Android

cross-posted from: https://lazysoci.al/post/39002697

@fdroidorg at this point is being used to push out an app with sensitive permissions that's been taken over by an unknown individual who refuses to engage with its large community of users and developers.

I STRONGLY recommend disabling updates from Fdroid, if not uninstalling and manually installing 2.0.11.2, or installing the Google Play version which has a different maintainer.

this is extremely shady and it's just looking worse as time goes on. I'll link to the Syncthing forum thread from about where I left off last time in a subsequent post.

I want to keep using Google Wallet, so I won't install Graphene, but I'm curious what some best practices are (privacy and otherwise) for an unused stock android (Pixel 9)?

The plan so far is install Aurora to get F-Droid and install what apps I can from there before checking elsewhere.

Also wondering if Google accounts be used on an app-by-app basis or do I need to sign in to the entire phone?

TL;DR

• Google has kicked off a new Extended Repair Program for the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL.
• The program covers a limited number of Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL devices with vertical lines on the display or a screen flickering problem.
• Google is offering free display replacements for these phones for up to three years from the original retail purchase date.

A developer has created an open source alternative to KWGT called Sukko.

It is an open source Android app for creating widgets for home and lock screens.

Here's the project website: https://sadellie.github.io/sukko/

His repo: https://github.com/sadellie/sukko

Its currently in experimental stage and will take a while until a full release.

Current stage

Experimental

• Accessibility features are not implemented
• Expect huge changes in functionality
• Clean installation recommended. Data migration is not guaranteed
• External code contributions are welcomed, but I recommend waiting for alpha stage. There are no contributing guidelines at the moment
• Bug reports and feature requests are discouraged. I know what ku*tom is
• Not for daily usage despite implemented features and overall stability
• Please avoid redistribution on "free and open source android app repositories" 🟢🟦

Development updates: https://t.me/sadellie_dev

Compatibility

• Android 12 / API 31 and higher
• vivo - no, lol
• Pixel and close to AOSP ROMs
• Anything else - visit https://dontkillmyapp.com/ and follow instructions. If that didn't help - open an issue or buy Pixel

In general, here is the list of all models that could receive the all-scenario bypass charging support:

• Oppo Find X9 series
  

• Oppo Find X8 series
  

• Oppo Find X7 series
  

• Oppo Find N5
  

• Oppo Reno 14 series
  

• Oppo Reno 13 series
  

• Oppo Pad 5
  

• Oppo Pad 4 Pro
  

• OnePlus 15
  

• OnePlus 13
  

• OnePlus 13T
  

• OnePlus 12
  

• OnePlus Ace 6
  

• OnePlus Ace 6T
  

• OnePlus Ace 5 series
  

• OnePlus Ace 3 series
  

• OnePlus Tablet 2
  

• OnePlus 2 Pro

Up to 2256 since the screenshot: https://commerce.jolla.com/products/jolla-phone-preorder

There have been a lot of discussions and outcry in India recently over the central government's directive asking smartphone makers to pre-load its cyber safety app Sanchar Saathi on all new devices, and just when we thought that the dust had settled down since the government withdrew the mandate, we are now seeing a new report that could spark yet another debate in the country while raising security and privacy concerns.

According to Reuters, the Indian government is reviewing a proposal by the telecom industry to require smartphone companies to keep satellite location tracking enabled at all times for better tracking.

The report states the Indian government, for years, has been concerned about its agencies not getting precise locations when legal requests are made to telecom operators during investigations, and that's because the telecom firms are limited to using cellular tower data, which can be off by several meters since it can only provide an estimated area location.

Hence, the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), representing Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, proposed that the government order smartphone makers to activate A-GPS, which uses satellite signals and cellular data. This would require satellite tracking to remain active on smartphones at all times, with no option for users to disable it.

Apple, Samsung, and Google opposed this proposal and told the government that always-on satellite tracking should not be mandated, with the lobbying group India Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA), representing Apple and Google, saying "A measure to track device-level location has no precedent anywhere else in the world," in a confidential letter to the Indian government in July.

ICEA also argued in its letter that there are significant "legal, privacy, and national security concerns" with the telecom group's proposal, and a mandate for always-on A-GPS for precise location tracking "would be a regulatory overreach."

That said, the telecom group not only proposed A-GPS activation but also has problems with older location-tracking methods, as smartphone companies display a pop-up message to alert users when a network carrier is trying to access their location.

The telecom group argued that a "target can easily ascertain that he is being tracked by security agencies," and urged the government to order smartphone manufacturers to disable the pop-up features.

Pros

• chic design
• lightweight construction
• high durability
• long runtime
• long update period
• wireless charging

Cons

• low system performance
• only Android 15 ex works
• low bass sound
• USB 2.0 only

The independent European Do It Together (DIT) Linux phone, shaped by the people who use it.

• Pre-Order Now for 99 €

• Full price: 499 € (incl. your local VAT). Normal price 599 € - 699 €.

• Your 99 € is fully refundable and deducted from the full price later.

• Markets: EU, UK, Norway and Switzerland

• Estimated delivery: by end of 1H/2026

Defined together with the Community

Over the past months, Sailfish OS community members voted on what the next Jolla device should be. The key characteristics, specifications and features of the device.

Based on community voting and real user needs, this device has only one mission:

Put control back in your hands.

Sailfish OS is a Linux-based European alternative to dominating mobile operating systems, and the only mobile OS offering an exclusive licensing model for local implementations.

On the market since 2013 Sailfish OS is the privacy respecting choice for mobile solutions. With Sailfish OS you can also run Android™ apps with our dedicated AppSupport solution.

Sailfish OS is managed and developed by Finnish company Jolla.

https://sailfishos.org/

... the Messages conversation shortcut for my girlfriend has made her into an ugly demon. It's kinda crazy that Google also applies it to deep-link shortcuts as well. Feels very lazy.