top 100 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] 201 points 5 months ago (2 children)

Whenever a malicious app breaks or scammers get to you, its always through the google play store. Their shit isnt even safe to make this fucken claim about safety.

  • source
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 73 points 5 months ago* (3 children)

    This is a nice list I'd consider for new phones.

    • Murena (France) with /e/OS (France) on:
      • Fairphone (Netherlands)
      • Hiroh (USA)
      • SHIFTphone (Germany)
      • Teracube (USA)
    • Punkt MC03 (Switzerland)
    • Volla (Germany) with Volla OS or Ubuntu Touch (Germany)
    • Jolla (Finland) with Sailfish OS (Finland)
    • Purism Librem (USA, manufactured in the USA)
  • source
  • hideshow 3 child comments
  • [–] 10 points 5 months ago (2 children)

    Purism is a grift, should be removed.

    Many people are still waiting on phones they ordered years ago.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 1 point 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

    I pre-ordered a pair of the mobile phones. I eventually got them. They aren't very good, but I have them.

    I'd say the most helpful thing they've done is lead the way on adapting Linux and its applications to display and be interactive on small touchscreens. Many people wanting to run Linux on a phone will have Purism to thank for making it viable. They made a lot of upstream contributions.

  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 53 points 5 months ago (9 children)

    I hope they push this out and spark the ire of the EU, who tells them to unfuck it or starts funding an alternative like Ubuntu Phones or something. That would be an amazing outcome.

    Unfortunately, things have to get worse before they get better. It's how people learn.

  • source
  • hideshow 9 child comments
  • [–] 6 points 5 months ago (3 children)

    I hope they push this out and spark the ire of the EU

    probably will take a bit longer because it will happen in certain countries like Indonesia and Brazil first (i.e. not EU countries)--basically the countries with rampant apk scamming, unfortunately. I think this move is also partially forced by the government in those countries, but that's just my conspiracy hat talking, note that I'm also against this move and much prefer a scam education (I'm in Indonesia).

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 3 child comments
  • [–] 1 point 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (2 children)

    Apk scamming? What's that? People trying to get proprietary apps and getting scammed?

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 3 points 5 months ago (1 child)

    Some people aren't tech savvy, so let me start by saying that you should lower your expectations lol

    The scam is basically scammer sending an .apk file saying that it's important file like invitation, important letter, tax letter, bank statement, etc. and that the victim has to install the app to proceed

    The app then basically become a keylogger that steals passwords and PINs, or other kind of malicious act

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 53 points 5 months ago (11 children)

    This is why I'm happy about Motorola next year

    With some luck I'll have time to put together my diy palmtop-esque machine, but we'll see if that works out.

  • source
  • hideshow 11 child comments
  • [–] 47 points 5 months ago (9 children)

    I really hope the Motorola thing actually pans out. Based on the general state of things I’m done with both Apple and Google.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 9 child comments
  • [–] 10 points 5 months ago (7 children)
  • [–] 7 points 5 months ago (3 children)

    Yeah same, I have no idea what's happening with Motorola...

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 3 child comments
  • [–] 25 points 5 months ago (2 children)

    They are partnering with GrapheneOS

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 10 points 5 months ago (1 child)

    I don't trust Motorola to make a phone that doesn't have numerous hardware backdoors. Motorola does a ton of work for both the US and Israel. If it sounds too good to be true than it probably is. I think the US/Israel gave Motorola a bit of cash to make backdoored hardware that's made specifically for a privacy hardened software.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 31 points 5 months ago (3 children)

    Direct Link to Petition mentioned in Post

    Remember Change.org is a for profit company, when they ask you to “chip in”, do not do that, if you wish to chip in donate to an advocacy org that fights stuff like this such as the Electronic Frontiers Foundation.

  • source
  • hideshow 3 child comments
  • [–] 9 points 5 months ago (2 children)

    They won't let me because my email address is for my personal website... How stupid is that‽

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 61 points 5 months ago (11 children)

    So, do I finally need to learn about GrapheneOS? What are other people doing?

  • source
  • hideshow 11 child comments
  • [–] 34 points 5 months ago (2 children)

    Graphene is by far the best. I highly recommend it.

    Right now you need a Pixel to run it but soon you can get a Motorola that works with it.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 42 points 5 months ago (7 children)

    Graphene is only of help (today) if you buy some shit from Google namely a Pixel. If you have another phone, step numero uno is always to learn what custom ROMs are available for your make and model.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 7 child comments
  • [–] 53 points 5 months ago (6 children)

    Used Pixels are cheap and the money doesn't go to Google again.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 6 child comments
  • [–] 23 points 5 months ago (1 child)

    It supports Google by making their reseller market strong. People will buy pixels knowing they will be of value on the reseller market thus strengthening the primary market.

    That's the problem with buying a used Pixel.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 47 points 5 months ago (5 children)

    And what are we supposed to do about it?

    I made a goddamn prediction back in 2012 when Google was introducing the Nexus line of handsets. I FUCKING KNEW this "open platform" bullshit had it's days numbered.

    These companies are fun when they're young, but they will ALWAYS turn on the consumer.

    Adam Smith was right. Without ethics and morals, the system WILL crumble.

  • source
  • hideshow 5 child comments
  • [+] 16 points 5 months ago (14 children)
  • [–] 25 points 5 months ago (6 children)
  • [+] 30 points 5 months ago (4 children)
  • [–] 9 points 5 months ago (3 children)

    Is it just an app to add money to an account or do you need to tap something? Could you run the app through bluestacks?

