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/e/OS is a complete, fully “deGoogled” mobile ecosystem

e.foundation

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Re: /e/OS is a complete, fully “deGoogled” mobile ecosystem

#31

Post by bramhaag »

purkka wrote: post #4

I wonder how this compares to GrapheneOS in practice. >Operated by Murena, your Murena Workspace account @murena.io is at the centre of the ecosystem, allowing to store, back up and retrieve your data safely on remote servers. This sounds like their version is somewhat married to Murena. While probably better than Google, still not independent. They're also advertising features such as "hiding your IP address [...] w…

> I wonder how this compares to GrapheneOS in practice.

https://eylenburg.github.io/android_comparison.htm is a fairly complete comparison. One of GrapheneOS' biggest features is that they sandbox Google services (if you choose to install them), whereas e/OS gives them privileged access by default (via microG). Calling it a "degoogled" OS while microG uses Google's proprietary blobs is... a choice.

The GrapheneOS developers are very sceptical of e/OS (https://xcancel.com/GrapheneOS/search?f=tweets&q=e/os), but you should obviously take biases into account here. Murena's CEO occasionally participates too: https://xcancel.com/gael_duval/search?f=tweets&q=grapheneos

Re: /e/OS is a complete, fully “deGoogled” mobile ecosystem

#32

Post by chrisjj »

_ache_ wrote: post #21
miroljub wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But GrapheneOS doesn't exist. It works only on a few devices created by Google, so their claim of being degoogled is a bit funny.

I must agree, you are right, GOS is only on Pixel phones. But we have to keep in mind that /e/ has a lot of problems, the only one solved is sending data to Google. The security aspect of the OS is problematic and some key elements of a privacy seem questioning (AI integration, commercial collaborations, ...). Fix: IA => AI typo and various English errors.

What IA?

Re: /e/OS is a complete, fully “deGoogled” mobile ecosystem

#33

Post by goldenarm »

r-w wrote: post #26
goldenarm wrote: post #9

Tweaking user-hostile OSes into user-friendly ones is impressive, but not sustainable. Even worse, it slowing us down from leaving Android entirely. Look at the AdBlocker crackdown of Google Chrome. Every single chrome-fork has shut down MV2 extensions, even Brave is about to do it, because it is impossible to maintain features that complex on a browser that Google spends >$1B/year to develop. Same story for /e/ and…

> Every single chrome-fork has shut down MV2 extensions, even Brave is about to do it Source?

Brave said they'll try to maintain limited support for MV2 for only 4 specific extensions, but recommend Brave Shields as the go-to adblocker for the future. Google is about to remove most of the MV2 code from the codebase, which will explode the complexity soon.

https://brave.com/blog/brave-shields-manifest-v3/

Re: /e/OS is a complete, fully “deGoogled” mobile ecosystem

#36

Post by ploum »

mrbn100ful wrote: post #19
lpcvoid wrote: post #2

There's absolutely no reason to use /e/ when GrapheneOS exists. https://eylenburg.github.io/android_comparison.htm

Not everything have to be perfect. For some user, /e/ is more approachable (Friendly and colorful UI) I could not get my mother to use GrapheneOS, /e/ is a lot simpler. Still miles better than to use a Default ROM from most OEM.

Exactly!

If you can use GrapheneOS, good for you but what /e/OS offers is:

- Usable Android with your usual Android app (banking, etc) - No data sent to Google by default - Easier interface with nearly no bloatware - Available easily on many smartphones, including older ones - Extending the life of some smartphones

The price to pay is:

- Some Murena cloud bloatware - Android security patches are sometimes delayed - Security is not on par with GrapheneOS

If your main concern is protecting your privacy from Google and extending the life of your smartphone without breaking a sweat, /e/OS is probably the best option.

If your main concern is protecting against state actors attacks or very specific threats, then GrapheneOS might be better.

/e/OS works really great for non-techie users. I’ve done it in my family.

Re: /e/OS is a complete, fully “deGoogled” mobile ecosystem

#37

Post by wolvoleo »

przmk wrote: post #7
preisschild wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And even if GOS doesn't support your device (due to minimum security requirements) why not use upstream LineageOS?

Because upstream LineageOS doesn't support microg out of the box. You can install it but it needs signature spoofing to pass Google's SafetyNet garbage. Bonus point for some roms that allow you to relock the bootloader after the install (iodéOS, CalyxOS).

Lineageos supports signature spoofing for microG these days! It did take them a long time to come around but they did in the end.

Re: /e/OS is a complete, fully “deGoogled” mobile ecosystem

#38

Post by eloisant »

izacus wrote: post #25
miroljub wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But GrapheneOS doesn't exist. It works only on a few devices created by Google, so their claim of being degoogled is a bit funny.

/e/OS is Android, meaning it's still critically dependent on goodwill of Google to continue releasing their work as part of AOSP. So if you're trying to be a silly purist, then /e/OS doesn't fit either. If you're not, getting a Pixel will significantly enhance your safety since they're better supported for security patches and better designed in hardware when it comes to security.

> /e/OS is Android

So is GrapheneOS

Re: /e/OS is a complete, fully “deGoogled” mobile ecosystem

#39

Post by wolvoleo »

flexagoon wrote: post #12
miroljub wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But GrapheneOS doesn't exist. It works only on a few devices created by Google, so their claim of being degoogled is a bit funny.

> their claim of being degoogled is a bit funny. I don't think they use this term anywhere. It also now works on Motorola devices, it's on my HN feed literally right above this post.

It doesn't yet work on Motorola devices.

It is going to become available on selected Motorola devices at some point in the future.

Re: /e/OS is a complete, fully “deGoogled” mobile ecosystem

#40

Post by Vinnl »

goldenarm wrote: post #9

Tweaking user-hostile OSes into user-friendly ones is impressive, but not sustainable. Even worse, it slowing us down from leaving Android entirely. Look at the AdBlocker crackdown of Google Chrome. Every single chrome-fork has shut down MV2 extensions, even Brave is about to do it, because it is impossible to maintain features that complex on a browser that Google spends >$1B/year to develop. Same story for /e/ and…

> Even worse, it slowing us down from leaving Android entirely.

I appreciate the vibes where this is coming from, but does it really? I think that assumes that everyone that works on this would work on a true open source OS otherwise, and that if they did, that would result in us breaking free from Android where we otherwise wouldn't. I'm not confident about either of those assumptions.

Meanwhile I'll keep complaining to orgs that don't allow me to work through their website, and tell them that their app won't work on my phone.

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