this post was submitted on 04 Sep 2025
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E: apparently it needs to be said that I am not suggesting you switch to Linux on your phone today; just that development needs to accelerate.

Android has always been a fairly open platform, especially if you were deliberate about getting it that way, but we've seen in recent months an extremely rapid devolution of the Android ecosystem:

  1. The closing of development of an increasing number of components in AOSP.
  2. Samsung, Xiaomi and OnePlus have removed the option of bootloader unlocking on all of their devices. I suspect Google is not far behind.
  3. Google implementing Play Integrity API and encouraging developers to implement it. Notably the EU's own identity verification wallet requires this, in stark contrast to their own laws and policies, despite the protest of hundreds on Github.
  4. And finally, the mandatory implementation of developer verification across Android systems. Yes, if you're running a 3rd-party OS like GOS you won't be directly affected by this, but it will impact 99.9% of devices, and I foresee many open source developers just opting out of developing apps for Android entirely as a result. We've already seen SyncThing simply discontinue development for this reason, citing issues with Google Play Store. They've also repeatedly denied updates for NextCloud with no explanation, only restoring it after mass outcry. And we've already seen Google targeting any software intended to circumvent ads, labeling them in the system as "dangerous" and "untrusted". This will most certainly carry into their new "verification" system.

Google once competed with Apple for customers. But in a world where Google walks away from the biggest antitrust trial since 1998 with yet another slap on the wrist, competition is dead, and Google is taking notes from Apple about what they can legally get away with.

Android as we know it is dead. And/or will be dead very soon. We need an open replacement.

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[–] Auli@lemmy.ca 3 points 9 hours ago (1 children)

I don't get it. I've never been addicted to my phone. It's just something I can look stuff up on listen to music and maybe remote to my server. Oh also navigation I used that every day when working.

[–] dreaper@lemmy.ml 3 points 9 hours ago (1 children)

Music? Get an MP3 player. Navigation? Get a paper map. Want less stress? Learn to not rely on a smartphone. This is what people fail to understand. People functioned before smartphones were even a thing. People, especially younger people are just too conditioned to think outside the box.

Or, continue to deal with the smartphone rat race. It's that simple.

[–] bridgeenjoyer@sh.itjust.works 3 points 8 hours ago (1 children)

Is funny, if you talk about an iPod or even cds nowadays people think youre about 10,000 years old. There was literally nothing wrong with that tech and it kept us away from corpo prying eyes and social media addiction.

[–] dreaper@lemmy.ml 2 points 33 minutes ago (1 children)

Well, I don't care what people think. I chose it (a flip phone and MP3 Player) for my peace of mind these days.

If they want to be big tech pawns and continue their circle jerk of drama, like the original poster, then that's fine. And if people I engage with in public can't be bothered to pick up the phone like a normal person to talk, then I just move on. Because clearly, they'll never step outside of their smartphone. Not that you really can engage socially with those people to begin with; as they are so addicted. Just like the drug addicts.

[–] bridgeenjoyer@sh.itjust.works 1 points 11 minutes ago

You and I definitely think the same. I've said the same to my friends that continue to slurp up corptube media and have no problem with it. Gross.