Murena’s /e/ OS is arguably probably the most mainstream de-Googled Android OS, and the brand new model catches up with necessary options.
It’s practically 40 years for the reason that Useless Kennedys flipped Patrick Henry’s 1775 speech and advised the deal to which most cell system customers mainly agree: Give Me Convenience Or Give Me Death. Should you do not settle for that proposition, then there aren’t all that many choices obtainable to you – and /e/ OS is likely one of the extra polished ones.
The /e/ Foundation takes Android and strips out all of Google’s monitoring, changing chunks of the OS with FOSS replacements, to create /e/ OS. Business sponsor Murena sells fondleslabs with it pre-installed – together with refurbished devices. In 2022, we looked at the Murena One, considered one of its comparatively early telephone fashions. Extra not too long ago, the corporate loaned us a de-Googled Pixel tablet with /e/ OS 2.7.
/e/ OS 3 displaying its split-screen multitasking view, full with fancy button-bar-cum-dock – click on to enlarge
Now /e/ OS 3.0 is offered adopted by version 3.0.1, which fastened a crash for customers who chosen each the always-on VPN and the choice to cover the system’s IP deal with.
Model 3 is a function launch reasonably than a significant change within the underlying know-how. It brings some welcome new options, however of us used to regular pocket information siphons is perhaps shocked that they’re novelties. As an illustration, it has parental controls, with 5 totally different age brackets from toddler to teen, and the power to demand a passcode earlier than app set up. If that does not sound necessary, The Reg FOSS desk’s offspring is bilingual however nonetheless too younger to learn fluently but – however is completely in a position to unlock and function their dad and mom’ telephones, even managing to put in new apps.
/e/ OS 3 additionally has built-in privateness studies, so you’ll be able to see which apps are spying on you. The highest offenders are listed on a Wall of Disgrace. On this frivolously used pill, we had 5 entrants with 256 leaks between them.
The bundled Browser app has been up to date to version 135 and now defaults to Murena’s personal privacy-centric search engine, Murena Find, powered by Qwant. There is a Find My Device feature, accessed even with out information by sending an SMS – as long as the system has an energetic SIM or eSIM.
Murena’s Workspace providing is again after the extended outage The Register covered in February, and now consists of an encrypted file storage space known as Murena Vault. A modest primary account is free, with a gigabyte of file storage. Premium accounts begin at €1.99 a month. In addition to extra storage, this consists of further options similar to hands-free speech-to-text support.
The options are good, however removed from state-of-the-art. Similar with the software program beneath. /e/ OS relies on Lineage OS, particularly version 21. This was launched in February 2024, though this model consists of the May Android security update.
However the level right here is to not be state-of-the-art. The purpose is to manage and handle the appalling privateness options of most modern pocket spying devices – each to neutralize the built-in options that monitor and monitor you, and that will help you restrict the habits of apps you add. To this vulture, that is particularly interesting after the current revelation of Facebook’s Android tracking tech. We’re effectively conscious, although, that we’re outliers right here. We proceed to be horrified and baffled by buddies putting in spy microphones all through their house, which is seemingly preferable to struggling the agony of working mild switches, or urgent buttons on the distant management of a stereo.
There are different options on the market. You might purchase one thing much more locked-down, similar to Punkt’s MC02. You might purchase the highly repairable Fairphone, which is available preloaded with /e/ OS (Fairphone 6 is claimed to be launching later this month). For the same value, for those who’re glad to drive GNOME, you possibly can buy a Linux phone.
If, like this vulture, you are a cheapskate want to make use of viable older {hardware}, then you possibly can take one of many units supported by Android-free alternative postmarketOS – we’re at present testing such a tool and can report again quickly.
Nevertheless, /e/ OS is a little bit simpler and extra simple. On the time of writing, the list of supported smartphones has 221 fashions going again to devices from 2016.
Utilizing a de-Googled Android system is a little bit bit like utilizing desktop Linux. It’s unavoidably a little bit clunky in locations, and a few issues which are simple on industrial choices both do not work or require extra effort to arrange. However, identical to Ubuntu, it seems to be fairly, it really works, and it does the job. Actually, a comparability with Linux Mint could also be extra apt. It not solely does the job, but it surely additionally does the job and in a extra acquainted method. ®
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