7 ms·

Google Maps is fully compatible with MicroG, a free and open source replacement for the Google Play Services client. MicroG includes UnifiedNlp, which was discu

Google Maps is fully compatible with MicroG, a free and open source replacement for the Google Play Services client. MicroG includes UnifiedNlp, which was discussed in the blog post. https://microg.org/ https://microg.org/ https://lineage.microg.org/ https://lineage.microg.org/ At the moment, I recommend the previous version of MicroG (0.2.6.13280) since the latest version (0.2.7.17455) may have compatibility issues. If you're using LineageOS for MicroG, builds on or before June 2 use the previous version. NewPipe is like YouTube, but also with a background music player, a video/audio downloader, and no ads. It also supports SoundCloud. https://newpipe.schabi.org/ https://newpipe.schabi.org/ You can use NewPipe regardless of whether you are using LineageOS or MicroG. It's not available in the Google Play Store (or the iOS App Store) for obvious reasons, but you can download it for any Android device from F-Droid.

VvR-Ox 7y ago
NewPipe is one of "THE APPS" that make me regret a bit that I had to move to iOS again. The possibility to just download and listen offline and also to create playlists without an account are awesome.
- olah_1 7y ago
  Just sharing Invidious (website version of NewPipe). It's amazing. https://invidio.us/ https://invidio.us/ https://github.com/omarroth/invidious https://github.com/omarroth/invidious
  - VvR-Ox 7y ago
    Thank you very much for sharing! I'm afraid atm it doesn't work for me (iPhone SE - iOS 12.3.1 - Firefox & Safari). Nevertheless their work is awesome and the idea to aggregate all the things and let user's enjoy them without having to promise their first-born to providers is just amazing ^_^
    - omarroth 7y ago
      Would you mind providing some more details on what issues you're encountering?
      - VvR-Ox 7y ago
        The message I get is "The media could not be loaded, either because the server or network failed or because the format is not supported". It appears in the square where the video would appear (firefox & safari). It also seems to be in a loop, reloading the page on and on with this result. The result is the same with mobile internet as with my home connection.
        omarroth 7y ago
        If there is an instance[0] in your region, I expect that will work better for you. Otherwise you might try adding `&local=true` to the end of the video URL or enabling "Proxy videos?" in your preferences. [0]. https://github.com/omarroth/invidious/wiki/Invidious-Instances https://github.com/omarroth/invidious/wiki/Invidious-Instanc...
        VvR-Ox 7y ago
        Wow thank you very much - the regional server did it! :-D
Youden 7y ago
> Google Maps is fully compatible with MicroG, a free and open source replacement for the Google Play Services client. MicroG includes UnifiedNlp, which was discussed in the blog post. Google Maps can get its location from MicroG but in my experience it isn't even close to fully functional. Basic things like searching for a location or asking for directions just result in endless spinning.
- commoner 7y ago
  Have you tried it recently? The most recent version of Google Maps works without any issues for me.
  - Youden 7y ago
    Yep, everything I have is up to date. Might be device/ROM dependent?
    - commoner 7y ago
      MicroG's latest version (0.2.7.17455) switched to Mapbox for map rendering. MicroG's implementation of Mapbox is currently buggy, although the performance is much improved. This version should have been marked as a preview release, in my view, since it's not stable enough for use. Can you try the previous version (0.2.6.13280)? If you're using LineageOS for MicroG, the latest build on or before June 2 contains the previous version.
kbit 7y ago
SkyTube is another free YouTube client which works really well. One feature I am very fond of (not sure if NewPipe has that as well?) is 'subscribing' to channels through a local database, without a YouTube account.
- ayoisaiah 7y ago
  Can confirm that NewPipe has this feature
amelius 7y ago
> Google Maps is fully compatible with MicroG You mean it is still fully compatible with MicroG. Guess what will happen when the OS becomes popular.
- SXX 7y ago
  MicroG is not an OS, but open source reimplementation of Google APIs and make usage of Google backend optional when possible (e.g push notifications). So unless Google going to drop support for all older Android versions in Maps it's all going to be alright.
3xblah 7y ago
With the phones I have tested, Google Maps does not require a working Google Play Store. It makes sense that replacing Play Store would have no effect.
- commoner 7y ago
  Google Maps doesn't require the Google Play Store, but it does require Google Play Services (like most Google apps). https://developer.android.com/distribute/play-services/ https://developer.android.com/distribute/play-services/ https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.gms&hl=en_US https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.and... MicroG can replace the Google Play Services requirement for Google Maps. To download Google Maps without the official Google Play Store client, you can use the free and open source Aurora Store: https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.dragons.aurora/ https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.dragons.aurora/
