Direct APK download from Windy.com
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Hi, the forum suggested this thread but I'll take the liberty to create one anyway. I think this would be generally a sensible thing to provide. The only potential reason I can think of why you at Windy wouldn't want to do this is, is to prevent people from accidentally using the direct download APK and then be barred from automatic updates. But I think a sufficient disclaimer (or hiding the download well enough...) could solve that.
That said, I think there are many good reasons why people don't register at Google, use their "PlayStore" or don't participate in their ecosystem entirely. Both, out of personal interest and technical necessity[1].
I known it's not a typical thing to do, but since you're not a typical "closed software" group either and are pretty well tethered with the community, I'm hoping you can help out a bit, for all those who don't want to go through Google.
PS: Signal sets a good example how to do this. I don't think that page (the direct APK download) is accessible anywhere through their main website, but it is there (top Google result, for example), if you insist. So you don't have to go through some 3rd party APK host like "apkpure", etc.
[1] To mention my particular case: I'm using a stock Android, but I use F-Droid for software. Windy and my Banking App are actually the only two closed softwares that are allowed :)
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@manday Hello, thank you for suggestion. However this is not a path we intend to go as it has many disadvantages for the users itself.
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@korina it would be interesting to hear what disadvantages you reckon with. No one is forced to use the download, so I don't see how it can possibly be disadvantageous if you provide it as an option in some remote corner of the website. Unless, of course, someone uses it "by accident", which, however, I think can easily remedied with a simple disclaimer.
If you anticipate that people, despite it being less-accessible and well-labeled, will accidentally use it instead of using the Google Store version, I don't share your concern and I don't see any reason to assume this. 10 years ago, when Android was still young and people didn't know how to install software, perhaps. But not today.
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I, too, am very interested in an APK. I would love to subscribe to Windy if an APK were offered. As a pilot, I can say it would be amazing. I refuse to clutter my phone with google play. There are over 4 million users on Lineage alone in the world, 200k in the US.
At the very least I am curious for a legitimate reason why it would not be offered.
P.S. Fdroid is an option as well.
