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Ph03n1x77 (talk | contribs)
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After noting the controversy over on the talk page, I strengthened my statements with sources and attempted to address some of the criticism of /e/ in a summitive way. Unfortunately, when I attempted to source the criticism, the .xyz site was not allowed. So, I'm not sure what the final edit should look like, but I'll submit what I have.
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Eelo was subsequently renamed to /e/ in July 2018 due to a conflict with the "eelloo" [[trademark]], which was owned by human resources company Meurs HRM B.V.<ref name="The Register" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indidea.org/gael/blog/leaving-apple-and-google-e-is-the-symbol-for-my-data-is-my-data/|title=Leaving Apple and Google: /e/ is the symbol for “my data is MY data”|last=Duval|first=Gaël|author-link=Gaël Duval|date=2018-07-14|website=Gaël Duval|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-07}}</ref> The /e/ Foundation has confirmed that they are exploring alternative names and hopes to rename the project in the first half of 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|title=e Foundation - deGoogled unGoogled smartphone operating systems and online services - your data is your data|url=http://e.foundation/|access-date=2021-01-19|website=e Foundation - deGoogled unGoogled smartphone operating systems and online services - your data is your data|language=en-US}}</ref>
Eelo was subsequently renamed to /e/ in July 2018 due to a conflict with the "eelloo" [[trademark]], which was owned by human resources company Meurs HRM B.V.<ref name="The Register" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indidea.org/gael/blog/leaving-apple-and-google-e-is-the-symbol-for-my-data-is-my-data/|title=Leaving Apple and Google: /e/ is the symbol for “my data is MY data”|last=Duval|first=Gaël|author-link=Gaël Duval|date=2018-07-14|website=Gaël Duval|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-07}}</ref> The /e/ Foundation has confirmed that they are exploring alternative names and hopes to rename the project in the first half of 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|title=e Foundation - deGoogled unGoogled smartphone operating systems and online services - your data is your data|url=http://e.foundation/|access-date=2021-01-19|website=e Foundation - deGoogled unGoogled smartphone operating systems and online services - your data is your data|language=en-US}}</ref>


[[Beta version]]s of /e/ were released for 20 to 30 smartphone models in September 2018.<ref name="The Register" /><ref name="LMI">{{cite web|access-date=30 August 2019|title=Eelo : l'OS mobile open source de Gaël Duval sort en bêta|trans-title=Eelo: Gaël Duval's open source mobile OS is released in beta|language=fr|first=Dominique|last=Filippone|url=https://www.lemondeinformatique.fr/actualites/lire-eelo-l-os-mobile-open-source-de-gael-duval-sort-en-beta-72898.html|website={{ill|Le Monde informatique|fr}}|date=19 September 2018}}</ref> As of November 2019 /e/ supported 89 smartphone models.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/the-e-google-free-pro-privacy-android-phone-runs-well-for-a-beta/|title=The /e/ Google-free, pro-privacy Android phone runs well -- for a beta|last=Vaughan-Nichols|first=Steven J.|website=ZDNet|language=en|access-date=2019-11-21}}</ref> Currently, as of January 2021, /e/ supports 112 models, including those in beta. Since /e/ is based on LineageOS, which as of January supports 170 models with another 148 with partial support, it is anticipated that /e/ will continue to expand their selection.
[[Beta version]]s of /e/ were released for 20 to 30 smartphone models in September 2018.<ref name="The Register" /><ref name="LMI">{{cite web|access-date=30 August 2019|title=Eelo : l'OS mobile open source de Gaël Duval sort en bêta|trans-title=Eelo: Gaël Duval's open source mobile OS is released in beta|language=fr|first=Dominique|last=Filippone|url=https://www.lemondeinformatique.fr/actualites/lire-eelo-l-os-mobile-open-source-de-gael-duval-sort-en-beta-72898.html|website={{ill|Le Monde informatique|fr}}|date=19 September 2018}}</ref> As of November 2019 /e/ supported 89 smartphone models.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/the-e-google-free-pro-privacy-android-phone-runs-well-for-a-beta/|title=The /e/ Google-free, pro-privacy Android phone runs well -- for a beta|last=Vaughan-Nichols|first=Steven J.|website=ZDNet|language=en|access-date=2019-11-21}}</ref> Currently, as of January 2021, /e/ supports 112 models, including those in beta. Since /e/ is based on LineageOS, which as of January supports 170 models with another 148 with partial support, it is anticipated that /e/ will continue to expand their selection.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Amadeo|first=Ron|date=2020-04-30|title=Fairphone and /e/ team up to build open source, sustainable smartphone|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2020/04/fairphone-and-e-team-up-to-build-open-source-sustainable-smartphone/|access-date=2021-01-19|website=Ars Technica|language=en-us}}</ref>


