Earliest 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?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
chcox @ Sep 18th 2009 7:27PM
WTF iPhone doesn't have an app killing switch. If they remove an app for some reason it doesn't get deleted from anywhere it just leaves the app store. Lots of people still have the netshare app that provided tethering because they got it from app store a while ago before it was removed. Nothing stops you from using it, or if you accidentally delete it, nothing stops you from re-installing the synced copy already on your desktop.
Rob @ Sep 18th 2009 7:52PM
It does seem more restrictive than the iPhone store in that sense, although there is one major difference. Windows Mobile will allow you to load any app you'd like. The centralized store has these restrictive conditions, but the OS itself will happily run any executable file you put on it.
Rob @ Sep 18th 2009 7:59PM
Actually, the iPhone store has the same conditions. Apple just hasn't used the kill switch/blacklist yet, as they haven't had any malicious apps accidentialy approved, and why would they wish to give up their 30% with a refund? Microsoft will do the same.
Plexus @ Sep 18th 2009 9:01PM
Iphones are all implanted with such an app killer code, but as Engadget writes it has not yet been used so as not to oblige Apple to refound those who bought the app and to avoid possible litigation by people who inevitably would claim to have been unfairly damaged by the decision.
chcox @ Sep 19th 2009 12:31PM
How do we know it actually has a kill switch? Just because engadget says so doesn't make it true. A program like netshare is definately something that they would use the kill switch on if they had one but they didn't why? Because it doesn't exist. There are other examples as well like the low priced program that was sold that showed missing people reports and pulled because selling that information was deemed illegal. Now surely an app that did something that is deemed illegal would surely be killed right?
Frankysan @ Sep 18th 2009 10:58PM
Winmo 6.1 often "exhibits harmful behavior and unforseen effects" on my HTC Fuze. I wish there was a kill switch for it (besides the power button). Winmo is a sorry excuse for a phone OS. For now I'm stuck with it for another 8 months.
gg555 @ Sep 19th 2009 6:03AM
I don't understand. What sort of "malicious" app would need a kill switch? Why is this more necessary with cell phone OSes than with desktop computers? It seems so intrusive. Does Nokia do this in S60 or Maemo?
Chris @ Sep 19th 2009 2:36PM
Yeah, funnily enough Symbian has had both pre-install and post-install revocation for years, more or less since platsec was released.
As far as I'm aware though, no manufacturer has ever dared make use of the feature. I guess on a open platform, there are distinct legal issues with this sort of thing. On a closed platform like the iPhone, you can get contractual approval from app vendors up front.
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