A few days ago we brought you word that Google was looking to crack down on “sideloaded” Android applications. That is, software packages installed from outside of the mobile operating …
But, what happens when Google decides to no longer the option to unlock the bootloader for future phones? It’s the future that is the concern when it comes to the degoogle options available.
Then the community shifts to a different model, or puts more resources behind mobile Linux projects, and all that would need to happen is something like what Valve did for Linux for the Steam Deck.
I’m ready to switch to a Linux phone as soon as I can find one where the basic phone features work properly (MMS, wake from sleep, camera, etc). The more people like me can switch, the closer we’ll be to mainstream adoption. That’s the same process as Linux has been going through: I switched before Steam on Linux was a thing, then Steam came and more switched, then Proton made windows games work and more switched, etc, and now we’re seeing the start of “normal” people switching.
I hope that happens before my Pixel 8 goes out of support or breaks.
Yeah, it looks cool, but I’m not really in a position to be a guinea pig. If they were around 2 years ago, I probably would’ve given it a shot.
I am looking for another phone at some point in the next year (kids getting about that age), so if I hear good things, I might just pull the trigger. It is a bit chonkier than my current phone, which isn’t great (30mm longer, 10mm wider, and 110g heavier), but according to reviews, it seems to fix all the issues I have w/ the PinePhone.
Who knows, maybe your review will push me over the edge in deciding to get it.
The issue isn’t that. It’s that devs may juat abandon projects if they’re too naughty for Google cos the custom ROM crowd is so tiny.
Right so think torrent clients, idk, Pornhub app, that sort of thing. Yeah, it doesn’t affect your phone. But it absolutely will affect what software is available at all should Google clamp down on this.
Already using GrapheneOs on my phone, so fuck Google.
But, what happens when Google decides to no longer the option to unlock the bootloader for future phones? It’s the future that is the concern when it comes to the degoogle options available.
Then the community shifts to a different model, or puts more resources behind mobile Linux projects, and all that would need to happen is something like what Valve did for Linux for the Steam Deck.
I’m ready to switch to a Linux phone as soon as I can find one where the basic phone features work properly (MMS, wake from sleep, camera, etc). The more people like me can switch, the closer we’ll be to mainstream adoption. That’s the same process as Linux has been going through: I switched before Steam on Linux was a thing, then Steam came and more switched, then Proton made windows games work and more switched, etc, and now we’re seeing the start of “normal” people switching.
I hope that happens before my Pixel 8 goes out of support or breaks.
https://furilabs.com/shop/flx1/
I’m already seriously considering giving this a go as my next phone soon. My current phone is desperately in need of replacement.
If it goes well I will be vocal about it.
Yeah, it looks cool, but I’m not really in a position to be a guinea pig. If they were around 2 years ago, I probably would’ve given it a shot.
I am looking for another phone at some point in the next year (kids getting about that age), so if I hear good things, I might just pull the trigger. It is a bit chonkier than my current phone, which isn’t great (30mm longer, 10mm wider, and 110g heavier), but according to reviews, it seems to fix all the issues I have w/ the PinePhone.
Who knows, maybe your review will push me over the edge in deciding to get it.
Sucks that it only works on devices made by Google though…
You have LineageOS for many other devices.
The issue isn’t that. It’s that devs may juat abandon projects if they’re too naughty for Google cos the custom ROM crowd is so tiny.
Right so think torrent clients, idk, Pornhub app, that sort of thing. Yeah, it doesn’t affect your phone. But it absolutely will affect what software is available at all should Google clamp down on this.