== Features ==
== Features ==
/e/ comes bundles with integrated [[Nextcloud]] services, made available through an "/e/ account". After signing up, users are presented with 1 GB of storage for cloud document storage, email at an "e.email" address, calendar, and contacts. Users can elect to subscribe and pay a monthly/yearly fee for between 20 GB and 256 GB of storage. As the team is currently working on upgrading modules to Android 10, updates are available in a typical method - "over-the-air".
/e/ comes bundles with integrated [[Nextcloud]] services, made available through an "/e/ account". After signing up, users are presented with 1 GB of storage for cloud document storage, email at an "e.email" address, calendar, and contacts. Users can elect to subscribe and pay a monthly/yearly fee for between 20 GB and 256 GB of storage.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-08|title=7 Reasons to Replace Android With /e/OS on Your Smartphone|url=https://www.makeuseof.com/reasons-to-replace-android-with-eos/|access-date=2021-01-19|website=MakeUseOf|language=en-US}}</ref> As the team is currently working on upgrading modules to Android 10, updates are available in a typical method - "over-the-air".


== Software ==
== Software ==
The OS comes with a custom app store, with app APKs from the [[F-Droid|FDroid]] app store as well as free Android apps. The store supports Progressive Web Apps, downloadable versions of websites such as NBA, Twitter, and Instagram, which are security-hardened when downloaded through the store. Paid apps are not supported. Although /e/ markets itself as open-source, it's app store is closed-source and run on company-operated servers, something that has generated controversy. Other open-source app stores, such as the aforementioned FDroid and Aurora are also supported. The /e/ app store automatically adds a "privacy rating" to apps, based on their required permissions and trackers.
The OS comes with a custom app store, with app APKs from the [[F-Droid|FDroid]] app store as well as free Android apps.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rubin|first=Ross|date=2019-08-09|title=These startups aim to smash Apple and Google’s smartphone duopoly|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90385283/these-startups-aim-to-smash-apple-and-googles-smartphone-duopoly|access-date=2021-01-19|website=Fast Company|language=en-US}}</ref> The store supports Progressive Web Apps, downloadable versions of websites such as NBA, Twitter, and Instagram,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-05-24|title=How to install a Progressive Web App on your phone and computer|url=https://mobilesyrup.com/2020/05/24/how-install-progressive-web-app-pwa-android-ios-pc-mac/|access-date=2021-01-19|website=MobileSyrup|language=en}}</ref> which are security-hardened when downloaded through the store. Paid apps are not supported.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Tim Anderson|title=Android without Google – and yes it has apps: The Reg talks to founder about the /e/ smartphone|url=https://www.theregister.com/2020/11/12/android_without_google_e_smartphone/|access-date=2021-01-19|website=www.theregister.com|language=en}}</ref> Although /e/ markets itself as open-source, it's app store is closed-source and run on company-operated servers, something that has generated controversy. The company has also been criticized for non-open-source practices, such as plagiarizing code. /e/ does support other open-source app stores, such as the aforementioned FDroid and Aurora Store. One additional feature of the /e/ app store is automatically-added "privacy rating" on apps, based on their required permissions and trackers.


The Foundation also developed their own home screen launcher, called Bliss, which reviewers have noted "feels like a hybrid between iOS and Android".
The Foundation also developed their own home screen launcher, called Bliss, which reviewers have noted "feels like a hybrid between iOS and Android".

/e/ can be installed through an installer the Foundation developed, as well as traditional methods such as flashing the ROM.


== Hardware ==
== Hardware ==
The /e/ Foundation has partnered with [[Gigaset Communications|Gigaset]] and [[Fairphone]] to sell the GS290 and [[Fairphone 3]] and 3+ with /e/ pre-installed. Also available on their website are "Premium Refurbished" [[Samsung]] [[Samsung Galaxy S8|Galaxy S8]], [[Samsung Galaxy S9|S9]], and S9+.
The /e/ Foundation has partnered with [[Gigaset Communications|Gigaset]] and [[Fairphone]] to sell the GS290 and [[Fairphone 3]] and 3+ with /e/ pre-installed.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-04-30|title=Keeping your data safe with /e/OS|url=https://www.fairphone.com/en/2020/04/30/keeping-your-data-safe-with-e-os/|access-date=2021-01-19|website=Fairphone|language=en-US}}</ref> Also available on their website are "Premium Refurbished" [[Samsung]] [[Samsung Galaxy S8|Galaxy S8]], [[Samsung Galaxy S9|S9]], and S9+.


