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The Search for a Free/Open Source Mobile Operating System

blog.emacsen.net

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Re: The Search for a Free/Open Source Mobile Operating System

#31

Post by emacsen »

joemazerino wrote: post #24

The author fails to note that the Pixel devices Calyx/Graphene run on also include proprietary binary blobs for vendor.

I specifically addressed that Calyx and Graphene require binary blob drivers:

> ...especially the Android-based OSes, which use non-Free binary blob drivers.

I then explain why someone may choose to use a binary blob driver OS anyway, which is essentially that the current threats we face as individuals by surveillance in the form of large companies (specifically Google and Apple) personally outweigh the freedoms of Free Software for me at this time.

I'm making this choice consciously, knowing it's a compromise. I personally believe it's a compromise we need to make right now since the alternative is either a non-functional phone or to wait until there's a 100% Free phone and be subject to surveillance in the meantime.

Re: The Search for a Free/Open Source Mobile Operating System

#32

Post by Lurkars »

cookiengineer wrote: post #23
neilv wrote: post #3

Like the author, I've tried a ton of open source handheld platforms, and I've recently moved to CalyxOS for my daily driver. (And about to sell a box o' devices to help cost-justify buying a second Pixel for a backup CalyxOS device.) As Android devices go, CalyxOS seems a good choice, if you're willing to not have all the Google service conveniences. I actually found some of the UX smoother than on iPhone, and e-mail…

Honestly, I don't understand the selling point of CalyxOS over LineageOS. Can you explain the differences? The website just seems to be a little mumble about Privacy without explaining the technological differences. As a daily driver, I'd recommend a setup of an official LineageOS device, combined with a set of Apps to increase the level of privacy: - AppWarden to check for trackers and loggers - RethinkDNS as a VPN…

> because Signal still requires microG or other Google Services for their auto backup, which I don't agree with.

I never used Signal with GServices, so I don't know what you mean with auto backup, nevertheless I simply use the backup function and sync the backup folder with my cloud and it works fine for several years now. For me it seems like a hard constrain to use Telegram which is obviously less secure over Signal only because of an auto backup function. Using Android without GServices always has a compromise part.

Re: The Search for a Free/Open Source Mobile Operating System

#33

Post by emacsen »

reilly3000 wrote: post #11

I’m bummed to hear about a bad experience with the Librem phone- I was hoping that would be a better experience than I had with the PinePhone which was slow and essentially broken for calling and camera usage. It may have improved since last year but at the time calls would rarely work properly, either by not connecting, failing to interrupt the session properly, or have latent echo of one or both sides of the call.…

The LibreM phone is just too darn chunky and heavy.

I didn't get into details in the article, but I do on the Fediverse:

https://emacsen.net/@emacsen/106811743118755156

Re: The Search for a Free/Open Source Mobile Operating System

#34

Post by emacsen »

Apocryphon wrote: post #13

What about some other projects beyond Android and Linux? Sailfish OS? Tizen? KaiOS? Technically even WebOS was open-sourced and still around as LuneOS, but its last update was Halloween 2019, so it's likely defunct.

I only evaluated Free/Libre OSes, even if they have binary blob drivers.

LuneOS is defunct as far as I can tell.

It would have been great if the whole Firefox OS thing had worked out, but it didn't :(

Re: The Search for a Free/Open Source Mobile Operating System

#35

Post by joemazerino »

emacsen wrote: post #31
joemazerino wrote: post #24

The author fails to note that the Pixel devices Calyx/Graphene run on also include proprietary binary blobs for vendor.

I specifically addressed that Calyx and Graphene require binary blob drivers: > ...especially the Android-based OSes, which use non-Free binary blob drivers. I then explain why someone may choose to use a binary blob driver OS anyway, which is essentially that the current threats we face as individuals by surveillance in the form of large companies (specifically Google and Apple) personally outweigh the freedoms of F…

Missed that, my apologies. I will note that it is the device (Pixel), not the OS, that has the blob requirement. Projects like Replicant demonstrate how Android can be completely Free and Open.

