6d ago

Google: 'Your $1000 phone needs our permission to install apps now'". Android users are screwed - Louis Rossmann

https://consumerrights.wiki/index.php?title=Android_Developer_Verification

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I readily await the visibility and interest this will give mobile linux development.
- Nearly 100% of the development for handheld Linux is Steam OS / Steam Deck. If Valve moves to ARM at some point then you might see useful improvements that benefit the mobile use case.
  
  the collaborative world works off of demand. Pocket laptops and linux phones have been a nice distraction for long enough. They may soon become more of a saving grace.
  I'm not saying you'll be able to run Spyware Simulator 2000 on PostmarketOS. I'm more saying that any secondary device you use for foss software will be more focused upon as an actual decent alternative for getting work done without being spied on by capitalist nazis.
  These devices can run web browsers. That's 80% of your needs already taken care of and we haven't even left Firefox.
  CARRY TWO PHONES??!!
  What will the neighbors think!?
  
  It seems like fewer people care about being spied on, “I have nothing to hide”, and many people don’t even change the settings to prevent sharing contacts, photos, and location with privacy hostile apps like Facebook.
  
  Can a steam deck be turned into a phone?
  
  It won't do phone calls or SMS but otherwise sure why not. Just call/msg with matrix or discord
  
  Also JMP.chat
  
  probably doesn't have the necessary antennae
  
  Attach some dangling USB modem with a data SIM, or just keep a mobile router with a data SIM in your backpack, for 3G/4G/5G data connectivity over WiFi. Then, use some VoIP provider if you actually need a phone number as well.
- My shitty country cant use those anyway.
  
  What is blocking it? I haven't done much research yet but was hoping to find a new OS if this goes through. Wouldn't it be the same as putting a sim card into a tablet/laptop? Or is there something specific to your country that stands out?
  
  Probably they need to pay for an IMEI fee their government wants. I know because it's the same here. I got PinePhone for $200 and had to pay for $250 IMEI fee. What did I do? Changed the IMEI to my old dead phone's.
  
  Nice, that makes sense. Doesn't is store more data than just an IMEI number though, like make/model, did you have to spoof that as well or was that easily ignored
  
  Normally, yes. As for my government concerns, I'm using Nexus 5X. They probably would notice if they investigate but as long as there are no more than 1 active phones with the same IMEI, they most likely won't notice.
  
  Look up Australia's whitelisting system.
  If you phone isn't manually approved, it won't be able to connect to a cell tower, not even for emergency calls.
  
  not even for emergency calls.
  That's wild.
  
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIJavqEzEIw (sources in video description)
  If your phone isn't manually approved, its assumed your phone doesn't support 4g/5g, therefore, blocked.
  4G/5G phones have already been blocked
  Fairphone isn't certified in Australia, Pinephone also isn't, nor Librem 5.
  Custom ROMs on an approved phone might work for now, but they could potentially start verifying OS in the future if the autocratization trend continues. Also, manufacturers could starts start locking the bootloader.
  The best realistic way forward is have two devices, one is the "normie" phone, the other is your own pocket PC running a Libre OS.
  
  What the hell

516 comments