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CalyxOS – De-Googled Android Alternative

calyxos.org

251–260 of 496 posts

Re: CalyxOS – De-Googled Android Alternative

#251
post #168

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For you first two questions: Spotify will work with Bluetooth, and WhatsApp will have eventual notifications (real-time if the app was recently opened, up to seven hours later otherwise, at least on my device)

If you degoogle yourself but then hook into FB whatsapp, isn’t that just defeating a bit of the point?

Perfect is the enemy of good.

Re: CalyxOS – De-Googled Android Alternative

#252
post #200

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Man, stuff like this is so depressing to read. Like this is supposed to be a forum for showcasing new tech, projects, etc. What's the point of having this if people in the industry are going to say, "I don't like it because it's not backed by a trillion dollar company". What will change ?

That's not really the point though is it? It's more like 'I do like it.. is it sensible to use it?' At least, that's how I read it, and how I feel about such things. I'd very much like my next phone to run Linux (i.e. be a Pinephone) though.

> I'd very much like my next phone to run Linux

Why again? Android is already free and open source and Linux doesn't have good answers for the proprietary goodies

Re: CalyxOS – De-Googled Android Alternative

#253

Earlier quoted context omitted.

OP didn't say he doesn't like it, just pointing out the reality. But yes, the reality is depressing.

In offering only two choices, when the reality is far more complex than that, GP sets the tone for the rest of the discussion. There are more options, and a far deeper lake of information to use for drawing conclusions, so the simplification is also insulting, on top of being depressing.

If you have other options or other things that should be considered, then add them. As it is, you seem to be dismissing his absolutely valid concerns without any reason as to why you think they're invalid. I have the same concerns as he does and it's the same reason I don't use custom ROMs. I have no way to know how security conscious the developers actually are.

Re: CalyxOS – De-Googled Android Alternative

#254
post #200

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's not really the point though is it? It's more like 'I do like it.. is it sensible to use it?' At least, that's how I read it, and how I feel about such things. I'd very much like my next phone to run Linux (i.e. be a Pinephone) though.

> I'd very much like my next phone to run Linux Why again? Android is already free and open source and Linux doesn't have good answers for the proprietary goodies

> Linux doesn't have good answers for the proprietary goodies

It doesn't need to. The feasible short-term target is feature parity with de-googled AOSP roms, which would still make it plenty useful in a "daily driver" scenario.

Re: CalyxOS – De-Googled Android Alternative

#255

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I use f-droid for most of my standard apps (note-taking, calendar, etc) - and since I am not using gmail, those suite of apps are useless to me. I use firefox for my browser, and use the client provided by my email provider. The worst thing is basically not having Google Maps because while fdroid does work, it is not condusive to 'just looking things up real quick'. It's more of a 90's GPS where you pull over, take 5…

> The worst thing is basically not having Google Maps because while fdroid does work, it is not condusive to 'just looking things up real quick'. If you're okay with a closed source navigation app, Magic Earth strikes a balance between Google Maps and FOSS apps such as Organic Maps. Magic Earth uses OpenStreetMap data but layers its own address search on top of it to cover addresses and landmarks that are not availab…

> Is your device configured to hide notifications when locked? See "Control how notifications show on your lock screen".

Yeah it's a bug with push notifications I think. I don't care - I think it's a great feature because if I don't hear the buzz, I won't look until my brain decides to check my phone, which can be a long time.

I am looking to move towards a Punkt MP-02 for my next device, but the fact that it's not an open source device that I trust... I hesitate.

Re: CalyxOS – De-Googled Android Alternative

#256
post #235
post #84

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That is a limitation of Lineage only because they choose to cater to users who want root (which usually modifies /system) and to support flashing Google Apps.

Why would having root itself rule out secure boot? It's just that they refuse to offer root themselves, and only as a result of that refusal one has to use system modifications to gain root. In a sense this is the opposite of your claim: they do explicitly not cater to root users.

Verified boot is only enforcing on -user builds. Lineage ships -userdebug builds.

Furthermore Lineage's official root addon writes to /system. You can't have any additional changes to system or else verified boot won't boot.

You can't have it both ways as it stands.

That isn't to say they are incompatible, you can compile-in root support before the system hashes are generated and then you can have a locked bootloader with verified boot with root support. But you cannot make any additional changes to /system with that root power afterwards.

Re: CalyxOS – De-Googled Android Alternative

#257
post #149

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Note that the GrapheneOS developer has indicated they are working on getting the Google Play Services apps to run sandboxed like normal apps, without extensive system permissions. This could be quite promising.

This is very interesting. Do you have a link to the post or discussion?

Should have included this from the get go :) https://twitter.com/GrapheneOS/status/1422117365957922818

Re: CalyxOS – De-Googled Android Alternative

#258
post #44

I've been using MicroG+Lineage for a few years now. No complaints from me, but I don't use a ton of apps. Not sure what the advantage of CalyxOS would be over my current setup (especially considering Lineage has a much better catalog of supported devices)

If you are not using root, CalyxOS lets you relock your bootloader with the developer key, which increases the security of your device by preventing other operating systems from being booted or flashed onto your device (until you choose to unlock the bootloader again, which requires you to enter your lock screen password and would wipe the device data). CalyxOS only supports devices with bootloaders that can be relocked with a custom key.

Re: CalyxOS – De-Googled Android Alternative

#259
post #256
post #235

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why would having root itself rule out secure boot? It's just that they refuse to offer root themselves, and only as a result of that refusal one has to use system modifications to gain root. In a sense this is the opposite of your claim: they do explicitly not cater to root users.

Verified boot is only enforcing on -user builds. Lineage ships -userdebug builds. Furthermore Lineage's official root addon writes to /system. You can't have any additional changes to system or else verified boot won't boot. You can't have it both ways as it stands. That isn't to say they are incompatible, you can compile-in root support before the system hashes are generated and then you can have a locked bootloader…

> But you cannot make any additional changes to /system with that root power afterwards.

Not a showstopper, as modern root solutions like Magisk support "systemless" root, via file system overlays.

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