Google has been trying to make Android proprietary for a few years now, and that’s not news, as many AOSP default apps have been abandoned over time in favor of proprietary Google ones. This was never a huge problem for me, as you can still use those apps without network access or use open source alternatives like Fossify on a custom ROM.

However, the situation is quickly getting worse, now that Google is actively trying to prevent the development of custom ROMs and taking a page from Apple’s book by forcing developers to beg them for permission to release apps on the Android platform, even outside of the Play Store - giving Google full control.

Is there still any hope left for privacy respecting Android ROMs? What do you think will happen next? And what would be your suggestions for those looking for a phone in 2025?

If you have a different perspective on the situation, also please comment below!

  • 0x0@lemmy.zip
    28·
    1 day ago

    They obviously don’t do that to please Google.

    I know, it’s supposedly 'cos they’re the only good phones, which is a kinda weird take considering the diversity of devices out there but i’m not into the gory details.

    • passepartout@feddit.org
      81·
      1 day ago

      There are no phones with working encryption (a must imho and a lot of others) except the ones I listed in my initial comment. iPhones are no option because they are not unlockable. Samsung recently announced they will remove the option to unlock the bootloader as well. They also have a very broad and everchanging lineup of phones.

      Google Pixel has been more of a hardware and software reference to developers than a Phone people would usually buy up until the redesign with the Pixel 6. There are so many hardware and software features that make it the perfect device to develop against (up until the recent events lol).

      I’d recommend you to read their own documentation on this topic.

      • shortwavesurfer@lemmy.zip
        1·
        2 hours ago

        They were a good device to develop against, at least until they started catching fire for multiple generations.

        They had to degrade the 4A, a couple of 6As burst into flames. My mom has a 7, and it was overheating like mad, and seemed like it was possibly going to burst into flames. I won’t trust a Google device at least for several years after they’ve fixed these battery issues.

        The Pixel 1 and the Pixel 2 were great. I even had the Pixel 3a, and it was a decent device. But since then, I’ve not trusted Google. Not recently.