That's absolutely not the same thing. I can download APK files all day on just about any operating system I want. That isn't equivalent to "installing" them.
Is it, or is not, possible to run arbitrary APK-formatted applications without regard for code signing or any app store[1]? If so, sideloading is not a thing, that's just the normal way to use a application[0]. If not, the operating system is malicious, and kaszanka's complaint about that fact stands.
0: Provided it runs on your OS in the first place, obviously; adding support for APKs in general is a meaningful feature, in the same way as wine adding support for EXEs on linux.
1: In the same windows has been able run arbitrary EXEs since... well the entire time it's existed, give or take incremental extensions and revisions of the file format.
It's not about the file type but the file source.
On Windows the source of file to install bis irrelevant, so side loading is not a feature.
So why is new that you can install files that are not from a store?
Install APK? That's new.
Sideload a program? Not new, it's windows standard.
Here some news for you. You can even side load Exe files and MSI files. See, nothing special.
APK yes, side loading no.
Side loading is a term that in the context of Android applications is well understood to be installing android applications that are not on the Play Store. It is not a synonym for downloading files to your computer system nor is it a synonym for moving files between two devices.
>It is not a synonym for downloading files to your computer system nor is it a synonym for moving files between two devices
Actually, it is:
"Sideloading describes the process of transferring files between two local devices, in particular between a computer and a mobile device such as a mobile phone, smartphone, PDA, tablet, portable media player or e-reader."
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sideloading
Additionally side loading refers to mobile devices not desktop PCs.
Yes, I suppose you absolutely can refute my point if you choose to discard the first half of my statement which specifies the scope.
Words can have different meanings under different contexts, and I'm providing you that context, which is important for understanding what people are talking about here. Please stop being obtuse.
You can just specify the scope as you like.
It's about Windows mot about Android.
Just because APK is an Android format doesn't change the context to Android.
