run mining software - sideload it.

[Anonymous Coward]

No, they are being removed due to conflict of interest. Mining on web = no ads needed. If they removed just because a % went to developers then they'd remove every single app from the market since app developers take a % from sales or by using ads already. It's no different as long as it is told up front. This is simply a power play and everyone here needs to stop supporting Google just because it's crypto . Instead of removing obviously scammy or lying apps from the market, like they have to in EVERY SINGLE OTHER CASE, they just blanket banned _the_ alternative to taking ad revenue. This is purely about money.

I am glad you can still sideload but I wonder how long that will last and if Google will try to use the EU decision at all to remove apk loading. It'll be interesting. This move does what they want it to: doesn't bring a popular alternative method of money making Google can't take their cut from on their stores.

If you think people want the alternative you're describing then you most likely have a mental illness or some kind of developmental issue. You may also be really heavily into crypto, but I repeat myself.

Re:Yes, you can run mining software - sideload it.

[bn-7bc]

As muxh as I hate ads of any kind (they are annoying what ever form the take) I prefer them to a mine draining my battery and possibly damaging my phone, but that might just be me, infact if i find the app useful or entertaining enugh, I'll do an inn app purchase of whatever the called the no ads option. Side loading isn't a big thing for me since I'm on Ios but tph I've yet to fnd a need for it.

Re:Yes, you can run mining software - sideload it.

[Luckyo]

I don't like the mining-as-a-payment-for-services-rendered method any more than you do, but there are actually people that genuinely want to "pay for services" this way.

I've seen quite a few web sites that specifically allow for voluntary mining in addition to donations, and quite a few people appear to mine for them, because they tend to keep leader boards of the miners in question public.

Re:Yes, you can run mining software - sideload it.

[Anonymous Coward]

... and furthermore - legit mining or scam/malware mining, how much could a small little Android phone/tablet really produce? For example, bitcoin?

My guess is not much to be worth it unless you have millions of phones running it - in which case, you're back to the scammer/malware category.

"Smart" means "idiot"

[jabberw0k]

More proof that so-called "smart" devices are a euphemism for "computers that you do not, and cannot, control." Mr. Stallman gets proved right again and again.

Re:"Smart" means "idiot"

[Anonymous Coward]

Its not that a person *can't* control the device(s) per se, but rather, is the person 1) smarter than their device and able to mitigate the nefarious aspects of said device, and 2) willing to do it.

Judging by the popularity of Facebook, the answer is a resounding "No, they're fucking morons".

In a similar vein, people deserve the representation that they elect. Lol.

Re:"Smart" means "idiot"

[iampiti]

Sadly they are. PCs are the only place where users have a decent control about their computer. There's no reason for smartphones not to be this way ..save for the fact that the companies that control them make more money if the users have less control over the device

Re:"Smart" means "idiot"

[drinkypoo]

More proof that so-called "smart" devices are a euphemism for "computers that you do not, and cannot, control." Mr. Stallman gets proved right again and again.

He does, but not by this. You can control your android phone. Just don't connect it to Google. Problem solved. What, you bought an Android phone without checking first if there was AOSP or LineageOS available for it? Are you new?

Re:"Smart" means "idiot"

[Actually, I do RTFA]

Most people should have a computer that they cannot control. It should definitely be an option.

Don't blame mining software for bad devices

[mysidia]

crucial because untethered mining operations can easily overheat or destroy batteries -- or even devices if the battery case deforms, leaks, or catches fire.

Sorry.... If this results just from the resource usage of the App, then this is not an App issue but a Defective device which lacks the appropriate thermal/discharge rate controls on its batteries that should be recalled and not be allowed to be sold.

Re:Don't blame mining software for bad devices

[Misagon]

That was my first thought as well, but those devices are already out there.
In the Galaxy Note 7 fiasco we saw not only that even mainstream manufacturers could make defective devices but also that a large number of users don't turn their devices in despite of the dangers being widely publicised.

What Google is doing (now) is about "damage control": limiting the extent of the damage.

Re:Don't blame mining software for bad devices

[Anonymous Coward]

The Play Store has the ability to hide an app for specific devices, so why isn't "damage control" the blocking of all cpu-intensive apps for bad devices only?

Play Console: View & restrict your app's compatible devices

Re:Don't blame mining software for bad devices

[Anonymous Coward]

Because every device is a "bad device" in this context

Re:Don't blame mining software for bad devices

[Anonymous Coward]

Its called a power virus.

the Electroneum app appears to be unaffected

[D,Petkow]

the Electroneum app appears to be unaffected, even-though it allows "mobile mining" for ETN coins.
I mined 100 of those ETN for 1 night with a 1080TI, and with my phone I couldn't even mine 1 for a few days, so I don't know if it is even worth it to waste battery and hinder the phone's performance with such an activity as "mobile mining".
Thus the quote marks.

Re: Yes, you can run mining software - sideload it

[Anonymous Coward]

Iâ(TM)m trying to help the poor developers! I run multiple mining apps because Iâ(TM)m a nice guy.

Re: Cannot say Google without saying Dictatorship

[Anonymous Coward]

Yes, Google decided to have a platform where they offered to provide curated access to approved apps, and it is good that you respect their right to do so.

Unfortunately, the rest of your comment is empty noise that lacks validity or substance, so you should have simply stopped with acknowledging the freedom of Google to behave under your purported moral philosophy rather than berate them to no effective purpose.

Next time, consider your own self first.

Why doesn't Google ban

[Anonymous Coward]

the Alex Jones or the Rand Paul apps?

Because Google isn't stupid

[sjbe]

Seriously, why would Google possibly care? In what way does it have any impact whatsoever on the Android Eco-system?

Several ways.
1) It makes Android less attractive as an ecosystem. (ruins battery life, performance, privacy, etc)
2) It provides marketing fodder for competitors to use against them
3) It impacts Google's revenue from their ad business
4) Many of these apps are obvious attempts at fraud
5) Liability due to the above issues

Who is it hurting to run this software?

Most of the people running it as well as Google and companies depending on the Android ecosystem.

If someone wants to use their phone to run cycles on mining or watching hard core Japanese porno, who's fucking business is it?

No one but nothing is preventing you from doing that. Doesn't mean Google is under any obligation to help you do it though. Go ahead and sideload the stuff if it is that important to you. None of us will care I assure you.

Re:Because Google isn't stupid

[Anonymous Coward]

Doesn't mean Google is under any obligation to help you do it though.

It's *really hard* to mine cryptocurrency without a computer. I just keep digging and digging but no luck.

What's a desktop ?

[DrYak]

I've been purchasing computers since 1995 and every one I've purchased, I've been allowed to choose what to run on it, and had the choice to run software that max'd the CPU if I wanted to.
{...}
This is why smartphones have failed utterly at competing with the desktop, and why desktops are still years ahead for getting real work done ... five or ten years ago I predicted that smartphones would usurp the desktop, and I was wrong, they remain basically toys / dumb appliances, with a few useful applications (e.g. navigation, flashlight, camera).

"- What are these 'desktop' and 'workstation' thingy you keep mentioning ? I find these concept fascinating " - Typed some hipster on his ultra slim Mac Book laptop.

Then suddenly his beard caught fire, because the laptop was over heating.
But he didn't regret, the laptop was sooo thin, and so shiny, and such elegance with so few ports...

--

You might have not noticed but (except for us geeks who still dwell on /. ) for the rest of the world, the computing experience has devolved into mostly "navigation", mostly a couple of social websites and a few webapp (that some other hipster wrote in Javascript using 10MiB worth of frameworks on their craptops).
Shitty (from our point of view) laptop and crappy (ditto) smartphone have successfully replaced the desktop, because in practice we're the last bastion that actually *uses* any computer for anything more than posting meme GIFs.

Re:What's a desktop ?

[davek]

REAL programmers use a magnetized needle and a steady hand.

Re:What's a desktop ?

[Dragonslicer]

REAL programmers use a magnetized needle and a steady hand.

I keep hearing that real programmers use butterflies.

Good

[Anonymous Coward]

I can't wait for the cryptocurrency fad to die out. I'm tired of the impact these losers burning up their hardware and electricity to mine currency that is worth less than the resources they've burned to mine it have. Thanks to these jackasses ram and GPUs are still overpriced, not to mention the countless stories about some new cryptocurrency being spun up every day and some other market being hacked and robbed on a daily basis. It was an interesting experiment, but now its time to die quietly.

Please install realityDistortionFireld.jar

[DrYak]

Wouldn't broken phones be good for Google? People would then have to buy more as they keep breaking.

Only Steve Jobs is/was equipped with a potent enough Reality Distortion Field, so that people keep re-buy Apple crapphone even after the previous ones crapped.
Any other brand attempting the same stun would have people coming at them with pitchforks complaining that such low quality CANNOT BE ALLOWED.

Also note that Google themselve doesn't make any relevant amount of money directly on the phone sold.
The manufacturer are making money on they phone.

