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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.

[–] Azzu@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 1 day ago (3 children)

Degoogled Google phone is still the funniest shit to me, I can't understand it

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

It's a pragmatic compromise. The assumption is that Google is not literally evil, solely a very large advertisement company which subsidize very cool hardware in order to sell more ads. It's the same principle as using a rooted Meta Quest when one doesn't even have a Facebook or WhatsApp account.

I imagine than everybody who is into that situation will move to Motorola or Valve Frame when those will become available. Until then the bet is that the hardware does not have hardware backdoors because so far nobody disclosed any.

If you really are into trusting hardware I recommend checking https://precursor.dev/ and similar initiatives.

I did mention Linux phones too but again that's not for everyone.

IMHO it's much better to use a GrapheneOS deGoogle Android device today, knowing the limitation, than using a Googled Android device today, Pixel or not, and complaining about all the limitations about it while waiting for a theoretical better solution that is simply not yet available.

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