• blind3rdeye@lemm.ee
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    44
    ·
    1 year ago

    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
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      57
      ·
      1 year ago

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

              • EngineerGaming@feddit.nl
                link
                fedilink
                English
                arrow-up
                1
                ·
                1 year ago

                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)
                
    • Whom@midwest.social
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      44
      ·
      1 year ago

      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
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        4
        ·
        1 year 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
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        1 year ago

        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.

        • Whom@midwest.social
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          1
          ·
          edit-2
          1 year 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
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      7
      ·
      1 year ago

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

    • Gestrid@lemmy.ca
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      1 year ago

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

      • 0x2d@lemmy.ml
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        3
        ·
        1 year ago

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