this post was submitted on 30 Jul 2024
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Privacy

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So today I finally took the plunge and bought a new Pixel 8a to install GrapheneOS on. It will be my new daily driver, replacing my current phone. It's getting delivered tomorrow, and I'd like to make sure I'm getting the full privacy/security benefits from the device. What other recommendations would you provide?

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[–] [email protected] 12 points 4 months ago (7 children)

Check out FUTO.org's keyboard, best gboard alternative I've ever used.

The Aurora store is also a nice front end replacement for Play Store if you go the sandboxed Google services route.

Also, F-Droid Basic is out, which is just a newer F-Droid.

For an excellent Pixel launcher alternative, check out Lawnchair 14's Beta 2, or nightly from their github.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 4 months ago (2 children)

Check out FUTO.org's keyboard, best gboard alternative I've ever used.

The license is not great and idk how it's better than HeliBoard for example. Wouldn't recommend in the FOSS world tbh.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 months ago

Just checked, it seems fine to me. Can use it for any purpose, and can modify for non commercial.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 months ago (2 children)

This is true for Foss purist... I don't think any privacy enjoyer cares though

[–] [email protected] 10 points 4 months ago (1 children)

A privacy enjoyer isn't going to be concerned about licenses!? What? That's like... The entire thing?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago

The privacy concern is whether the source code is viewable, which it is in this case, not whether the application is free.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I mean, if it has a worse license and no advantages then why choose it? It's worse overall

[–] [email protected] 9 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Advantage is that it allows on device voice processing and it is good at it.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 4 months ago

Oh ok that's a valid advantage.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I can recommend HeliBoard or Florisboard. Florisboard has some auto correct issues on my device right now so in the meantime I use HeliBoard.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 4 months ago (1 children)

My ability to type accurately, and with good auto correction on FUTO's is immensely better than using HeliBoard.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I found the opposite. What settings do u have in FUTO, I remember seeing a lot of options.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago

It's all default except for the theme. I have key borders on. Transformer LM on for prediction.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 4 months ago (3 children)

What is special about FUTO's keyboard. I would argue HeliBoard (also on f-droid) with the swipelib is the closest to gboard.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 4 months ago

For me, it's the first time I've had a keyboard capable of doing dictation since I stopped using Google keyboard in 2019 when I started using lineage OS. Personally, I am very happy to have that feature back.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 months ago (1 children)

My ability to type accurately on FUTO's was immediately way better than on HeliBoard.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I really can't explain but I type WAY worse on HelBoard. I'm usually quite accurate typing on phones, but on HeliBoard it's almost as if my finger is always shifted to the side, and that every tap has twice the delay

[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 months ago

I saw a video of Rossman doing a presentation on FUTO's keyboard, originally. Eventually he made a statement that he was pissed off that every single keyboard that wasn't Gboard made him feel like he was drunk typing. I immediately said "holy hell, me too!" and went and downloaded it.

[–] 0oWow 2 points 4 months ago

Yeah Heliboard with the swipelib is closest to gboard for me, better than Futo, however, Futo has a voice typing app also that is incredibly accurate, and punctuates near perfectly. So I use Heliboard with Futo Voice Typing.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

I haven't tried their keyboard but FUTO Voice Input with the largest model is absolutely incredible!

This does speech to text 100% locally and is more accurate than Google's shit.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

FUTOs stuff isn't under a free (freedom) license so I would avoid it. Use stock apps and anything off of F-droid

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago

I really love FUTO's keyboard, the auto-completion is really good. I paid to support them. I whish they'll add French model soon.

[–] [email protected] -2 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Not a fan of FUTO keyboard atm, Simple Keyboard is better

[–] [email protected] 17 points 4 months ago (2 children)

(Please don't use simple keyboard. Use its fork, Fossify Keyboard)

[–] [email protected] 9 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Yes and the reason is that simple mobile tools sold everything to a very bad ad company that will milk the apps to dead.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 4 months ago

Thank you for the context. I was gonna add it when I got home from work

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago

good to know, thank you