I've been playing Solitaire Klondike ad free on my Xiaomi Redmi Note 10
for almost 3 years. It's an old app and there have been no updates until today, when one came through (for compatibility with Android 13 IIRC).
I've been on 13 for some time, but thought it might be worth updating
the app in case other changes had been made. So against my better
judgement I installed the update.
On running, it locked the phone up with a green screen (the app
background colour - baize green), instead of advancing to the card
layout. Even when working with the previous version the app hadn't, by design, shown the system buttons at the bottom of the screen. In the end
I had to reboot the phone to get back control. I uninstalled and
reinstalled the app and tried again with the same result. I did find
that after several attempts swiping up on the green screen would show
the system buttons for a few seconds, and I could get back to the
phone's main screen. I've uninstalled the app.
I can't believe that this update was properly tested before release,
unless for some reason it's only my phone it doesn't like.
Jeff Layman <[email protected]d> wrote:
I've been playing Solitaire Klondike ad free on my Xiaomi Redmi Note 10
for almost 3 years. It's an old app and there have been no updates until
today, when one came through (for compatibility with Android 13 IIRC).
I've been on 13 for some time, but thought it might be worth updating
the app in case other changes had been made. So against my better
judgement I installed the update.
On running, it locked the phone up with a green screen (the app
background colour - baize green), instead of advancing to the card
layout. Even when working with the previous version the app hadn't, by
design, shown the system buttons at the bottom of the screen. In the end
I had to reboot the phone to get back control. I uninstalled and
reinstalled the app and tried again with the same result. I did find
that after several attempts swiping up on the green screen would show
the system buttons for a few seconds, and I could get back to the
phone's main screen. I've uninstalled the app.
I can't believe that this update was properly tested before release,
unless for some reason it's only my phone it doesn't like.
"How to publish an Android App on Google Play Store: A step-by-step
guide" https://orangesoft.co/blog/how-to-publish-an-android-app-on-google-play-store
Google reviews all app submissions, but I doubt a real person is
involved in every review of every app and every version of an app. They likely run a battery of automated tests to check for compliance.
https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/14151465?hl=en
A search at the Play Store on "solitaire klondike"
https://play.google.com/store/search?q=solitaire%20klondike&c=apps
finds several apps with those words in the app name. You didn't give
the URL to the app in Google's Play Store for anyone else to know which
one you are discussing.
I might try reinstalling in a few days with the latest update, but will
check the latest reviews first!
A search at the Play Store on "solitaire klondike"
https://play.google.com/store/search?q=solitaire%20klondike&c=apps
finds several apps with those words in the app name. You didn't give
the URL to the app in Google's Play Store for anyone else to know which
one you are discussing.
There are very few ad-free. The one I was referring to is: <https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.potatojam.classic.solitaire.klondike>
I've been playing Solitaire Klondike ad free on my Xiaomi Redmi Note 10
for almost 3 years. It's an old app and there have been no updates until today, when one came through (for compatibility with Android 13 IIRC).
I've been on 13 for some time, but thought it might be worth updating
the app in case other changes had been made. So against my better
judgement I installed the update.
...
I can't believe that this update was properly tested before release,
unless for some reason it's only my phone it doesn't like.
Jeff Layman wrote on Thu, 11 Jul 2024 18:58:14 +0100 :
A search at the Play Store on "solitaire klondike"
https://play.google.com/store/search?q=solitaire%20klondike&c=apps
finds several apps with those words in the app name. You didn't give
the URL to the app in Google's Play Store for anyone else to know which
one you are discussing.
There are very few ad-free. The one I was referring to is:
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.potatojam.classic.solitaire.klondike>
Hi Jeff,
I never play games (so I don't know much about them) but I was surprised
you assessed the number of ad-free solitaire games on Android as "very
few", as I would have thought there were very many, not very few.
So I ran a search and found there are at least 324 apps with that in the
name which are also free, ad free, and in-app purchase free.
Take a look at my results run for this post, as shown in this screenshot.
<https://i.postimg.cc/CL0CYF32/solitaire01.jpg> 324 free/ad-free apps
What did I do wrong (given that over 300 similar apps seems like a lot)?
