Why does Google bother unlocking boot loaders, or doing anything that helps AOSP? Why have they not gone the way of Apple?

  • ChidiAnagonye@infosec.pub
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    1 day ago

    Why does Google bother unlocking boot loaders

    Funmy you asked, because Google just stopped releasing Pixel Device-Specific Code that allows Custom ROMs to be more easily built, requiring Custom ROM developers to reverse-engineer the source code, which takes a lot of time.

    or doing anything that helps AOSP?

    Free code from people. Also, AOSP doesn’t matter if you need Google Play Services in order for apps to work. Some apps don’t work on Graphene OS, for example, I imagine in 5 years, at least 50% of apps wouldn’t work because the app developers would be encouraged by Google to use Play Integrity APIs.

    Why have they not gone the way of Apple?

    Its like a FPTP Election system, it’s a Duoply. You need a mainstream device for apps to work, either iOS or Android, as long as Google is just slightly more free than Apple, you still would want Android.

    I don’t think I’d ever quit Android unless they pull a move like, idk, banning sideloading completely.

    • CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.org
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      9 hours ago

      Funny you asked, because Google just stopped releasing Pixel Device-Specific Code that allows Custom ROMs to be more easily built, requiring Custom ROM developers to reverse-engineer the source code, which takes a lot of time.

      Crap. It was inevitable, I guess.

      Its like a FPTP Election system, it’s a Duoply. You need a mainstream device for apps to work, either iOS or Android, as long as Google is just slightly more free than Apple, you still would want Android.

      It’s a good description description, it’s why I’d definitely choose Android if I had to. The nice thing is that AOSP needs far less support than any third party to function, and isn’t going away overnight.

    • TheOrcWhoWrites@lemmy.world
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      1 day ago

      I don’t think I’d ever quit Android unless they pull a move like, idk, banning sideloading completely.

      Be careful what you wish for or say, it might actually happen sooner than not. We are getting closer and closer to an Orwellian society and that technology is already hopping on the bandwagon. If control of the market is what they want but cannot have it they will still use every tactic to improve that agenda. It’s hard to notice but it is gradually happening.

      (No I don’t watch too much Black Mirror, it’s not an addiction, it’s just inevitable)

      • CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.org
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        10 hours ago

        Regulators and geopolitics are rising against them, though. I’m way more hopeful than I was several years ago on the FOSS front.

      • ChidiAnagonye@infosec.pub
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        24 hours ago

        I’d just use an iPhone with tethering to a Linux Phone or a Pocket PC then… 🤷‍♂️

        Use the main Phone to do stuff that requires it, everything else goes on the Linux device.

        • TheOrcWhoWrites@lemmy.world
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          24 hours ago

          So much work it must be fun. One day I will be one of those people who has two phones in service at a time for myself but for now let’s hope they don’t take away sideloading.

          Note: never messed with Linux but one day I might, let’s see where life takes me.

    • QuantumToast@lemmy.zipOP
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      1 day ago

      I hear that change by the way will be handled different and they will release Pixel source code specifically to those who request it. It has something to do with the lawsuit they are facing.