Google: “Based on this feedback and our ongoing conversations with the community, we are building a new advanced flow that allows experienced users to accept the risks of installing software that isn’t verified. We are designing this flow specifically to resist coercion, ensuring that users aren’t tricked into bypassing these safety checks while under pressure from a scammer. It will also include clear warnings to ensure users fully understand the risks involved, but ultimately, it puts the choice in their hands.”
Thank god. I would’ve ditched Android for good if this went through, and while it sounds like it would be annoying for casual users to enable unverified apps, at least we can still install them.
FWIW I’ve been daily driving SailfishOS on various Sony Xperias for 5 years now. It’s not fully OSS, but it is a fully valid Linux OS.
I’m curious: I’m currently evaluating mobile Linux OSes to transition away from Android. What I got going right now is Ubuntu Touch on a Fairphone 5, but there’s one big drawback with this one for me: the lack of a decent native Signal client.
I’ve always planned to give Sailfish OS a spin, and I’m almost certain I can install it on the FP5 easily. But I’m not all that keen on ruining my Ubuntu Touch install, and possibly not being able to reinstall it if I want to go back.
So before I install Sailfish OS on it, can you tell me if it has a decent Signal client? If it doesn’t, then maybe it’s not really worth investigating in the first place for me.
https://nlnet.nl/project/Whisperfish/
I meant have you tried it? Do you know if it’s any good?
Yes and yes, but I have no need for it.
I prefer to use Signal’s Android version by way of SailfishOS’ App support.
Ah right okay.
The Android version of Signal works well in Waydroid in Ubuntu Touch also, bu running it permanently in the background like Signal is designed to do is problematic for several reasons that make it kind of a painful proposition. But if I needed it just to send or receive a message punctually, it would be a great solution.
Okay then, it sounds like Whisperfish might work well enough as a primary Signal client to make SailfishOS worth giving a spin. Thanks!