←back to thread

GrapheneOS is the only Android OS providing full security patches

(grapheneos.social)
751 points akyuu | 2 comments | 06 Dec 25 13:58 UTC | HN request time: 0.056s | source
Show context
SubiculumCode ◴[06 Dec 25 17:09 UTC] No.46174850[source]▶
Why was it that in the early PC days, IBM was unable to keep a lid on 'IBM compatible', allowing for the PC interoperability explosion, yet today, almost every phone has closed drivers, closed and locked bootloaders, and almost complete corporate control over our devices? Why are there not yet a plethora of phones on the market that allow anyone to install their OS of choice?
replies(14): >>46174896 #>>46175070 #>>46175178 #>>46175179 #>>46175231 #>>46175239 #>>46175248 #>>46175271 #>>46175428 #>>46175683 #>>46176094 #>>46176142 #>>46180732 #>>46181041 #
flomo ◴[06 Dec 25 19:50 UTC] No.46176094[source]▶
Nobody gave you the actual answer. IBM was under an antitrust decree and had to openly license their technology for a nominal fee. (Supposedly about $5/PC.) So yes, they were in a hurry and used generic parts, but they still had tons of patents on it. When they got out from under this, they came up with Microchannel.
replies(2): >>46178089 #>>46180168 #
fainpul ◴[07 Dec 25 08:37 UTC] No.46180168[source]▶
I guess antitrust is the keyword here. Something that is considerably weakened in today's USA.
replies(1): >>46181322 #
1. techdmn ◴[07 Dec 25 12:46 UTC] No.46181322[source]▶
I continue to be of the opinion that many of our economic problems could be improved with more competition. (Depending on your definition of "problem" of course. The current state of affairs is fantastically profitable some.)
replies(1): >>46182797 #
2. Taek ◴[07 Dec 25 16:17 UTC] No.46182797[source]▶
Oh for sure. Why are movies scattered all over oblivion? Because there's no simple marketplace for licensing movies, it's a closed market that requires doing lots of behind-the-scenes deals. Healthcare? Only specific providers can make medical equipment, tons of red tape, opaque billing structures, insurance locked out in weird ways, etc.

To understand how healthy a market is, ask 'how easily could a brand new startup innovate in this area'. If the answer is 'not easy at all' - then that thing is going to be expensive, rent seeking, and actively distorting incentives to make itself more money.