I got a task to buy a smart phone for my grandparents, they are not techsavy but they know how to use basic functions. Iam looking for an andoid because it has language pack i need. I dont need it to have lots of functions, onley a good camera and a big screen. Bonus points if it can be flashed with some kind of simplefied version of android.

  • Extras
    4•7 months ago

    The foss apps I dont agree with but a stock grapheneos setup is as basic as it gets so even a non tech person can use it. OP can even set it up for them to auto update whatever apps they use through the playstore so the grandparents dont really have to do anything

    • OtterEnglish
      2•7 months ago

      The problem is that other people will be unfamiliar with it. Unless OP can be the support person all the time, the grandparents may want to get help from someone else.

      Keeping things stock is helpful for that, and I feel like Google Pixel is already simple enough. Just disable things like assistant during setup or in settings.

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        2•7 months ago

        I agree to disagree it’s really not that different from vanilla especially if he does go the playstore route, so a person familiar with android can naviagate grapheneos. The only problem would be if they break their device and the thumbprint scanner would have to be recalibrated. Personally I would just keep it as the stock grapheneos setup with accessibility features turned to max. That way its a dumb smartphone

        Edit: forgot to mention regardless of os add some kind of network firewall or DNS solution to block malicious/phishing domains. The elderly are often victims of scams

        • OtterEnglish
          2•7 months ago

          That’s a great point, uBlock Origin helps a lot with scams on desktop.

          I agree to disagree

          I should also point out that I haven’t tried GrapheneOS and can’t judge what the differences might be, so I’ll go with your experience on this :)

      • Extras
        1•7 months ago

        I see where you are coming from but I disagree. Using grapheneos will allow much more security and control over the device so OP can fine tune their grandparent’s device to their liking. As for not agreeing with the foss apps I really mean in this situation specifically. Foss apps often run into problems with stability (look at newpipe due to youtube) and ease of use (look at collabora) which will frustrate an older person and with grapheneos at least OP can further lockdown the proprietary apps that their grandparents would use if they do so in the first place. However, since OP stated they just want a phone that’s simple that’s why I would go with the stock grapheneos setup without adding new applications. As for compatiability, unless they are driving or banking which I doubt since they just know tha basics of a smartphone, I doubt this will be a problem since the majority of mainstream apps work. Grapheneos is meant for freedom and securiry over your device not just privacy