The /e/OS 3.6 mobile platform, focused on user privacy, has been released. The platform was founded by Gaël Duval, creator of the Mandrake Linux distribution. The project supports 287 smartphone models and creates firmware builds for the most popular ones. Custom device builds have been created for OnePlus, Fairphone, Teracube, HIROH, and Pixel smartphones, distributed with /e/OS preinstalled under the Murena One, Murena 2, Murena Fairphone 4/5/6, Murena Teracube 2e, Murena Pixel 5/7, and Murena SHIFTphone 8 brands.
The /e/OS firmware is being developed as a fork of the LineageOS platform (based on Android), freed from the connection to Google services and infrastructure to eliminate the transmission of telemetry to servers Google and enhanced privacy. Among other things, this blocks the implicit transmission of information, such as requests to Google servers for network availability checks, DNS resolution, and time determination.
The package includes the microG package, which offers independent alternatives to Google services, eliminating the need to install proprietary components. For Wi-Fi and base station location (without GPS), the UnifiedNLP layer supports BeaconDB, OpenWlanMap, openBmap, OpenCellID, lacells.db, and other alternative services. Instead of Google search, the device offers the Murena Find metasearch service, based on the Qwant search engine.
To synchronize the exact time instead of referring to NTP-server Google queries are sent to servers from the NTP Pool collection, and the DNS servers of the current provider are used instead of Google's DNS servers (8.8.8.8). An ad blocker and tracking script blocker are enabled by default in the web browser. A proprietary service compatible with the Nextcloud-based infrastructure has been developed for file and application data synchronization. The server components are based on open source software and are available for installation on user-controlled systems.
The user interface includes its own BlissLauncher application launcher, an improved notification system, a new lock screen, and a different style. BlissLauncher uses a set of automatically scalable icons developed for /e/OS and a separate selection of widgets (for example, a widget for displaying the weather forecast).
The project is also developing its own authentication manager, allowing a single account (user@murena.io) to be used for all services. This account is registered during the initial installation. This account can be used to access your environment from other devices or via the web. Murena Cloud provides 1GB of free storage for your data, application synchronization, and backups.
The included applications include: the Mail email client (a fork of K9-Mail), the Cromite web browser (based on Chromium), the OpenCamera camera program, the QKSMS instant messaging program, the nextcloud-notes note-taking system, the MJ PDF PDF viewer, the opentasks scheduler, the Magic Earth map program, the gallery3d photo gallery, the file manager, and the App Lounge application catalog.
- The transition to Android 16 (AOSP 16 as of March) has been completed. Updates and fixes from the LineageOS 23 platform have been ported.
- Added device support:
- 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 app manager now supports signing in with a microG account without having to set it up separately, helping ensure compatibility between third-party apps and those using Play Integrity. The search screen has been redesigned, with separate tabs added for common apps, open apps, and web apps. The "Common apps" section has been renamed to "Apps" and now includes all apps.
- The camera app's settings screen has been cleaned up, navigation has been simplified, and unnecessary settings have been removed.
- It is now possible to configure devices directly from the setup wizard that is launched at first startup.
- The web browser engine has been updated to Chromium 145.
Source: opennet.ru