Google makes most of their "Uncle Scrooge's swimming pool"-level of money on advertisement and monetizing all these juicy personal data that they can milk out of their users. For that, they need the users to come and stay inside their Google Eco-system (use Gmail, use Google Search, use all the other "Google Experience" apps that they force manufacturers to install if they want to have a license to the Google APIs that popular apps use).

For that to happen, they need android to still be a popular platform.
If android start to be hated because they are phone that constantly overheat and eat batteries, there's the risk that the people will switch to some other platform (say if suddenly iPhones started to look less crappy) where their tasty monetizable privacy won't be as accessible (to google) for milking.

I think this is really about what someone earlier mentioned: Cryptocurrency-supported software eliminates the need to support your software with advertisements. Google wants you to use ads, not coins, to support your software, because Google has a monopoly on Internet advertising, but they don't yet have a coin offering.

Yup, that too. Apps not relying on ads (Google Adsense ka-ching !), store and in app purchase (Google Play ka-ching !) would certainly be a risk of slow downs in the stream filling the above mentioned Uncle Scrooge swimming pools.

Why?

[iampiti]

It seems to me that Google is overstepping their duties. It's logical to ban apps that use the device to mine without telling the user but I don't see any reason to ban apps where the user willingly mines.
Maybe -as they say in the article- they're doing it to prevent device damage ...but still.
The problem is that we're giving Apple and Google too much power over our devices. They can basically do whatever they want. I wish an open OS had survived the smartphone wars but, alas, it seems we're stuck with iOS and Android for the foreseable future

What's the point?

[Anonymous Coward]

A major advertising point for phones is often the 25 million core processor that runs at 1.21 petahertz... what's the point of all of that horsepower if you can't use it without destroying the phone?

The FTC needs to get involved in this, because if using the hardware that was advertised to me as the phone's capability, and that capability is actually not usable, then we're going to have issues.

Ban cryptominers & threats from YOUR system

[Anonymous Coward]

See subject & APK Hosts File Engine 2.0++ 64-bit for Linux h t t p : / / a p k . i t - m a t e . c o . u k / A P K H o s t s F i l e E n g i n e F o r L i n u x . z i p (remove spaces between characters & download).

Yields more security/speed/reliability/anonymity vs. any SINGLE solution (99% of threats use hostnames vs. IP addresses most firewalls use) more efficiently/FASTER + NATIVELY 4 less!

(Vs. "Bolt on 'MoAr' illogic-logic" competitors slowing you, hosts speed you up 2 ways (adblocks + hardcodes u spend most time @) vs. competition loaded w/ security bugs (DNS/AntiVir) + overheads (messagepass ('souled-out' to advertiser addons) + filtering drivers) & their complexity leads to exploitation).

* ONLY 1 of its kind in GUI on Linux!

Better vs. Windows model in speed/efficiency/merge.

APK

P.S.=> "hosts trick to block the Coinhive or Crypto-Loot" - https://bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/a-new-player-joins-coinhive-on-the-browser-cryptojacking-scene/... apk

Registered /.ers review of the Win64 model

[Anonymous Coward]

Your software is just fine - well written, functional... I'm going to continue using the Host File Engine by mmell February 17, 2017

Your premise that hostfiles are a good way to deal with advertising and malvertising is quite valid - by JazzLad April 20, 2016

his hosts program is actually pretty good by xenotransplant August 10 2015

his hosts tool is actually useful for those cases in which one does indeed want to locally block stuff outright while consuming minimum system resources by alexgieg September 25 2015

I like your host file system by Karmashock September 09 2015

that APK guy, I use his host file by rogoshen1 Tuesday March 03, 2015

I personally use a HOSTS file blocker produced from a genius called APK by 110010001000 October 27 2017

* Best part = Linux 64-bit model's faster/more efficient (2x work & 1/2 the time)

APK

P.S.=> For a faster/safer/more reliable internet... apk

Cryptocurrency competes with advertisers.

[Anonymous Coward]

Cryptocurrency competes with advertisers.

Re: Yes, you can run mining software - sideload it

[Anonymous Coward]

â (TM )â(TM )â(TM)â(T M)â(TM)â (TM)â(TM)â(TM)â( TM)â(TM)â(TM)â(TM )â(TM)â(TM)

If you really want to

[Anonymous Coward]

If you really want to mine coins on your phone, sideload the APK and go ahead.
Let's see... in normal use, my S4Note gives between 1 and 2 days of battery life.
Run something a bit heavy on it (daughter in back seat of car playing games) and the battery life is maybe 2 hours.
Mining coins on a phone? Never tried it, but back in the day when I mined Bitcoin (2011) my mining setup draw 4.7kW continuously. IF I could do this on the phone, we might expect a battery life of about... 9 seconds.
For Google to completely forbid mining might be a step too far, but to refuse to facilitate mining doesn't seem that unreasonable, given that mining on a phone is probably a bad idea in almost all circumstances.

