{
  "id": 19801911,
  "title": "The need for at least a third option",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/the-need-for-at-least-a-third-option",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-11-13T11:36:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Lobsters",
    "slug": "lobsters",
    "url": "https://blog.ovalerio.net/archives/3359"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Lately, the author has been developing for Ubunbu Touch, and plans to investigate additional mobile operating systems in the near future. Last year, the author concluded that an alternative to Android and iOS was essential. Initially, the author believed utilizing Degoogled ROMs like LineageOS or GrapheneOS would suffice. By installing F-Droid or another alternative app store, enabling developer settings, and you would be all set. However, recent developments and observed trends indicate the opposite - a trend toward users and developers losing control over their devices and applications. Apple has always maintained a closed system with greater control over devices than users. Android was intended to be the open alternative, but Google has been working diligently to gradually limit that openness. Users have been losing control for some time, and lately, it has become apparent that running software on your device may require paying Google for permission, a process that is both costly and time-consuming. Efforts to halt this trend have been initiated, but the author believes they are futile. The current state of affairs starkly contrasts with the freedom experienced on personal computers, where one can easily switch the software running on their device without significant supplier control. While you may have purchased a device with Windows, you can replace it with Linux, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, ReactOS, Haiku, and run your or another person's applications as you please. In the mobile realm, users are increasingly locked down, and companies are incentivized to confine their applications to only two systems for security reasons; alternative ROMs are being blocked. Modern life now heavily relies on mobile devices, with almost every application requiring an app. This digital dependence puts citizens, organizations, and governments at risk. The author is uncertain about the need for an alternative but is confident that one is necessary. They suggest that a viable option would be open-source (at least the core), with multiple app stores or methods to provide or obtain software, and a strong emphasis on interoperability. A Windows Phone would not be a real alternative, as it too is closed and owned by a foreign tech giant. Small, completely distinct systems, while interesting for hobbyists, would not succeed without sufficient user and developer involvement. Instead of starting from scratch, the author recommends supporting an existing, community-driven project with independent development potential. The author plans to explore, test, and potentially contribute to these options, regardless of their personal preference, as they believe one must emerge victorious.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}