5 ms·

Yeah, custom ROMs. Most devices never get custom ROMs any longer than you would get regular updates anyway (since newer Android versions would not run on this

by bipson 5y ago

Yeah, custom ROMs. Most devices never get custom ROMs any longer than you would get regular updates anyway (since newer Android versions would not run on this chip). Custom ROMs are a mess anyway: - Untrusted sources - Random annoying bugs (What, you need a camera?? Pff) - Flaky "Android-Experience" (Yeah, you might be able to install Google Apps... after the 6th try) - Device is "untrusted" - no Google Wallet or banking apps without yet another hack - "Security Updates? You can get a full image every 2 weeks if you want that, but no idea what is included and what will break, sorry" - Performance and stability of the device usually takes a big dive Most importantly: You cannot build AOSP for a device, if there is no support from the firmware (Qualcomm), which is the main reason why there are no Android updates in the first place - at least that's the problem nowadays.

ethbr0 5y ago
Custom ROMs are the Pareto principle in practice. Yes, you can relatively easily modify & build out 80% working functionality. As for the final 20%...
- Semaphor 5y ago
  Huh? You get more features on custom ROMs, not less. Only very new ROMs or those newly switching to a new major Android version have missing features.
  - ethbr0 5y ago
    You've never run a ROM with a major bug or missing feature?
    - Semaphor 5y ago
      Only when using unstable ones or those with edgy names ;)
zozbot234 5y ago
Google 'blueline' (the codename for Pixel 3) shows "partial" mainline kernel support, and work in progress for more - https://wiki.postmarketos.org/wiki/Google_Pixel_3(google-blueline) https://wiki.postmarketos.org/wiki/Google_Pixel_3(google-blu... So there is some hope that this might become at least a semi-usable device with reasonably trusted, non-flaky sources. Android app support can then be provided on top of the mainline kernel as a custom "container" via Anbox/Waydroid.
floatboth 5y ago
> newer Android versions would not run on this chip Why would all the Android Java stuff actually require a newer chip? e.g. OnePlus 3 started with 7.x, was officially updated only to 9.x, but with LineageOS it runs 11.x currently. > Untrusted sources As if the vendors are super trustworthy… > you might be able to install Google Apps... after the 6th try Google services are "just one more zip to flash" and I've never heard of having to retry multiple times. > no Google Wallet Not too hard to carry the actual physical cards, or use a separate device (smartwatch). > or banking apps Complain to your bank / switch to a better bank. > no idea what is included LineageOS shoves the commit log right in your face, you can have a pretty good idea when it's really important to update. > Performance and stability of the device usually takes a big dive Really? Performance and stability are typically the reasons to switch to custom. CyanogenMod/LineageOS have been, in my experience, the most performant and stable Android experiences by far, since the 4.x days at least.
- deleted 5y ago
  [deleted]
- Semaphor 5y ago
  GP seems to be complaining about random ROMs while ignoring the biggest one. I used to ROM-hop a lot, but nowadays, I just stay on whatever the official LineageOS build is (for my OnePlus Nord, that’s still Android 10, but I tried stock and couldn’t handle it) and install my weekly updates. IMO performance is usually better the more random the ROM (so xXx NoLimits > LineageOS > Vendor OS), stability can be very hit or miss with the random ones but is equal for LineageOS and vendor. Despite Magisk Hide not getting developed anymore, at least on 10 I can pass safety check despite being rooted btw.
  - tata71 5y ago
    Holy wow, a person in the wild using SafetyNet apps on custom ROM?! Any chance you can name and shame those apps for my further edification?
    - Semaphor 5y ago
evilduck 5y ago
Custom ROMS are locked out of every Verizon device sold as well. Locked bootloaders have relegated a huge chunk of Pixel 3s to the landfill prematurely.
jokethrowaway 5y ago
- I trust some custom roms more than vendors - Bugs / perf / stability / qualcomm not providing firmware are device dependant, it's a good idea to check compatibility before buying the phone, same as when you're buying a laptop you're planning to use with linux. - GApps can be installed easily but they're basically spyware, so maybe think twice about that. - Magisk et similia fix banks app (no idea about Google Wallet, I don't use it)

by bipson 5y ago

ethbr0 5y ago

Custom ROMs are the Pareto principle in practice. Yes, you can relatively easily modify & build out 80% working functionality. As for the final 20%...

Semaphor 5y ago
Huh? You get more features on custom ROMs, not less. Only very new ROMs or those newly switching to a new major Android version have missing features.
- ethbr0 5y ago
  You've never run a ROM with a major bug or missing feature?
  - Semaphor 5y ago
    Only when using unstable ones or those with edgy names ;)

zozbot234 5y ago

Google 'blueline' (the codename for Pixel 3) shows "partial" mainline kernel support, and work in progress for more - https://wiki.postmarketos.org/wiki/Google_Pixel_3(google-blueline) https://wiki.postmarketos.org/wiki/Google_Pixel_3(google-blu... So there is some hope that this might become at least a semi-usable device with reasonably trusted, non-flaky sources. Android app support can then be provided on top of the mainline kernel as a custom "container" via Anbox/Waydroid.

floatboth 5y ago

> newer Android versions would not run on this chip Why would all the Android Java stuff actually require a newer chip? e.g. OnePlus 3 started with 7.x, was officially updated only to 9.x, but with LineageOS it runs 11.x currently. > Untrusted sources As if the vendors are super trustworthy… > you might be able to install Google Apps... after the 6th try Google services are "just one more zip to flash" and I've never heard of having to retry multiple times. > no Google Wallet Not too hard to carry the actual physical cards, or use a separate device (smartwatch). > or banking apps Complain to your bank / switch to a better bank. > no idea what is included LineageOS shoves the commit log right in your face, you can have a pretty good idea when it's really important to update. > Performance and stability of the device usually takes a big dive Really? Performance and stability are typically the reasons to switch to custom. CyanogenMod/LineageOS have been, in my experience, the most performant and stable Android experiences by far, since the 4.x days at least.

deleted 5y ago
[deleted]
Semaphor 5y ago
GP seems to be complaining about random ROMs while ignoring the biggest one. I used to ROM-hop a lot, but nowadays, I just stay on whatever the official LineageOS build is (for my OnePlus Nord, that’s still Android 10, but I tried stock and couldn’t handle it) and install my weekly updates. IMO performance is usually better the more random the ROM (so xXx NoLimits > LineageOS > Vendor OS), stability can be very hit or miss with the random ones but is equal for LineageOS and vendor. Despite Magisk Hide not getting developed anymore, at least on 10 I can pass safety check despite being rooted btw.
- tata71 5y ago
  Holy wow, a person in the wild using SafetyNet apps on custom ROM?! Any chance you can name and shame those apps for my further edification?
  - Semaphor 5y ago

evilduck 5y ago

Custom ROMS are locked out of every Verizon device sold as well. Locked bootloaders have relegated a huge chunk of Pixel 3s to the landfill prematurely.

jokethrowaway 5y ago

- I trust some custom roms more than vendors - Bugs / perf / stability / qualcomm not providing firmware are device dependant, it's a good idea to check compatibility before buying the phone, same as when you're buying a laptop you're planning to use with linux. - GApps can be installed easily but they're basically spyware, so maybe think twice about that. - Magisk et similia fix banks app (no idea about Google Wallet, I don't use it)