Adventure Lab App (Android) not usable on many devices

[+Propagandaminister]

The Adventure Lab App requires Google Services to run properly, if not there is only a grey background without any map displayed (see screenshot).

 

What many people not realize is, that Android is an Open Source Operating System which itself does not come with any Google Applications or Services.

It is just Google that imposes their framework on top of this operating system for distribution to the majority of smartphones manufacturers.

 

This pratice depends very much on manufacturers and regions.

Since at least 1/3 of Android smartphones worldwide are not shipped with Google Services, the App is not usable on this devices.

And even if installed, Google is blocked in some Regions (who tried to use Google Maps or a Services based on it in China, knows what I am talking about)

 

This number is increasing, because Android users that have enough of Google selling their private data and specifically buy Android devices without Google or de-Googeling their smartphones.

 

I request to implement an alternate map/location service to Google Services into the Application to not exclude potential users based on their region or privacy demands.

 

(The same issue exists in the Geocaching App, but thankfully there are alternate 3rd party apps, which run properly on all Android devices - but there is only one way to find AL caches)

 

I personally would love to find Adventure lab caches