BTW, the number two app, ranked by the default sort, was the one you're
using by "Potato Jam" so you picked a good app it seems.
I've been playing Solitaire Klondike ad free on my Xiaomi Redmi Note 10
for almost 3 years. It's an old app and there have been no updates until today, when one came through (for compatibility with Android 13 IIRC).
I've been on 13 for some time, but thought it might be worth updating
the app in case other changes had been made. So against my better
judgement I installed the update.
I can't believe that this update was properly tested before release,
unless for some reason it's only my phone it doesn't like.
Take a look at my results run for this post, as shown in this screenshot.
<https://i.postimg.cc/CL0CYF32/solitaire01.jpg> 324 free/ad-free apps
What did I do wrong (given that over 300 similar apps seems like a lot)?
You used App Finder, rather than just use the Play Store search, which
is what I did on my cellphone.
What is interesting about the Play Store
search is that even if you use "solitaire klondike free no ads" or
similar wording you get lots of results. It's only when you look at the
one and two star reviews you find they're *not* ad free at all!
For
example, you'll find many reviews complaining that the incidence of ads
for that app have increased with the latest update. To do that, though, you'll have to look at "all reviews", and change from "relevance" to
"most recent".
What is really strange is if you look at <https://play.google.com/store/search?q=solitaire+no+ads+free+offline&c=apps> in your PC's browser (I've no idea what a cellphone browser shows),
you'll find only four hits.
Now change the search to <https://play.google.com/store/search?q=solitaire%20klondike%20no%20ads%20free%20offline&c=apps>.
In other words add another limitation by using "klondike" as a required search term. Mysteriously, you'll now find 30 hits!
BTW, the number two app, ranked by the default sort, was the one you're
using by "Potato Jam" so you picked a good app it seems.
Yes, I've always appreciated its simple interface. What I don't like is
the way that it automatically hides the android system buttons even when working correctly, and I've not found a way (other than by using the
app's menu) to get them back.
The F-Droid alternative I've installed has a few more solitaire games, including "Freecell" which I first played on a Windows NT4 PC around 30
years ago!
Apps can just be published without any test at all. Google only checks
for known malicious elements with automated tests and blocks apps which
are considedered to be harmful.
But testing with real devices and different Android versions is still
the responsibility of the publisher. You may just have bad luck since
Xiaomi also implements their own UI including changing the behaviour of
the graphics output (e.g. custom "dark mode" even for apps which do not support that etc.). Maybe this causes some problems with that game.
You can report this to the publisher - maybe they will provide an update
to fix this. However if no one ever reports issues like this, they will
never get fixed.
On 10/07/2024 17:41, VanguardLH wrote:[...]
https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/14151465?hl=en
Is any testing done for updates other than by the developer? That
I can't believe that this update was properly tested before release,
unless for some reason it's only my phone it doesn't like.
Thanks for all the interesting and informative comments. I think I'll
wait a bit longer before installing updates in future and read some very recent reviews before I do!
Jeff Layman wrote on Sat, 13 Jul 2024 16:17:24 +0100 :
Thanks for all the interesting and informative comments. I think I'll
wait a bit longer before installing updates in future and read some very
recent reviews before I do!
While the Google Play Store app can be set up to update apps automatically, and, while there are plenty of good app updaters that do a much better job
<https://github.com/ImranR98/Obtainium>
<https://github.com/rumboalla/apkupdater>
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=pratham.bkm.appupdatechecker>
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inspirezone.updatesoftwarechecker>
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pnixo.softwareupdater.appcheckert>
I prefer to update apps manually, and only when I already know there is a reason I'd want the update (e.g., the recent NewPipe update two days ago).
Note that Google autoupdates each month every Android 10+ phone on the Internet forever (i.e., no EOL date set) for over two dozen core modules.
This automatic core update for billions of Android phones, most of which
are no longer fully supported by their OEMs, happens perfectly seamlessly.
It's such a seamless update, the vast majority of Android owners don't even know it's happening every month that their phone core packages are updated.