== Reception ==
== Reception ==

Revision as of 17:06, 19 January 2021

/e/
DeveloperGaël Duval, /e/ Foundation
Repositorygitlab.e.foundation
Package managerAPK-based
PlatformsARM, ARM64
Kernel typeMonolithic (Linux)
LicenseApache 2, MIT and other licenses
Official websitee.foundation/e-os/

/e/ (formerly Eelo) is a free and open-source Android-based mobile operating system with bundled online services.[1] The operating system is a fork of LineageOS and Android.[2] The custom firmware is developed by the non-profit /e/ Foundation, founded by French entrepreneur Gaël Duval in 2018. /e/ is presented as privacy software that does not contain proprietary Google apps or services,[3] and the Foundation has challenged the public to "find any parts of the system or default applications that are still leaking data to Google."[4]

Firmware

/e/ is based on LineageOS, a fork of the CyanogenMod and Android operating systems. In order to allow users to run default Android apps, /e/ uses MicroG as a free and open-source replacement for Google Play Services, and Mozilla Location Service for geolocation.[4][5]

History

In 2017, Mandrake Linux creator Gaël Duval proposed the concept of an operating system without privacy-invasive software as a "non-profit project 'in the public interest'". Duval wrote, "Apple, Google, Facebook etc., business models are harmful for our economical and social environments".[6] The operating system was initially called Eelo; the name was inspired by moray eels, which Duval saw as "fish that can hide in the sea".[7][8] Duval launched a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign with an initial goal of €25,000, and received at least €71,000 from contributors.[6][7][9]

Eelo was subsequently renamed to /e/ in July 2018 due to a conflict with the "eelloo" trademark, which was owned by human resources company Meurs HRM B.V.[4][10] The /e/ Foundation has confirmed that they are exploring alternative names and hopes to rename the project in the first half of 2021.[11]

Beta versions of /e/ were released for 20 to 30 smartphone models in September 2018.[4][12] As of November 2019 /e/ supported 89 smartphone models.[13] Currently, as of January 2021, /e/ supports 112 models, including those in beta. Since /e/ is based on LineageOS, which as of January supports 170 models with another 148 with partial support, it is anticipated that /e/ will continue to expand their selection.[14]

Features

/e/ comes bundles with integrated Nextcloud services, made available through an "/e/ account". After signing up, users are presented with 1 GB of storage for cloud document storage, email at an "e.email" address, calendar, and contacts. Users can elect to subscribe and pay a monthly/yearly fee for between 20 GB and 256 GB of storage.[15] As the team is currently working on upgrading modules to Android 10, updates are available in a typical method - "over-the-air".

Software

The OS comes with a custom app store, with app APKs from the FDroid app store as well as free Android apps.[16] The store supports Progressive Web Apps, downloadable versions of websites such as NBA, Twitter, and Instagram,[17] which are security-hardened when downloaded through the store. Paid apps are not supported.[18] Although /e/ markets itself as open-source, it's app store is closed-source and run on company-operated servers, something that has generated controversy. The company has also been criticized for non-open-source practices, such as plagiarizing code. /e/ does support other open-source app stores, such as the aforementioned FDroid and Aurora Store. One additional feature of the /e/ app store is automatically-added "privacy rating" on apps, based on their required permissions and trackers.

The Foundation also developed their own home screen launcher, called Bliss, which reviewers have noted "feels like a hybrid between iOS and Android".

/e/ can be installed through an installer the Foundation developed, as well as traditional methods such as flashing the ROM.

Hardware

The /e/ Foundation has partnered with Gigaset and Fairphone to sell the GS290 and Fairphone 3 and 3+ with /e/ pre-installed.[19] Also available on their website are "Premium Refurbished" Samsung Galaxy S8, S9, and S9+.

