Google's chamge of policy regarding SMS and phone calls

[George Charalambous]

Hello everyone! I made an app which uses a PhoneCall in order that the user dials my number directly by pressing a button. Now Google prohibits that function and they say that there an alternative namely a DIAL INTENT which can be set initialize to phone app of the device but requires the user to explicitly start the call (whereas the PhoneCall starts the call automatically to the the preset number). 

Since the block given to us by MIT Inventor is only the PhoneCall does anyone know how to overcome this problem?

Where do we notify the MIT Inventor team about this subject? Google will suspend all relevant apps the 9th of Jan 2019.

Thank you. 

[SteveJG]

Here are two work around techniques using intents to allow commercial developers to post to Google Play SMS and PhoneCall  instead of using the Texting and PhoneCall components.

No one can actually 'overcome' Google's new security policies George.  Developers must use intents. Yes, Google will suspend relevant apps from Google Play.  Non commercial developers can still use the Texting and PhoneCall components.  Developers wanting their apps on Google Play must use intents instead of the components.

Instead of using the Texting component in your app you might use an intent as shown by Joseph in this Forum discussion until MIT figures out a component solution.  https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/mitappinventortest/0WPQzWL4gYI/xjFWI6n1CgAJ     You must remove the Texting component.  This solution works well although it requires manual intervention.  That is what Google wants to happen.

Instead of using the PhoneCall component in your app you might use an intent as I discuss in the Forum discussion

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!category-topic/mitappinventortest/acaTZTA0jcM   You must remove the PhoneCall component.  This will not make automatic phone calls, the technique requires user intervention as Google insists.

Developers can petition Google to allow their current apps however it seems most of those requests are rejected if not all.

Do these work around methods using intents work for you George?

Regards,

Steve

[ABG]

(added to Google Play Store section of FAQ)

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/mitappinventortest/wqJin0qO8M0/8xUafdROAgAJ

ABG

[Chris Ward]

Hello George

You could just change your Distributor, it doesn't have to be Google Play. Try Amazon? If enough of the January 9th rejected Apps make their way to Amazon instead, who knows what would happen next in the Google camp.....

https://developer.amazon.com/apps-and-games