Earlier this week the internet alarms rang loud with word that Microsoft had added an app "kill switch" to its upcoming Windows Mobile 6.5 platform. Of course, such a kill switch is not unprecedented, as both the
Android and
iPhone platforms have their own variant. A Microsoft rep recently relayed a message of peace to assuage fears, telling
Ars Technica that the vast majority of app rejections won't cause a remote uninstall, and it'll only be used if the app "exhibits harmful behavior or unforeseen effects" -- not that we're entirely assured by the latter scenario, but wording aside, it does echo statements from the aforementioned companies that have so far been very conservative with its use (i.e. we can't recall a single instance of its use). "While we hope to avoid this scenario," he said, "we will make refunds available in such cases." Only time will tell just how trigger happy Microsoft gets, assuming they ever use it. Hey, just be happy we know about it -- remember the last time we were surprised to
discover such a feature?
posted September 18th 2009 5:57PM
@Cheesus(Crust)
Just for the Marketplace. You can still get CAB files from anywhere and install them.
Ah! Then I agree, this is a nice feature! MY TOUCH PRO LIVES ON!!
It used to be, but:
- To better expose applications to users, Microsoft need to set up a store
- Obviously, if its an official store, Microsoft won't distribute malware
- Hence restrictions are necessary
On the iPhone, for example, I believe the killswitch is limited to apps that abuse CoreLocation. There are apps that Apple have approved and then pulled (such as NetShare, which allowed unrestricted tethering). These apps continue to work for people that have already purchased them. No remote uninstalling, even though it annoys the carriers. I'd totally expect them to remote uninstall it, but they haven't. I don't expect it'll be used lightly (look at the backlash it caused for Amazon!)
Who says you can't?
For WinMo you can *STILL* get your apps from:
XDA-Developers, PPCG, PPCW, Handango, PocketGear, and more. They are loaded with apps for WinMo, be it paid apps or free ones.
Furthermore, you can even share apps (via their respective cab files) between users via:
Email
Bluetooth
Networking
even IR on devices that support it
Isn't choice a wonderful thing.
@L
I actually think using the term "gay" here is very appropriate. Just like the word "cool" can easily be used to describe the opposite of Steve Jobs, or his hypothesized average body temperature.
(i.e. we can't recall a single instance of its use).
You never heard of Amazon?
"it does echo statements from the aforementioned companies that have so far been very conservative with its use"
Amazon isn't one of the aforementioned companies.
Microsoft copying Apple and Google? Since when is that news?
Thank Apple for starting this trend.
Has the remote kill switch EVER been used on any platform?
I'm quite positive that no distributer would ever risk the bad press they'd get from remote uninstalling an app that anybody would actually want. This seems to be an emergency measure put in place in case a trojan is discovered. If something is ever remotely uninstalled from your phone, changes are pretty good that you'll be happy it was.
So this app will remove windows mobile 6.5? it could have lagging effects on your hardware
That is one badass image, whoever made it.
Whatever Apple does, there is Microsoft to do the same.
i know something about you, Flatlander Woman.
KSE! Awesome band. Fantastic album too.
Obviously, someone told these pricks that this sh!t was funny.
Who's next, Palm OS?
in the Mobile OS where Apple has been, is where M$ will go.
When Apple introduced the App Store all the M$ drones banged on about how draconian Apple was, I am glad Android and WinMo have followed.
If you want to steal software and services by all means jail-break your phone but thankfully the vast majority of users just want their phones to work without all the viruses and malware.
I take it that you've never used a WinMo phone, because if you did, you'd know that Apple's policies of allowing applications on your phone (pretty much only through the App Store), and Microsoft's policies of allowing applications on your phone (through anywhere) is completely different. Also, you'd no that viruses and malware on WinMo are typically non-existent.
you dont know what your talking about. winmo doesn't need to be jail-broken because it isn't locked down to begin with. does it have drawbacks? yes. is one of them restricting how i use my own device? nope. and that's why ill stay with it. period. also, viruses? what viruses? i've heavily used winmo since its beginning and before that i used all the other mobile versions of windows since ce. i've used them with very heavy use of the internet and always have. i've never had a virus and i think you'd be hard pressed to find someone who has. in summary, please only intelligent comments in posts from now on. thanks
This has been a registered service on later wmo 6.1 builds and in all wmo 6.5 builds to date. What is ironic, you can simply disable the app kill deal by simply disabling the service on the device. The service on the all late model builds is called SoftwareDisable. You can use Dot Fred's task manager to disable it. http://www.dotfred.net/TaskMgr.htm It has no I'll affects on the wmo device.
Unless Microsoft implements some option to check to see if the service is enabled for an install from Marketplace, I do not see how they will be able to enforce this.
at least its winmo which differs from the other platform in at lease one important way: they aren't restrictive about winmo software developers. meaning you can just about get a program to do just about anything you like, in many cases completely free. also meaning it is easily "hacked" and modified to change behaviors and settings you don't like. for those still not following me, this of course translates into someone coming up with a hack or piece of software to defeat any killswitch microsoft attempts to implement. this is impossible or at least extremely difficult with the other platforms.