Ask HN: Is there a real alternative to Android/iOS?

Posted by lormayna on Monday August 16, 2021 @04:33PM
from the ask-hn dept.

Hello everyone, I am wondering if there is a reliable alternative to Android or iOS. I would like to improve my privacy and share less data with 3rd parties.

I was thinking about buying a KaiOS phone, but it seems that the performance are very low and the platform seems to have lot of limitations.

What do you guys suggest?

( 15 comments | 13 points | on HN )

Re:Ask HN: Is there a real alternative to Android/iOS? by pwason on Monday August 16, 2021 @04:44PM (#28202715)

Sailfish? https://sailfishos.org/ Purism? https://shop.puri.sm/shop/librem-5/

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Is there a real alternative to Android/iOS? by lormayna on Monday August 16, 2021 @05:35PM (#28203264)

> Sailfish

Interesting, but it's an after market modding.

> Purism

Incredible high price

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Is there a real alternative to Android/iOS? by helph67 on Monday August 16, 2021 @05:33PM (#28203250)

Perhaps PinePhone? https://wiki.pine64.org/index.php/PinePhone You may be interested in this article. https://www.pcmag.com/news/google-free-android-smartphones-a...

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Is there a real alternative to Android/iOS? by cryogenicplanet on Tuesday August 17, 2021 @08:32PM (#28216416)

Saw CalxyOs recently, it is build on top of Android but is unbundled from Google. And fakes Google play services so you can actually use apps.

Haven't tried it personally and it only works on pixel devices but looks cool

More info in the video below https://youtu.be/qTtgzNGRAfA

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Is there a real alternative to Android/iOS? by websap on Tuesday August 17, 2021 @03:44PM (#28214002)

Is Apple still going ahead with this plan? Even after all the backlash? Can rooted iphones stop the image scanning process?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Is there a real alternative to Android/iOS? by certeoun on Wednesday August 18, 2021 @03:20AM (#28218464)

I didn't see any real backtracking from them. Last time I checked, they tried to downplay the impact of their new measures on privacy.

So apparently, there is currently CalyxOs that works with Pixel phones and Pop!_OS. Pop!_OS is an alternative to Windows or macOS. I believe that Microsoft does the same thing with its telemetry services.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Is there a real alternative to Android/iOS? by giantg2 on Monday August 16, 2021 @05:45PM (#28203352)

I heard e/OS is deGoogled Android. That might be a good starting point if you still want a lot of compatibility. Of course you have to be careful with the permissions you give any apps you install.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Is there a real alternative to Android/iOS? by 2rsf on Tuesday August 17, 2021 @05:40AM (#28207918)

How much data is shared by the phone/OS itself vs applications you install? maybe buy a Pixel, disable as much unwanted features as you can and DON'T install unnecessary apps?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Is there a real alternative to Android/iOS? by lormayna on Tuesday August 17, 2021 @05:43AM (#28207943)

I would like to remove my dependency from Google, then Pixel is not the best solution.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Is there a real alternative to Android/iOS? by approxim8ion on Tuesday August 17, 2021 @07:08AM (#28208557)

Depends how willing you are to tinker. You could get Graphene/CalyxOS on a Pixel and move as far away from Google as you like, at your own (in)convenience.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Is there a real alternative to Android/iOS? by tbihl on Monday August 16, 2021 @10:04PM (#28205283)

Graphene is the one that seems most functional to me. Just remember that you will take a loss on features, or else everyone would do it.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Is there a real alternative to Android/iOS? by lax4ever on Monday August 16, 2021 @05:41PM (#28203312)

LineageOS is another option https://lineageos.org/

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Is there a real alternative to Android/iOS? by bodqhrohro on Tuesday August 17, 2021 @07:33AM (#28208737)

> the platform seems to have lot of limitations

GerdaOS for the way.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Is there a real alternative to Android/iOS? by lormayna on Wednesday August 18, 2021 @11:20AM (#28222386)

Did you try it? It seems a really interesting idea.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Is there a real alternative to Android/iOS? by bodqhrohro on Wednesday August 18, 2021 @12:07PM (#28223252)

Nope, though I communicated a lot with the Ukrainian hacker who started the project and the whole bananahackers community.

My primary phone is from 00s, running a proprietary ENEA OSE operating system, and I have no reason to change it. Though if I'll have to, I'll consider something KaiOS-based or Android-based with a keypad, like Nokia 800 Tough, Discovery A17 or Snopow M2. Ideally with a GNU/Linux port available, bananahackers are digging into this direction too.

[ Parent | on HN ]