How to get away from Big Tech? Well, I don't want to get rid of everything at once. I'm a big Linux fan, but because of photo editing software (no, I'm not using Adobe software!) and music recording software, my MacBook Pro will stay for a while. For those who say "you can use this or that software program," the answer is no.
Here are two examples:
- Photo editing software: I'm using DxO PhotoLab 9 for now. It's not open source, but as far as I know it's still European (from France). And no, I haven't seen any Linux program that can compete with this.
- Music software: I'm a guitar player and use different tools, mainly ones from Toontrack and TH-U. And no, I haven't found any software like this on Linux.
What to explore?
First of all a list of Apps on my iPhone that will be part on my quest. I'll already give my expectation, lets see what happens at the end of this adventure.
Apps
| App | Use | My expectation |
|---|---|---|
| Brave | Browser | Expect it to be available on /e/OS |
| Proton Applications | E-Mail, Pass, 2FA authenticator, VPN, Drive | Expect it to be available on /e/OS |
| Apple iMessage | Send Messages | Not available |
| Signal | Send Messages | Expect it to be available on /e/OS |
| Calendar | Appointments | Expect something to be available on /e/OS. But I use Nextcloud CalDAV to Nextcloud |
| Contacts | Contacts | Expect something to be available on /e/OS. But I use Nextcloud CardDav to Nextcloud |
| Maps | Quick location check, not for navigation | Expect something be available on /e/OS, but not the Apple version. |
| Reminders | Reminder App. | Expect something be available on /e/OS, but not the Apple version. I'm using Joplin at the moment. |
| Garmin Connect | For my Garmin Venu 4 Watch | Expect it to be available on /e/OS but there could be some Google challenges. |
| Home Assistent | Home Automation | Expect it to be available on /e/OS |
| Home Wizard | Solar, Electricity app | Expect it to be available on /e/OS |
| Remeha Home | For my waterpump heating | Expect it to be available on /e/OS |
| Weawow, OpenWeather | Weather App | Expect it to be available on /e/OS |
| Unifi | Network Manager | No expectations yet |
| QPark | Parking App | No expectations yet |
| ANWB Onderweg | Car App | No expectations yet |
| Tango | Fuel app | No expectations yet |
| Sygic | Navigation App | No expectations yet |
| Marshall | Motif II ANC Earbuds | No expectations yet |
| Joplin | Notes app | Expect it to be available on /e/OS |
| Nextcloud | Several nextcloud apps | Expect it to be available on /e/OS |
| Hades Star | Game (Yes, I also play games) | Expect it to be available on /e/OS |
| Star Trek Fleet Command | Game (Yes, I also play games) | Expect it to be available on /e/OS perhaps some Google challenges. |
| Steam | Used for desktop authentication | Expect it to be available on /e/OS perhaps some Google challenges. |
| Battle.Net | Used for desktop authentication | Expect it to be available on /e/OS perhaps some Google challenges. |
| Untappd | Yes! I drink beer | Expect it to be available on /e/OS |
| ING | Bank App | Expect it to be available on /e/OS perhaps some Google challenges. |
| bunq | Bank App | Expect it to be available on /e/OS perhaps some Google challenges. |
| Tikkie | "bank" App | Expect it to be available on /e/OS perhaps some Google challenges. |
| Paypal | Bank App | Expect it to be available on /e/OS perhaps some Google challenges. |
| Geocaching | Sometimes active on geocaching | Expect it to be available on /e/OS perhaps some Google challenges. |
| 9292 | Public Transportation | Expect it to be available on /e/OS perhaps some Google challenges. |
| OV Pay | Pay in public transport | Expect it to be available on /e/OS. I hope with NFC option. |
| DigiD | Government | Expect it to be available on /e/OS. Also some other Government apps. |
| Some ticket apps | Ticketmaster, Eventbrite | Expect it to be available on /e/OS perhaps some Google challenges. |
| Social | Mastodon and/or Friendica app(s) | Expect it to be available on /e/OS. |
Functionality
| Function | Use | My expectation |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Pay | NFC payment | Not available, I already know that. I don't want to use Google Pay or Garmin Pay. Challenge: What is available besides paying with physical cards. |
| Apple Wallet | See Apple Pay | See Apple Pay |
| Siri Shortcuts | Automation | Siri shortcuts is an Apple product so not available. What are the alternatives? |
| Navigation | Sygic | My expectation is that this will be a challenge I actually want to use Android Car and not some kind of clam that holds my Phone. The navigation maps I have in Sygic are fare more up-to-date then the maps in my car. Nice challenge. |
Secondly, I will also look at user-friendliness of /e/OS. Apple has a very high level of user-friendlinessregarding the UI. And, yes, it used to be better years ago. Apple is also hiding more and more options in the UI.
Third, I'm getting my Fairphone delivered by Odido. That means it will be delivered with its default Android 16. It is not clean Android; it has Fairphone adjustments. And as far as I know, this Android version is somewhat adjusted in China -> not good.