Liberating a smart phone- Good mobile phone options without selling my soul to apple and google?

Forums › Mobile handsets › Liberating a smart phone- Good mobile phone options without selling my soul to apple and google?

Darude34

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#245194 23-Jan-2019 11:23

Hi Tech junkies.

I have been an an avid apple iphone user for the last 4 years, currently I have an iphone X. While I love the phone itself I am now at the point where I have had enough of the apple SW, and the way it locks me in. My latest gripe with apple is that I am unable to even copy certain text from an email in my gmail app. Some other google apps seem to be affected too. If I put my tinfoil hat on I believe this is a deliberate move by apple because they detest everything google. But then again, maybe its just an oversight on their behalf? As I was an android user previously I still have a lot of music in google play. I prefer to still buy my music through google play store, and not itunes. This is also something that just wont work on iphone. (thanks apple) Copying my photos/videos out of icloud and putting them onto my own storage is another pain. Can you believe it that the apple engineers don’t give you the option to select all photos to download. Again if I put my tinfoil hat on I think its another deliberate move by apple. They want you to increase your icloud storage $$$. I guess it makes business sense for them.

I had similar gripes about google, before moving to iphone. So returning to a full blown android running all google apps does not really appeal to me.

Anyway, I don’t want to get too much into the above. I may be way off with my reasoning and may even be totally wrong/and or paranoid. The reason for my post is I want to know what options are there for a good smart phone, without me having to sell my soul to google or apple. I don’t mind going back to android, but is that even possible without ditching google? What phones here will others suggest? What opensource cloud services are people using? Are they any good? While I don’t expect them to be as good as iOS or google cloud services, are they at least usable? Is my only option an old candy bar phone? (Nokia 3310 anybody)

What got me onto this bandwagon was that my daughters chromebook packed up. I did not want to fork out another $400 for a new one so I loaded Cloudready (opensource chromium OS) onto an older laptop. I was amazed as to how well it worked. She has not used it yet at college so that remains to be seen. But from what I have seen so far, it works just like her HP chromebook, and all the functionality is exactly the same as her old HP chromebook.

Adios

engedib

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#2166112 23-Jan-2019 11:31

Non-global version of Chinese phones (Xiaomi, etc) then sideload Google music only.

Cheers,

Darude34

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#2166124 23-Jan-2019 11:49

engedib:

Non-global version of Chinese phones (Xiaomi, etc) then sideload Google music only.

Cheers,

Thanks, they look interesting. Is it possible to use one of these with no google account? I am thinking of ditching my icloud and google accounts completely, and switching to my own domain email, hosted on my own server. Would not mind never needing google music again, or being tied into that.

engedib

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#2166133 23-Jan-2019 12:02

Darude34:

engedib:

Non-global version of Chinese phones (Xiaomi, etc) then sideload Google music only.

Cheers,

Thanks, they look interesting. Is it possible to use one of these with no google account? I am thinking of ditching my icloud and google accounts completely, and switching to my own domain email, hosted on my own server. Would not mind never needing google music again, or being tied into that.

Yes, there is absolutely no Google stuff installed by default :)

Darude34

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#2166171 23-Jan-2019 12:56

engedib:

Darude34:

engedib:

Non-global version of Chinese phones (Xiaomi, etc) then sideload Google music only.

Cheers,

Thanks, they look interesting. Is it possible to use one of these with no google account? I am thinking of ditching my icloud and google accounts completely, and switching to my own domain email, hosted on my own server. Would not mind never needing google music again, or being tied into that.

Yes, there is absolutely no Google stuff installed by default :)

Thats great. But is the phone operational without a google account?

What about installing some third-party non google apps (facebook, banking apps, trademe, whatsapp etc) ? I'm guessing a google account is required to do that?

kobiak

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#2166176 23-Jan-2019 13:03

Darude34:

What about installing some third-party non google apps (facebook, banking apps, trademe, whatsapp etc) ? I'm guessing a google account is required to do that?

You don't need google account for that, just side load (or use alternative app store) any apps you like, but:

this is inconvenient to update
not secure, someone could package app with malware

helping others at evgenyk.nz

engedib

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#2166232 23-Jan-2019 13:20

Darude34:

engedib:

Darude34:

engedib:

Non-global version of Chinese phones (Xiaomi, etc) then sideload Google music only.

