4 ms·

> I've been recommended to "just get a GPS" -- they're like $300, and I'm cheap :) Get a second-hand Android device for those tasks, install LineageOS and F-Dr

> I've been recommended to "just get a GPS" -- they're like $300, and I'm cheap :) Get a second-hand Android device for those tasks, install LineageOS and F-Droid/Aurora Droid, don't put in a SIM card and you're set for much less than $300. You'll be running free software - e.g. OsmAnd for mapping using off-line maps, no connectivity necessary - and you won't be feeding Google (et al) your data as you will using that Nokia. The battery will last a long time with connectivity disabled as well, longer than that on those $300 GPS receivers.

mydriasis 3y ago
... This is a _fascinating_ idea. I have a Pixel 4a right now, can I install this stuff on there and just switch to a dumb phone entirely for... phone purposes? It looks [0] like this shouldn't be too tough... [0] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgNWaORMM9I https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgNWaORMM9I
- 6581 3y ago
  >I have a Pixel 4a right now, can I install this stuff on there GrapheneOS is available for the 4a.
  - saltcured 3y ago
    To be clear, there is no need to replace the stock firmware unless you are taking a hard ideological stance. You can install F-Droid on most any Android phone, then install OSMAnd+ from F-Droid over WiFi, download some maps, and then turn off the networks to use it offline as a GPS-only device. Replacing the firmware with something de-googled would make it more certain that don't login with a Google account during initial phone setup nor send any telemetry during that period before you go offline, or if you go back online eventually for map updates etc. Also, if you're going to use it offline as just a "GPS tool", you might not care about other issues like getting firmware updates. It won't be subject to attack if you're offline and not browsing the internet...
    - mydriasis 3y ago
      Gotcha -- okay! I'll check out F-Droid first. Thanks!!

mydriasis 3y ago

... This is a _fascinating_ idea. I have a Pixel 4a right now, can I install this stuff on there and just switch to a dumb phone entirely for... phone purposes? It looks [0] like this shouldn't be too tough... [0] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgNWaORMM9I https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgNWaORMM9I

6581 3y ago
>I have a Pixel 4a right now, can I install this stuff on there GrapheneOS is available for the 4a.
- saltcured 3y ago
  To be clear, there is no need to replace the stock firmware unless you are taking a hard ideological stance. You can install F-Droid on most any Android phone, then install OSMAnd+ from F-Droid over WiFi, download some maps, and then turn off the networks to use it offline as a GPS-only device. Replacing the firmware with something de-googled would make it more certain that don't login with a Google account during initial phone setup nor send any telemetry during that period before you go offline, or if you go back online eventually for map updates etc. Also, if you're going to use it offline as just a "GPS tool", you might not care about other issues like getting firmware updates. It won't be subject to attack if you're offline and not browsing the internet...
  - mydriasis 3y ago
    Gotcha -- okay! I'll check out F-Droid first. Thanks!!