  - 3xblah 7y ago
    "Google Maps doesn't require Google Play Store, but it does require Google Play Services..." On the phones I have tested Google Maps works with Google Play Services turned off.
    - commoner 7y ago
      Google Maps is marked as dependent on the Google Services Framework, but it clearly doesn't use the same map tile rendering system that MicroG uses. I guess Google Play Services is only used for the logged-in features, which privacy-conscious users would avoid.
      - 3xblah 7y ago
        This could be the explanation. I never log in. :) Irrespective of privacy, I am just not interested in the personalisation or, e.g., reading email on a phone.
        7y ago
izacus 7y ago
MicroG talks to Google servers and uses Google's infrastructure while breaking the terms of service (at least in case of FCM). Same goes with NewPipe - you're using YouTube without actually paying for bandwidth, storage costs or the video author. So you're not actually getting yourself rid of Google or tracking, you're just using their resources without paying the asking price. Use other alternatives instead.
- JetSpiegel 7y ago
  > you're using YouTube without actually paying for bandwidth NewPipe actually saves bandwidth when you listen to audio only. As I recall, it parses the HTML and doesn't download the wasteful video stream, if you want just the audio. Google should thank NewPipe users for their responsible use of their free resource.
- commoner 7y ago
  Similar arguments have been employed against ad blocking. Users should be aware of the ramifications of their software decisions, but whether someone should download and use Google Play Services vs. MicroG, YouTube vs. NewPipe, etc. is the user's choice. From a privacy perspective, MicroG and NewPipe are much less intrusive than Google Play Service and YouTube, because the open source apps send less user data to Google.
  - izacus 7y ago
    That would be fine if they'd be clean reimplementations of an API using their own backends. But advertising services which abuse SaaS infrastructure of a company is just not ok, especially in an article that's all about not using anything from Google. I'd feel similarly about having someone advertise a way to crack Slack enterprise features instead of using something like Matternmost.
    - bennofs 7y ago
      But using FCM is enforced by apps. If they would roll their own, no app would work.
diafygi 7y ago
Do you have a recommendation for a phone that has a <=5" screen that is supported by LineageOS and MicroG? It seems like most of the well supported phones are too big to comfortably fit in my pocket.
- sm4rk0 7y ago
  I used Moto X (1st gen) with LineageOS (Marshmallow) and microG until I broke it this May. It has a 4.7" AMOLED and 2GB RAM. CPU has only two 1.7GHz cores, but it did its job quite well even after 5 years.
- jasonjayr 7y ago
  I struggled for a long time to find a useful recommendation. I finally arrived at a way of figuring it out: Check their stats: https://stats.lineageos.org/ https://stats.lineageos.org/ Pick your country on the right, then lookup the models listed at the left from most popular to least popular. The phones that are the most popular stand the chance of being the most stable, and best supported. I finally arrived @ "nash", which is more commonly known as the "Moto Z Force" (https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/nash https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/nash). You'll have to copy/paste the code names to their devices wiki to get the specs. I got one second hand with some wear for about US$100 on ebay. It was easy to unlock, and I'm fairly impressed with how it works with Lineage thus far (About 2-3 months as my only phone). It's 6" tall, I'm not sure the diagonal, but it fits comfortably in my pockets. I added a case since it's super thin otherwise. #3 in the US is https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/klte https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/klte @ 5.59" tall ...
  - lake99 7y ago
    Thank you! I'm on the lookout for a new phone supported by LOS. This will come in very handy.
- commoner 7y ago
  I personally recommend the first-generation Google Pixel XL (marlin), which costs under $100 used on eBay. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pixel_(smartphone) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pixel_(smartphone) With MicroG, Google Camera works as it does on stock Android. Most phones on LineageOS aren't able to use their stock camera app, which results in reduced camera quality compared to stock Android. The Pixel/Nexus line, ironically, is the main exception. Google Camera isn't available on F-Droid or Yalp/Aurora Store, but you can download it from APKMirror: https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/google-inc/camera https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/google-inc/camera (APKMirror is operated by Android Police, so it's a trusted site.)
OrgNet 7y ago
if you tell your web browser to request the desktop version of youtube, it also can be used as a background music player

