Philip Durbin (Mar 10 2026 at 01:12): Philip Durbin (Mar 10 2026 at 01:12):I know we've mentioned how Android is closing its walls, but I thought I'd kick off this Keep Android Open topic an link to their website: https://keepandroidopen.org
Philip Durbin (Mar 10 2026 at 01:13):"You, the consumer, purchased your Android device believing in Google’s promise that it was an open computing platform and that you could run whatever software you choose on it."
Philip Durbin (Mar 10 2026 at 01:13):"You, the creator, can no longer develop an app and share it directly with your friends, family, and community without first seeking Google’s approval. The promise of Android — and a marketing advantage it has used to distinguish itself against the iPhone — has always been that it is “open”."
Philip Durbin (Mar 10 2026 at 01:14):It does feel like a broken promise to me.
Philip Durbin (Mar 10 2026 at 01:15):Here's the original announcement: https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2025/08/elevating-android-security.html
Philip Durbin (Mar 10 2026 at 01:16):"F-Droid is under threat." -- https://f-droid.org
Philip Durbin (Mar 10 2026 at 01:16):"Android, currently an open platform where anyone can develop and distribute applications freely, is to become a locked-down platform, requiring that developers everywhere register centrally with Google in order to be able to distribute their software." -- https://f-droid.org/en/2026/02/24/open-letter-opposing-developer-verification.html
Shane Robertson (Mar 10 2026 at 16:05):This is why I'm excited for GrapheneOS. While it's in no way perfect, it's a much more approachable replacement for the google-focused android ecosystem. Really hoping that Motorola's partnership is a sign of good things to come
Shane Robertson (Mar 10 2026 at 16:08):Worst-case, we've always got Pine-phone and/or postmarketOS
Dan (Mar 14 2026 at 22:49):You referring to the Motorola deal with GrapheneOS @Shane Robertson ?
Shane Robertson (Mar 14 2026 at 22:50):Yeppers. Admittedly still not sure how I feel about it but I am trying to be optimistic. Motorola has had a decent track-record as far as I recall
Dan (Mar 14 2026 at 22:51):The FDroid guy told me at FSF40 that it's still really bad that the number of users exposed to Free options will be dramatically reduced. Even if some of us can get GrapheneOS phones.
Shane Robertson (Mar 14 2026 at 22:55):Agreed, it will definitely be a gut punch (or maybe a shiv?) to software freedom even with the partnership Motorola and GrapheneOS have. The good news is the less-tech-savvy people around me are now getting annoyed with all these changes. My mom has been talking about buying a European phone and she has very little experience with tech. So I think word is spreading even outside of our little tech spheres!
Shane Robertson (Mar 14 2026 at 22:57):Again though, I err to the side of optimism against my own best interest
Last updated: Apr 04 2026 at 05:55 UTC