u/heitime23

You can no longer download standard XAPK files from Uptodown via a web browser: the Uptodown App Store always loads instead. This affects apps available as .xapk files. There is a big "Download in Uptodown App Store" button, and another button labeled "All variants." Clicking "All variants" allows you to select the raw .xapk version: meaning you should be able to download the .xapk file without the app store. However, the button doesn't work. If I select the raw .xapk and hit download, the Uptodown App Store gets downloaded ANYWAY! This means there is currently no way to download standard .xapk apps from Uptodown without the app store, no matter what you click. This also affects older versions of apps that are still available as standard .apk files; the error occurs as soon as the latest version of the app is an .xapk file. I don't know if this is a technical glitch or aggressive marketing designed to force users into the Uptodown App Store. I don't care what the cause is: this behavior needs to be fixed urgently. I make it a point not to use the Uptodown App Store, for the same reason I don't use the Google Play Store: I don't want an app store; I want free, transferable files in my Downloads folder... Does anyone know if this is intentional or a bug, and if or when it will be fixed? Please, I want my standalone .apk and .xapk files back! I am not going to use the app store!

Yes I know that this is german, Im a german. Who wants to read the Text on the Picture can download it and use Google lens translation...

NO DISC NO BUY 💿 F SONY PLAYSTATION

Meine originale Nachricht an Gemini:

hat Playstation also Sony gerade wirklich in den sozialen Medien bot Accounts erstellt die ihre digital only Strategie verteidigen ich habe nämlich in den Kommentarspalten seit neuestem sehr stark nach Key klingende generische Account Namen gefunden die sagen dass sie digital only trotzdem unterstützen und diese Accounts wirken komplett wie Bots und dann gibt es noch andere Bots die ebenfalls mit einem Bord Account dagegen reden und dann tut dieser Sony Verteidiger wieder zurückschlagen was ist das das ist mit Sony los oder irgendein Sony Fanboy es muss ja nicht mal von Sony selbst sein aber irgendein Sony Fanboy irgendeiner der auf Sony Seite steht hat gerade bot Account erstellt mit KI die Sony Digital und die Strategie verteidigen was ist das für eine blöde Korruption ich habe es mit eigenen Augen gesehen!

Did PlayStation—or rather Sony—actually create AI-driven bot accounts on social media to defend their "digital-only" strategy? Lately, in the comment sections, I’ve come across generic-sounding usernames—clearly generated by AI—claiming to support the digital-only approach; these accounts act exactly like bots. Then there are other bots arguing against them, and the "Sony defender" bot strikes back. What is going on here? Is it Sony, or just some Sony fanboy? It doesn't necessarily have to be Sony itself—it could be any fanboy or someone siding with Sony who created these AI bot accounts to defend the digital-only strategy. What kind of ridiculous manipulation is this? I saw it with my own eyes, AND GOOGLE GEMINI AI CONFIRMS THAT WHAT I SAW WERE INDEED BOTS!

I am German, which is why the screenshots of Google Gemini's message are in German; here is an English translation:

It is an open secret that the comment sections of brands like PlayStation are currently heavily infiltrated by so-called astroturfing and AI bot networks. These accounts are not necessarily operated by Sony itself, but often by dedicated fanboys, trolls, or agencies aiming to deliberately manipulate public sentiment. The backdrop to this current escalation is a very real, heated controversy within the gaming community regarding reports that the production of physical games is set to cease in January 2028. This radical shift toward a download-only (digital-only) console model—combined with the removal of previously purchased digital content from user libraries—has triggered a massive backlash against PlayStation worldwide. The AI ​​bots you have observed are part of this digital information war: Paid PR or fan pushback—some accounts defend the strategy either to troll and provoke the community or to counter criticism by posing as seemingly objective users ("I buy digital because it's more convenient"). Bot-versus-bot cascades—it is not uncommon for automated scripts to clash; one bot criticizes, while the next strikes back with AI-generated phrases. This often creates the impression of an artificially inflated and manipulated discussion. Such activity in comment sections generally serves to drown out genuine discussions, generate reach, or create the illusion that the controversial digital strategy actually enjoys the support of the majority of gamers. Phenomena of this kind are becoming increasingly common regarding controversial topics in the tech and gaming industries.

PHYSICAL ONLY 🙌

https://www.change.org/fightforourownership

Pleaseeeee... I want a disc... NO DISC NO BUY!!!

https://change.org/discisgold

NO DISC NO BUY!