Cheers,

Thanks, they look interesting. Is it possible to use one of these with no google account? I am thinking of ditching my icloud and google accounts completely, and switching to my own domain email, hosted on my own server. Would not mind never needing google music again, or being tied into that.

Yes, there is absolutely no Google stuff installed by default :)

Thats great. But is the phone operational without a google account?

What about installing some third-party non google apps (facebook, banking apps, trademe, whatsapp etc) ? I'm guessing a google account is required to do that?

Sideloading, just download the .apk from apkpure.com or something similar, copy it to the phone and install. Of course it won't auto-update.

There is a Mi App Store which have some of the applications and it will update the system apps, but it is mostly full with Chinese stuff.

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michaelmurfy

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#2166274 23-Jan-2019 13:59

@Darude34 Sounds like the Purism phone may be right for you: https://puri.sm/products/librem-5/

If tracking is your concern then DO NOT buy a phone made for the China market. Instead, buy a phone that can run third party roms like CopperheadOS (https://copperhead.co/android/) for an example.

But furthermore - as for a phone that is both secure, and also with a good operating system (designed for both privacy, and security) then the iPhone is actually one of the best phones for this. You can turn off iCloud photo sync if that isn't your thing and all AI is done on the device itself.

As for your daughters Chromebook just bare in mind that many schools operate with Google accounts, and the requirement for device management (via the school). Your custom Chromebook may not fit the bill for this.

There are many things you're doing, or considering to do which are to be fair a little OTT - you're not going to fully get away from Google / Facebook tracking you unless if you fully disconnect yourself off the internet. You're also largely incorrect about the whole "Apple hindering Google apps" thing as text copying works fine and personally I have a better experience with Google apps on iOS vs their Android counterparts.

Personally - I say stick with your iPhone - it is one of the better devices out there for all the features you've mentioned and they do well with security. This is what I personally use (for these reasons).

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mdf

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#2166282 23-Jan-2019 14:13

@technofreak might like to chime in with some thoughts on Sailfish. As I understand it, it is the successor (certainly spiritual successor at least) to MeeGo. At least some android apps can run on it, even though the code isn't Android based.

Another option is LineageOS, a fork of CyanogenMod. AOSP without the Google in theory.

Yabanize

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#2166321 23-Jan-2019 14:47

Are you aware that you can install Google Play Music on iPhone?

Darude34

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#2166362 23-Jan-2019 15:53

Yabanize:

Are you aware that you can install Google Play Music on iPhone?

Yes, and I use it.

It irritates the hell out of me though that I am not able to purchase music through the app. I have to do this via a web broswer. Its probably still the same with android? Impossible to purchase through itunes?

Darude34

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#2166372 23-Jan-2019 16:06

michaelmurfy:

@Darude34 Sounds like the Purism phone may be right for you: https://puri.sm/products/librem-5/

If tracking is your concern then DO NOT buy a phone made for the China market. Instead, buy a phone that can run third party roms like CopperheadOS (https://copperhead.co/android/) for an example.

But furthermore - as for a phone that is both secure, and also with a good operating system (designed for both privacy, and security) then the iPhone is actually one of the best phones for this. You can turn off iCloud photo sync if that isn't your thing and all AI is done on the device itself.

As for your daughters Chromebook just bare in mind that many schools operate with Google accounts, and the requirement for device management (via the school). Your custom Chromebook may not fit the bill for this.

There are many things you're doing, or considering to do which are to be fair a little OTT - you're not going to fully get away from Google / Facebook tracking you unless if you fully disconnect yourself off the internet. You're also largely incorrect about the whole "Apple hindering Google apps" thing as text copying works fine and personally I have a better experience with Google apps on iOS vs their Android counterparts.

Personally - I say stick with your iPhone - it is one of the better devices out there for all the features you've mentioned and they do well with security. This is what I personally use (for these reasons).

That phone looks good, I am perfectly happy though with my iphonex hardware. I do believe its probably the best out there. I just dont like being locked into ios.