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 3 child comments
  • [+] 19 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (3 children)
  • [–] 7 points 5 months ago (1 child)

    It would probably work with a laptop. But yeah eventually you'll move. I just hate being vendor locked by things.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 6 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

    Buy a second hand pixel 8, 9, 10 pro, xl or not, based on your budget. I wouldn't recommend older. Then after loading GrapheneOS create a couple user profiles. While in this screen remove the ability of the profile to run in background. Use one of these sandboxed users as a Google phone. Install Google Play Compatibility through the graphene installer. Now you have a Google option. Some banking apps won't work, and the McDonalds app won't work. Google is then sandboxed and not running constantly. If you need a Google app, you can switch over. And without background profile running enabled Google services will completely closed when switching back. No reset needed, just like 3 seconds loading. If you install Wattz (fdroid) you can see the power draw reduced in nongoogle mode. The root profile can share apps, create and delete profiles. I guess one downside is you need to learn multiple login passwords. Also no tap to pay ever.

  • source
  • parent
  • load more comments (-1 replies)
  • load more comments (-1 replies)
  • [–] 3 points 5 months ago (1 child)

    I live in an apartment with those kinds of laundry machines.

    We have an option for people to buy a card and preload it with funds.

    Do you have that option at least?

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [+] 1 point 5 months ago (1 child)
  • [–] 2 points 5 months ago

    You don't insert the card in the machines.

    You tap the card like you would newer debit cards and Point of Sale (POS) machines.

    I'd look into whether your apartment building could add that as an option, or if not, look into procuring the card that works with the laundry machine manufacturer and see if you can preload it somehow yourself.

    If the manufacturer doesn't make those cards, you might try cards from other manufacturers to see if those work.

  • source
  • parent
  • load more comments (-1 replies)
  • [–] 15 points 5 months ago (1 child)

    Is this update going to affect older Android versions in phones that stopped receiving OS updates years ago?

    And, if so, how do I disable all OS updates entirely?

  • source
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 15 points 5 months ago (7 children)

    I'm on GrapheneOS on tablet and phone running mostly/exclusively open source, so not affected.

  • source
  • hideshow 7 child comments
  • [–] 4 points 5 months ago (6 children)

    How does this work, can you install it on any android device or do you have to specifically get a graphene device? Can you run common apps from the play store if you choose?

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 6 child comments
  • [–] 6 points 5 months ago (1 child)

    For time being you're limited to Pixels. Some Motorola models in a year or two. Installation is a breeze. You can run completely Google-free or install Google Play services in a sandbox, so you could install them in a common shared or separate profile.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 4 points 5 months ago

    https://grapheneos.org/faq

    GrapheneOS only support Pixel devices.

    Can you run common apps from the play store if you choose?

    https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/10855-google-play-store-install

    I think you can install Google Services (including Play Store) if you want, but there are alternative like Aurora Store that lets you download apps from Play Store without Google Services, but obviously you can't buy apps from it

    the main concern is probably banking apps or some apps that require Google Play Services to run

  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 3 points 5 months ago* (2 children)

    Currently, graphene can only be installed on Pixel phones, but Motorola will be releasing phones that are compatible although I'm not sure when. Graphene runs a "sandboxed" version of the play store. You can get just about any Android app and your apps can't really talk to one another or to the play store. Occasionally you'll find an app that doesn't work. If you want more detail you can join the graphene OS discord. It's pretty quick & easy to install.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 15 points 5 months ago (1 child)

    What's going to happen to phones that already have 3rd party apps installed?

  • source
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 29 points 5 months ago

    It'd be a stunningly idiotic move if they let you keep the ones already installed, but not let you update them - allowing security holes fixed by future versions to persist so you're wide open to exactly what they claim they're trying to prevent. More likely they'll use them as marketing for how "safe" Google is making you by repeatedly pointing out one at a time how they're blocking app "x" now that a security hole has been found on it.

  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 13 points 5 months ago (4 children)

    Will it effect free custom ROMs like lineage?

  • source
  • hideshow 4 child comments
  • [–] 25 points 5 months ago (2 children)

    Not directly, but they've been making other moves to make life difficult for such users — such as significantly delaying releasing the open source parts they're supposed to, potentially leaving users on insecure versions for far longer.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 12 points 5 months ago

    haven't rooted an Android phone in quite some time, but looks rooting is back on the menu

  • source
  • [+] 12 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (3 children)
  • [–] 10 points 5 months ago

    it will not come with system updates, but with updates to the google play services package. you can't disable that. how else would they lock down most phones if manufacturers only supply updates for such a short time, if any.

  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 10 points 5 months ago (2 children)

    So what is the next fork here? I've been handcuffed to android/Google (phones/ tablets) for decades. I have a couple of iPads but they don't have cellular and don't fit in your pocket.

  • source
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 8 points 5 months ago

    We should've shattered Apple in 2008.

  • source
  • [–] 15 points 5 months ago

    Until people fork and forget Google, they will always control Android.

  • source
  • [–] 15 points 5 months ago (1 child)

    september i get my jolla phone :))

  • source
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 14 points 5 months ago (3 children)

    We all love grapheneOS, but please stop buying Google Pixels to do it. It's such a contradicting action to first stuff googles pocket with even more money, and then be like "I am privacy conscious." Please spend your money on alternatives that will put the money to actually developing good alternatives like FairPhone.

  • source
  • hideshow 3 child comments
  • load more comments
    view more: next ›