cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/1247902

Why YSK GrapheneOS is a step above the rest. I understand it’s ironic de-google phone/tablet with google hardware, but it just works better then anything else. Permission toggles, pin scrambling, auto-reboot, scopes, MAC randomization, isolated user profiles, longer passwords, sandboxed apps, open source firmware, no bloat & the battery life is incredible now.

I hope people understand how easy it is to move to Linux & GrapheneOS full time & remove Apple, Google, Microsoft etc. It exceeded expectations so much so that I want to share it with other people. I cannot recommend this enough to improve your life. #FOSS

Saw this, and thought it was a rather interesting comments section. Seems like an active discreditation campaign going on. Focussing on past maintainer and the fact it doesn’t work with 2 questionable bits of functionality (Google pay + Auto). Why would I want either in a privacy phone?

20 points

Sad its only for pixels

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9 points

The good news is that it’s also available for the Pixel a-series (4a, 5a, 6a, …) which are fairly cheap.

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4 points

Yeah, I’d like the project to expand to others, but I think currently it relies on unlocking the bootloader, installing a new OS and relocking the bootloader and not many hardware manufacturers provide that right now.

I think without Pixel, there are a few things like Lineage (and I’m not sure about e/os) if the hardware isn’t something you’re going for. Other mobile linux isn’t quite ready and needs time.

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10 points

I’ve been using it for a few months now and it’s been super easy. The only things I miss are mobile pay and Android auto

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3 points

Same here for mobile pay, car is not new enough to benefit much from auto though lol. According to the devs both are possible it just requires some development time.

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-3 points

Reeeeeee!!!11!!11

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3 points

Haha I know, it’s anathema to admit that there is any benefit to existing inside the walled gardens, but acknowledging shortcomings is the first step towards improvement.

These are also edge cases to me, and overall I’m super pleased with Graphene OS. I don’t own a car so Android auto is only missed when renting a car on vacation, and I can bring an old backup phone for that, and I just remember to bring my wallet and credit cards with me now that I can’t tap to pay.

But I know there are people these would be a deal breaker for, so wanted to call them out. It is remarkable how well it all works though!

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2 points

Fair point. Probably quite risky to only bring a phone on holiday though in case it gets stolen. I couldn’t fathom that personally.

I’ve not rented a car abroad personally so don’t know much about what that app provides.

I guess those that consider them deal breakers probably aren’t ready to degoogle. That’s fine, and it’s a very personal choice for individuals. Maybe Android -> ios may work better for them if privacy is something on their appetite.

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8 points

I have seen Graphene coming up a lot recently, a smear campaign wouldn’t surprise me now that it’s gaining popularity

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2 points

There was that story about their lead developer being a bit difficult with people (to put it lightly) but I think he’s since stepped down.

I hope that hasn’t driven people away from the project.

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7 points

I use mobile payment nearly every day, i don’t think it’s productive to say that people shouldn’t want it in an otherwise private phone anymore than saying sandboxed Google play services are unnecessary in a private phone. These things bridge the gaps that stop people from making the switch, it’s good to support them

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4 points

Yes, but with payments, it’s high risk and complex. Payment providers want full control of their environment. Google aren’t going to be comfortable rubber stamping degoogled phones. Saying, “hi google, can i get away from your spying, but can i have this spying” makes no sense to me. A bank card is ridiculously small and you can tap without pin or use pin if you prefer. You have a solution to the problem. Wanting it on your phone rather than via bank card isn’t really providing anything extra to the solution. It’s a massive non issue. Many phone cases carry cards. It’s such a meh issue.

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5 points

https://e.foundation/ is a great alternative if it supports your phone.

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