I am seeing a growing discussion on the need for more Linux phones in the market given Google’s problematic behaviour w.r.t the changes that will be introduced to that OS.
One very good point that some community member raised was that Android itself wasn’t the problem but the locking of the bootloader in the phone. If the bootloader could be unlocked, then it significantly lowers the bar for the end user to install their OS of choice.
I have dabbled with flashing OSs in old smartphones (GrapheneOS, Post market and Lineage). I commend the developers because I could do that without truly having to “understand the code” at the lower levels. But I assume that was possible because the boot loader could be unlocked somehow*. It seems that isn’t the case with many/most phone fro. Samsung / Xiomi, etc.
Are their bootloaders truly unlockable? Is it simply impossible to unlock and relock bootloaders?
- I know that with lineage, the bootloader couldn’t be relocked and that was touted as a security flaw. If someone could explain why this lock/unlock is so complex, I’d appreciate it.
Why do people buy this hardware in the first place then if it won’t be theirs?
What kind of phone, laptop, game console, car, iot devices, etc do you have? I guarantee you support this stuff somewhere in your life. It’s inescapable.
But to answer you more directly apathy and consumerism. Why do people buy the switch 2 despite extremely anti consumer practices? Because they want to play slightly better Mario kart. Why do people buy a macbook? Because they want a computer that largely “just works”.
With phones it’s a bit different though. The choices are slowly being taken from you. It’s still possible right this second to buy something with an open bootloader but in 2030? Maybe not so much unless you’re cool with going back to a flip phone
With stuff like smartphones there’s literally no choice that allows you to do all smartphone stuff while also keeping control.
Sure you can buy a Pinephone, but that’s not a phone, it’s just an idealistic toy.
If you want a phone that works for 2FA, works with your bank and with your city’s public transport app, then there’s no libre option.
Even a fairphone with /e/ OS isn’t fully libre.
@ragebutt @TheLeadenSea don’t forget steriotypes, history and old habits almost always work for non-tech savvy, for example, many people avoid Samsung devices because they explode in spite that even happened last time years ago, I know they still explode but it is a rare even and its causes are known
You won’t need a flip phone, a Nexus or OPO will work as well.
Simple answer most people don’t know/care until it gets in their way.
And even then people have an incredible ability to just “get use to it” because for them it takes less effort that switching to a more ethical platform.