My google android device runs GrapheneOS, with which you can use sandboxed google play services. Yes, the google play services API will likely block nonconforming apps from functioning if they use play services, but apps don’t have to use play services, and you’ll still be able to install anything you want. As far as I’m concerned, any app that stops working when google pulls the plug in September will be replaced with a FOSS alternative.
You will still likely be forced into using play services apps, even on Graphene, unless you have a contingency not to use some apps at all. But for things like banking, that realistically may not be an option (unless you don’t bank).
Edit: not sure why the downvotes. Some banking apps won’t even run on rooted devices, and there are banks who are forcing customers to use their app instead of the mobile site. It’s just a matter of time for the desktop sites in those cases.
Hell, I even know people who are required to use an app to pay their rent.
Just because it hasn’t happened to you (yet) doesn’t mean that it doesn’t happen.
You’re right, and I’ll add that my current banking app was recently updated, and now no longer works, giving me nonsecure OS warning, which is comically ironic.
With respect to companies requiring apps to do things like pay rent, that is a double-edged sword. They can demand, but their goods and services generally have alternatives, and companies that take a hard line risk alienating their customers, pushing them to look elsewhere.
My bank won’t let you deposit checks through the browser and has closed their physical locations so you can’t deposit checks in person. I get around this by keeping a cheap default tablet around my house.
Depends on your bank. My bank requires you to use the app instead of the old mobile site as of last year. I have been able to use the desktop site, but only by overtly spoofing the user agent. Doesn’t seem ideal long term.
My point is: there are very likely to be some apps which are a problem, and some of those will have no alternative but play services. Google is betting on it.
Realistically at that point, would it be better to be on iOS than android, then? I know iOS is wayyyyyy locked down, but apple is slightly more privacy respecting than android from what I understand, because Apple’s incentive is to sell you services and hardware, while Google’s is to sell you as a product to advertisers?
I have no strong opinion here, looking to be educated. I’ve never wanted an iPhone, but I’m already looking at a used m1 air, and if google is going to rape me and now they’re taking the lube away, would I (a person who is not techy enough to really understand how to fight back against this) be better off on an iPhone? Most of my income right now comes from doordashing. I’m fairly certain I won’t be able to do that without play services or whatever iPhone uses
Nothing. Sometimes they don’t have one, or it just takes you to the app download via Play Store.
Or as another commenter said, they may not be feature complete. Banks may see the mobile site as a security risk (or other things: some bank apps also refuse to run on rooted devices).
My google android device runs GrapheneOS, with which you can use sandboxed google play services. Yes, the google play services API will likely block nonconforming apps from functioning if they use play services, but apps don’t have to use play services, and you’ll still be able to install anything you want. As far as I’m concerned, any app that stops working when google pulls the plug in September will be replaced with a FOSS alternative.
Banking apps won’t have FOSS alternatives.
You will still likely be forced into using play services apps, even on Graphene, unless you have a contingency not to use some apps at all. But for things like banking, that realistically may not be an option (unless you don’t bank).
Edit: not sure why the downvotes. Some banking apps won’t even run on rooted devices, and there are banks who are forcing customers to use their app instead of the mobile site. It’s just a matter of time for the desktop sites in those cases.
Hell, I even know people who are required to use an app to pay their rent.
Just because it hasn’t happened to you (yet) doesn’t mean that it doesn’t happen.
You’re right, and I’ll add that my current banking app was recently updated, and now no longer works, giving me nonsecure OS warning, which is comically ironic.
With respect to companies requiring apps to do things like pay rent, that is a double-edged sword. They can demand, but their goods and services generally have alternatives, and companies that take a hard line risk alienating their customers, pushing them to look elsewhere.
Can you use the desktop site through the phone browser on a Linux phone or grapheneos?
My bank won’t let you deposit checks through the browser and has closed their physical locations so you can’t deposit checks in person. I get around this by keeping a cheap default tablet around my house.
Depends on your bank. My bank requires you to use the app instead of the old mobile site as of last year. I have been able to use the desktop site, but only by overtly spoofing the user agent. Doesn’t seem ideal long term.
My point is: there are very likely to be some apps which are a problem, and some of those will have no alternative but play services. Google is betting on it.
Realistically at that point, would it be better to be on iOS than android, then? I know iOS is wayyyyyy locked down, but apple is slightly more privacy respecting than android from what I understand, because Apple’s incentive is to sell you services and hardware, while Google’s is to sell you as a product to advertisers?
I have no strong opinion here, looking to be educated. I’ve never wanted an iPhone, but I’m already looking at a used m1 air, and if google is going to rape me and now they’re taking the lube away, would I (a person who is not techy enough to really understand how to fight back against this) be better off on an iPhone? Most of my income right now comes from doordashing. I’m fairly certain I won’t be able to do that without play services or whatever iPhone uses
Yes if you want the convenience and not give up anything iOS is better then android. If your willing to give up some convenience graphene OS.
What’s wrong with banks’ mobile sites?
Nothing. Sometimes they don’t have one, or it just takes you to the app download via Play Store.
Or as another commenter said, they may not be feature complete. Banks may see the mobile site as a security risk (or other things: some bank apps also refuse to run on rooted devices).
Uploading paper check deposits requires the app