Google’s Android, the world’s most widely used mobile operating system, started life as open-source software. In its quest for ever-greater profits, the tech giant has been gradually eroding Android’s open-source capacity over the last decade.

Google’s Android, the world’s most widely used mobile operating system, started life as open-source software. In its quest for ever-greater profits, the tech giant has been gradually eroding Android’s open-source nature over the last decade.

Originally published on The Lever, but that one asks you to sign up.

    • Ulrich@feddit.orgEnglish
      2·
      6 hours ago

      Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn’t. And even when it does, it still requires Google’s spyware to be installed on your device.

      • OhVenus_Baby@lemmy.mlEnglish
        1·
        4 hours ago

        Only certain apps require play services, aurora store itself requires no play services. Just the potential for the apps you are trying to use. I’ve used F-Droid and aurora for years.

        • Ulrich@feddit.orgEnglish
          2·
          3 hours ago

          I’ve used them both for years also (along with Accrescent and Obtainium). You’re not wrong, Aurora Store itself does not require Play Services, but most of the apps do. Like I said, sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn’t. The biggest problem is that you can’t receive notifications without Play Services. Even supposed “private” apps from the likes of Proton and Signal do not support UnifiedPush. Despite the Android system itself being mostly open, the vast majority of developers do not make their apps available outside of the Play Store without Google services. And many of them are now being encouraged to use proprietary attestation from Google as well. Since the vast majority of people simply do not care, the developers don’t either. The best solution I’ve found is to create a work profile and keep all the apps that require Play Services in there.

          The point is, it’s not nearly as simple or easy as it’s made out to be in the above comments, and FDroid is most certainly not a “replacement” for Google Play Store.

          • OhVenus_Baby@lemmy.mlEnglish
            1·
            3 hours ago

            I do the same thing. Keep multiple profiles and just run sandboxed play services. It works fairly well. The only exception to not having play services is if you allow the app to run unrestricted in the background to always stay connected and fetch notifs. But it does drain battery 10 to 15 percent for just signal throughout the day depending so I can imagine it grows as you were to do that with more and more apps.