Dumdum The network permission is used to fetch release notes from https://grapheneos.org/releases.atom. This is documented in the default connections FAQ.

We considered having the information be static and updating release notes via a version bump, but ultimately decided against it because the release notes are very frequently tweaked after the fact (to fix typos, reword things that might've been confusing to people etc.), which would end up taking too much time away from other things.

The social/community links and donation options are static, so if something changes there, we have to release a new version to update that.

    Thank you all for your continued feedback on this, both those who like the addition of the app, and those who don't like it. Some further things to address:

    The reason why we deemed it important for the app to come with the OS rather than just being an option in Apps is because the app is meant to be a way to introduce people to GrapheneOS by showing them the release note and how they can contribute/get involved in a way that's right there. It's likely that the default homescreen will be edited in the future so that after setup, the Apps app and perhaps the Info app will be among the apps that are on the homescreen, so that they're more prominent.

    The second reason for that is because we will likely be expanding the functionality of the app beyond its current scope of just providing information that can be found on the website by incorporating tips and guides for new users and existing long-term users alike.

    As an example of what that might look like, there could be a "get started" option that takes you through settings like auto reboot, duress, etc., briefly introduces you to the feature, and has a button that directly takes you to that setting. Google has a similar app called the "Pixel Tips" app.

    On top of that, when a new feature is added, the app could notify the user about it, at which point you can be introduced to that feature.

    Feedback and observing what people say shows that not everyone is on top of the release notes, and therefore people miss a lot of features that they could be using simply because they're not aware of them. To help people make the most out of GrapheneOS, we believe that kind of user interface will be able to do that in an unobtrusive, interactive way. We want to avoid the current situation where people come to our community to ask when X feature will be implemented, only for us to say that it was already implemented a month or two ago. :)

    Finally, as another point that demonstrates the benefits of this app, is that we have already seen an uptick of people joining our community channels that directly mentioned they did so because they saw the link to e.g. our chat rooms via the Info app. That tells us that the app is already providing information that people may not have been aware of or may have pushed aside, and that it's providing value to them.

    Contrasting that to the fact that some people don't want it or need it (which is absolutely fine) being able to easily disable it and have it be out of sight, out of mind, we currently believe that having it be a part of the OS is the right move.

      I like the app, and I see great potential for it! Keep up the good work 😊👍

      A few things:

      • On each of the cards that present the release notes, could you provide a link directly to the discussion thread here in the forum?
      • Since this app is for new users (as well as old), could you provide the information about how the release works for alpha/beta/stable? There has been a lot of users asking about this in the last month or two, and it seems to be confusing for them that alpha/beta/stable is the same release (contrary to other software releases). And also explain that there is roll-back protection and changing channels does not fix a problem.

        Panda-na Since this app is for new users (as well as old), could you provide the information about how the release works for alpha/beta/stable?

        I think this is a good suggestion.

          matchboxbananasynergy The second reason for that is because we will likely be expanding the functionality of the app beyond its current scope of just providing information that can be found on the website by incorporating tips and guides for new users and existing long-term users alike.

          That's exactly what I had in mind when I was reading the previous paragraph. All his suggestions seem to me to be going in the right direction, thank you.

            Panda-na Thank you for your feedback. I've passed both points on for further discussion.

            On a personal note, I think linking to the forum post might be nice to do, though perhaps tricky to implement, as the release notes page currently takes content from the releases atom feed, and just parses it and spits it out in a nice UI. An easy way is to start including the forum link to the release notes, at which point the app could "learn" to parse it with a fancy button or something. Interesting to think about.

            Panda-na Since this app is for new users (as well as old), could you provide the information about how the release works for alpha/beta/stable? There has been a lot of users asking about this in the last month or two, and it seems to be confusing for them that alpha/beta/stable is the same release (contrary to other software releases). And also explain that there is roll-back protection and changing channels does not fix a problem.

            We could include the "About the releases" information in the release notes page. Perhaps with a little "i" information icon at the top right. Worth thinking about.

                fid02 thank you. I actually had thoughts toward this answer, but it nice to make sure.

                  Graphene1

                  It would be great to have installed as standard but have the option to uninstall (and reinstall from apps if a use case arose for the user)

                  This is already how it works. It's installed in new profiles by default but you can disable it. The difference between disabling and uninstall for system apps is that if you uninstalled it, you couldn't just enable it again. Uninstalling a system app won't remove it from the OS images and won't save any storage space. Us including more apps in the OS images also doesn't waste storage space for users. We have a certain amount of space reserved for the OS which is the same as the stock OS and we don't use all of it.

                      AlanZ Uninstalling apps always works that way. The package is shared between each profile with it installed and the packages installed to data are removed if no profiles have it installed. It's not really special for system apps. There should be no reason to use uninstall instead of disable. What do you think you gain from it? It won't save you any space, since Info shipped with the OS doesn't use any space. A disabled app can't run, no different from it being uninstalled.

                          Velocity9490 This doesn't have any benefit over disabling it beyond making it significantly harder to get back since you can't simply enableit again. Doing that requires using developer options and enabling ADB which adds substantial attack surface and is not recommended on a production device. If you disable a system apps that's not included in our app repository, you may not know how to add it back when it turns out you want it or need it.

                            danijelcamdzic What's wrong with disabling it? Uninstalling it has no advantage beyond not having the option to enable it again in Settings. It won't save you any space, since it doesn't take up space from being installed in a profile. The packages for installed apps are shared between each profile. In this case, the package is shipped with the OS, which has a certain amount of reserved storage space in total. Adding this app didn't increase the storage space used by the OS, and it's tiny, so it doesn't contribute anything significant towards reaching the limit.

                              @matchboxbananasynergy @GrapheneOS
                              Dear Dev Team... NOT all of us hold distain for the myriad of completed enhancements you bring to GOS on such a regular basis. I also find often, users, not having the background / insight into the decision process behind changes, can therefore not necessarily see the benefit or value, or future value of these changes, and then express their ignorant (not meaning to offend here, just accurately describe) displeasure.

                              I actually struggle to find the words to express my level of gratitude for the incredible professionalism and technological depth of Graphene OS. I have spent hours reading the FAQs and GOS Features pages on the website and am astounded at the achieved privacy and security!
                              I for one thank you! Your work is incredibly appreciated and valued.
                              VAULT

                              GrapheneOS There should be no reason to use uninstall instead of disable. What do you think you gain from it? It won't save you any space, since Info shipped with the OS doesn't use any space.

                              I gain knowing that it is truly gone. Why is this so hard to grasp? No, it is not about space, it is my desire to know that it is irrevocably gone.
                              Would you please stop pushing the "disable" option, that is not what some of us are looking for.
                              When I scroll through my list of installed apps I don't want to see it with the stupid "disabled" label underneath it, I don't want to see it at all.

                                  AlanZ So it's all in your head, and has nothing to do with facts or with any technical issue that might come to worry the user. A system application doesn't use user storage space, and deactivation is actually preferable to uninstallation.

                                      AlanZ Wow! I think you may have chosen the wrong OS for your phone... or perhaps you're just a bot. Either way, you appear to me to be ignorant and ungrateful for what is most likely the most secure and private mobile OS available... oh, and not my words, but Ed Snowden thinks so.
                                      Either way, I won't bother reading any of your future posts on anything. Your lack of gratitude is astounding to me. Perhaps you'd like to even build your own OS, just the way you'd like it.

                                      Movin on... bye!

                                          Xtreix
                                          A system application doesn't use user storage space, and deactivation is actually preferable to uninstallation.

                                          Yes, keep parroting the talking points.