Comment by idrios
4 hours ago
Delivering the bits is a part of it though. When youtube changes its api in a way that forces NewPipe to change its algorithm, they have to push out a change that forces users to update the app. This is annoying because naturally you won't find NewPipe on the app store so updating the app is tedious for users who use it. The parent's workaround fixes some or all of this nuisance, depending on how implemented
Can't you just do "ota" updates like codepush used to do? ie shove a JavaScript asset with whatever is needed and allow the app to pull it at runtime?
Smarttube on Android TV just pulls its own APK so you just need to click Install after it downloads and opens it.
It not being on the app store doesn't meant that there can't be low friction updates. FFUpdater, for example, is plenty convenient.
still less tedious than ads or no background play