this post was submitted on 04 Jan 2024
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[–] blind3rdeye@lemm.ee 40 points 10 months ago (4 children)

To me it is super weird that GrapheneOS positions itself as a way to degoogle - but it is only supported on google's Pixel hardware.

[–] nixcamic@lemmy.world 50 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Pixel hardware is some of the easiest to get/best/cost effective with an unlocked bootloader.

[–] EngineerGaming@feddit.nl 3 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Too bad the only affordable ones are those that have little to no support left.

[–] nudnyekscentryk@szmer.info 0 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Why would anyone care about official support? That's not why you buy a pixel

[–] EngineerGaming@feddit.nl 2 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I meant support from Graphene itself.

[–] nudnyekscentryk@szmer.info 0 points 9 months ago (1 children)

is it that bad? I though Graphene supports all Pixels well

[–] EngineerGaming@feddit.nl 0 points 9 months ago (1 children)

The following devices are end-of-life, no longer receive firmware or most driver security updates and receive extended support from GrapheneOS as part of the main releases with all GrapheneOS changes including all of the latest Android Open Source Project changes:

Pixel 5 (redfin)
Pixel 4a (5G) (bramble)
[–] nudnyekscentryk@szmer.info 2 points 9 months ago

well, I see. thankfully there's loads and loads and loads of alternatives over on XDA still in development

[–] Whom@midwest.social 40 points 10 months ago (2 children)

They only support Pixel hardware because it's currently the only line that meets their list of requirements. I'd guess that if something came around which beat the Pixel line, they'd support it...but I also don't see anyone positioned to do that right now.

Though it's worth mentioning that the developers don't emphasize degoogling all that much and their community often have a bit of tension with degooglers who come to join them. The OS certainly meets the needs of those of us getting away from Google but the developers have no problem recommending workflows that go through Google (albeit with regular app access rather than the privileged and deeply integrated access on stock Android) when they're more secure than the alternatives. For example, they'll regularly suggest using sandboxed Google Play over F-Droid or Aurora Store, again because of their stance of prioritizing security above all.

It can sometimes be a bit annoying when your priorities are more about avoiding corporate surveillance than protecting yourself from attackers or a snooping government, but their work ends up supporting both regardless.

[–] blind3rdeye@lemm.ee 4 points 10 months ago

That sounds like a reasonable position. Google would have an advantage in getting timely AOSP and security updates, but getting that stuff done should be a high priority for all manufacturers anyway. As for the rest of the list, there are things I don't know about - but at a glance it looks fair enough. So I guess there could and probably should be other phones trying to meet those conditions.

[–] WindowsEnjoyer@sh.itjust.works -2 points 10 months ago (2 children)

For example, they'll regularly suggest using sandboxed Google Play over F-Droid or Aurora Store

Because many of my used apps are only available in Google Play.

GrapheneOS gives you options that you don't have to use. I don't agree with you.

[–] Adanisi@lemmy.zip 3 points 10 months ago (1 children)

You know what Aurora Store is, right?

[–] Pechkin000@lemmy.world 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)
[–] Adanisi@lemmy.zip 3 points 10 months ago (1 children)

An anonymous frontend for Google Play

[–] Pechkin000@lemmy.world 1 points 10 months ago

Thanks. I thought there may have been some sort of controversy about it, that's why I asked.

[–] Whom@midwest.social 1 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

I didn't say it was a problem. When security and privacy come into conflict, they pick security. Myself, I don't care as much and I'm perfectly happy grabbing those apps through Aurora Store. My personal preferences don't completely line up with them in this case, but it's a principled position in its own way, and they don't stop me from doing it the way I prefer.

[–] Tikiporch@lemmy.world 6 points 10 months ago

I think because on other manufacturer android phones, like Samsung, you'd have to de-Google and also de-Samsung.

[–] Gestrid@lemmy.ca 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I'm betting it's because Pixels have some unique hardware/ software quirks or something.

[–] 0x2d@lemmy.ml 3 points 10 months ago

iirc they are the only phones that allow adding custom avb keys and then relocking the bootloader