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Fossify – A suite of open-source, ad-free apps

(github.com)
441 points jalict | 4 comments | 17 Jun 25 07:32 UTC | HN request time: 0.832s | source
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kej ◴[17 Jun 25 09:39 UTC] No.44297268[source]▶
To save the next person a few clicks, these are Android apps forked from the Simple Mobile Tools collection when that was sold to ZipoApps.
replies(4): >>44297364 #>>44297373 #>>44297533 #>>44300761 #
agile-gift0262 ◴[17 Jun 25 10:32 UTC] No.44297533[source]▶
I used to use many apps from Simple Mobile Tools and migrated to Fossify's forks when the whole acquisition thing happened. I just went back to check the Simple Mobile Tools to see the effect form ZipooApps' acquisition [1]. What a calamity. Most of them require way more permissions than they used to before the purchase, have trackers, ads and scam-feeling weekly subscriptions. Also probably in breach of the GPL licence they used to have, unless they have removed all the code contributed by third parties, as their GitHub [2] hasn't been updated, but the apps in the Play Store clearly have. And I seriously doubt they distribute the source code in any other way.

1: https://play.google.com/store/apps/dev?id=821434617619498026...

2: https://github.com/SimpleMobileTools

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1. squigz ◴[17 Jun 25 13:21 UTC] No.44298879[source]▶
WEEKLY subscriptions?!
replies(1): >>44300791 #
2. kej ◴[17 Jun 25 16:15 UTC] No.44300791[source]▶
I just checked, and according to the reviews on the flashlight app the weekly subscription is $14.99 to remove ads. For a flashlight.
replies(1): >>44300988 #
3. emaro ◴[17 Jun 25 16:33 UTC] No.44300988[source]▶
That's so unhinged it's almost funny again. I mean someone who pays 60$ a month for a flashlight app almost deserves it. Almost.
replies(1): >>44302983 #
4. agile-gift0262 ◴[17 Jun 25 19:35 UTC] No.44302983{3}[source]▶
I assume they trick people with dark patterns and free trials so that they don't even know they are susbcribing or what's the price