Floaty Birb

I don't want an #apple or #google #smartphone, but I need a mobile device that can use #signal, send text messages, be reasonably anonymous and (ideally) browse wikipedia.

What is my least bad option at the moment?

Mar 22 at 12:31amWeb
Show threadJohn ConwayMar 22
@floatybirb maybe a Volla phone with Ubuntu Touch? https://volla.online/en/volla-phone-plinius/
Volla Phone Plinius | Volla Devices

Volla Devices
Show threadFloaty BirbMar 22
@john I'm looking at it, looks a bit pricey though
Show threadJohn ConwayMar 22
@floatybirb non spyware phones usually are. It’s still cheaper than the cheapest iPhone.
Show threadSamUpstate (he/him)Mar 22
@john that looks awesome. Will it work in the US?
Show threaddaughter of lilith Mar 22
@floatybirb anything with GrapheneOS on it, the pixel a series is very nice
Show threadFloaty BirbMar 22
@marta is GrapheneOS a thing I would have to sideload or install myself
Show threaddaughter of lilith Mar 22
@floatybirb yes but it's very easy, you just enable unlocking the bootloader in the phone's settings, connect it to a computer and click a button on their website and it installs itself
Show threadMarc TriusMar 22
@floatybirb I got a pixel 7 with graphene preinstalled on eBay for less than $200
@marta
Show threaddaughter of lilith Mar 22
@alter_kaker @floatybirb that sounds sketchy
Show threadMarc TriusMar 22
@marta what's sketchy about it? I've had this phone for months now, am using it right now
@floatybirb
Show threaddaughter of lilith Mar 22
@alter_kaker @floatybirb i'd not want a stranger install my operating system that's supposed to be extremely secure, seems like a security gap

But I guess as long as you've checked if the hash is matching the official one it should be good
Show threadMarc TriusMar 22
@marta mhm. We all have to weigh our compromises based on our threat model 😊
@floatybirb
Show threadMarc TriusMar 22

@marta OK now that I've proved that I know fancy words like threat model, verifying the checksum sounds like a great idea 😅

Either way I think that it's important to have room for a variety of constraints—that's why we have to compromise... And since @floatybirb asked, I assumed that installing it themselves is an issue for them.

Show threadTom StonehamMar 22

@floatybirb I am sure others have said this, but I can't see any replies.

Get a Pixel 5 (nice hardware), install GraohenOS, and download Signal direct from their website. Or use Molly which you can get through GOS. Both of them have web socket connections for notifications so you don't need to rely on Google/Apple for push.