Not sure how it hasn’t been said yet, but I really like Helium314’s OpenBoard fork. Can’t recommend enough.

This list is a must.

I 100% agree, its best to just stick to upstream Fedora imo. Glad you made this comment. The security issues of Nobara always put me off, especially since basically everything it does can just be applied to regular Fedora. I think Nobara would much better serve as a script or toolkit, similar to Brace, or something along those lines instead of an entire separate OS with the security issues it brings.

Didn’t realize they had one, appears a lot of functionality requires an account to use. I’d be cautious overall based on the privacy practices they use in their mobile app, doesn’t seem to be a big concern for them and I’d be careful giving them any trust. But if you do wish to use them, their mobile site with a good content blocker would definitely be the best option (preferably without an account if possible).

I like the concept of Ground News, but about the privacy…

According to Exodus, their mobile app contains 9 trackers:

• Amplitude
• AppsFlyer
• Facebook Analytics
• Facebook Login
• Facebook Share
• Google Analytics
• Google Crashlytics
• Google Firebase Analytics
• Google Tag Manager

Also wants location, camera, phone state, and advertising ID access?!

No thanks.

Yeah, Chromecasts are much better than Fire TV’s, due to the more control you have over them and how easy it is change the launcher vs. Amazon actively preventing it. Basically same price and budget as well. Plus Google running a newer version of Android in general vs. Amazon’s, etc. Chromecasts are probably lesser of the two evils imo.

Pretty much unfortunately. The good thing is its trivially easy to change launchers on the NVIDIA Shield or Google TV devices, plus you can even go a step forward and debloat them entirely with ADB. Amazon’s really the only manufacturer I’d say that forces home screen ads with no choice around it, since they actively prevent changing launchers and such. But Apple is probably the only one out of the box with no advertising.

If you have the money, I’d go for an NVIDIA Shield, or maybe an Apple TV. Well worth the money.

Otherwise, for budget, you could get a Chromecast, which gives you more control over it and has generally less garbage than the Fire TVs do for instance, since you can easily change its launcher and debloat with ADB.

You can easily change launchers on the Shield and remove all of Google’s nonsense through ADB as well though, unlike Amazon who locks down the OS very tight. Plus like another commenter said, you can just flat out install LineageOS and you’re good.

You don’t even need to do that, all you have to do is hold shift when you right click, and it circumvents any hijacking.

Depends, but yes in most cases. Also just adds attack surface and consumes extra resources, so its generally a good practice to keep extensions to a minimum and only use what you need.

For microG (what I would recommend, since its much more private than regular GAPPS/full Play Services), you can just flash a LineageOS for microG build for your device instead of the official LineageOS. You can get them here. It covers the same devices that Lineage itself does. Same installation process, just using their files instead of Lineage’s.

DivestOS added optional support for unprivileged microG fairly recently, so its definitely usable.

They both should work, you won’t get notifications for Teams though unless you flash microG or GAPPS.

Yeah, its just stupid on all angles. Nearly all security benefits of using iMessage over something like SMS go out the window entirely when using middleware like this. The only thing you gain is the color of your bubble and maybe some extra features. Overall its useless. If someone seriously thinks lower of a person or their social status of whatever because of the COLOR OF THEIR MESSAGE… that person has issues and I could care less about what they think of me, some self reflection could be nice.

The problem with graphene is that is shamelessly promotes proprietary software.

How does GrapheneOS “shamelessly promote” proprietary software? I don’t think I’ve ever seen them do this. Maybe you’re referring to Sandboxed Play Services? But that isn’t “shamelessly promoted” or recommended, it isn’t even included in the OS, its just an optional app that can be installed for those who need it.

They have build tools to try to make it safe to run non-free programs (proprietary software) but that entirely misses the point.

I assume you mean Sandboxed Play Services again? That’s far from the only feature or benefit that GrapheneOS gives. They do much more work than just Sandboxed Play Services or making it safe to run “non-free” programs. They make it safe to run ANY program, regardless of license.

My biggest issue with Jellyfin is the downloads. I hate not being able to downscale or compress files. Its really the main reason I still leave Plex up in conjunction to it. Though I hope to be able to get rid of Plex entirely in the future, Jellyfin just needs more time.

I like Clock You.

Yeah, Shizuku opens up a massive attack surface through ADB. ADB can do a lot to your device without you even realizing it in a lot of cases, and you’re basically giving ADB access to Shizuku itself and any apps that use it (which could be exploited) at all times, so its very risky. Its pretty dangerous and definitely best to avoid an app like this.

It does, it works better and covers more sites, but at the cost of security (increasing attack surface) and using more resources. Pros and cons to both.