Android 17 is the first since 3.x to add new APIs without releasing to the AOSP

Re:Android 17 is the first since 3.x to add new APIs without... by escanor on Saturday September 19, 2026 @12:59AM (#49763448)

I don't buy into the "good guy" narrative associated with GrapheneOS. The complaint is valid, but the solution isn't to keep using AOSP. GrapheneOS project, for all its merits, limits users' freedom by forcing them to install Google services if they want to use the most common apps (banking apps in Europe, government apps). They absolutely refuse to support microG. That's their choice, but in my opinion, they aren't "good guys." They have other, shady (imo), interests. Let's stop supporting AOSP and Google's proprietary services.

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Re:Android 17 is the first since 3.x to add new APIs without... by chrismartin on Saturday September 19, 2026 @01:10AM (#49763508)

Which "other, shady (imo)" interests? This feels like innuendo. Just say what you think actually motivates them.

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Re:Android 17 is the first since 3.x to add new APIs without... by escanor on Saturday September 19, 2026 @03:02AM (#49764081)

That's just my perception, therefore "imo". I tried GOS, I've read the forum (about microG, F-Droid) and that's what I've felt: something shady. It is most likely just me, so I stay away from the project. I just wanted to say that people should take a more critical stance on these issues, and not follow GrapheneOS point of view unconditionally.

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Re:Android 17 is the first since 3.x to add new APIs without... by ysnp on Saturday September 19, 2026 @06:44AM (#49765326)

GrapheneOS have discussed and explored replacing Google Play/Google Mobile Services functionality with equivalent or open source replacements. See: eSIM management, location services, push notifications et cetera. What they have refused is bundling a privileged component (for full Google Services functionality/compatibility) and enabling signature spoofing support.

GrapheneOS also heavily promote the use of open source Android apps. What they refuse is having app stores that reuse app package names, centralise the signing of app packages, perform reproducible builds on outdated infrastructure, significantly delay app updates et cetera.

I cannot deny your opinion, but just want to suggest that from my understanding GrapheneOS are not against microG and F-Droid as concepts, just against their current implementations.

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Re:Android 17 is the first since 3.x to add new APIs without... by TeMPOraL on Saturday September 19, 2026 @08:58AM (#49766215)

Maybe there is nothing shady about them at all. They're security maximalists, even more so than Google and Apple, and they're very open about that.

From which follows that, just like Google and Apple, they must protect your device from yourself, and therefore they too won't let you own your device.

For me, it's not shady in any way - it's just the same stuff as the Big Two, just with different branding and different organization behind it.

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Re:Android 17 is the first since 3.x to add new APIs without... by Sent1n3l on Saturday September 19, 2026 @02:35PM (#49769042)

Says people should take a critical stance on GrapheneOS while providing no actual basis other than 'my feels' 'I've got a tingling' or 'my stomach made an unusual noise when I thought about it' as their position to smear it.

If I was reading this critically I'd say you have an axe to grind and want to continue to show why HN is a useless source of news or content.

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