• besselj@lemmy.ca
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      14 days ago

      It’s a stripped-down and much more secure version of android, yes. Google is optional and sandboxed on GOS.

    • BCsven@lemmy.ca
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      14 days ago

      Android with actual privacy controls: camera blocking, mic blocking, storage space definitions, google play store NOT integrated directly into the phone. Control on USB port so connected devices can be 100% ignored. 5-7years of security updates. Etc.

        • smeg@feddit.uk
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          14 days ago

          That’s just the same support window that google provides for the pixels though

          • BCsven@lemmy.ca
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            13 days ago

            It is. And that’s why its the best choice to run GrapheneOS, you get full 7 year support in a non Google OS. Other OSs exist but Graphene is on par with the major player

            • smeg@feddit.uk
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              13 days ago

              My point being that they only provide a long support window because that’s how long the manufacturer provides firmware and driver support for. They do offer a few extra updates for older unsupported devices but:

              We provide extended support releases as a stopgap for users to transition to the far more secure current generation devices.

              https://grapheneos.org/faq#device-support

              • BCsven@lemmy.ca
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                13 days ago

                But lineageOS or /e/OS may not provide the 7 years for pixel. Because it is still effort to maintain an offshoot even if you have source code.

    • Colloidal@programming.dev
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      13 days ago

      They’re working on it though.

      The thing is that, to achieve the level of privacy and security control they offer, it requires some specific hardware features. Features that, so far, only the Pixel line has offered.

    • Sabata@ani.social
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      13 days ago

      I just don’t want to give the shitasses at google money to avoid using another google product.

  • MTK@lemmy.world
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    14 days ago

    Not to be a bummer, but GrapheneOS will forever by small and unrecognised as long as it is Pixel only.

    I get their perspective, and I don’t balme them, but an OS that only works on one lineup of phones that isn’t even that popular in many countries, and needs to be sideloaded? It just inherently can’t be very popular

    • matlag@sh.itjust.works
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      14 days ago

      They’re working on that with an OEM. But right now, Pixels are the only ones meeting their security features requirements.

      • Akasazh@feddit.nl
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        13 days ago

        Once they move to hardware the isn’t Google owned and is available in the eu I’ll switch

        • matlag@sh.itjust.works
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          13 days ago

          Not disclosed yet. I assume the OEM and maybe also Graphene won’t be comfortable disclosing that info until they get close to the release.

  • lambalicious@lemmy.sdf.org
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    13 days ago

    “Canadians want an alternative to Android”

    Graphene requires Google hardware

    Dead in the water. LineageOS and others can be loaded to a whole bunch o’phones.

    Graphene for some weird reason decided to grab the bull by the tail. First you need to have the hardware you want, then cones the software. The safest product out there is useless if it can not be used.

    • gid@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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      13 days ago

      It’s not dead in the water though. After weighing up all my options, I decided buying a Pixel and immediately putting GrapheneOS on it was better for my privacy and security than getting another non-Google phone, and going through whatever processes required for whatever de-Googled Android ROM on that phone.

      I don’t like giving money to Google, but when I weighed up all the options this was still the best course for me. Of course, this is just my experience and reasoning.

      Besides, it sounds like GrapheneOS is in talks with other OEMs so we may see support in other non-Google devices!

      • Lumisal@lemmy.world
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        13 days ago

        About damn time.

        They should have fund raised to have their own custom phone made awhile ago. Not only would it ensure better stability for the long term future of the project, but would rely less on Google.

        Of course, Google is still trying to stop all android custom ROM development so that’s still an issue. But had they had their own phone made then Google would have to give them expanded access anyway.

        Hope PostmarketOS can keep on developing well, because ideally we can get something more universal that’s not dependant on Android in the first place past emulating apps.

    • eleitl@lemmy.zip
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      13 days ago

      Take a look at the security functions the Pixel platform hardware provides. It isn’t optional.

  • pmk@lemmy.sdf.org
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    13 days ago

    I have a second hand pixel with graphene, but what we really need is something that isn’t downstream of google. If enough people switched to graphene so that it actually hurt google, I’m sure they could do things to make life hard for alternative android based systems.