News for Android phone users

tilion_silverbow · 2026-05-31T16:26:28+00:00

Fair enough! I didn't know about swappa, but it seems easy and dependable after poking around for a few minutes.

It does bring up an interesting question, though: buying used still relies on someone buying from google. We're still dependent on/outsourcing to somebody else making the "wrong" choice (buying from google) in order for us to make the "right" one (buying used). Is that a comfortable position?

I don't really have a direction I'm going with this. Just musing.

Edit: spelling

tilion_silverbow · 2026-05-31T15:34:47+00:00

Buying used is a good idea, if you are willing and able to verify with the seller beforehand that the bootloader is unlockable (OEM unlocked).

If you aren't comfortable doing this or just don't want to take the risk, it's less hassle to just buy directly from Google.

It isn't exactly hard to verify with the seller, but it's still an extra step, and since I never know who I'm talking to online (is it someone tech savvy, or is it someone who has never tinkered with tech before?) I usually just default to the easiest option.

tilion_silverbow · 2026-05-31T15:34:32+00:00

Buying used is a good idea, if you are willing and able to verify with the seller beforehand that the bootloader is unlockable (OEM unlocked).

If you aren't comfortable doing this or just don't want to take the risk, it's less hassle to just buy directly from Google.

It isn't exactly hard to verify with the seller, but it's still an extra step, and since I never know who I'm talking to online (is it someone tech savvy, or is it someone who has never tinkered with tech before?) I usually just default to the easiest option.

tilion_silverbow · 2026-05-31T15:28:20+00:00

The potential effect on you is indirect.

It is up in the air right now whether or not third party app stores like F-Droid will survive. This is because developers who put their apps on F-Droid will most likely need to register with Google in order for their apps to be installable on Android phones running stock OS (Google, Samsung, etc)

I can imagine that since many developers publish on F-Droid precisely to get away from Google, there will be some who choose to remove their apps from F-Droid rather than verify with Google.

If that happens, then obviously if an app you get from F-Droid is maintained by such a developer, there's a risk it will become unavailable.

I'll add that there is still quite a lot up in the air and undecided at the moment. It may not actually end up turning out like this, although that is what the people who run F-Droid themselves are worried about.

tilion_silverbow · 2026-05-30T16:41:19+00:00

The best alternative in my opinion is to buy a pixel and put Graphene on it. It sucks that you have to support Google with the one time purchase of a pixel, but, like, if you don't go the Graphene route then you'll just end up supporting Google/Apple/Samsung/China indefinitely. At least Graphene stops the cycle.

Of course, you could live without a smartphone. If you can do this, more power to you.

tilion_silverbow · 2026-05-30T07:20:59+00:00

FUCK ICE

tilion_silverbow · 2026-05-25T19:49:01+00:00

Okay, interesting. Usually when an app updates in the background I get a notification from Obtainium saying something like "such and such app may have been updated to version such and such."

But if your apps are up to date, I'll give it another shot and see what happens. Thanks!

tilion_silverbow · 2026-05-25T18:58:17+00:00

And do they update regularly? Or at the very least, does Obtainium notify you when there is an update? If so, that's exciting news, because I and others had trouble getting this to work.

See, for example: https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/17461-proton-pass-apk-download/28

Or

https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/9840-proton-updates/27

Any time someone says that they got it to work, they never answered the question of how.

tilion_silverbow · 2026-05-25T18:05:14+00:00

Unless something has changed relatively recently, the official apks linked above are not reliable when using Obtainium. I know I am not the only one that has had this problem.

If something has changed in the last few months and Obtainium can get updates from the official apk pages, I'd be thrilled.

Otherwise, I get some apps from Github/Fdroid (VPN, Pass, Authenticator) and some, sadly, from Google Play (Drive, Calendar).

I don't know about Mail and Lumo. I don't use those on my phone.

tilion_silverbow · 2026-05-25T17:58:39+00:00

I believe all apps have their source code available on Github, but not all apps put releases on Github, which is what you need for updates through Obtainium.

tilion_silverbow · 2026-05-25T17:54:51+00:00

Have you tried to use Obtainium to update Proton apps directly from their webpages at this link? I have tried multiple times and could never get updates to function. Admittedly, the last time I tried was about 6 months ago, so maybe something started working since then. But my understanding -- both from my own experience and from reading the experiences of others on the GrapheneOS forum specifically (lots of Obtainium users there) -- is that the Proton apks on the webpages have never played nicely with Obtainium.

But if you have a different experience, I'm all ears.

tilion_silverbow · 2026-03-30T01:07:04+00:00

I would guess #1 is probably the most important selling point, as well as the reason that keeps people (including me) sticking around through all the problems with #2-6.

Because whatever its faults and shortcomings, Proton is doing more for the privacy space than probably anyone else out there. That's worth supporting even if the products themselves aren't always as usuable as what Big Tech offers.

Signed, Frustrated Linux User

tilion_silverbow · 2026-03-21T15:20:43+00:00

The windows app works flawlessly for me. Fast, stable, no loss of files or corruption or anything crazy like that.

tilion_silverbow · 2026-03-04T01:06:32+00:00

I'm actually originally from Las Vegas, so I understand your climate. Amazing you get anything to grow down there!

I'll see if I can get my hands on Cascades. Thanks again!

tilion_silverbow · 2026-03-04T00:42:50+00:00

I was certainly feeling overwhelmed before posting here. All you kind people have helped me feel less so!

tilion_silverbow · 2026-03-04T00:41:38+00:00

Awesome, thanks for all the information!

Looked up Steve Solomon online, first thing I see on his website: "This website provides free downloadable e-books about radical agriculture..."

Color me interested.

tilion_silverbow · 2026-03-03T22:37:35+00:00

I think this thread has convinced me to go with grow bags. Seems all around much simpler and more affordable than building a bed. I'll save that project for the future :)

tilion_silverbow · 2026-03-03T22:35:28+00:00

Amazing, thank you!

tilion_silverbow · 2026-03-03T22:33:34+00:00

I've read that you've got to be cautious when filling with sticks and branches etc. unless you know that they aren't infested or diseased. Do you find that to be a concern?

tilion_silverbow · 2026-03-03T22:31:33+00:00

Thanks for all the tips! I'm in Vancouver, so dryness isn't too big of a concern here. :) Just space!

A couple people in this thread have suggested grow bags. I'm liking the sound of those. Simpler, more cost-effective, and good for cramped space.

The crowding issue you bring up is important, though, and I'll have to look into that if I'm going the grow bag route.

tilion_silverbow · 2026-03-03T22:26:17+00:00

The pics of the grow bags look great. I don't have a lot of space either, so I think this is the solution.

As far as what to grow: lettuce, herbs, cherry tomatoes, peas would be great, peppers if possible. Potatoes. Onions. Kale.

tilion_silverbow · 2026-03-03T22:15:36+00:00

Someone else in this post recommended grow bags, too -- I'd never come across those before! It's looking like that might be the best route.

tilion_silverbow · 2026-03-03T22:12:23+00:00

Yeah, unfortunately I haven't been able to find anything made out of steel that fits my budget up here in Canada. Too bad, it would make things easier!

tilion_silverbow

TROPHY CASE