Re: The Search for a Free/Open Source Mobile Operating System

#36

Post by wilsonfiifi »

chairhairair wrote: post #28
kgarten wrote: post #26

Switched to GrapheneOS with the Pixel 5. Email/Calendar integration works fine (K-9 Mail). Signal as instant messenger. Organic Maps as Map application. Replaced Apple Watch with GadgetBridge and a Mi 6 band (cheaper and I have easy access to all data, you need to sync once with their app after you get the key you can delete it ... did the setup on the iphone and copied out the key with a commandline python script fr…

Sorry, what does Flutter have to do with the rest of your comment?

I'm guessing writing their own apps to replace missing functionality

Re: The Search for a Free/Open Source Mobile Operating System

#37

Post by jraph »

circularfoyers wrote: post #29
cookiengineer wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Honestly, I don't understand the selling point of CalyxOS over LineageOS. Can you explain the differences? The website just seems to be a little mumble about Privacy without explaining the technological differences. As a daily driver, I'd recommend a setup of an official LineageOS device, combined with a set of Apps to increase the level of privacy: - AppWarden to check for trackers and loggers - RethinkDNS as a VPN…

I believe the appeal for CalyxOS is attempting to bring more convenience with privacy, where apps you've mentioned are already installed. A major difference is the inclusion of microG, which means you have more freedom to use apps you have no alternative to (e.g. government apps, banking apps, etc). I'm aware of the LineageOS for microG project, however apart from the aforementioned preinstalled set of apps, CalyxOS…

Beware of Signal: it depends on the proprietary Google Play Services library, so even if you don't have the Play Services on your phone, the app is built with the "client-side" code which speaks with it (or with microG) and checks for its presence.

FreeSignal was a project that aimed to remove this dependency completely but was stopped by the main developer of Signal. It is possible to clone Signal's repo and do this work yourself quite easily if you know Java a bit, but it takes time and it is not convenient.

Re: The Search for a Free/Open Source Mobile Operating System

#38

Post by yyyk »

>It does come with a catch... Using Aurora Store could be considered a violation of the Google Terms of Service and Google could terminate your account for it.

Aurora has the option of logging in using an anonymous profile instead of your 'true' account. Why not use that and avoid any risk?

Re: The Search for a Free/Open Source Mobile Operating System

#39

Post by Apocryphon »

emacsen wrote: post #34
Apocryphon wrote: post #13

What about some other projects beyond Android and Linux? Sailfish OS? Tizen? KaiOS? Technically even WebOS was open-sourced and still around as LuneOS, but its last update was Halloween 2019, so it's likely defunct.

I only evaluated Free/Libre OSes, even if they have binary blob drivers. LuneOS is defunct as far as I can tell. It would have been great if the whole Firefox OS thing had worked out, but it didn't :(

I believe KaiOS is meant to succeed Firefox OS, but admittedly it is aimed at a less-than-smartphone category.

Re: The Search for a Free/Open Source Mobile Operating System

#40

Post by sphinxcdi »

circularfoyers wrote: post #29
cookiengineer wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Honestly, I don't understand the selling point of CalyxOS over LineageOS. Can you explain the differences? The website just seems to be a little mumble about Privacy without explaining the technological differences. As a daily driver, I'd recommend a setup of an official LineageOS device, combined with a set of Apps to increase the level of privacy: - AppWarden to check for trackers and loggers - RethinkDNS as a VPN…

I believe the appeal for CalyxOS is attempting to bring more convenience with privacy, where apps you've mentioned are already installed. A major difference is the inclusion of microG, which means you have more freedom to use apps you have no alternative to (e.g. government apps, banking apps, etc). I'm aware of the LineageOS for microG project, however apart from the aforementioned preinstalled set of apps, CalyxOS…

CalyxOS doesn't change the default connectivity checks and NTP. GrapheneOS does (NTP isn't used though [1]).

[1] https://grapheneos.org/faq#default-connections

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