Comment by zmmmmm
20 days ago
The worst part is the Orwellian opening sentence they start with in their blog post [0]:
> You shouldn’t have to choose between open and secure
2+2=5
Truly the end of an era. I've spent nearly two decades buying Android phones because of a single checkbox in settings that let me have the freedom I consider essential to any computing device that I own.
In a way, it's liberating, I've missed out on a lot from the Apple ecosystem because of that checkbox. Maybe finally I can let go of it now the choice is out of my hands.
[0] https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2025/08/elevating-...
The only reason to be surprised by this sentence to associate this corporation for the cool "Don't be evil" Google of 25 years ago.
But in 2025 Google is some kind of IBM, Oracle blob with here a middle age MBA woman trying to gas-light you into an orweilian world she is paving for an awesome remuneration.
Also notice they do not say "open source" once in the post... now it is just "open". It is "open" but not your phone anymore.
Very much my exact feelings. I had the first Android phone ever and even wrote my own APKs and enjoyed the freedom of the mobile platform that let me install my own software. But it's been close to 20 years and maybe it's time to check out the other side, as much as I despise Apple's locked down ecosystem.
I'd sooner get a Chinese phone that isn't "Google-certified" than reward this behaviour by giving $1000+ to the DRM OGs at Cupertino. Neither Apple nor Google are protecting users against the alleged data-stealing evils of Tiktok, so how exactly are they providing any kind of "user safety" by throwing up fees and red tape for small independent developers?
I'm also completely open to this. Google just made being not Google-certified a feature.
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Maybe it is time to try Jolla as next phone:
https://jolla.com/
Just a note for readers that the Jolla C2 cellular modem only supports European bands, so if you're in the US you're out of luck on that front until they release a new model.
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Yes, I was checking this out! Sailfish with Android compat seems very compelling. The videos I saw on youtube showed a bit less polish than I'd prefer, but I'd be OK with that. But then I read up on the manufacturer they partnered with. Reeder, I believe? I ended up looking up some other devices they made and there seems to be build quality problems...I haven't seen reports like this for the Jolla C2, though, so I still might be tempted to purchase one just to see how it drives. Thanks for the recommendation!
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I used it as my first phone some 10 years. I type this message on one. I like their perseverance, but the truth is it's declining in practical usability.
Edit: In EU, so (lack of) bands are not an issue for me.
GrapheneOS will put it back into your hands.
GrapheneOS are living on the mercy of Google by the way.
Also the device vendors. Because it requires a bootloader unlock to install. And device vendors aren't exactly friendly to consumers.
If Google tells the vendors to jump, they ask how high.
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As opposed to Android, which is... not living at the mercy of Google? Wait, that's not right.
People say this same shit about Firefox. "Oh they rely on Google for revenue! Jump ship jump ship!"
Yeah, and what about Chrome? How much does Chrome rely on Google for revenue? Its got fucking Google in the name.
"Which devices are supported?"
follows: list of Google devices - great, but I don't have Stockholm syndrome