<https://www.androidheadlines.com/2022/01/google-monthly-changelog-play-system-updates.html>
Jeff Layman wrote on Sat, 13 Jul 2024 16:17:24 +0100 :
Thanks for all the interesting and informative comments. I think I'll
wait a bit longer before installing updates in future and read some very
recent reviews before I do!
While the Google Play Store app can be set up to update apps automatically, and, while there are plenty of good app updaters that do a much better job
<https://github.com/ImranR98/Obtainium>
<https://github.com/rumboalla/apkupdater>
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=pratham.bkm.appupdatechecker>
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inspirezone.updatesoftwarechecker>
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pnixo.softwareupdater.appcheckert>
I prefer to update apps manually, and only when I already know there is a reason I'd want the update (e.g., the recent NewPipe update two days ago).
Arno Welzel wrote on Fri, 12 Jul 2024 15:37:14 +0200 :
Apps can just be published without any test at all. Google only checks
for known malicious elements with automated tests and blocks apps which
are considedered to be harmful.
But testing with real devices and different Android versions is still
the responsibility of the publisher. You may just have bad luck since
Xiaomi also implements their own UI including changing the behaviour of
the graphics output (e.g. custom "dark mode" even for apps which do not
support that etc.). Maybe this causes some problems with that game.
You can report this to the publisher - maybe they will provide an update
to fix this. However if no one ever reports issues like this, they will
never get fixed.
Arno and Andy know a lot more than I ever will about Android, so I will
defer to them - but there is on-device scanning also that Google does.
As I recall, every app that is installed, no matter how it's installed and nor matter where it came from, is scanned by default upon installation.
This is, of course, with the default Google Play Store client settings,
even though the app may have nothing whatsoever to do with the Play Store.
In addition, once a day, by default, it's my understanding that Google
scans again every app on your device for malicious signatures.
But, as Arno mentioned also - these scans are only malware signature scans.
It's such a seamless update, the vast majority of Android owners don't even >> know it's happening every month that their phone core packages are updated. >> <https://www.androidheadlines.com/2022/01/google-monthly-changelog-play-system-updates.html>
That's an interesting page.
Firstly, I assume the phone user "pays" for the update in terms of MB or
GB downloaded. If the user is on a very limited contract (5GB/month or perhaps even less for a very low-usage contract), then the update might amount to a large fraction of the allowance. I wonder what happens if
the allowance runs out halfway through an update? The user might also
find something critical they want to use is denied (eg deactivate a
stolen credit card via a bank app) because all the allowance has been
used the previous day without their knowledge!
I see that the update goes unnoticed, but the installation is only
completed when the user reboots the device. I wonder how many actually
do that, or is the phone effectively deactivated until the user reboots
it?
Is there some sort of message displayed to that effect? I ask
because with my Xiaomi, automatic system updates are turned off. I get a notice that a system update is available (or I used to as I'm now out of
the MIUI update period. The OS is MIUI 14.0.5 based on Android 13, and
from what I've read MIUI is now defunct as it's been superseded by
Xiaomi's HyperOS). From what I remember these updates could be in the
1GB+ range.
Does the update come through the Play Store? Although it's an update to
the Google Play System, it doesn't state explicitly that it comes via
the Play Store. Or does it come through the OEM?
Like you, I have all automatic updates turned off, whether system or otherwise. In fact, a lot of the bloatware crap which came with the
phone has never been updated. Other than with adb, most of the junk is uninstallable anyway, but I just ignore it.
I see that this is where the latest update info is provided: <https://support.google.com/product-documentation/answer/14343500>
I prefer to update apps manually, and only when I already know there is a
reason I'd want the update (e.g., the recent NewPipe update two days ago).
Yes, that's why you can configure Google Play *NOT* to install updates without asking you.
Jeff Layman wrote on Sun, 14 Jul 2024 09:20:25 +0100 :
Does the update come through the Play Store? Although it's an update to
the Google Play System, it doesn't state explicitly that it comes via
the Play Store. Or does it come through the OEM?
Good question. I'd ask Andy or Arno. I never thought of where the updated packages come from (as there are more than two dozen in Android 14).
