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Google activated battery saving mode on multiple phones, then rolled it back

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Re: Google activated battery saving mode on multiple phones, then rolled it back

#61

Post by eh78ssxv2f »

remir wrote: post #54
wvenable wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Most people buy Google phones specifically because they want Google to remotely manipulate their phones as quickly as possible with the latest Candy-named software. It's an in-demand feature.

There's a difference between fast-software updates and turning on/off certain features without the user's consent.

> turning on/off certain features without the user's consent.

I think that in practice, that applies to only the privacy sensitive features. Would you be upset if suddenly they rolled out a feature that reduced battery consumption by 10%?

This particular case was obviously a bug, but I suppose every software manufacturer is continuously doing A/B testing, and 99% of time the user would not even notice. I would be surprised if Google was not doing A/B testing, and did not have the whole framework for doing it.

Re: Google activated battery saving mode on multiple phones, then rolled it back

#62

Post by Tharkun »

mbrumlow wrote: post #4

This happened to me today! I was using my phone and then it went all weird with no haptic feedback when typing. I finally figured out that battery saver was on and disabled it... This really bothers me... I am starting to think we need a truly open source phone. That is hardware and software. like GNU/phone or something. We must have full control over our hardware and software! Viva La Gnu! (no clue what this actuall…

We've had several FOSS based phones. The problem is that no one buys them, their finances dry up and the whole thing goes down the drain.

Re: Google activated battery saving mode on multiple phones, then rolled it back

#63

Post by remir »

eh78ssxv2f wrote: post #61
remir wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There's a difference between fast-software updates and turning on/off certain features without the user's consent.

> turning on/off certain features without the user's consent. I think that in practice, that applies to only the privacy sensitive features. Would you be upset if suddenly they rolled out a feature that reduced battery consumption by 10%? This particular case was obviously a bug, but I suppose every software manufacturer is continuously doing A/B testing, and 99% of time the user would not even notice. I would be sur…

Would you be upset if suddenly they rolled out a feature that reduced battery consumption by 10%?

If you're talking about battery saving mode, I would be upset if they activated the feature (turning it on) without my consent, yes. I don't have issues with Google pushing improvement to their code via OS updates.

Re: Google activated battery saving mode on multiple phones, then rolled it back

#64

Post by mikejb »

Rotdhizon wrote: post #2

Could they face repercussions over this? That is unsettling that they can remotely manipulate your phone without your permission.

The "without your permission" bit is where you're probably wrong. But I agree with your sentiment that it's unsettling.

Re: Google activated battery saving mode on multiple phones, then rolled it back

#65

Post by lalos »

We need more transparency from companies, this time it was a 'bug' that was visible to the end user (hey! who turned on power saving?). Would Google go public if they also develop a 'bug' that is not visible easily by the user or if it was not discovered by anybody but them? Like a 'bug' that changes certs temporarily to intercept your encrypted traffic or uploads random data elsewhere, etc?

Re: Google activated battery saving mode on multiple phones, then rolled it back

#66

Post by ObsoleteNerd »

mbrumlow wrote: post #4

This happened to me today! I was using my phone and then it went all weird with no haptic feedback when typing. I finally figured out that battery saver was on and disabled it... This really bothers me... I am starting to think we need a truly open source phone. That is hardware and software. like GNU/phone or something. We must have full control over our hardware and software! Viva La Gnu! (no clue what this actuall…

I'd love something like the Fairphone[0] running a proper Linux distro. That would basically be my dream phone right now.

(I have no experience with that phone or whether it's good, just found it mentioned recently and very curious about it in general)

[0] https://shop.fairphone.com/en/buy-fairphone2-2/

Re: Google activated battery saving mode on multiple phones, then rolled it back

#67

Post by rapnie »

Tharkun wrote: post #62
mbrumlow wrote: post #4

This happened to me today! I was using my phone and then it went all weird with no haptic feedback when typing. I finally figured out that battery saver was on and disabled it... This really bothers me... I am starting to think we need a truly open source phone. That is hardware and software. like GNU/phone or something. We must have full control over our hardware and software! Viva La Gnu! (no clue what this actuall…

We've had several FOSS based phones. The problem is that no one buys them, their finances dry up and the whole thing goes down the drain.

Isn't that a bit of a marketing issue as well? I am tracking development of Fairphone, puri.sm Librem5 and e.foundation (just released beta version, based on LineageOS). Do you have pointers to the FOSS OS'es you refer to?

Re: Google activated battery saving mode on multiple phones, then rolled it back

#68

Post by [deleted] »

vSanjo wrote: post #6
helthanatos wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They can also delete media from your phone. Had a graphic video of that carnival ride breaking and killing someone and it was deleted...

Completely off-topic, so I apologise, but why did you have that video? That question is coming from a place of curiosity not judgement - I truly couldn't stomach having something like that on my phone, and would have no reason to share it with others or watch it again if I did.

[deleted]

Re: Google activated battery saving mode on multiple phones, then rolled it back

#69

Post by gear54rus »

rapnie wrote: post #67
Tharkun wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We've had several FOSS based phones. The problem is that no one buys them, their finances dry up and the whole thing goes down the drain.

Isn't that a bit of a marketing issue as well? I am tracking development of Fairphone, puri.sm Librem5 and e.foundation (just released beta version, based on LineageOS). Do you have pointers to the FOSS OS'es you refer to?

ubuntu phone might be the one

Re: Google activated battery saving mode on multiple phones, then rolled it back

#70

Post by mvpu »

If a system setting is changed (in this case, power-saving mode = on) _without_ associated user trigger (UI action), then the system should issue a push notification and prompt for confirmation. That's the right thing to do - for all apps no matter who made them.
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