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

e.foundation

351–360 of 415 posts

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

#351

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is related to Firefox unwilling to add support for WebUSB because, I suppose, they believe that a browser is not a general purpose application launcher and the scope of what it can do should be limited. As such, it should not be allowed to e.g. control peripherals like the USB devices. Which is in my opinion a fairly reasonable take. But given the current situation, I would assume that the companies providing We…

WebUSB Indeed sounds like madness

I am opposed to it for similar reasons as in GP, but it does let you do cool things like installing Android ROMs without touching adb by having a (presumably) WASM-based impl of adb.

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

#352

Earlier quoted context omitted.

(GNU/)Linux on mobile is the true sustanable, independent OS. It relies on the existing, strong Linux development, natively runs existing Linux apps and guarantees you lifetime updates. What else do you need? Sent from my Librem 5.

> What else do you need? A proper app sandboxing and permissions system?

Then use flatpak

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

#353

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. There are zero OSes that are 1/ open source 2/ appropriate for phones 3/ with good hardware support. There's absolutely nothing. Running Ubuntu Touch isn't a viable option. Neither is postmarket, librem, tizen, they're all terrible. Security wise, for something as critically important in our lives as a smartphone, I am also not trusting any new pet projec…

> Sure, you might be a poweruser that doesn't care about your phone burning its battery in your pocket after 1 hour

Not even the original pinephone has that poor of battery life. Hyperbole doesn't help your argument.

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

#354

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…

> that Google spends >$1B/year to develop. Let's see... https://www.techpolicy.press/the-true-cost-of-browser-innova... * Most of the personnel involved in developing web technologies are engineers, but they also include product managers, sales, marketing, legal, customer support, and other functions. * Given the complexity of Chrome and web technologies, the engineering teams skew towards higher levels of seniority.…

>> that Google spends >$1B/year to develop.

Isn't this downright crazy when you think about it? Seems like we need to start from scratch. Create a minimal bytecode (like webasm or whatever) that writes to a virtual frame-buffer of sorts, and has keyboard/mouse inputs. Then content is distributed as compiled byte-code apps. All the fancy stuff you want in your app has to be provided by the app creator, and not essentially using the browser as a library.

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

#355

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

I find it interesting that there are so many comments that are saying "Don't use this one use this one it's better!" But what I think a lot of people are missing is what you exactly just touched on. We have options! That's a good thing. Yeah, some options are not as good as others if you wanna optimize for X. Then don't use that option! Use the option that works for you. To me, the fact that alternatives exist on var…

I think it's not a bad thing that people make the "Don't use this one use this one it's better!" comment, at least from my perspective. That is one way I end up learning about the options I have!

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

#356
post #114

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wouldn't call Android user hostile. What makes most Android phones user hostile is Google Play Services.

I can call Android user hostile. Most Banks and gov apps require play services nowadays, and Google is about to ban app installation outside of their store. Cherry on top, the play store is mostly adware junk. My parents phones are full of adware, bloatware, notification spam, it's almost worse than windows 11.

But thats not "Androids" fault, but the banking app / google play services. Switching to another mobile linux distro would change nothing.

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

#357
I think the edge that will actually bring new widely used mobile linux based OS is going to be gaming devices. Steam Deck and many of retrogaming devices are already running Linux. Some devices have option for user to either boot linux or to boot android. They are selling, they have support and some market fit already. One can guess that there will be Steam Deck mini at some point and that could be followed by Steam Phone...

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

#358
post #286

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…

Oh, is this the deal with GrapheneOS too? Damn, I was excited about the Moto GrapheneOS collaboration.

So far its working pretty great. Very happy with GrapheneOS. And currently Android AOSP source code is still regularly released. If that changes it becomes a problem then.

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

#359

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I you ever cross a border or attend a demonstration, privacy requires security. Unfortunately, /e/OS (and most hardware) is severely lacking in that department.

Why? Care to elaborate?

https://eylenburg.github.io/android_comparison.htm

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

#360

PostmarketOS is a complete degoogled mobile ecosystem, actually. How about we commit resources into that?

Personally I'm pretty happy with GrapheneOS (Android AOSP distribution) and also donating to it. It works for me, its licensed under a free software license, there are plenty of cool free software applications available. I'm familiar with Android application development if I need something custom.

Unless Android (itself, not Google Play Services because I don't depend on them) goes closed source I don't see a reason to switch to something (imo) inferior.

I have nothing PmOS, phosh and other free mobile smartphone projects and will probably redirect my resources towards them if Android goes closed source.

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