Rik Shaw

So here I am having dug deep into the #deGoogle world for sometime (including many Linux options: I have postmarketOS and Ubuntu Touch devices looking at me now, and alas my Pinephone sits on a shelf 🙂). I think there is growing demand in the USA for a #deGoogle / #deApple option, and from my POV @iode@mastodon.online is the way I fit with best and can see many others preferring should the alternatives I mentioned previously not be a good match for them. I have even become the community manager for iodé! 5/

Sorry a bit unrelated, @ftm@todon.eu but I *don't* get the iodé part? Locked bootloaders, v7.3 just released is A16 QPR2. Yes it is LineageOS based, but with tracking etc. blocked. Personally I would rather run open-source microG than *full fat proprietary Google Play Services* even if they are unprivileged or sandboxed, etc. iodé and /e/ are both LineageOS based and use microG but otherwise aren't related. Too bad they always get lumped together.

@voxel@infosec.space I also clarified my points for preferring @iode@mastodon.online in the 2nd post: https://mastodon.social/@rikshaw/116410212606754732

@voxel@infosec.space Thanks, corrected.

Without starting a rage war (main source of "lack of enthusiasm" for them even with their stronger security stance), here are my 3 reasons for @iode@mastodon.online :

1. Being based on LineageOS is a very good thing: monthly system security patches for broad range of devices loooonnnng since abandoned by manufacturers

2. Integration of fully open-source @microg for Google API compatibility instead of running a sandboxed version of "full fat Google Play Services"

3. More friendly welcoming community

2/

I can go into those points more, but suffice to say @iode@mastodon.online has a different value set and focus. BUT, iodé is certainly not known to the common person in the USA. In fact, also not known to the tech enthusiast crowd even if they also are not the biggest fans of the *other project*. Brax did a co-lab with iodé on the Brax3 phone last year, and it *by far* got the largest sales numbers and exposure in the USA to date. But the hardware itself, while decent enough, isn't special. 3/

You may also know of another France-based #deGoogle project that partners with Fairphone for USA sales. It is decent enough with a good community, and *very similiar* to @iode@mastodon.online but iodé is different in that there is no forking of upstream included apps just to re-brand (with risk of always being behind on re-basing and maintaining), no custom launcher that is pretty but not the most functional, and system updates (esp. major version upgrades) are applied much more rapidly with iodé. 4/

But "where to go from here"? Currently @openmobile@mastodon.social gets about 4-5 inquiries a month which results in about 2 sales. Since I keep my margins low, this means "negligible income". Do I get more active on *other social media* but even then it is talking to the big void! Local meetups? The challenge there is that it does take a bit of an already motivated person to be interested? Protestors resisting targeting from state actors may need the first *not friendly* option I mention back in 1/ 🙂. 6/

I am working on having @openmobile@mastodon.social become an official @iode@mastodon.online affiliate, that may be the best place to keep pursuing. And certainly being part of their community is a key foundation, I will keep contributing there (part time for "work", but also in personal time for "community"). I'll leave it here @killyourfm@layer8.space , just thought you may be the right blend of *awesomeness* to have a few thoughts or suggestions on any next steps to take. Other input always welcome, please be kind! #deGoogle 7/END

@martijnbraam I really enjoy keyboard reviews from this chap: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXlDgfWY2JbsYEam2m68Hyw

@matis_live@fosstodon.org @openmobile@mastodon.social @iode@mastodon.online I do wish Sony was more available here in the USA :-( Clearly the DAC would be superior to Motorola. Fun fact I just realized I have been using these headphones for 27 years across 4 continents! (come on Asia is so big I should be able to count it twice 🙂 )

@techcelt@mastodon.ie @iode@mastodon.online let me know what questions you have, or better yet would love your feedback at https://community.iode.tech

@QasimRashid@mastodon.social my place of residency for 5 years and home of many of my friends basically is gone (Khartoum). All victims of world powers playing proxy wars...