I agree. The GrapheneOS team keeps impressing me.
I remember using Compuserve back in the late ‘80s. I didn’t have to pay a monthly subscription fee because I was a Ohio resident, but I did have to pay the long distance fee for the connection. Those were the days.
I’ll just chime in and say that I’ve been having issues as well for the last 12 or so hours. Sometimes the mobile site works, sometimes it doesn’t and jumping between the desktop and Jerboa app sometimes gets me connected but it has been very inconsistent and unreliable on all platforms during this time frame.
From what I'm able to gather (and I don't have any first hand knowledge of this) is that most of them just aren't 'complete' yet. Obviously, that is a subjective statement, but it's one argument I hear repeated when I read articles reviewing these types of operating systems. Software such as Ubuntu Touch, PureOS are trying to make the transition from a desktop environment to a mobile one, whereas GrapheneOS/CalyxOS (which are based off of AOSP) are using software that was built specifically for a mobile experience. I think that the gaps are continuing to narrow between the two options, but I'm happy with GrapheneOS and will stick with it for the time being as it accomplishes everything I need and expect a phone to do.
Also, in my original reply, I neglected to mention that Pixel phones also allow OEM Unlocking as well. It was an important detail that I accidentally left out.
The Pixel line of phones does allow the user to unlock its bootloader (unless it is carrier locked) and is supported by options such as GrapheneOS and CalyxOS.
I'm running GrapheneOS on my Pixel 6a, and I'm very happy with it. I'll continue to use it until a viable Linux alternative presents itself.
I think the trend of many big tech companies nowadays to continue to further isolate themselves from user bases that made them a popular source to begin with, will eventually be to their own ruin. But you won't be able to convince greedy CEOs of this (at least not currently).
I cannot comment on GrapheneOS extending the longevity of my phone (I just haven't been running it long enough), but I did notice an increase in battery life.
I was running stock Android for 4 months after buying a 6a, and the battery life was pretty abysmal. Now, the battery lasts quite a bit longer and I feel like I have a phone that can actually be used longer in between charges.
As to your second point, yeah, I completely agree. It's not unlike my decision years ago to ditch Windows and run Linux exclusively. I found myself in a different ecosystem that took a bit of time to get really comfortable with, but the motivation for more privacy and control over my pc outweighed some of the initial hurdles I experienced. Eventually, I found myself more at home in this new environment - so much so that I wouldn't even think about reverting back to Windows.
In this day an age, any attempts to gain some sort of control over one's privacy and security is going to be met with certain challenges and sacrifices, but I think the eventual benefits will far outweigh any initial annoyances that usually come with any change in habit.
Data miners are gonna mine. They'll never be happy with the status quo. They'll continue to find other ways to get what they want from their users until their users begin to disappear.
Aerosmith: Greatest Hits (late 70s or early 80s)
This had nothing to do with the os itself. It was merely a personal squabble that went further than it should have.
Big tech conglomerates thrive on their user base. They lure you in, get you hooked into their ecosystem, and then try to convince you to become dependent upon their services.
This tactic is just gas-lighting. There are other options out there but they don't want you to be aware of them or seek them out.
GrapheneOS is a bit lacking in these areas. However, you could make a suggestion in their Official Development Forum and see if it gets some traction.