Hello again
I have my pixel 8 coming soon and after doing some looking around here, I realize I have no idea where to look for recommendations on the standard utility apps that play nice with GOS (aka that don’t utterly undermine the whole point of having GOS, and also… y’know… actually function)
I’m going to be using this phone as a regular smartphone, my threat profile is not very advanced or restrictive.
So here’s where I’m at so far:
So far I’ve had a discussion about Silent Link (data only eSIM with no KYC) and Jmp.Chat / Cheogram (VoIP through which I intend to funnel legacy calls and SMS, giving different numbers to different entities to try to compartmentalize and also give me a way to kill numbers that start getting lots of spam calls).
I’m still trying to sift through VPN recommendations - no log and kill switch are important to me, as is having them be based in a non-“eyes” nation.
I’m using proton for email at the moment, but I saw someone here mention that it’s bogus?
And I saw a discussion here about how a lot of the stock GOS apps are ugly (don’t care about that much) and maybe lacking some quality of life features (kinda care about that so long as it doesn’t screw up privacy/security too much). What all does GOS come with, in terms of apps like Notes, Calendar, Contacts, Reminders, Alarms, file manager, etc?
I’m planning to use Syncthing to back up files and photos.
Also, recommendations on a good way to use YouTube? I have been using Invidious but lately I’ve noticed the tab titles are sometimes showing up as some kind of gobbledegook Wingdings nonsense, which makes me very nervous. So I’m trying to figure out newpipe vs libretube vs revanced.
I’m also a little confused about how apps can undermine GOS security unless I explicitly tell GOS to let them have whatever it is they want that is not secure - aka give them permissions they shouldn’t be given. Is this a thing apps can do on their own, or am I missing an implied “this app just plum won’t work without permissions that undermine GOS privacy/security standards”?
Thanks for the help. Please forgive my… eh… obviously-uninformed questions. I am not only new to GOS and to actual privacy and security in general, I’m also new to Android - I’ve been on iPhones since I stopped using flip-phones because my dad’s company gave him iphones and I got his hand-me-downs until I moved out, and I just kinda stuck with them until now.
I know I’m kinda diving into the deep end but I figure I might as well rip the bandaid off, so to speak.
Thanks