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That's cool. Unfortunately Linux phones, including Sailfish, aren't really fit for daily use yet, imo.
Also, the choice to use Sony phones confuses me. I cannot think of a worse design choice for a phone.
They aren't particularly secure, or particularly well built, I just don't see a reason to base the OS on them.
”Yet” ??
I had the OG Jolla as my daily driver circa iPhone 4 era, and it was great experience overall. Running Android apps and whatnot. Eventually the camera and display quality made me stop using it. Still boot it maybe once a year for the fun of it… I think the Sailfish OS did even receive updates till ~2021.
How does Sailfish get around most banking apps requiring Google play services, for example?
It doesn't. Same kind of experience as degoogled Roms wrt that.
So, again, not fit for use yet. Sadly. GrapheneOS works pretty well for now.
Let's see what happens with the latest developments where Google took some code closed-source.
Genuine question: is no banking app access really a showstopper, if that is the only thing missing? My bank app does not work on CalyxOS, but it has turned out to be no problem at all since I always use my laptop for serious banking tasks anyway. Are browser based bank apps starting to be phased out forcing people to use mobile apps? Is it just a preference?
For me, the lack of certain phone features has been the showstopper. I still need my phone to be a phone. So postmarketOS is not going to work on my phone. I recently learned that Ubuntu Touch supposedly has full support for my device, including phone stuff, and I want to test it out, but I am trying to get a cheap second-hand version of the device to test.
Its not just about banking apps, I just used that example as an escape goat.
Basically, I tried GrapheneOS briefly without Google play services, and there were some things I couldn't get to work (I can't recall now what since it was so long ago) but it was bothersome enough that I just installed it shortly after.
I still rely on services like Google play for some Apps (like Tasker), and i haven't gotten rid of Google Maps entirely although I can do 90% of what I need with other apps. Also, don't most apps need Gplay Services to feed you notifications? Not having notifications on my phone is a deal breaker for me.
Basically, for my threat model I just need to give as little data about myself to big tech, but not at the expense of too much convenience. I just can't imagine using a phone without Google Play services.
Do try out the "private space", you can install play services and gmaps in there and have it separate from the rest of your phone.
As for notifications: this heavily depends on your apps. I mainly use Signal, and the fdroid build has notifications without play services, and for protonmail I found "you have mail" which makes it work. And I live without whatsapp notifications
I guess they can be happy to have any manufacturer working with them. Sony is better than no partner.
Unfortunately Linux phones, including Sailfish, aren’t really fit for daily use yet, imo.
Consider this:
"Jolla’s AppSupport enables embedded Linux platforms to run Android apps seamlessly." (SOURCE)