The release of the mobile platform /e/OS 3.6, focused on user data privacy, has been introduced. The platform is founded by Gaël Duval, the creator of the Mandrake Linux distribution. The project supports 287 smartphone models and creates firmware builds for the most popular ones. Customized device editions based on OnePlus, Fairphone, Teracube, HIROH, and Pixel smartphones are distributed with pre-installed /e/OS firmware under the brands Murena One, Murena 2, Murena Fairphone 4/5/6, Murena Teracube 2e, Murena Pixel 5/7, and Murena SHIFTphone 8.
/e/OS firmware is developed as a branch of the LineageOS platform (based on Android), free from the ties to Google services and infrastructure to eliminate telemetry transmission to servers Google and enhance privacy. Among other things, it blocks implicit data transmission, such as requests to Google servers for network availability checks, DNS resolution, and accurate time determination.
The package includes microG, offering independent alternatives to Google services, allowing for the absence of proprietary components. For location determination via Wi-Fi and base stations (without GPS), the UnifiedNlp layer can work with BeaconDB, OpenWlanMap, openBmap, OpenCellID, lacells.db, and other alternative services. Instead of Google’s search engine, the meta-search service Murena Find based on the Qwant search engine is provided.
To synchronize the exact time, instead of querying NTP-server Google, requests are sent to servers from the NTP Pool collection, and instead of Google's DNS servers (8.8.8.8), the current provider's DNS servers are used. The web browser includes an ad and tracking script blocker by default. For file synchronization and application data, a proprietary service compatible with Nextcloud-based infrastructure has been developed. The server components are based on open-source software and are available for installation on user-controlled systems.
The user interface includes a custom environment for launching applications, BlissLauncher, an improved notification system, a new lock screen, and different styling. BlissLauncher features a set of automatically scalable icons developed for /e/OS and a separate selection of widgets (for example, a widget for showing weather forecasts).
The project is also developing its own authentication manager, allowing the use of a single account (user@murena.io) for all services, registered during the initial setup. This account can be used to access your environment from other devices or through the Web. Murena Cloud offers 1GB of free storage for your data, application synchronization, and backups.
The included applications are: the Mail client (a fork of K9-Mail), the Cromite web browser (based on Chromium), the OpenCamera application for camera work, QKSMS for instant messaging, nextcloud-notes for note-taking, MJ PDF viewer, opentasks planner, Magic Earth for maps, gallery3d for photo gallery, file manager, and the App Lounge application catalog.
- Transitioned to Android 16 (AOSP 16 as of March). Updates and fixes from the LineageOS 23 platform have been integrated.
- Added support for devices:
- Google Pixel 9a
- Motorola edge 2024
- OnePlus 13, 13R, Ace 3 Pro, Ace 3V, Ace 5, Nord 4, Nord 5, Pad 2, Pad Pro
- Razer Edge 5G, Edge WiFi
- Samsung Galaxy S20, S20 FE, S20 Ultra, S20+
- Sony Xperia 1 IV, 5 IV
- Xiaomi 13, POCO F6 Pro, Redmi K70, POCO X6 5G, Redmi Note 13 Pro.
- The App Lounge application manager now supports login with a microG account without the need for separate configuration, helping to ensure compatibility of third-party applications with those using Play Integrity. The search screen layout has been changed, with separate tabs added for common apps, open apps, and web applications. The common applications section 'Common apps' has been renamed to 'Apps' and now encompasses all applications.
- The camera app has undergone a cleanup of the settings screen, simplified navigation, and removed unnecessary settings.
- The ability to configure devices directly from the setup wizard launched at the first startup has been provided.
- In the web browser, the engine has been updated to Chromium 145.
Source: opennet.ru
