What do you think of the AoS forum?

[Tim]

Sounds cool in concept.

Impractical in 2026.

Might be possible to have the best of both worlds soon, a private smartphone that doesn't track you, so you don't have to lock it in a drawer. GrapheneOS have partnered with Motorola and as I understand it you will be able to buy a non Google Android phone without having to install the OS yourself. Hasn't happened yet but it's supposed to be on the way. You can buy a Fairphone right now with Murena OS on it, it's not as secure as Graphene, but it's not a Google Android.

It's not a hugely difficult task to do it yourself, but you need a Google Pixel phone as that's all Graphene works on currently, so that's a hurdle by itself. Then you effectively replace the firmware and install the new OS. But it is probably a step too much for most people. But if you can buy a Motorola with Graphene out of the box, you have a phone that's not constantly sending data back to mother. But obviously you have to be mindful of what apps you use. If the first thing you do is install the Google play store and all your favourite apps, you've totally balls it up. You can however create a separate user profile which is sandboxed and go that route for installing normal apps, but I'm probably talking gobbldy goop now for most!

[Marco]

I could do that, easily. It's my laptop I'd struggle without.

I like my laptop, too... However, you know how long I've been away from here (best part of 5 years), and in all that time I never once used a computer (yes I see Smartphones as computers), and although ill, I still managed to function as normal.

Marco.

[Marco]

Absolutely not Marco, that's why I put very few apps on it, I use it like a phone as I don't have a landline.

Lol, we still have our landline, and it gets used to keep in touch with friends, etc. I keep an old 'burner'-style phone in the car in case something happens, and that does me

I couldn't live without my computer though, I still use a desktop computer which not only controls my life, doing all the things others do on their phones, but it's entertainment too - I enjoy messing about with them, building them etc., I'm also a casual gamer.

Fair enough, mate. Just don't allow yourself to be brainwashed by technology.

Marco.

[Marco]

Sounds cool in concept.

Impractical in 2026.

Not really, dude. It depends on your lifestyle. I simply don't need a Smartphone; it wouldn't enrich my life in any way

Marco.

[Macca]

I use the camera on mine, it's pretty good, and have used the sat nav a handful of times. Prefer a map but people don't tend to keep a map book in the car anymore.

My father had a very fancy leather bound AA map book. It predated the motorways but he would still use it rather than buy an up to date one. Got lost a few times as a result.

[Tim]

Just don't allow yourself to be brainwashed by technology.

Marco.

I don't think you've really understood what I'm saying or mean, or I'm not explaining myself well if you think I would allow technology to brainwash me.

But I'll leave it there

[Tim]

Prefer a map but people don't tend to keep a map book in the car anymore.

I do . . . would never be without one and I plan a route beforehand as well

[Barry]

My AA road atlas is 26 years out of date. I have two sat navs: one is built into the car, the second is a Gamin (which needs an update) but is good enough for me. A road atlas is of no help for the 'last mile': finding a particular road in a town or city, whereas you can't get lost with a sat nav.

[Pigmy Pony]

I use the camera on mine, it's pretty good, and have used the sat nav a handful of times. Prefer a map but people don't tend to keep a map book in the car anymore.

I have a large-size AA map book in the house, sometimes I look at it just because I like looking at maps Macca, next road trip we do (prob NEBO) I'll bring it and we can find our way there old school, with you navigating. Ofc if we get lost it'll be your fault

[Macca]

I have a large-size AA map book in the house, sometimes I look at it just because I like looking at maps Macca, next road trip we do (prob NEBO) I'll bring it and we can find our way there old school, with you navigating. Ofc if we get lost it'll be your fault

Done that so many times I know the way there now anyway!