If you really need mobile mining, consider buying a Model S, performing the necessary hardware hacking to get at the power and keep the miner in the boot. Charge at public charging stations (use the free ones in supermarket car parks!) and hope that the coins mined will pay for the battery replacement when it becomes necessary.

No Joogle with APKoin

[Anonymous Coward]

See Subject: APKoin is better than all other cyypto coin guarantee to not loose value

Get APKoin by spreading the word of "LORD of HOSTS" to all conrners of teh internet

Get APKoin by "Kick stomping heart" FAKE name slashdot l[users] who dare defy brilliant APK

Redeemable for ultra premium moose dik you can suck or take in ass

Premium rewards like suk my MEGA MAN PENIS or lick my gaint ballz

APK

P.S.=> The Soros and ROTHSCHILD backed jew bankers want to destroy CRYPTO COIN because it can derail their plans to enslave great american worker. Trump was the first major disruption to they plans APKoins is the next... apk

Good

[Anonymous Coward]

Cryptominers are human garbage

Impersonating me? apk

[Anonymous Coward]

You impersonating me proves you wish you were me & imitation is the sincerest form of flattery - but you = poor imitation. Your STALKING me by UNIDENTIFIABLE anonymous proves you FEAR me also!

* GROW UP!

APK

P.S.=> Unbelievable... apk

APK needs to understand this

[Anonymous Coward]

Obligatory XKCD that you need to read and understand.

I am APK the LORD of HOSTS

[Anonymous Coward]

I am APK the great "LORD of HOSTS", a.k.a. AlecStaar or Alexander Peter Kowalski.

See subject & APK Hosts File Engine 2.0++ 64-bit for Linux h t t p : / / I . a m . a . f u c k i n g / a s s h o l e . r e t a r d . z i p (remove spaces between characters & download).

I am the godlike creator of various GUI front-ends for other people's configuration files.

Everyone stalks me as I shitpost but by everyone but that it is really just one person who I dusted on some other site or so I think.

When people state the truth about me I get really mad and accuse them of projecting which is something I do all the time.

Don't call me out on anything unless you are willing to prove you too can write some strings to a file programmatically.

You must be conspiring with the Jews and Soros if you disagree with me.

Mistaking mockery and parody for impersonation is how I think people flatter me because I can't possibly understand that they detest me.

See me lash out at one person for 2 weeks straight and claim everyone who mocks my retarded ass is actually them.

Bask in my greatness as I post my advertisements in discussions where they don't belong, by the way this is every discussion I post in.

I demand your age sex and location so that I can threaten to show up and kick your ass and will call you a pussycake but am actually too scared to actually do anything but be a keyboard warrior.

Watch as I claim I am world class and a winner but in reality I am a fucking loser.

Witness my descent into madness

APK

Half and Catch Fire

[Anonymous Coward]

Cryptocurrency is the new HCF bug in 2018.

Is there anything Cryptocurrency can't do? Oh right. Actually do things efficiently and cheaply.

Re:Half and Catch Fire

[WorBlux]

Cheap and efficient is not actually the point of crypt-currencies, it's about spreading out the pool enough to be able to decentralize trust. If you want cheap and effecient, bring back the $500, $1000, and $10,000 dollar bills.

Real Headline:

[WorBlux]

Google censors application to cover up design deficiency in manufacturer partner's phones.

In reality the generic solution is better, let device manufactures set maximum average power draw and throttle apps accordingly when the phone is not connected to an external power supply.

Ok, if YOU say so impersonator... apk

[Anonymous Coward]

See subject & a SELF-PORTRAIT of me = https://365songsblog.files.wor... + where I'm from where CREAMPUFF freaks like YOU can't even BEGIN to comprehend? Is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

* ... & it's FRIDAY...

APK

P.S.=> Keep impersonating me - it PROVES you WISH you were me... apk

Hi brother... apk

[Anonymous Coward]

I see you. See me https://365songsblog.files.wor... & soon we're taking ya home since you're sick for eons with viruses of the spirit to the most benevolent force you wish you could be.

APK

P.S=> Eons and you can't win the heart of man but we still love you brother (make of that what you will those who read)... apk