- If this hasn’t been done already, being able to unlock the bootloader
- Adding “AI” integrated into the OS with vague benefits even though the processing is done on the cloud (like Windows) just so the OEM can spy on you better
- Forced volume limiters: The phone won’t let you stay at max volume for more than 5 minutes a day, even if connected to a BT device set at substantially under max volume
- Making it take more clicks to disable Internet, Bluetooth, other connected features
- DRM built into Android itself
- Being able to sideload
- Ads within the OS
All of these are already on their way to being implemented:
- Already the case with the vast majority of phones
- Pixels already have this. Samsung is focusing on this in 2024. Several Chinese OEMs already have some version of this.
- This was an idea Google attempted to implement in Android 14. Seems like it didn’t go through that year, but there’s always this year.
- Google already made it harder to do this in Android 12. Apple also does this with the toggles only disabling WiFi/BT until tomorrow. Other OEMs are good for now.
- After widespread disdain for Google’s Web Environment Integrity BS, Google is quietly pivoting to this stupid change.
- Google is now making it harder to do this on all Android phones. Now, you can only sideload apps targeting an Android version at most 8 behind the current one. This disables lots of little FOSS projects that were light on system resources.
- Most Chinese OEMs already do this, although you can usually turn it off. Samsung used to do this, but backpedaled. Also bloatware exists.
I fucking hate the volume limiter. I’ll be listening to podcasts through the vehicle radio, and suddenly notice that ive been straining to hear it fornthe last 20 minutes. Sure enough, the damn limiter decided it was that time of day to protect my half-assed hearing.
Google was attempting to make it even worse, by having it always happen no matter what. The only way to restore the regular volume was to manually click OK on the nag screen and press the volume up button.
The EU is mandating easily replaceable batteries from 2027.
Making them increasingly difficult to hold (“but design!” They cry) so you “accidently” have to buy a new one again.
If you want the good camera, you need to get the giant version of the phone.
If you want a phone that fits in human hands, you can only choose from subpar cameras.
we need to make open source wireless communications infrastructure.
how?
idk the FCC is the major block as long as it’s funded by telecom
HAM radio have been around for decades.
Next will be memory. They will say everything you meed should be stored online for a subscription fee.
Microsoft is already trying hard. My poor mom did not notice all her files are on OneDrive. Now she has two laptops with everything remote on OneDrive. It’s has some advantages, but it’s annoying in so many more ways.
I don’t understand why everyone hates the notch, or especially the hole punch camera now. You could just disable the pixels next to the notch going back to a regular screen, and if you don’t it’s only extra screen space. Even more so with the hole punch. Why more screen bad?
Because front camera is not just a feature I’m forced to pay for, despite never using it once in my life, but now it also makes my experience shittier by adding a hole in my screen. I hate that.
They’ll take away volume control (SW/HW buttons) and replace with dynamically adjusting “magic volume” so that you can’t mute ads.
Oh Christ. You’ve just triggered a premonition in me–the Galaxy S32 Ultra will be the first smartphone with no physical buttons or ports. You can turn it “off,” but that will only turn on a sort of extreme power saving mode. It will still ping your location once every few minutes, and will keep the fingerprint scanner active. You will “turn on” the device by holding your finger on the fingerprint scanner for four seconds. They will advertise the “quick startup” as a new feature. Volume will be controlled by sliding your finger along the right edge of the phone, which the screen will wrap around all the way to the back. It will be impossible to hold the phone without touching some part of the screen.
It will only allow wireless charging. You will not be able to connect it directly to a computer. In marketing, this will be to meet rigorous water safety standards. In reality, this will be to prevent you from using ADB to remove apps that come with the phone. You cannot turn off mobile data. You cannot turn off location. You cannot use a third party SMS application. You cannot choose your own wallpaper. You cannot set a private DNS. You cannot install applications that haven’t been approved by Samsung. You cannot block ads. This is all covered on page 74 of subsection 32(a) of section G8 of the terms and conditions that you agreed to when you set up the phone.
They will meet the physical limitations of how well a small lens can focus light. Zoom will cap out at 150x. Nevertheless, there will be seven cameras.
You will not be able to connect it directly to a computer. In marketing, this will be to meet rigorous water safety standards.
Making devices water-proof is also a marketing scheme to avoid replaceable batteries :
Some manufacturers are already eyeing an exemption for batteries used in “wet conditions” to opt out electric toothbrushes and possibly wearables like earbuds and smartwatches. The exemption is “based on unfounded safety claims,” states Thomas Opsomer, policy engineer for iFixit, in Repair.EU’s post.
Despite the coming up regulation on batteries and waste batteries by the EU Council batteries in water-proof devices will probably be exempt from being replceable, because the water proof feature of the device cannot be guaranteed. This undermines the right to repair and manufacturers can hope that customers replace their entire devices soon. Making phones water-proof is a loophole to seal off the device so that it is not to be repaired, at least without keeping the water-proof features after repairing.
