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What if we made an alternative to everything on Android? (self.opensource)

submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by ElPussyKangaroo to c/opensource@lemmy.ml

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It's a big question. I know.

But given that we have the source code to Android (AOSP) and the community to collaborate with, couldn't we just create an entire ROM filled with the necessary applications and utilities, all open source, and with modern UI?

It'll take a shit load of time, and effort. Definitely. But maybe if we banded together? A unified OS running only open source software, with the option for Google Services via something like MicroG, so that we don't need to worry.

I'm no expert. I'm just floating an idea. But I'd love to know if this is possible, step-by-step...

Edit: I know custom ROMs are a thing. I use one. I'm just saying, what if we go ahead and make an open source ecosystem that runs under the same project, so that there's a set of services and apps that are free, open source and non-corporate.

Edit2: I forgot the Lineage project exists. Nevermind 🤦🏻‍♂️. Let's just try to support it. 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

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[-] ElPussyKangaroo 6 points 1 year ago

I haven't used these ROMs... Do they have their own apps? I've used Lineage... They have some nifty apps that look cool, but they're still being developed.

Actually, now that I think of it, I forgot the Lineage project exists. Nevermind 🤦🏻‍♂️

[-] RvTV95XBeo@sh.itjust.works 25 points 1 year ago

I've used Lineage... They have some nifty apps that look cool, but they're still being developed.

That's the point of these big open source projects, they're always being developed. LineageOS is turning 7 this year, and it's a fork of CyanogenMod, which started in 2009. It's a mature software by most definitions, but still in active development.

e/OS and GrapheneOS are just privacy focused forks of AOSP, with a focus on removing all traces of Google from the OS.

[-] Krafting@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago

Well, they have some app of their own, and other app that are from other devs. but the android ecosystem is one of the worst anyway design wise. Every manufacturer do their own design app devs use Material design or the new Material You, it's not great, even linux phone on GNOME or KDE have a better GUI ecosystem.