do GSI roms still contain google binaries (play store, play services, etc…) or is it similar to a AOSP rom where its just a bare android image

Yes. That’s to say they can be either depending on how the ROM was built. All of the GSI ROM builders I’ve worked with usually have multiple releases of the same build with different configurations: root, no root, with Google services (often MicroG), without Google services, combinations of both, etc.

To my understanding, GSI ROMs are basically just the “userland” portion of a full ROM. Basically they use the stock/existing kernel, drivers, etc but replace the rest of the system that runs on top of it. If memory serves, they’re possible due to Project Treble. Sadly, they still require an unlocked bootloader to install, so they’re not a total fix-all.

They’re also very generic generic images (hence the “G” in the term). They’re not optimized for any specific device and can be hit-or-miss feature wise depending on the device. If you’re already reading about a specific device on XDA forums, then you’ll probably be able to see what works and what doesn’t.

TL;DR: Running a GSI ROM is like upgrading to a newer Linux distro but without upgrading the kernel.

“Does it piss you off when Google/whatever does [blank]? Yeah, me too. So I run my own versions to not have to deal with that crap. Would you like me to set you up an account on my stuff?”

I think the point of 11h is to achieve that kind of range without directional antennas. Basically as a higher-bandwidth version of LoRa.

Yeah, that one took me a minute. I think “drip” or “slow drip”? I know “drip” used to be a term but was never one I associated with “screwball” or “crackpot”. Usually I’d heard “drip” to mean something closer to “dull” or “boring”.

Pretty decent unless there’s a lot of animation / video in them. Calling, texting, looking up something on the internet, bank app, auth app, etc all work great. Some of the stock Android components don’t work super great with it, though, like the quick action buttons (though, arguably, they don’t work great on any Android phone either lol).

Feels sluggish at times but that’s just the e-ink being what it is. I mostly treat it like a dumb phone that’s also an e-reader.

I’ve always joked that coding as a hobby is just digital knitting lol.

I’ve gradually weaned off of smartphones over the last 18 months. Currently daily-driving the Minimal Phone and loving its distraction-free (or at least distraction-lite) ways.

I may not be analog like the article is highlighting, but I have basically eliminated the doom scrolling and have reignited my passion for reading (the one “distraction” the Minimal Phone does well is being an e-reader since it’s got an e-ink screen).

Roughly 1,600 TikTok posts were tagged #AnalogLife during the first nine months of 2025

I’m just going to ignore the irony of that 😆

This allows for seamless communication with biological cells

Smartphones in 2040:

Whatever. As long as I can run LineageOS or Debian on it.

Because if we don’t build and profit from the Torment Nexus, someone else will

Why would that be relevant or allowed in a politics community? Fuckin’ lemmy.world, I tell you what.

Because rule 1 there is "Post only links to articles? Geesh. It’s not like that’s been a rule for 2+ years and the community a place to discuss actual articles.

I think I’m just gonna get some Pi Zeros + cameras and just roll my own. Probably use the NoIR versions and some cheap IR illuminators. Feed those into Zoneminder.

Bonus points if I can find some old CCTV cameras, gut them, and fit the pi camera to those optics.

That’s a real hero move, and I appreciate it.

Commenting so I can remember to check back for any suggestions. I’ve basically run into this problem:

Keep this in mind when you see brand new accounts spewing out random news sites you’ve never heard of.

It’s like phone manufacturers have run out of ideas and will do anything except stop making tall, skinny phones. I miss horizontal pixels and not needing a step ladder to reach the top of the screen, dammit!

Very good. I’ve seen too many random Google Forms going around just harvesting emails / info to plug my details into any that I don’t click into from a legit/verified site. Not that I’m accusing OP of that, just that I don’t know where they got that form link.

Is that an official Google form and/or who am I providing my (required) email address to?

Is there an official Google page that links to this? Sorry but anyone can share a Google form.

• Does it have USB-C video out?
• Do you plan to run any custom ROMs / Can it run custom ROMs?

I know, right?!