They only support Pixel hardware because it’s currently the only line that meets their list of requirements. I’d guess that if something came around which beat the Pixel line, they’d support it…but I also don’t see anyone positioned to do that right now.
Though it’s worth mentioning that the developers don’t emphasize degoogling all that much and their community often have a bit of tension with degooglers who come to join them. The OS certainly meets the needs of those of us getting away from Google but the developers have no problem recommending workflows that go through Google (albeit with regular app access rather than the privileged and deeply integrated access on stock Android) when they’re more secure than the alternatives. For example, they’ll regularly suggest using sandboxed Google Play over F-Droid or Aurora Store, again because of their stance of prioritizing security above all.
It can sometimes be a bit annoying when your priorities are more about avoiding corporate surveillance than protecting yourself from attackers or a snooping government, but their work ends up supporting both regardless.
That sounds like a reasonable position. Google would have an advantage in getting timely AOSP and security updates, but getting that stuff done should be a high priority for all manufacturers anyway. As for the rest of the list, there are things I don’t know about - but at a glance it looks fair enough. So I guess there could and probably should be other phones trying to meet those conditions.
I didn’t say it was a problem. When security and privacy come into conflict, they pick security. Myself, I don’t care as much and I’m perfectly happy grabbing those apps through Aurora Store. My personal preferences don’t completely line up with them in this case, but it’s a principled position in its own way, and they don’t stop me from doing it the way I prefer.
To me it is super weird that GrapheneOS positions itself as a way to degoogle - but it is only supported on google’s Pixel hardware.
Pixel hardware is some of the easiest to get/best/cost effective with an unlocked bootloader.
They only support Pixel hardware because it’s currently the only line that meets their list of requirements. I’d guess that if something came around which beat the Pixel line, they’d support it…but I also don’t see anyone positioned to do that right now.
Though it’s worth mentioning that the developers don’t emphasize degoogling all that much and their community often have a bit of tension with degooglers who come to join them. The OS certainly meets the needs of those of us getting away from Google but the developers have no problem recommending workflows that go through Google (albeit with regular app access rather than the privileged and deeply integrated access on stock Android) when they’re more secure than the alternatives. For example, they’ll regularly suggest using sandboxed Google Play over F-Droid or Aurora Store, again because of their stance of prioritizing security above all.
It can sometimes be a bit annoying when your priorities are more about avoiding corporate surveillance than protecting yourself from attackers or a snooping government, but their work ends up supporting both regardless.
That sounds like a reasonable position. Google would have an advantage in getting timely AOSP and security updates, but getting that stuff done should be a high priority for all manufacturers anyway. As for the rest of the list, there are things I don’t know about - but at a glance it looks fair enough. So I guess there could and probably should be other phones trying to meet those conditions.
Because many of my used apps are only available in Google Play.
GrapheneOS gives you options that you don’t have to use. I don’t agree with you.
You know what Aurora Store is, right?
What is it?
An anonymous frontend for Google Play
Thanks. I thought there may have been some sort of controversy about it, that’s why I asked.
I didn’t say it was a problem. When security and privacy come into conflict, they pick security. Myself, I don’t care as much and I’m perfectly happy grabbing those apps through Aurora Store. My personal preferences don’t completely line up with them in this case, but it’s a principled position in its own way, and they don’t stop me from doing it the way I prefer.
I think because on other manufacturer android phones, like Samsung, you’d have to de-Google and also de-Samsung.
I’m betting it’s because Pixels have some unique hardware/ software quirks or something.
iirc they are the only phones that allow adding custom avb keys and then relocking the bootloader