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> Most Android devices these days have bootloaders that cannot be unlocked, preventing device owners from installing custom kernel images onto their devices. An
by izacus 5y ago
> Most Android devices these days have bootloaders that cannot be unlocked, preventing device owners from installing custom kernel images onto their devices. And even if you have a phone where that isn't true, Google's SafetyNet will prevent you from using many crucial applications, like your bank's Android app, on that handset.
Googles own devices not only allow you to unlock the bootloader, but to relock it with your own signing keys. So your statement is just wierd - if you care, vote with your wallet and don't complain how "most devices" don't give you feature you're not ready to pay for.
- gchamonlive 5y agoExcept Pixel phones are not officially available worldwide.
- SXX 5y ago> Googles own devices not only allow you to unlock the bootloader, but to relock it with your own signing keys. And does it let you pass SafetyNet and run most of the apps. AFAIK it's not so re-lockable bootloader is useless.
- dmm 5y agoI use a pixel phone with my own signing keys and I find it very useful. I can live without SafetyNet, whatever that is.
- krzyk 5y agoIt basically allows you running most banking apps (and anything that is related to money).
- bilkow 5y agoWhere I live, both of my banking apps work without SafetyNet and even Google Play Services. I have missed one or another app for having no Play Services, but nothing too important and it's offset by having the option to block all internet connection for other apps.
- NikolaeVarius 5y agoI have a unlocked booloader and I bypass SafeyNet just fine.
- SXX 5y agoFor now. Once SafetyNet start to require hardware attestation you won't be able to bypass it with Magisk.
- 5e92cb50239222b 5y ago>vote with your wallet and don't complain how "most devices" don't give you feature you're not ready to pay for This isn't always possible or realistic. The cheapest Pixel phone is worth 2+ median monthly salaries in my location.
- ghuin 5y agoPremium features, premium price point.
- randalluk 5y agoAre you content that full ownership of the device is a "premium feature"?
- krzyk 5y agoThink of it the opposite way. All other devices are subsidized to be just an advertising platform for their producer. Real prices of devices are those that you consider "premium".
- 5e92cb50239222b 5y agoSo privacy is a premium feature now, that should only be available to developed societies? Okay.
- deleted 5y ago[deleted]
- seniorivn 5y agothat's not how it should be, that's how it is. The only way cheaper devices are so cheap is by cutting all the corners they can, and turns out one of the corners people don't care to be cut is their privacy and security
- NoThisIsMe 5y ago
- EMIRELADERO 5y ago> vote with your wallet and don't complain how "most devices" don't give you feature you're not ready to pay for. I believe that the ability of a device owner to exercise the same level of control over it as the company that manufactured it is a matter of consumer rights, not features.
- jjulius 5y agoOP said "Most Android devices". You then singled out a specific subset of phones that are only a small portion of the market to claim that OP's comment is "weird". OP's comment is accurate because Pixels are not "most Android phones". You also don't know whether or not OP already owns a Pixel, so I'd say it's "weird" to tell them not to complain without knowing whether or not they have already voted with their wallet.
- obmelvin 5y agoMost people with most android devices don't remotely care about this. If you do care, it is reasonable to buy a specific device.
- jjulius 5y ago... which is a different conversation than this one.
- MildlySerious 5y agoStill, what's the point in telling someone "to vote with their wallet" instead of complaining? Why not both? Where, if not on HN, should we voice our opinion that tech is going down some path we aren't excited about? Avoiding Google/FB/Amazon/Microsoft or whatever your megacorp of choice is is becoming increasingly hard, and it absolutely deserves being talked about. As do any other things in which our choices and freedoms continue to be snuffed out, and that point should be able to stand alone, without being weighed against things like "Vote with your wallet" or "But in Y thing we have more freedoms now! Why does X matter?" These conversations are also worth having, but they shouldn't entirely replace the a call for alternative paths.
- shkkmo 5y ago> but I don't think there's a way out any more. The poster wasn't just complaining about "most phones" but claiming there was no solution. It seems perfectly reasonable to point out that there is a solution that works at both the individual and global levels. If you want to control your own android devices, there are several good options and if more people start making those choices then the overall situation will also improve.