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When Apple sells yet again another record amount of iPhones next quarter which device should we move to? Fundamentally this illustrates that software has becom

When Apple sells yet again another record amount of iPhones next quarter which device should we move to? Fundamentally this illustrates that software has become too inherently intrusive. What’s the solution tho that could ever be mainstream? The other issue is that software has become too complicated and too many (potentially) bad things are happening in the background. How can the layperson fight back?

nkozyra 5y ago
I think this kind of defeatism really feeds the public's lax attitude toward privacy. Yes, the iPhone and Apple products are very popular. And they will probably continue to grow. Does that mean we just accept anything they do, antithetical to one of their core promises to their customers? Or do we make a big deal about it so everyone sees what's happening and what the implications are?
- n8cpdx 5y ago
  I've been making a big stink about it. I switched to Signal for my iMessage buddies and that seems to be sticking. The more people seen visibly taking proactive steps to create privacy, the better.
n8cpdx 5y ago
GrapheneOS on Pixel 4 has been a dream, as has Elementary OS on an XPS 13 is similarly great. WebUSB installer for graphene is a game changer, it made the process incredibly easy. Also it seems most apps work fine without Play services. Synology Photos is a great local icloud photos replacement. I made the switch this past weekend. Aside from the impact on my wallet and hassle of needing to sell my Apple equipment, it was surprisingly painless.
mdoms 5y ago
Apple is the only device I know of doing on-device scanning.
- imwillofficial 5y ago
  On device scanning vs in the cloud scanning with a distinction without a difference.
  - randomhodler84 5y ago
    What? No way. One is owned by the vendor, the other is owned by me. The physical device is mine. I don’t consent to a search.
    - imwillofficial 5y ago
      Yes you do, when you turn on use of their servers. Think of it as a pat down in the hallway before you can enter the building. No difference. Only done when you use their service
  - klipklop 5y ago
    For now...
  - n8cpdx 5y ago
    Have you considered reading the article? It makes the difference clear as day.
    - imwillofficial 5y ago
      Have you considered I disagree with the articles assertions? Outright fabrications and misstatements aren’t my problem. The article has them in spades.
alexfromapex 5y ago
The solution is privacy-safe open standards that decouple corporations’ proprietary hold over phone network tech
yepthatsreality 5y ago
Stop keeping your needs of a computer locked behind service agreements.
nine_k 5y ago
Do you mean that both the state and corporations will make you a generous gift of privacy? Right when it goes against their best interest of grabbing more power and profit? Nope. If you want privacy, like any other rights, you will need to fight for them. Rights can only be gained by a fight; whatever is given is a privilege, which is often taken back as easily as is granted. So be prepared to (continue to) fight for your rights: in courts, in Congress, etc, but also by choosing less convenient, less featureful, more expensive devices and software which does not violate the rights you care about. And no, the majority of the consumers won't care until you show some signs of winning.
- weikju 5y ago
  that's exactly correct. We have to accept discomfort NOW (to our convenience, wallets) so that everyone can benefit later. We cannot give up.
snuser 5y ago
> How can the layperson fight back? Simply not using a smartphone is fine, they aren't that great and there doesn't need to be an alternative. it feels like we've been trained as consumers to the point where saying no isn't realistic anymore, there must be something else to buy that represents me more.. etc
pope_meat 5y ago
I was very very close to ditching my Android device for an Apple device because it seemed like Apple was on the side of privacy. I don't feel that way anymore, and watching the FOSS projects like the PinePhone with a lot of interest.
- jwalton 5y ago
  I made the switch from Android to Apple a few months ago for exactly this reason, and boy do I feel like I’ve been bait-and-switched.
  - abecedarius 5y ago
    Same here, exactly.
  - brokenmachine 5y ago
    Is it impossible for you to return the device because you don't agree with this change?
- mackrevinack 5y ago
  i actually had an ipad picked out and in the basket ready to buy it! although i have been thinking of buying one for a good few months now, ive just been hesitating a lot because i was not sure if i could handle how restrictive ios is compared to android. the thing that really has me torn is that there is nothing else like it for simole/fun/creative music making apps (samplr, reason compact etc), which is the main reason i was going to buy one. at the same time i don't want to be part of apple's figures next quarter
swiley 5y ago
Software must be open source by law. Apple has shown closed software is too dangerous.

