this post was submitted on 12 Mar 2026
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[–] jaykrown@lemmy.world 2 points 4 hours ago

You don't need Google's permission to host your own web application. Browsers and the internet are awesome. The Google play store is a nuisance and I look forward to the day when I can have a Linux distribution running on my phone with everything I need.

[–] quick_snail@feddit.nl 1 points 12 hours ago

Eh, good riddance to gapps

[–] Mihies@programming.dev 26 points 1 day ago (1 children)

As an EU citizen I'd say this should be a wakeup call to push for an alternative and open OS.

[–] Zerush@lemmy.ml 6 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Fairphone with Linage or e/OS, the best EU alternatives

[–] atopi@piefed.blahaj.zone 12 points 1 day ago (1 children)

i have a feeling android is not the best alternative to android

[–] Zerush@lemmy.ml 2 points 20 hours ago* (last edited 20 hours ago) (1 children)

That is nonsense, Android is OpenSource, based on Linux, adapted to mobile, but with APIs controlled by Google, Linage, e/OS, Ubuntu Touch, etc...... are other distros of Linux for Mobile, compatible with Android apps. There Google can do nothing to avoid the use of not approved apps, like it can do it in Android due it's inbuild APIs and banning those from Google Play, which other OS don't have or use. Because of this I also don't like GrapheneOS, because it works only on Google Phones, which can block apps on HW base if Google want it. In other Phones, eg.FairPhone with own idependent OS, there Google see only the middle finger.

[–] GraveyardOrbit@lemmy.zip 7 points 12 hours ago* (last edited 12 hours ago) (1 children)

The entire android project is pushed forward by Google. Take a look at how helpless graphene is when Google hides patches for longer and longer each year. Android is always has been and always will be googles ultimate expression of control. Only Linux mobile will unshackle us

https://beehaw.org/post/25210600

[–] Zerush@lemmy.ml 0 points 5 hours ago (1 children)

Don't forget that Graphene OS is made to work exclusivly in a Google phones, that gives Google naturally the possibility to control what you can do with Graphene OS and what not. But Google didn't have any influence in independent Phones and other Linux forks than Android. It's like saying that MS has influences in Linux Mint or other distro on desktop. Google has influences in his products, OS and its apps, not in those of others.

[–] GraveyardOrbit@lemmy.zip 1 points 4 hours ago (1 children)

Its OS underpins everything. There’s is no truly open source android

[–] Zerush@lemmy.ml -1 points 2 hours ago (1 children)

Android as such is FOSS, but as said + Google's added crap. Out there also exist an degoogled version without it. It's a modified Linux for Mobile, same as other mobil distros.

[–] GraveyardOrbit@lemmy.zip 1 points 2 hours ago

You’re misunderstanding the ecosystem. The degoogled ROMs like graphene and e/os still rely on the Google releases of AOSP, hence why Google is allowed to strangle them with biyearly releases. There’s aren’t any major android projects that use a completely open system because android is inherently closed.

There are Linux systems which use a translation layer to interop with android apps for example sailfish os however this is also closed

[–] eldavi@lemmy.ml 4 points 23 hours ago (1 children)

i get the feeling that both lineage and graphene are only temporary measures; locking down android is only the first step and google will push for further lockdown eventually.

[–] quick_snail@feddit.nl -2 points 12 hours ago

They literally have no power over the ROMs lol

[–] onlooker@lemmy.ml 16 points 1 day ago (1 children)

What this basically is is signees asking Google to fix the problem that Google itself caused. I hope for other people's sake that this goes through, but since we're talking about Google, I am all but convinced that Google will pull something like this again in the future.

[–] slampisko@lemmy.world 2 points 18 hours ago

Yeah I'm not holding my breath for this letter to do anything. I also find it funny that many projects among the signatures are probably the reasons for Google to be doing this in the first place (like FUTO, makers of GrayJay) since it could be argued that they are costing Google revenue and that's ultimately what they care about.