On: Google: 'Your $1000 phone needs our permission to install apps now' [video]

[jacquesm]

No, that's not necessary. You can download them straight to your phone. The 'side' is clearly in reference to the fact that you bypass the app store.

[wilsonnb3 → jacquesm]

Yes, you can download APKs but I don’t remember that being common in the early days of Android.

This was before it had a download manager or file manager and using your computer to manage your phone was the norm.

The term predates Android anyways, goes back to the 90s I think.