Re: [PLUG] other browsers

[Keith via plug <plug@lists.phillylinux.org>]

On 8/27/25 16:50, Rich Freeman via plug wrote:
> On 8/27/2025 2:07 PM, Keith C. Perry via plug wrote:
> > I'm glad you guys bubbled up GrapheneOS. I have zero intention for be 
> > forced to use any of this a.i. stuff and it has kept me on an older 
> > pixel phone.  My phone is is very good shape- even still hold a 
> > charge so I'm in a no rush to upgrade .  Being able to install this 
> > on a Pixel 9 (and probably the 10 at some point) would make me very 
> > VERY happy.
>
> It is worth noting that Gemini works fine on my Pixel 9a running 
> GrapheneOS, as does Play Services and all the other Google stuff, 
> EXCEPT NFC payments (or any application that requires a 
> Google-certified safetynet check - my bank is fine but UPS (the 
> shipping co) of all things refuses to run).  You can still run Google 
> stuff on the phone, but it comes Google-free so that is a choice.  
> Also, if you DO run Google stuff then it runs with regular sandboxed 
> privs, and the OS offers a lot of more granular permissions, like 
> giving media access but only to individual directories, or contact 
> access but only to certain contact groups, and so on.  If you want to 
> run a "digital assistant" then that is a special permission that can 
> do a fair bit.  You can run Google Play but not let it install any new 
> app without individual confirmation (once it installs an app it can 
> upgrade it freely, which I think is just an out of the box Android 
> behavior when you add an app store).
>
> They have a really functional setup that gives you as much control as 
> you want.
Choice is what matters but I like that GrapheneOS is "clean" and if you 
want it, you can go through the steps to add Google stuff... you 
opt-in.  Google is the opposite... they force you to opt-out and that's 
wrong.  Consumers should never be forced to opt-out of something they 
didn't ask for.  I used to love Pixels because they were pure androidOS 
since the 9 I've have my concerns that its getting bloated with 
unnecessary functionality.  The 9 Pro Fold with GrapheneOS sounds very 
interesting to me.
> > Do any of these browsers also support x265 video playback?
> Not sure that I've tried it, but I'd expect them to support whatever 
> their rendering engine supports.  So the chromium-based ones should be 
> the same as Chrome, and Librewolf should be the same as Firefox.
Yep, you nailed it.  ALL the usually suspects don't support h.265 
(yet?).  I was surprised by that but even more surprised that only 
recommendation I've found on Linux is Epiphany.

--
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Keith C. Perry, MS E.E.
Managing Member, DAO Technologies LLC
(O) +1.215.525.4165 x2033
(M) +1.215.432.5167
www.daotechnologies.com

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