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Google doesn't play fair

markdoc

markdoc

Android Expert
As has been posted twice here and in other forums, there is a major problem with Google's "Android System Webview" app. It causes apps to close for no reason and effects different apps on different phones. Once the updates are removed, the problems cease. I have tried to post this twice on Google Play as a review for "Android System Webview". Both times, my review has been deleted. No bad language was used, only the title was written in all capitals,"DO NOT UPDATE THIS APP!" and I did post the URL for the original story the OP posted. Any ideas of what to do? Google is sensoring the reviews in their favor.
 
You've always had WebView but before you only got updates when the system updated - not great for web security.

Why did Google censor you?

No idea.

Uninstalling the update kept apps from crashing - but did you open yourself up to a security vulnerability? Do the other apps crash because they're non-compliant with how WebView ought to be used?

The problem appeared with the WebView update - maybe it is the problem.

And maybe it's not.

If they release a WebView fix, it was the problem.

If they don't, maybe it's the other apps.

Anyway - don't keep the update off forever - that's not in your best interest.
 
I think they released another update of Webview. The version is the same but the release date changed from April 24 to 28. I tried it and a lot fewer apps are malfunctioning now. I'll leave the interpreting to EarlyMon.
 
markdoc said:
I think they released another update of Webview. The version is the same but the release date changed from April 24 to 28. I tried it and a lot fewer apps are malfunctioning now. I'll leave the interpreting to EarlyMon.
Click to expand...
Nothing to interpret. :)
EarlyMon said:
The problem appeared with the WebView update - maybe it is the problem.

And maybe it's not.

If they release a WebView fix, it was the problem.

If they don't, maybe it's the other apps.

Anyway - don't keep the update off forever - that's not in your best interest.
Click to expand...

We already know that some of this has been the fault of some app approaches.

Clearly we can now conclude that it wasn't 100% of the apps' faults.

And the best part is - despite causing a lot of grief - it was short term and you got the update without having to wait on HTC and carrier, in addition to Google.

I'd say that the reasonable guess on apps left crashing - is those apps at fault, as described earlier.
 
markdoc said:
As has been posted twice here and in other forums, there is a major problem with Google's "Android System Webview" app. It causes apps to close for no reason and effects different apps on different phones. Once the updates are removed, the problems cease. I have tried to post this twice on Google Play as a review for "Android System Webview". Both times, my review has been deleted. No bad language was used, only the title was written in all capitals,"DO NOT UPDATE THIS APP!" and I did post the URL for the original story the OP posted. Any ideas of what to do? Google is sensoring the reviews in their favor.
Click to expand...
So is this app the reason sense home crashes alot? I thought it was because I rooted my phone Cuz it happened after that... But looking at it now it wasn't until after web view started being updated by play store its been happening... I even switched to google now launcher to make it stop...? It also was maybe sense home update too but I haven't heard of any crashes with others....
 
It seems the reason for the crashes in Lollipop were due to "Android System Webview" and faulty apps. For an explanation, see EarlyMon's posts under HTC One M8 & Android Apps. The way to be sure it isn't your rooting is to uninstall the Webview updates. If most crashes stop, then your rooting is ok. Google has updated Webview a few times since this started and most if the crashes have stopped. The apps that still crash may have sloppy programming as per EarlyMon's explanation. Unfortunately, 2 of my favorite games still crash.
 
For me only sense home crashes... I haven't had issues with any other app... I tried uninstalling the updates and so far no sense home hasn't crashed... And yes I did switch back from now launcher
 
I might have to change my last opinion. Google finally updated Webview with a new version. For an unknown reason I couldn't download the new version for 2 days. Now that I did, the last of my crashing apps are running fine and they weren't updated. That leads me to believe it was Google's Webview all the time.
 
Thanks, once again, Early' for your detective work. I have one question, could you break that discussion down to a few English sentences? I'm weak translating Geek Speak. ;-)
Thanks
 
markdoc said:
Thanks, once again, Early' for your detective work. I have one question, could you break that discussion down to a few English sentences? I'm weak translating Geek Speak. ;-)
Thanks
Click to expand...
Good idea, something isn't right, let's fix it, unintended but feared consequences if a longer fix is attempted, unintended consequences with interim fix, take alternative approach to alleviate short term pain for everyone.

And that's just one issue in the build (others may be more at the root of things and almost certainly are).

I didn't look at all of the others, but they're all mostly like that - that's the way multi platform rapid development and deployment looks from the outside - messy.

On the inside - actual hard core engineering with a lot of talent and a lot of sweat.

Fwiw - don't lull yourself into thinking that this is still all on Google. ;) :D

Anyway, I can't stress enough the benefits of transparent defect tracking and rapid update deployment for this one component.

This is where the bad guys come to find weaknesses and attack you - on your phone, on your pc.
 
I wouldn't dare blame Google anymore. They deleted my reviews, possibly made it impossible for me to download the update and there has been a man in a black sedan parked across the street for the past few days. The "GOOGLE" license plate worries me. But he only has a case with a violin so it's probably nothing. ;):rolleyes:
 
Again, you are a fountain of knowledge. I knew that guy out front was trouble. This is proof. Now, how to get the hooker to stop calling me and the cat to keep it's clothes on. :confused:
 
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