VvR-Ox 7y ago

NewPipe is one of "THE APPS" that make me regret a bit that I had to move to iOS again. The possibility to just download and listen offline and also to create playlists without an account are awesome.

olah_1 7y ago
Just sharing Invidious (website version of NewPipe). It's amazing. https://invidio.us/ https://invidio.us/ https://github.com/omarroth/invidious https://github.com/omarroth/invidious
- VvR-Ox 7y ago
  Thank you very much for sharing! I'm afraid atm it doesn't work for me (iPhone SE - iOS 12.3.1 - Firefox & Safari). Nevertheless their work is awesome and the idea to aggregate all the things and let user's enjoy them without having to promise their first-born to providers is just amazing ^_^
  - omarroth 7y ago
    Would you mind providing some more details on what issues you're encountering?
    - VvR-Ox 7y ago
      The message I get is "The media could not be loaded, either because the server or network failed or because the format is not supported". It appears in the square where the video would appear (firefox & safari). It also seems to be in a loop, reloading the page on and on with this result. The result is the same with mobile internet as with my home connection.
      - omarroth 7y ago
        If there is an instance[0] in your region, I expect that will work better for you. Otherwise you might try adding `&local=true` to the end of the video URL or enabling "Proxy videos?" in your preferences. [0]. https://github.com/omarroth/invidious/wiki/Invidious-Instances https://github.com/omarroth/invidious/wiki/Invidious-Instanc...
        VvR-Ox 7y ago
        Wow thank you very much - the regional server did it! :-D

Youden 7y ago

> Google Maps is fully compatible with MicroG, a free and open source replacement for the Google Play Services client. MicroG includes UnifiedNlp, which was discussed in the blog post. Google Maps can get its location from MicroG but in my experience it isn't even close to fully functional. Basic things like searching for a location or asking for directions just result in endless spinning.

commoner 7y ago
Have you tried it recently? The most recent version of Google Maps works without any issues for me.
- Youden 7y ago
  Yep, everything I have is up to date. Might be device/ROM dependent?
  - commoner 7y ago
    MicroG's latest version (0.2.7.17455) switched to Mapbox for map rendering. MicroG's implementation of Mapbox is currently buggy, although the performance is much improved. This version should have been marked as a preview release, in my view, since it's not stable enough for use. Can you try the previous version (0.2.6.13280)? If you're using LineageOS for MicroG, the latest build on or before June 2 contains the previous version.

kbit 7y ago

SkyTube is another free YouTube client which works really well. One feature I am very fond of (not sure if NewPipe has that as well?) is 'subscribing' to channels through a local database, without a YouTube account.

ayoisaiah 7y ago
Can confirm that NewPipe has this feature

amelius 7y ago

> Google Maps is fully compatible with MicroG You mean it is still fully compatible with MicroG. Guess what will happen when the OS becomes popular.

SXX 7y ago
MicroG is not an OS, but open source reimplementation of Google APIs and make usage of Google backend optional when possible (e.g push notifications). So unless Google going to drop support for all older Android versions in Maps it's all going to be alright.

