It is a blacklist at the Google Play level, not at the apk level. The devices are supported, as evidenced by the advice to download the apk directly.
There are several ways to blacklist device:
- via Google Play, you have a list of all the device your apk is supposed to support. You can blacklist some of them, which won't be able to install the app, despite being otherwise supported
- at the apk level (Android Manifest), by requiring hardware capability (for example, a camera, a phone, screen size ...) but not by specific model
- obviously, you can detect the model after install and do a custom blacklist that prevent the user from actually using the app
VLC only used the first method, as a way to avoid those models from reviewing the app, because they were leaving disproportionate negative reviews.
There are several ways to blacklist device: - via Google Play, you have a list of all the device your apk is supposed to support. You can blacklist some of them, which won't be able to install the app, despite being otherwise supported - at the apk level (Android Manifest), by requiring hardware capability (for example, a camera, a phone, screen size ...) but not by specific model - obviously, you can detect the model after install and do a custom blacklist that prevent the user from actually using the app
VLC only used the first method, as a way to avoid those models from reviewing the app, because they were leaving disproportionate negative reviews.
That's a very sensible move if you ask me.