Luca WeissSep 4, 2023

The Software Longevity Team at Fairphone (which I'm part of 😀) is excited to announce that today, following the Fairphone 5 launch, we are also releasing the source code for its Android 13 operating system.

You can find instructions for browsing, viewing and downloading the source code on https://code.fairphone.com. The source tree contains all Android and Linux kernel sources that we can publish, excluding some proprietary components.

For more details see: https://forum.fairphone.com/t/fairphone-5-source-code-release/99616

Open Source at Fairphone — Fairphone Open Source

Show threadHugo 雨果Sep 4, 2023
@z3ntu I hope that this phone will be available unlocked without having to sign up with Google and ask Google for their permissions! 🙏
Show threadMartin 🧀Sep 4, 2023
@whynothugo already the case, check out Murena
Show threadAionoSep 4, 2023

@mart_e
I didn't fully research but Murena seems also incorporates their own cloud stuff and it's not vanilla AOSP. Why would I move away from a company to another?

I know not all companies are the same for respect of privacy but essentially what I want is vanilla Android with no bloat. Murena doesn't seem to provide that if I understand correctly. Which means I pay for stuff I don't want.
@whynothugo

Show threadMartin 🧀Sep 4, 2023

@aiono I dn't use it so can't really answer for sure but Murena replaces Google stuff by their own.
As explained by @z3ntu users have expectations of what they are able to use.
https://fosstodon.org/@z3ntu/111006582748280626

Many apps rely on Google services and will just not work if you don't have a compatibility layer. Murena offers one.
If you want to go fully 0% Google services, you need to get your hands dirty and accept a lot of broken apps.

Luca Weiss (@[email protected])

@whynothugo As @[email protected] wrote, you can also buy the phone preinstalled with /e/OS from Murena where you never have to touch this Google code if you wish. But GMS is just something expected by at least 99% of users so it's practically impossible to ship an Android phone without it. Huawei tried and invested many many millions if not billions into building an alternative ecosystem and get apps on board and I think they have even been half successful with that.

Fosstodon
Show threadAionoSep 4, 2023

@mart_e @z3ntu

I like the part of Murena where it provides compatibility layer.

However, it also comes with cloud solution + account stuff (don't know if I need one) which I don't want. I manage my own cloud instance.

I just want a solution that is as plain as AOSP gets + open source Google services alternative (maybe microG works good enough?). Murena does more than what I want which means I pay for what I don't want.

Show threadLuca WeissSep 4, 2023
@aiono @mart_e So I guess for you https://lineage.microg.org/ would fit best? When (hopefully not an 'If') Fairphone 5 gets full LineageOS support, then it should also automatically get these microG builds I believe.
LineageOS for microG

Show threadAiono

@z3ntu @mart_e

If I use Lineage OS then I lose "5 year software support" Fairphone offers that I paid.

I want to do the "right thing" ethically and have a de-googled experience. But I am not rich either. I don't mind paying more if it takes more money to produce device ethically, but I mind paying more for stuff I can't/don't want to use.

For me it seems best to buy refurbished Pixel 5 from Murena or buy 2nd hand device and install /e/OS. By buying 2nd hand I don't harm environment as well.

Sep 4, 2023 at 1:27pmWeb
Show threadLuca WeissSep 4, 2023
@aiono @mart_e Yeah sure I understand that. But unfortunately it's a lot of work to maintain software and we can't make everyone happy :/
Show threadAionoSep 4, 2023

@z3ntu @mart_e

Don't get me wrong please I may sounded a bit aggressive. I really like what you are doing so please keep doing it! I think your place in phone market is very important and unique.

I understand people like me are much less than people who just want a phone that is working so it probably makes sense for Fairphone to focus on them.