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A group of open source Android apps without ads or unnecessary permissions

simplemobiletools.com

11–20 of 173 posts

Re: A group of open source Android apps without ads or unnecessary permissions

#11
I use the calendar one.

Since it went not free, the free version doesn't generate notifications or alerts anymore. I almost missed appointments or meetings because of this.

This is planned obsolescence at best. I seriously despise everything about this.

Re: A group of open source Android apps without ads or unnecessary permissions

#13

I still have old Android phones that I'm not using because of outdated kernels/OS versions and their disadvantages in terms of vulnerabilities, but given the hardware is completely fine I would use them as offline general purpose tools if I had an easy way to install old store apps in them. So does anybody know if there is perhaps an archive of old APK app files (old as in Android KitKat and earlier)?

Someone else linked to the Github. If nothing else, you could build APKs for yourself.

Re: A group of open source Android apps without ads or unnecessary permissions

#14

I have used some of these on and off. In general, they are simple and functional and seem to be well made and privacy respecting ... but they are only "free" if you don't mind the nag screen and the orange theme which can only be changed in the purchased version. What I don't like about purchased apps is the fact that you have to pay again for every upgrade. And I have to pay twice since I use 2 phones --- one privat…

They are completely free and you don't have to pay for every upgrade.

They're open source, just get the builds from f-droid instead of the paid play store builds. You can still pay to support the developer.

Re: A group of open source Android apps without ads or unnecessary permissions

#16

I have used some of these on and off. In general, they are simple and functional and seem to be well made and privacy respecting ... but they are only "free" if you don't mind the nag screen and the orange theme which can only be changed in the purchased version. What I don't like about purchased apps is the fact that you have to pay again for every upgrade. And I have to pay twice since I use 2 phones --- one privat…

They are completely free and you don't have to pay for every upgrade. They're open source, just get the builds from f-droid instead of the paid play store builds. You can still pay to support the developer.

Should have been more clear --- by "upgrade" I meant a hardware change. Phone hardware is designed to be replaced every 2-3 years.

And I already pointed out the definition of "free" at work here.

Re: A group of open source Android apps without ads or unnecessary permissions

#17
Why do all calendar apps put months next to each other, instead of using a continuous vertically scrollable view with them on top of each other?

It's maddening!

Actually Google got this right at one point - but then they reverted to the stupid way!!

Re: A group of open source Android apps without ads or unnecessary permissions

#18
post #3

Can someone familiar with these make the case for why I should be using them (or at least one specific app in the suite)?

I use the gallery. It is simply a foldered list of my images - sorted by most recent. It doesn't try to upsell me anything. It doesn't have a tonne of features I'll never use.

It is much faster than my phone manufacturer's gallery.

Re: A group of open source Android apps without ads or unnecessary permissions

#19
post #3

Can someone familiar with these make the case for why I should be using them (or at least one specific app in the suite)?

I've used the audio recorder. Other than the permission to use the microphone, it doesn't use any other permission. It doesn't even ask for general filesystem permissions, and assumes you are savvy enough to know how to use the standard Share functionality to get the files where you want.

The app does exactly what it says (records audio) and doesn't phone home, try to integrate with any services, collect any information about you. It just works.

If that type of thing is important to you, and you have a need for the functionality provided by one of the tools, there's your use case.

Re: A group of open source Android apps without ads or unnecessary permissions

#20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They are completely free and you don't have to pay for every upgrade. They're open source, just get the builds from f-droid instead of the paid play store builds. You can still pay to support the developer.

Should have been more clear --- by "upgrade" I meant a hardware change. Phone hardware is designed to be replaced every 2-3 years. And I already pointed out the definition of "free" at work here.

Google Play app purchases are tied to your account, not your phone. You don't need to try purchase when you get a new phone.
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