3xblah 7y ago

With the phones I have tested, Google Maps does not require a working Google Play Store. It makes sense that replacing Play Store would have no effect.

commoner 7y ago
Google Maps doesn't require the Google Play Store, but it does require Google Play Services (like most Google apps). https://developer.android.com/distribute/play-services/ https://developer.android.com/distribute/play-services/ https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.gms&hl=en_US https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.and... MicroG can replace the Google Play Services requirement for Google Maps. To download Google Maps without the official Google Play Store client, you can use the free and open source Aurora Store: https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.dragons.aurora/ https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.dragons.aurora/
- 3xblah 7y ago
  "Google Maps doesn't require Google Play Store, but it does require Google Play Services..." On the phones I have tested Google Maps works with Google Play Services turned off.
  - commoner 7y ago
    Google Maps is marked as dependent on the Google Services Framework, but it clearly doesn't use the same map tile rendering system that MicroG uses. I guess Google Play Services is only used for the logged-in features, which privacy-conscious users would avoid.
    - 3xblah 7y ago
      This could be the explanation. I never log in. :) Irrespective of privacy, I am just not interested in the personalisation or, e.g., reading email on a phone.
      - 7y ago

izacus 7y ago

MicroG talks to Google servers and uses Google's infrastructure while breaking the terms of service (at least in case of FCM). Same goes with NewPipe - you're using YouTube without actually paying for bandwidth, storage costs or the video author. So you're not actually getting yourself rid of Google or tracking, you're just using their resources without paying the asking price. Use other alternatives instead.

JetSpiegel 7y ago
> you're using YouTube without actually paying for bandwidth NewPipe actually saves bandwidth when you listen to audio only. As I recall, it parses the HTML and doesn't download the wasteful video stream, if you want just the audio. Google should thank NewPipe users for their responsible use of their free resource.
commoner 7y ago
Similar arguments have been employed against ad blocking. Users should be aware of the ramifications of their software decisions, but whether someone should download and use Google Play Services vs. MicroG, YouTube vs. NewPipe, etc. is the user's choice. From a privacy perspective, MicroG and NewPipe are much less intrusive than Google Play Service and YouTube, because the open source apps send less user data to Google.
- izacus 7y ago
  That would be fine if they'd be clean reimplementations of an API using their own backends. But advertising services which abuse SaaS infrastructure of a company is just not ok, especially in an article that's all about not using anything from Google. I'd feel similarly about having someone advertise a way to crack Slack enterprise features instead of using something like Matternmost.
  - bennofs 7y ago
    But using FCM is enforced by apps. If they would roll their own, no app would work.

diafygi 7y ago

Do you have a recommendation for a phone that has a <=5" screen that is supported by LineageOS and MicroG? It seems like most of the well supported phones are too big to comfortably fit in my pocket.

sm4rk0 7y ago
I used Moto X (1st gen) with LineageOS (Marshmallow) and microG until I broke it this May. It has a 4.7" AMOLED and 2GB RAM. CPU has only two 1.7GHz cores, but it did its job quite well even after 5 years.
jasonjayr 7y ago
I struggled for a long time to find a useful recommendation. I finally arrived at a way of figuring it out: Check their stats: https://stats.lineageos.org/ https://stats.lineageos.org/ Pick your country on the right, then lookup the models listed at the left from most popular to least popular. The phones that are the most popular stand the chance of being the most stable, and best supported. I finally arrived @ "nash", which is more commonly known as the "Moto Z Force" (https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/nash https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/nash). You'll have to copy/paste the code names to their devices wiki to get the specs. I got one second hand with some wear for about US$100 on ebay. It was easy to unlock, and I'm fairly impressed with how it works with Lineage thus far (About 2-3 months as my only phone). It's 6" tall, I'm not sure the diagonal, but it fits comfortably in my pockets. I added a case since it's super thin otherwise. #3 in the US is https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/klte https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/klte @ 5.59" tall ...
- lake99 7y ago
  Thank you! I'm on the lookout for a new phone supported by LOS. This will come in very handy.
commoner 7y ago
I personally recommend the first-generation Google Pixel XL (marlin), which costs under $100 used on eBay. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pixel_(smartphone) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pixel_(smartphone) With MicroG, Google Camera works as it does on stock Android. Most phones on LineageOS aren't able to use their stock camera app, which results in reduced camera quality compared to stock Android. The Pixel/Nexus line, ironically, is the main exception. Google Camera isn't available on F-Droid or Yalp/Aurora Store, but you can download it from APKMirror: https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/google-inc/camera https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/google-inc/camera (APKMirror is operated by Android Police, so it's a trusted site.)

OrgNet 7y ago

if you tell your web browser to request the desktop version of youtube, it also can be used as a background music player