Which miracle do you think will occur first?

Will Google create a file manager for Android that isn't garbage, or will Microsoft add ext4 support to Windows?

Why Google's file manager is garbage:

- Lacks a draggable scroll bar. Windows Mobile had this in 2009.

- Doesn't stay in same directory after tapping "copy" or "move". Instead goes to Download folder.

- "Properties" feature can't count total files and size in a directory.

- No A-to-B range selection which is like shift+click on desktop. Only added "drag to select" in recent years.

- Only up to 24 search results.

- Doesn't make use of Android's native "trash" (recycle bin) feature.

- No bookmarks.

- No "copy path to clipboard".

- Can't jump to parent directory of a search result.

- Does not remember sorting preference.

- Can not limit search to a single directory.

- More reasons.

Google has to admit Microsoft is much better at file managers than them.

Google is an advertising company, it won't earn money by doing the file manager better or worse. Mediocre apps is all we can expect from them.

Wauw, this is quite some review. Nice. I don't have the need to access files besides media. And gallery suffices my need. So, never noticed an issue regarding files.

storage as a service via subscription. you will own nothing and you'll be happy, forever renting

@jestdotty So that's why Google eliminated MicroSD card write access to third-party apps in Android 4.4.

The excuse stated by Google for this restriction is to prevent apps from leaving junk files behind after uninstallation.

But strangely, they didn't apply this argument to the internal storage, even though internal storage is smaller so the same junk files would take a higher percentage of the space.

It would have been best for Google to simply give the user a choice if they even want this restriction, but they did not. Google thinks its users are little babies who can't think for themselves.

MicroSD card support used to be one of the greatest selling points of Android smartphones over iPhones.

@exerceo
ext4 support was made available via WSL lately, if my brain doesn't fool me again?

@scor But it's not out of the box. It's not like you can plug in an ext4 USB stick and have it immediately appear in Windows Explorer.

But respects to Microsoft for doing this at all. Better than nothing.

https://bleepingcomputer.com/news/...

There's an experimental ext driver for windis

Nice winding out there, @exerceo

Google blinks first for sure

For Android, 'Total Commander' is the answer.

Can't be bothered w/ any other file manager.

I also remember 'Ghost Commander' that was a close 2nd place.

@cafecortado but microsoft would actually lose money by supporting ext4

@cafecortado > "Mediocre apps is all we can expect from them"

And 'retiring' apps people love and used on a daily basis like Google Reader and Picasa.

@exerceo ext4 for sure, Google has slowly been trying to rip out file managers, and I'm sure if they could, they'd completely remove it and have it walled like apple.

@BordedDev Sadly, very true.

They keep adding more && more restrictions on those.

One of those was the prohibition of installing APK files.

...as long as you wanted to keep offering your app on Google Play, that is.

Installing those during development was very helpful.

@D-4got10-01 Only a matter of time until Google releases an update that breaks it.

@D-4got10-01 Google is an example for "You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain."

Android used to be the escape from proprietary walled gardens, but now it is becoming just that. And as always, Google uses their much loved p-word to justify it: "protect".

And people get fearmongered into accepting those draconian restrictions on their freedoms.

@exerceo

True.

But well, at least while they don't impede me unlocking the bootloader and rooting the motherfucker it's fine by me.

What annoys me is that if you unlock the bootloader (not necessarily root) shit like Google pay stops working.

@CoreFusionX I try using cash anyway. To avoid supporting central banks.