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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Would it be possible to dumb down a linux phone? (feddit.it)

submitted 1 day ago by dontblink@feddit.it to c/linux@lemmy.ml

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Regardless of the distribution, would it be possible to have a phone that can be simplified to include only the features you want? For example, I would only want a calendar, notes, a calculator, calls and messages. I wouldn’t want a browser, an app store or any other way to easily install them. Is this possible on a Linux mobile distro? Does it require a lot of work, like making a specific distro for it?

Linux feels like a great option for this because it can leave enough freedom to dumb down what you don't need while also keeping a big level of customization, not everyone needs are the same regarding to dumbphones

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[–] utopiah@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (6 children)

Yes, I have a PinePhone and PinePhone Pro both with PostMarketOS so doing this is as easy as few sudo apk add packagename or sudo apk del firefox.

Now... if you want a daily driver then as few others hinted at, it's much harder. I would instead, if deGoogle Android is an acceptable compromise for you, get a 2nd hand Pixel 8 or above, install GrapheneOS on it, remove the browser and that's pretty much it already since it doesn't come with an app store or equivalent. Well, there's the GrapheneOS equivalent but there are ~10 apps on it at most last time I checked.

[–] racoon@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Can you remove the browser on GOS? When I was about to switch, the people on the fora were looking down on those who wanted to remove the browser like “self control” or “that is not GOS point”

[–] utopiah@lemmy.ml 1 points 6 hours ago

Right, you actually can't AFAIK but you can disable it.

It's indeed not the point. GrapheneOS focus is on security. If you want to have complete control you'd better go with a Linux proper phone but AFAICT, unless you are fine with ~4hrs battery and/or can spend 1000€ on a device that very people have, it's not for most.

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