Reception

The Free Software Foundation declined to endorse /e/ because it "contains nonfree libraries".[20] Ross Rubin of Fast Company described /e/'s strategy as a "Google-like approach" of maximizing user adoption, in contrast to hardware manufacturer and software developer Purism's "Apple-like approach" of vertical integration.[21] Jack Wallen of TechRepublic believed that /e/ will "prove Android can exist without Google", but predicted that the operating system would not appeal to ordinary smartphone users.[22] Sascha Segan of PC Magazine was "encouraged by /e/, and by its determination to create an easy-to-use (and, hopefully, easy to install) alternative," but was "queasy about the sources of third-party apps on /e/." He also defended /e/ against InfoSec Handbook's criticisms, which /e/ "took to heart and has been working on it in public bug threads anyone can read online."[23] Steven Vaughan-Nichols reviewed a refurbished Samsung phone with pre-installed /e/ paralleling Android 8.1, and found it to be "quite stable," but said "applications can be a pain" and "installing /e/ is a monster of a job."[13]

See also

References

  1. ^ Moody, Glyn (8 October 2018). "Now Is the Time to Start Planning for the Post-Android World". Linux Journal. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  2. ^ Schofield, Jack (4 July 2019). "Can I buy a phone that doesn't use anything from Google or Apple?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  3. ^ Rajan, Nandagopal (1 January 2018). "Eelo, new 'privacy-enabled' smartphone OS, will have no Google inside". The Indian Express. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d Orlowski, Andrew (24 September 2018). "Open-source alt-droid wants to know if it's still leaking data to Google". The Register. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  5. ^ "Meet eelo: An Android-based operating system that doesn't use Google services". BGR India. 2018-01-03. Retrieved 2019-09-07.
  6. ^ a b Vaughan-Nichols, Steven J. (2 January 2018). "Eelo: A Google-less Android alternative emerges". ZDNet. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  7. ^ a b Byfield, Bruce (March 2018). "You Say Goodbye, and I Say eelo". Linux Magazine. No. 208. Retrieved 2019-09-07.
  8. ^ David, Nash (5 January 2018). "eelo: In conversation with Gaël Duval, creator of the Google-less Android project". BGR India. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  9. ^ Nora, Dominique (13 January 2018). "Eelo, le smartphone qui veut se passer d'Apple et Google". L'Obs (in French). Retrieved 2019-09-07.
  10. ^ Duval, Gaël (2018-07-14). "Leaving Apple and Google: /e/ is the symbol for "my data is MY data"". Gaël Duval. Retrieved 2019-09-07.
  11. ^ "e Foundation - deGoogled unGoogled smartphone operating systems and online services - your data is your data". e Foundation - deGoogled unGoogled smartphone operating systems and online services - your data is your data. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
  12. ^ Filippone, Dominique (19 September 2018). "Eelo : l'OS mobile open source de Gaël Duval sort en bêta" [Eelo: Gaël Duval's open source mobile OS is released in beta]. Le Monde informatique [fr] (in French). Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  13. ^ a b Vaughan-Nichols, Steven J. "The /e/ Google-free, pro-privacy Android phone runs well -- for a beta". ZDNet. Retrieved 2019-11-21.
  14. ^ Amadeo, Ron (2020-04-30). "Fairphone and /e/ team up to build open source, sustainable smartphone". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
  15. ^ "7 Reasons to Replace Android With /e/OS on Your Smartphone". MakeUseOf. 2020-11-08. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
  16. ^ Rubin, Ross (2019-08-09). "These startups aim to smash Apple and Google's smartphone duopoly". Fast Company. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
  17. ^ "How to install a Progressive Web App on your phone and computer". MobileSyrup. 2020-05-24. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
  18. ^ Tim Anderson. "Android without Google – and yes it has apps: The Reg talks to founder about the /e/ smartphone". www.theregister.com. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
  19. ^ "Keeping your data safe with /e/OS". Fairphone. 2020-04-30. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
  20. ^ "Explaining Why We Don't Endorse Other Systems". Free Software Foundation. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  21. ^ Rubin, Ross (9 August 2019). "These startups aim to smash Apple and Google's smartphone duopoly". Fast Company. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  22. ^ Wallen, Jack (3 October 2018). "Is /e/ good or bad for mobility?". TechRepublic. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  23. ^ Segan, Sascha (October 21, 2019). "Hands On With /e/, a Version of Android That Ditches Google". PCMAG. Retrieved 2019-10-29.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=/e/_(operating_system)&oldid=1001429180"