http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/10/16/google-implemented-an-android-kill-switch-those-rascals/ Engadget Mobile Comments for Google implemented remote kill switch in Android, those rascals http://www.engadgetmobile.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadgetmobile.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/10/16/google-implemented-an-android-kill-switch-those-rascals/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/10/16/google-implemented-an-android-kill-switch-those-rascals/Oct 16th 2008 8:18AMhttp://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/10/16/google-implemented-an-android-kill-switch-those-rascals/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/10/16/google-implemented-an-android-kill-switch-those-rascals/Oct 16th 2008 9:46AMhttp://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/10/16/google-implemented-an-android-kill-switch-those-rascals/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/10/16/google-implemented-an-android-kill-switch-those-rascals/Oct 16th 2008 11:03AMhttp://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/10/16/google-implemented-an-android-kill-switch-those-rascals/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/10/16/google-implemented-an-android-kill-switch-those-rascals/http://content.zdnet.com/2346-17932_22-240708-184.html]]>Oct 16th 2008 11:09AMhttp://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/10/16/google-implemented-an-android-kill-switch-those-rascals/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/10/16/google-implemented-an-android-kill-switch-those-rascals/
The kill switch is only for apps downloaded directly through the App Store- er, "Android Marketplace". You absolutely have the right and ability to download and install apps outside of this service, and Google and your carrier can't do a damn thing about it.

More importantly, this kill switch has several guidelines. If people bothered to read the article, they'd notice that the kill switch will only be used if the app violates the developer guidelines. This means that the app will be killed if it turns out to be malware. The kill switch is for nothing more than damage control and covering one's own ass.

The Apple app store has a vetting process where submitted apps undergo some sort of approval process, making the kill switch unnecessary for the iphone (yet they still have it in place for some reason). However, the Android marketplace has no such vetting process, and apps uploaded to the marketplace are instantly available. This creates the potential problem where some unscrupulous developers may use the massive distribution network to install evil software (malware, spyware, etc) onto many devices. The kill switch would allow Google to pull the plug on this before too many phones become infected.

Furthermore, Google has been open and forward about this kill switch- hell, they themselves announced it. Unlike Apple, they haven't tried to hide this functionality.

Nothing sinister here. Go back to work.]]>Oct 16th 2008 3:52PMhttp://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/10/16/google-implemented-an-android-kill-switch-those-rascals/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/10/16/google-implemented-an-android-kill-switch-those-rascals/
Google has stated in its agreement that the kill switch will be only used if the developer distribution agreement was violated.

Apple can use their kill switch on a whim.

Big difference.]]>Oct 16th 2008 3:56PMhttp://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/10/16/google-implemented-an-android-kill-switch-those-rascals/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/10/16/google-implemented-an-android-kill-switch-those-rascals/Oct 17th 2008 12:45AMhttp://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/10/16/google-implemented-an-android-kill-switch-those-rascals/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/10/16/google-implemented-an-android-kill-switch-those-rascals/Oct 16th 2008 12:24PMhttp://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/10/16/google-implemented-an-android-kill-switch-those-rascals/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/10/16/google-implemented-an-android-kill-switch-those-rascals/"Im from the Future"]]>Oct 16th 2008 2:13PMhttp://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/10/16/google-implemented-an-android-kill-switch-those-rascals/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/10/16/google-implemented-an-android-kill-switch-those-rascals/
Honestly, if Google is to promote an "open" platform, they could do better then that. And no i'm far from iPhone fan, same crap. but you know, there are two other systems on the market (WinMo and Symbian) that while lackign somewhere at least threat me with some respect. I mean holy baby, if the application turns out to be malicious, I dont need Big Brother taking control, I need the darned "delete" button, what's in that is so hard to understand for'em, that I'm no brainless imbecile?]]>Oct 24th 2008 7:32PMhttp://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/10/16/google-implemented-an-android-kill-switch-those-rascals/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/10/16/google-implemented-an-android-kill-switch-those-rascals/Oct 16th 2008 7:01PMhttp://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/10/16/google-implemented-an-android-kill-switch-those-rascals/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/10/16/google-implemented-an-android-kill-switch-those-rascals/Oct 16th 2008 6:48PM