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Late Night Linux Late Night Linux – Episode 350
10 snips
Sep 9, 2025 Android is tightening security on app sideloading, raising concerns about user autonomy. The departure of a key developer from Asahi Linux signals challenges for open-source sustainability. Mozilla struggles amid antitrust issues and the evolving digital landscape, while AI's role in platforms like Wikipedia sparks debate. Leadership shake-ups in GNOME reflect broader industry pressures, and nostalgia for BASIC programming leads to lively discussions about tech evolution and classic Bond films.
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Android Sideloading Gets Stricter
- Google will require developer identity verification for sideloaded apps on certified devices, making sideloading harder on official devices.
- Hosts view this as protective for most users but restrictive for power users who want control.
Use Lineage If You Want Full Sideloading
- If you must sideload apps, consider using custom ROMs like Lineage to avoid Google's verification constraints on certified devices.
- Make sideloading intentionally difficult (developer options) rather than impossible, the hosts suggest.
Asahi Linux Moves Toward Maintenance Mode
- Asahi Linux achieved major wins by upstreaming Apple GPU support in Mesa for M1/M2 Macs but recent departures signal reduced momentum.
- Hosts expect Asahi to enter maintenance mode, preserving functionality for existing M1 devices but risking future Apple silicon support.