Yeah, I try not to update unless I know what I want updated, but the
Project Mainline stuff updates whether or not you ask it to, I think.
I see that this is where the latest update info is provided:
<https://support.google.com/product-documentation/answer/14343500>
I think that link answers one of your questions, which is how you know
you've been updated. I would guess you have the version they say there.
Arno Welzel wrote on Sun, 14 Jul 2024 15:28:51 +0200 :
I prefer to update apps manually, and only when I already know there is a >>> reason I'd want the update (e.g., the recent NewPipe update two days ago). >>Yes, that's why you can configure Google Play *NOT* to install updates
without asking you.
Arno is correct, where the Google Play Store isn't even a required package. Mine is uninstalled for example, even though my phone is unrootable.
I'm not sure how (or if) the Project Mainline updates are happening for me though, since the Google Play Store is not installed in the user partition.
Andrew, 2024-07-15 01:27:
Arno Welzel wrote on Sun, 14 Jul 2024 15:28:51 +0200 :
I prefer to update apps manually, and only when I already know there is a >>>> reason I'd want the update (e.g., the recent NewPipe update two days ago). >>>Yes, that's why you can configure Google Play *NOT* to install updates
without asking you.
Arno is correct, where the Google Play Store isn't even a required package. >> Mine is uninstalled for example, even though my phone is unrootable.
I'm not sure how (or if) the Project Mainline updates are happening for me >> though, since the Google Play Store is not installed in the user partition.
I've been using a Google Pixel 6a for a while now. When I got it, it had Android 13 and at some point I could install the update to Android 14.
But I never experienced any unattended updates without my consent. All
system updates and also app updates in Google Play have to be confirmed before they get installed.
I've been using a Google Pixel 6a for a while now. When I got it, it had
Android 13 and at some point I could install the update to Android 14.
But I never experienced any unattended updates without my consent. All
system updates and also app updates in Google Play have to be confirmed
before they get installed.
As I posted above, I'm going to check the versions at <https://support.google.com/product-documentation/answer/14343500> but
/not/ manually update anything over the next couple of weeks, and then
see if my phone has the very latest versions or not. If it has, it means
the updates have taken place automatically. I assume from your comment
above that this doesn't happen with your Pixel 6a.
Jeff Layman wrote on Sun, 14 Jul 2024 09:20:25 +0100 :
Does the update come through the Play Store? Although it's an update to
the Google Play System, it doesn't state explicitly that it comes via
the Play Store. Or does it come through the OEM?
Good question. I'd ask Andy or Arno. I never thought of where the updated
packages come from (as there are more than two dozen in Android 14).
It took some time to find a statement, but at <https://www.esper.io/blog/building-a-google-play-system-update-changelog>
it notes "Thanks to Project Mainline, Google is able to deliver updates
to core Android system components through the Play Store. These updates
- which are publicly referred to as Google Play System Updates - can fix security issues or introduce new features, and they're routinely
delivered to users on GMS Android devices running Android 10 and later."
So they do come through the Play Store. But as you've removed the Play
Store from your phone, but still get updates, that doesn't make sense.
Or perhaps the Play Store isn't just the Play Store we think it is... ;-)
Perhaps part of the answer is here <https://x.com/MishaalRahman/status/1706051485623103675>
"Google System Updates are comprised of updates to the Google Play Store
app, the Google Play Services app, the Android WebView, and Project
Mainline modules (via Google Play System Updates).
While you can opt out of these, you'll still get system updates from non-Google sources as well as app updates through Google Play*.
Furthermore, Google says automatic updates may still happen to address
severe security or safety issues or to comply with legal obligations."
* But /which/ "Google Play"?! We have Google Play Store, Google Play Services, Google Play System, and non-Google sources. Almost looks like
it's been designed to confuse. Surely not...
Yeah, I try not to update unless I know what I want updated, but the
Project Mainline stuff updates whether or not you ask it to, I think.
See above. Perhaps security and safety issue updates can't be turned off.
I see that this is where the latest update info is provided:
<https://support.google.com/product-documentation/answer/14343500>
I think that link answers one of your questions, which is how you know
you've been updated. I would guess you have the version they say there.
