• manxu@piefed.social
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    13 hours ago

    By a wide margin the many different projects for an open source phone OS. From GrapheneOS to PostmarketOS, from Ubuntu Mobile to Plasma Mobile.

    I am sick and tired of corporations telling me how I can use my phone. I am sick and tired of corporations deciding what apps I can install, from where, and what data they are allowed to collect. I am done with enshittification and the gradual disappearing of all useful information, either behind a paywall, or replaced by monetized content.

    The last straw was when Google Maps decided to replace the “gas station on the route” feature that sent you to the cheapest gas station to some other logic it didn’t disclose, but that stinks of affiliate preference.

    • hansolo@lemmy.today
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      11 hours ago

      Absolutely, fully agree here. An Open Source widely applicable phone OS would benefit millions of people. Possibly billions.

      • ch00f@lemmy.world
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        10 hours ago

        The frustrating part of this is how much of the smartphone world is dependent on companies playing along.

        I have a Venmo business account I use from time to time. I tried to log in on it from my laptop yesterday to check my balance. I was met with this:

        We used to complain that apps are just worse versions of websites, but increasingly, you’re being forced to install an app just to do basic things.

        Is there any way to guarantee every app will be available on a linux phone? We can grab APKs at the moment off sketchy websites, but I don’t know how much longer that’s going to work after Google kills sideloading.

          • ch00f@lemmy.world
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            9 hours ago

            No. This is literally from a desktop browser. That feature is only available on the app.

            • sem@piefed.blahaj.zone
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              2 hours ago

              It really sucks, but at least there are alternatives to venmo. I’ve heard that in Europe, you’re require to have an app to show your Id or use the bank or some such.