GrapheneOS, a privacy-focused version of Android, is adding Android Auto support

blind3rdeye , 5 months ago

To me it is super weird that GrapheneOS positions itself as a way to degoogle - but it is only supported on google’s Pixel hardware.

Gestrid , 5 months ago

I’m betting it’s because Pixels have some unique hardware/ software quirks or something.

0x2d , 5 months ago

iirc they are the only phones that allow adding custom avb keys and then relocking the bootloader

nixcamic , 5 months ago

Pixel hardware is some of the easiest to get/best/cost effective with an unlocked bootloader.

EngineerGaming , 5 months ago

Too bad the only affordable ones are those that have little to no support left.

nudnyekscentryk , 5 months ago

Why would anyone care about official support? That’s not why you buy a pixel

EngineerGaming , 5 months ago

I meant support from Graphene itself.

nudnyekscentryk , 5 months ago

is it that bad? I though Graphene supports all Pixels well

EngineerGaming , 5 months ago

The following devices are end-of-life, no longer receive firmware or most driver security updates and receive extended support from GrapheneOS as part of the main releases with all GrapheneOS changes including all of the latest Android Open Source Project changes:

<span style="color:#323232;">Pixel 5 (redfin)
</span><span style="color:#323232;">Pixel 4a (5G) (bramble)
</span>

nudnyekscentryk , 5 months ago

well, I see. thankfully there’s loads and loads and loads of alternatives over on XDA still in development

Whom , 5 months ago

They only support Pixel hardware because it’s currently the only line that meets their list of requirements. I’d guess that if something came around which beat the Pixel line, they’d support it…but I also don’t see anyone positioned to do that right now.

Though it’s worth mentioning that the developers don’t emphasize degoogling all that much and their community often have a bit of tension with degooglers who come to join them. The OS certainly meets the needs of those of us getting away from Google but the developers have no problem recommending workflows that go through Google (albeit with regular app access rather than the privileged and deeply integrated access on stock Android) when they’re more secure than the alternatives. For example, they’ll regularly suggest using sandboxed Google Play over F-Droid or Aurora Store, again because of their stance of prioritizing security above all.

It can sometimes be a bit annoying when your priorities are more about avoiding corporate surveillance than protecting yourself from attackers or a snooping government, but their work ends up supporting both regardless.

WindowsEnjoyer , 5 months ago

For example, they’ll regularly suggest using sandboxed Google Play over F-Droid or Aurora Store

Because many of my used apps are only available in Google Play.

GrapheneOS gives you options that you don’t have to use. I don’t agree with you.

Adanisi , 5 months ago

You know what Aurora Store is, right?

NoLifeGaming , 5 months ago

I’m still iffy about grapheneos after the rossman issue. Any other good alternatives?

not_neno , 5 months ago

iirc that developer doesn’t work on grapheneos anymore

Dehydrated , 5 months ago

I generally like Louis Rossmann, but his arguments in the GrapheneOS video were beyond stupid. He says that he can’t trust GrapheneOS because it’s developed by Daniel Micay. I guess he doesn’t understand that GrapheneOS is open source and anyone can see the code. Then he switched back to the proprietary Google ROM. So he’s trusting proprietary software that’s filled with spyware over privacy-respecting open source software that can be audited by anyone.

You don’t seem to understand the situation either and you blindly follow some YouTuber. I’d advise you to overthink your opinion on this topic.

virtueisdead , 5 months ago

oh wow! i doubt im going to use that feature because android auto is insufferable but that’s still really neat!

saegiru , 5 months ago

I am curious why you think that? My reasons for liking it are the fact that it essentially just works, and gives me a consistent UI across multiple vehicles. What are your issues with it?

virtueisdead , 5 months ago

I’m just fundamentally against those tablets in cars. I’ve never seen a single good implementation of it. This first question I always have is… what can this do that my phone cant do easier, faster, and better? And 100% of the time I’ve had to ask this it has been nothing. I just use a phone grip on either my dashboard or my windshield and that accomplishes the same thing without having to use the massive, clunky, and usually dysfunctional tablet stuck on my console. Another enormous complaint is that most cars that work like this also remove aux/tape/cd and then BURY the bluetooth audio option underneath a bunch of finnicky android auto shit that has so many different problems all of which wouldn’t exist in the first place if i could just set my phone in a clamp and plugged in the aux cable. The only benefit android consoles have i can tell it has is being big if you have bad eyesight.

z3rOR0ne , 5 months ago

Awesome. I’ve been using GrapheneOS on my Pixel 7 for almost a year now and it’s been great. I won’t be using this feature, but am happy it might attract more users.

nudnyekscentryk , 5 months ago

This is huge, but are there any navigation apps which work with Android Auto except Google Maps and Waze (which is re-skinned Google Maps)? Afaik OSMAnd or Organic Maps do not support it

rizoid , 5 months ago

Honestly this is one of the only things holding me back from going to graphene. Once this is available to non alpha users I might make the switch properly.

Norgur , 5 months ago

Absolutely. Android Auto is a must for me.

Hellmo_Luciferrari , 5 months ago

I’m on stable, and using it.

ioslife , 5 months ago

Oh hell yeah. That was a big issue when I tried out gOS last year.