I should read my own links properly! :-)
Yes, the versions I can find in "Settings" by digging down into the app
menus are pretty much the latest as shown in the links. I'll try to
avoid doing any updates in the next couple of weeks and see if the
version change anyway. That will mean an automatic update has taken place.
I've been playing Solitaire Klondike ad free on my Xiaomi Redmi Note 10
for almost 3 years. It's an old app and there have been no updates until today, when one came through (for compatibility with Android 13 IIRC).
I've been on 13 for some time, but thought it might be worth updating
the app in case other changes had been made. So against my better
judgement I installed the update.
On running, it locked the phone up with a green screen (the app
background colour - baize green), instead of advancing to the card
layout. Even when working with the previous version the app hadn't, by design, shown the system buttons at the bottom of the screen. In the end
I had to reboot the phone to get back control. I uninstalled and
reinstalled the app and tried again with the same result. I did find
that after several attempts swiping up on the green screen would show
the system buttons for a few seconds, and I could get back to the
phone's main screen. I've uninstalled the app.
I can't believe that this update was properly tested before release,
unless for some reason it's only my phone it doesn't like.
"Thanks to Project Mainline, Google is able to deliver updates to core Android system components through the Play Store. These updates — which
are publicly referred to as Google Play System Updates — can fix
security issues or introduce new features, and they’re routinely
delivered to users on GMS Android devices running Android 10 and later."
Jeff Layman wrote on Mon, 15 Jul 2024 09:10:05 +0100 :
I've been using a Google Pixel 6a for a while now. When I got it, it had >>> Android 13 and at some point I could install the update to Android 14.
But I never experienced any unattended updates without my consent. All
system updates and also app updates in Google Play have to be confirmed
before they get installed.
As I posted above, I'm going to check the versions at
<https://support.google.com/product-documentation/answer/14343500> but
/not/ manually update anything over the next couple of weeks, and then
see if my phone has the very latest versions or not. If it has, it means
the updates have taken place automatically. I assume from your comment
above that this doesn't happen with your Pixel 6a.
I think what Arno & Jeff said is good information because my point about Project Mainline updates is they're so seamless, people don't know they're happening monthly (on Pixels) or slightly less often on other OEM brands.
<https://www.esper.io/blog/what-is-project-mainline>
As you can see here, the updates are downloaded, but the user isn't told
that they are waiting for a reboot - but they happen when the user reboots.
<https://bayton.org/android/gpsu-system-update/>
Also, while we've discussed Project Mainline a few times on this ng, most people on this ng I believe are not aware that the concept even exists that Google is updating dozens of core packages monthly for Android 10+ forever.
<https://www.hexnode.com/blogs/android-project-mainline-everything-you-need-to-know/>
It's been that seamless since mainline started with Android 10.
Every subsequent version has been adding more & more mainline modules.
<https://www.xda-developers.com/bluetooth-ultra-wideband-mainline-modules-android-13/>
However, my phone is not set up by default in that I have the Google Play Store deleted from the user partition so any test by me might not reflect
how things work for most people who leave the Android set up by defaults.
Hence, I think it's a great idea that Jeff will be checking his update status, where here's a list of the core packages that are in Mainline.
<https://source.android.com/docs/core/ota/modular-system>
However, note that at least, you can manually update them at will.
<https://bayton.org/android/gpsu-system-update/>
Google Play System updates (Mainline)
Google Play System updates (also called Mainline updates)
are automatically downloaded but require a device reboot to be installed.
These updates won't trigger an automatic reboot and instead they are
installed on the next user, admin, or policy initiated reboot.
Reboots triggered by system update policy will install the
associated Google/OEM system update and any previously downloaded
Google Play System updates.
Google Play System updates can also be manually installed by navigating
to Settings > About > Android Version > Google Play system update.
| Sysop: | Keyop |
|---|---|
| Location: | Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK |
| Users: | 715 |
| Nodes: | 16 (2 / 14) |
| Uptime: | 143:51:11 |
| Calls: | 12,089 |
| Calls today: | 2 |
| Files: | 15,000 |
| Messages: | 6,517,477 |
