We really need a compelling alternative to the Play Store, both as users and developers.
F-Droid
Yeah, I have it, but I can’t install 3/4 of the apps I use on a daily basis from there.
Wouldn’t that be the same for any other alternative? That’s what a monopoly does.
It means 3/4 of the apps you use aren’t free software which is not an issue with F-Droid.
The security model or lack of same concerns me.
That’s valid. In theory, because you’re downloading open source on there, you could audit the apps you download, but don’t know anyone who does that unless it’s their job.
My main issue is everything signed with the same key, and the way updates can go through without review.
Obviously Play store isn’t safe or wonderful, but it does have better review policies.
I would prefer to see a wider embrace of PWAs.
This is what really, really pissed me off about the iPhone. When it launched and they gave it a desktop-class web browser engine and told people they were going all-in in PWAs (though I don’t think the term existed at the time). Then v2 came out and they went sike! native apps, must be developed on our PCs, must be distributed by us, you must pay us to be allowed to develop, we take a cut of your income, and we’re going to cripple the PWA engine to make universal, open apps all but unusable.
Dicks.
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Can PWAs perform just like native apps when it comes to smoothness and optimization?
Yes, if the underlying engine is designed to support it. There are standard web APIs for accelerated graphics, compute, offline storage, Bluetooth, push notification, environmental sensors, phone book access, camera, local storage access, and so on… A decent PWA is indistinguishable from a native app.
Is there any way of “installing” PWAs to the app drawer rather than been limited to a shortcut on the home screen?
I’d probably agree if I didn’t work as an Android developer. :-)
You can build webapps in kotlin :)
I do love Kotlin, but I work extensively with audio playback on a low level (Oboe, native) so a web app just won’t work for me.
Also, I can’t really justify rewriting my company’s entire app because I don’t like Google’s monopoly.
In what ways do the existing alternatives fall short of compelling?
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Can you elaborate on “limited”? Surely that is what we want. One of the problems with the Play store is certainly not that it does not have a wide enough selection, but rather that it is full of harmful, hostile, dangerous, exploitive software. Any solution to that problem is necessarily going to limit (or one might prefer to say curate) its contents. That is exactly why I use F-Droid. It is limited to software that is not trying to hurt me.
I guess F-Droid is limited in the sense of low user awareness? Similar to lemmy in the sense that its just not that popular atm, but maybe its gaining popularity?
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Those products that you “need” to function as professionals are never going to be available in a way that does not exploit you and put you at risk. You’re always going to be trapped with the incumbent marketplace’s shitty practices until you take steps to meet those needs in some other way.
You do not have to personally audit every application you use. After all, you DON’T audit closed applications, and neither does anyone else. At least with an application with code available under a public license, other people have the ability to review it and raise concerns. I can’t see how you can cast that as a disadvantage, just because you don’t personally want to audit the software yourself.
Personally, I’m not comfortable predicating my very livelihood on closed, commercial software that somebody else owns and leverages with the specific intention of exploiting me. That sounds like fucking madness to me.
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Can I get my banking app on F-Droid? How about my home security system app? How about a dozen other apps that I want or need, and can’t be replaced by loading a website in Firefox?
Wait, I assume if you install a banking app through Aurora it still works? Totally fair if that doesn’t work for your needs (you kinda need a google account, even if a blank one, to have it work right now) but I assume installing apps through it doesn’t limit them or make them less functional for having been installed through Aurora?
Works on Calyx! My banks didn’t work on Lineage through aurora. I think it only checks for a locked bootloader?
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There are in fact banking apps and home security apps on F-Droid.
Here’s the ones I looked for:
- Chase
- Bank of America
- NatWest (UK bank)
- HSBC
Not one of them was available on F-Droid. Care to share the ones that you know of?
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Cool! I’ll just call my bank and tell them that.
Accrescent is in early alpha, but it looks like it’s on its way to be a great, modern app store.
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I built that ROM back in june and honestly, i don’t recommend it, the interface and apps are just terrible and they take almost a year to release a new android version.
Do they at least provide regular security updates?
Yeah, as long as Lineage does which is better than other ROMs.
No problem then!
So basically this is ANOTHER company trying to resell Linage-s work? This is getting laughable now.
It’s just a Lineage based ROM like crDroid.
Yes, they do
Ah, well that’s the important thing. Actual new major versions are mainly just bells and whistles these days!
yes, the apps are mediocre, but there are alternatives. (Also, its the only ROM with official support for my device)
Can I install/update my bank apps, and pay with my phone? That’s the bare minimum I need to switch to a deGoogled OS.
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I’ve actually been enjoying OsmAnd / OsmAnd+, which was recently recommended by someone here. It’s open source and runs more fluidly than Google Maps (which is locked to 60 hz). With that said, it doesn’t have live traffic built-in (and while you can add Google live traffic overlays, it doesn’t seem to get used for routing).
Sucks that the one feature that would get me to use (Android auto) is locked behind a paywall.
The fully unlocked OsmAnd+ is available via F-Droid for free (dev welcomes donations though).
Didn’t know that. I’ll check it out. Thanks!
Use magic earth
Checking it out!
I think people are going to extremes when it comes to Google and privacy.
Google has no need to track you personally. They use the location service so YOU can get directions and have a history of where you’ve been, if you want. You can turn this off of course.
The same with all their other services.
I’m not saying they are innocent children, for example I don’t like their web tracking tech (cookies, trackers) and I don’t care for ads. Not a fan of them scanning my email either, even if it’s anonymous.
But you don’t have to use Gmail and your can use as blockers and tracker blockers etc.
Their privacy settings are quite robust and you can turn anything off your don’t like.
But they are very convenient with all their services. Having everything synced and available on literally any device is a significant service which is not easy to replicate. Even self hosting this stuff becomes a real pain and expensive.
I’ve tried ungoogled ROM’s and it’s simply not worth it. A phone without Google services is near useless and much harder to use.
My neighbour has a Huawei and it has no Google apps and it’s a nightmare to get anything done on that thing. Even something simple like cast to your Google TV is impossible on that thing. He has to use 3rd party maps apps which suck, has no device backup, if he loses the phone he’s lost all his photo’s and contacts and notes etc.
Basically it sucks.
Just use full milk Android and be aware of what permissions you grant apps and don’t sideload anything dodgy and you’ll be fine.
Plus I pay only €20 a year for Google One with 100GB storage which I can also share with me wife. You simply cannot beat that price even if you self host. Plus they backup everything so your stuff should be 100% safe.
Have been using it for a while on my Fairphone 3, just works nicely :)
Been using it on my Oneplus 6t and been liking it so far
a modified lineageOS, craaaazy innovation
I hope more newer phones get supported by them.
I have a samsung galaxy s23 and I need to scratch my de-google / custom rom itch.
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Any reason to believe Graphene pings google?
So, someone tested it before and found that issue. I’m sure people will be testing it again. It’s pretty easy to do.
Can you expand on why? I’m not very well versed on Android OS or their firmware.
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But it does have an app store, one that functions similarly to Aurora. Also nothing is forcing you to use that cloud storage, use whichever you want!
