88

This isn't an iOS vs. Android thread, although I'm aware this might come off that way to some. I've been using Android phones since the Galaxy S4 and at the time it felt like Android was far and ahead the best smartphone OS at the time. It was objectively better than iOS in 2010 in just about every metric apart from UI fluidity.

I'm not so sure about that any more. I still do prefer Android - the UI, the customizability, the ability to sideload apps, etc. That said, why is it that every single time Android gets a feature that truly makes the phone more usable, Google goes ahead and guts that functionality, only for Apple to actually give a shit about that feature a few years later and do it way better.

Just off the top of my head, I can't believe Google screwed up:

  • Android Beam
  • Google Now on Tap (not to mention all the things it did that Google Assistant can't)
  • Hangouts (not necessarily Android but it could have easily been better than iMessage)
  • Nearby Notifications
  • Android @ Home
  • Bump!

I get that Google as a company is out to make money, but do they really have to shut down any functionality that isn't directly generating revenue?

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] Anti_Weeb_Penguin@lemmy.world 8 points 1 year ago

Yeah, this is why i want to have a linux phone sometimes...

[-] JackGreenEarth@lemm.ee 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Can you even do that? Do you need a custom ROM written specifically for the device?

I thought Android was based on Linux anyway.

[-] d3Xt3r@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago

Yep, you can install Linux on a phone, depending on the model and if someone's made a custom Linux ROM for it - you can't just download a Linux distro and install it directly, because this is the ARM architecture and the way it boots and the way drivers are handled is quite different from PCs (x86 architecture), which is why you need a custom Linux ROM with the bootloader, drivers, config etc all baked in.

PostmarketOS is one such ROM/distro, and you can install it on some popular phones like the OnePlus 6/6T, but there may be some limitations, such as the camera not working etc. It would be better to instead buy a phone that explicitly supports Linux, such as the Pinephone, the FxTec Pro1, some Sony Xperia phones (SailfishOS), or Planet PDA phones like the Gemini/Cosmo Communicator.

[-] Dave@lemdro.id 1 points 1 year ago

Don't forget the FairPhone

load more comments (1 replies)
load more comments (6 replies)
load more comments (6 replies)
this post was submitted on 14 Jul 2023
88 points (97.8% liked)

Ask Android

2070 readers
2 users here now

A place to ask your questions and seek help related to your Android device and the Android ecosystem.

Whether you're looking for app recommendations, phone buying advice, or want to explore rooting and tutorials, this is the place for you!

Rules
  1. Be descriptive: Help us help you by providing as many details as you can.
  2. Be patient: You're getting free help from Internet strangers, so you may have to wait for an answer.
  3. Be helpful: If someone asks you for more information, tell us what you can. If someone asks you for a screenshot, please provide one!
  4. Be nice: Treat others with respect, even if you don't agree with their advice. Accordingly, you should expect others to be nice to you as well. Report intentionally rude answers.
  5. No piracy: Sharing or discussing pirated content is strictly prohibited. Do not ask others for a paid app or about how to acquire one.
  6. No affiliate/marketing links: Posting affiliate links is not allowed.
  7. No URL shorteners: These can hide the true location of the page and lead people to malicious places.
  8. No lockscreen bypasses: Please do not comment, link, or assist with bypassing lock screens or factory reset protection.
  9. No cross-posting: Please take the time to make a proper post instead of cross-posting.
Other Communities

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS