News - CyanogenMod Installer removed from Google Play Store

[HEXUS]

Google said that the app “encourages users to void their warranty”.

Read more.

[crossy]

Stupid move by Google. What are they going to ban next - launchers and, more especially, superuser apps? I would have thought that anyone savvy enough to know what the "Cyanogen Installer" is, and have need for it, is going to be pretty unworried that it'll void their warranty. As the article rightly says - if you need Cyanogen then either you hate the standard OS, or are one of those Android orphans who's going to Cyanogen to get updates for a phone that's more than 18 months old.

Personally I would have just suggested a BIG disclaimer in the description and left it at that.

At the rate that my respect for Google has fallen so far this year, I'll be moving to a Windows Phone next year.

[djsarcher]

This seems like it is just an annoyance for those who want to use it. Don't understand the decision here.

[DeadllHead]

I think I can see where Google are coming from with this. You or I might understand what this does but lot of people install apps to try them out knowing they can easily uninstall them if they don't like it, which in this case they can't currently do. Lets face it people don't always read the description top to bottom! I think Google are trying to be responsible and protect a large group of Android users.

[Traldera]

I'm on Google's side here.

Think about the people that hear how "amazing cyanogenmod is" from geeky friends so go to try it out then screw it up and void warranty.

Let's be honest, if your savvy enough to need CM, you dont need the app to get it done. People coped for years without it

[Agent]

The CM installer gives you enough warnings about warranty and what you're actually doing.

Don't be Apple, Google.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

WTF Google? Fail!

[theanalyzer]

Google would reconsider the app’s inclusion in the Play Store if there was an easy way to reverse the changes made by the app, or an uninstaller. Until that time “it’s staying outside of Google Play,” says TNW.

Sounds reasonable enough.

[MrRockliffe]

By the sounds of things, Google feels threatened by CM. There are tonnes of root only apps that surely entice the user to root their mobile device as well, but it just so happens that the CM one actually installs a different version of android. A bit coincidental is it not.

Bad move Google. Respect is earned, and you just lost some.

[miniyazz]

Thought their motto was 'don't be evil'. They're doing rather well at not following it this year :/

[cjs150]

Google would reconsider the app’s inclusion in the Play Store if there was an easy way to reverse the changes made by the app, or an uninstaller. Until that time “it’s staying outside of Google Play,” says TNW.

Sounds reasonable enough.

If you follow CM advice and back up the original OS to a separate SD card then there is an easy way to reverse the changes.

But on the basis that some people just do not get it, a simple uninstaller option would be good.

I run CM on a Nook HD+. It is not perfect, but it is light years ahead of the Nook original take on android

[zdn1042]

Fair move, I guess. To those who really wanted CM, there are other ways to get it.

[crossy]

If you follow CM advice and back up the original OS to a separate SD card then there is an easy way to reverse the changes. But on the basis that some people just do not get it, a simple uninstaller option would be good.

Hmm good point - I wonder if they mod'd the installer to take that recovery backup first that this would make it acceptable to Google (probably not). Then again, with the devices that I've got there's always the option of doing a firmware flash from the manufacturer.

[Agent]

The funny thing about "reverse the changes made by the app, or an uninstaller" is that they don't enforce this on other apps.

I've had a few apps over the years which just *broke* things when being uninstalled. Granted, mostly dev stuff, but they're on the Play Store for sure.