nkozyra 5y ago

I think this kind of defeatism really feeds the public's lax attitude toward privacy. Yes, the iPhone and Apple products are very popular. And they will probably continue to grow. Does that mean we just accept anything they do, antithetical to one of their core promises to their customers? Or do we make a big deal about it so everyone sees what's happening and what the implications are?

n8cpdx 5y ago
I've been making a big stink about it. I switched to Signal for my iMessage buddies and that seems to be sticking. The more people seen visibly taking proactive steps to create privacy, the better.

n8cpdx 5y ago

GrapheneOS on Pixel 4 has been a dream, as has Elementary OS on an XPS 13 is similarly great. WebUSB installer for graphene is a game changer, it made the process incredibly easy. Also it seems most apps work fine without Play services. Synology Photos is a great local icloud photos replacement. I made the switch this past weekend. Aside from the impact on my wallet and hassle of needing to sell my Apple equipment, it was surprisingly painless.

mdoms 5y ago

Apple is the only device I know of doing on-device scanning.

imwillofficial 5y ago
On device scanning vs in the cloud scanning with a distinction without a difference.
- randomhodler84 5y ago
  What? No way. One is owned by the vendor, the other is owned by me. The physical device is mine. I don’t consent to a search.
  - imwillofficial 5y ago
    Yes you do, when you turn on use of their servers. Think of it as a pat down in the hallway before you can enter the building. No difference. Only done when you use their service
- klipklop 5y ago
  For now...
- n8cpdx 5y ago
  Have you considered reading the article? It makes the difference clear as day.
  - imwillofficial 5y ago
    Have you considered I disagree with the articles assertions? Outright fabrications and misstatements aren’t my problem. The article has them in spades.

alexfromapex 5y ago

The solution is privacy-safe open standards that decouple corporations’ proprietary hold over phone network tech

yepthatsreality 5y ago

Stop keeping your needs of a computer locked behind service agreements.

nine_k 5y ago

Do you mean that both the state and corporations will make you a generous gift of privacy? Right when it goes against their best interest of grabbing more power and profit? Nope. If you want privacy, like any other rights, you will need to fight for them. Rights can only be gained by a fight; whatever is given is a privilege, which is often taken back as easily as is granted. So be prepared to (continue to) fight for your rights: in courts, in Congress, etc, but also by choosing less convenient, less featureful, more expensive devices and software which does not violate the rights you care about. And no, the majority of the consumers won't care until you show some signs of winning.

weikju 5y ago
that's exactly correct. We have to accept discomfort NOW (to our convenience, wallets) so that everyone can benefit later. We cannot give up.

snuser 5y ago

> How can the layperson fight back? Simply not using a smartphone is fine, they aren't that great and there doesn't need to be an alternative. it feels like we've been trained as consumers to the point where saying no isn't realistic anymore, there must be something else to buy that represents me more.. etc

pope_meat 5y ago

I was very very close to ditching my Android device for an Apple device because it seemed like Apple was on the side of privacy. I don't feel that way anymore, and watching the FOSS projects like the PinePhone with a lot of interest.

jwalton 5y ago
I made the switch from Android to Apple a few months ago for exactly this reason, and boy do I feel like I’ve been bait-and-switched.
- abecedarius 5y ago
  Same here, exactly.
- brokenmachine 5y ago
  Is it impossible for you to return the device because you don't agree with this change?
mackrevinack 5y ago
i actually had an ipad picked out and in the basket ready to buy it! although i have been thinking of buying one for a good few months now, ive just been hesitating a lot because i was not sure if i could handle how restrictive ios is compared to android. the thing that really has me torn is that there is nothing else like it for simole/fun/creative music making apps (samplr, reason compact etc), which is the main reason i was going to buy one. at the same time i don't want to be part of apple's figures next quarter

swiley 5y ago

Software must be open source by law. Apple has shown closed software is too dangerous.