🤣… I am so old.

So much better, loved all their apps.

Dreamweaver…how I miss thee!

🤣…guilty! Gawd, I forgot about IR blasters. I loved that feature.

The smaller size phones (I hate these Phablets,) 3.5mm jack and back finger print reader, (although my Pixel 4a5G has them, it will be the last,) replaceable batteries, and selfie camera that doesn’t take up screen real estate.

The instructions are listed in the link to the article above on how to find it and “disable” it. Could depend on the version of Android you are running? I use a custom rom android that doesn’t have any of it, so can’t really help you.

Yes, Google is making it more difficult, but CalyxOS devs are on it. It means more work for them, especially to support other manufacturers, but they are committed…and should be supported.

Pretty sure it is an integration, you can’t fully turn it off under Android. I suggest a custom rom Android to be fully de-googled.

Same for me, but I use CalyxOS. Now more than ever, it highlights the importance of these custom rom OS’s.

Just use a different email account and create a new reddit user, plenty of free email accounts, or don’t use reddit.

Can’t you just download a torrent?

I have used KeePassXC for years. I also use Syncthing which syncs files via my wifi for all devices, including KeePass.

Yeah, give DODI repacks a try and see if they work for you.

Gimp and inkscape for vector work, both nice. There is also PhotoGimp, kind of an overlay that changes the interface of Gimp to resemble Photoshop, nice for those transitioning. There is also Krita which has been getting a lot of development, cross between Photoshop and Illustrator, reminds me of the old Adobe Fireworks program. Who remembers that old line of software?

Auh, proprietary software and subscriptions combined (proceeds to put on a strap-on.)

I know everyone loves Fitgirl, and her re-packs are a tiny bit smaller than DODI, but I always have issues with hers for some reason. DODI, never an issue. I am on linux, so there is that.

Torrentfreak

I assume you are using F-droid app manager, and also added IzzyonDroid repo to it? There you can get a lot of apps, like firewalls to block apps that call home when you don’t really use them. Replace most of your apps with open source alternatives from F-droid. Get an email hosting alternative that isn’t one of the big (spy, data mining) companies. Use decentralized privacy focused social media options. What type of phone manufacturer do you use and is it unlocked? You could use an android privacy rom like CalyxOS, that is what I use, completely de-googled, uses MicroG instead of Google Play services. A VPN would be my last option to add, especially when connecting to outside wifi.