Thanks for the helpful information. It does sound tricky, and to me I think there is definitely a gap in the market right now. Unless its just me that feels this way? Personally I have had enough of these "big corps", and their hold on my personal information etc.

With regards to the PC "Chromebook" running cloudready, I am prepared for a bit of a fight and resistance from the colledge next week. I dont believe though that the device will be unsuitable, its more than capable of being better than its replacement (bigger better screen, bigger battery). Will have to see....... It does work/look exactly like a Chromebook, and setting up network etc is all exactly the same. Trademe has many cheap high spec old laptops, it would be great if the schools could buy into cloudready, or at least support it. Its free!!! Chromebooks are expensive, especially when they pack up after just 1 year. Though I admit they get a beating, and are therefore not covered by warantee. Screens in my opinion break far too easy.

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Technofreak

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#2166540 23-Jan-2019 21:53

mdf:
@technofreak might like to chime in with some thoughts on Sailfish. As I understand it, it is the successor (certainly spiritual successor at least) to MeeGo. At least some android apps can run on it, even though the code isn't Android based.

Another option is LineageOS, a fork of CyanogenMod. AOSP without the Google in theory.

I like Sailfish. In its' pure form there is no Google or any other snooping and works very well as a phone. All the functionality is there, browser, email client, Microsoft Exchange etc.If you so desire you can switch on Android compatibility which allows most but not all Andoid apps to work.

There are two native app stores, neither of which have the annoying advert infested apps lik Android has. The app selections are nowhere as extensive as Play Store or the Apple Store, but never the less there are some very capable apps available.

Android apps are installed using the likes of APK Pure and the preinstalled Android store. (Note this isn't Play Store).

Currently, Jolla (the developers of Sailfish) only support their original devices, two handsets and a tablet, plus the Sony Xperia X (which I have) and a couple of other Sony devices.

Like Android there are various unofficial versions of the OS for a variety devices but there is no Microsoft Exchange nor Android support with these.

The biggest downside is you have to flash the OS yourself onto your own device. Once installed all updates are done over the air just like any other device.

If you're able to flash the OS, it's not too hard to do, I'd think it'd be worth a try.

Sony Xperia XA2 running Sailfish OS. https://sailfishos.org The true independent open source mobile OS
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blakamin

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#2166581 23-Jan-2019 22:24

Darude34:

It irritates the hell out of me though that I am not able to purchase music through the app. I have to do this via a web broswer. Its probably still the same with android?

No, you click "buy" and it opens google play store and you buy it there, then it's added to the stuff you own.

ANglEAUT

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#2166584 23-Jan-2019 22:34

Darude34:

... I may be way off with my reasoning and may even be totally wrong/and or paranoid. The reason for my post is I want to know what options are there for a good smart phone, without me having to sell my soul to google or apple. ... What opensource cloud services are people using? ...

Not paranoid enough. Both have enough pain points between them that I can't decide which is worse. The third alternative of "coding my own" is becoming a stronger & stronger desire every day.

Darude34:

... I am thinking of ditching my icloud and google accounts completely, and switching to my own domain email, hosted on my own server. Would not mind never needing google music again, or being tied into that.

Consider NextCloud. They look very promising, you can get a VPS or host your own. Photo backups to server, email storage, office collaboration, plus, plus, plus. I wish I had the time to try them out fully.

Darude34: ... I just dont like being locked into ios. ... It does sound tricky, and to me I think there is definitely a gap in the market right now. Unless its just me that feels this way? Personally I have had enough of these "big corps" ...

You are not the only one. It is tricky & thus my comment about "coding my own" above.

Please keep this GZ community vibrant by contributing in a constructive & respectful manner.

Darude34

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#2168837 28-Jan-2019 11:49

blakamin:

Darude34:

It irritates the hell out of me though that I am not able to purchase music through the app. I have to do this via a web broswer. Its probably still the same with android?

No, you click "buy" and it opens google play store and you buy it there, then it's added to the stuff you own.

hmmm. Thats interesting. Perhaps I need to install the google android store on iphone then? I did not even know this was even possible.

Thanks everybody for the replies, lots to think about here.