Due to the recent changes (debacle) of Speakout and the coming decommissioning of the 3G network in general; I have found myself moving forward with some plans.
For some time I have wanted to switch from Windows to Linux and have also been looking at Graphene OS to get away from an Android phone polluted with google.
During my research I found that Graphene recommends an OS that is up to date before installing, so I made the error to update an older laptop (circa 2018) running Windows 10 before updating it to Windows 11. After several hours and 3 failed attempts (Windows 10 can't even update Windows 10) I tossed in the towel and installed Zorin 17 OS (an Ubuntu-based Linux distro compatible with Graphene). At first it was a little unnerving over writing the entire hard drive and wiping the OS, but it is a secondary unit so nothing vital was at risk. I've been running a non persistent version of Zorin 16 for a few years, so I'm familiar with how it works. Actually very Windows like in the navigation. This OS has been designed to work on a wide range of older computers so the install went seamlessly.
I then purchased a google Pixel 8 (counter intuitive, I know) and installed Graphene OS (essentially an update from Android 15 to 16 without the garbage) using the web based installer. This was a little MORE unnerving than the Zorin install as the phone was recently purchased, in near new condition (thank you Mobile Klinik) and I hadn't used it at all. I was worried about bricking it and being the proud owner of a $500.00 paper weight. The install went without a hitch, took about 20 minutes and was mostly automatic. For all you non apple phone users; it'll be fairly familiar. It was easy learning the navigation and finding where everything is located. Was able to transfer all my contacts in a vcf (vCard (giggity) format) file with bluetooth.
I chose the Pixel 8 because it has 5 years of updates from Graphene. The Pixel 9 works as well, but the cost was a bit more than the 8. The only detail I had to contend with was it had to be Android 15 so I had to skip over a few 8's that had been updated to Android 16. Currently the Android 16 version makes it a little more difficult to install Graphene, but they are working on a work around. I wasn't sure if it would be done before the shut down of the 3G network, thus my decision to make all these changes.
Just thought I'd post this in case anyone else has considered making similar adjustments.
For some time I have wanted to switch from Windows to Linux and have also been looking at Graphene OS to get away from an Android phone polluted with google.
During my research I found that Graphene recommends an OS that is up to date before installing, so I made the error to update an older laptop (circa 2018) running Windows 10 before updating it to Windows 11. After several hours and 3 failed attempts (Windows 10 can't even update Windows 10) I tossed in the towel and installed Zorin 17 OS (an Ubuntu-based Linux distro compatible with Graphene). At first it was a little unnerving over writing the entire hard drive and wiping the OS, but it is a secondary unit so nothing vital was at risk. I've been running a non persistent version of Zorin 16 for a few years, so I'm familiar with how it works. Actually very Windows like in the navigation. This OS has been designed to work on a wide range of older computers so the install went seamlessly.
I then purchased a google Pixel 8 (counter intuitive, I know) and installed Graphene OS (essentially an update from Android 15 to 16 without the garbage) using the web based installer. This was a little MORE unnerving than the Zorin install as the phone was recently purchased, in near new condition (thank you Mobile Klinik) and I hadn't used it at all. I was worried about bricking it and being the proud owner of a $500.00 paper weight. The install went without a hitch, took about 20 minutes and was mostly automatic. For all you non apple phone users; it'll be fairly familiar. It was easy learning the navigation and finding where everything is located. Was able to transfer all my contacts in a vcf (vCard (giggity) format) file with bluetooth.
I chose the Pixel 8 because it has 5 years of updates from Graphene. The Pixel 9 works as well, but the cost was a bit more than the 8. The only detail I had to contend with was it had to be Android 15 so I had to skip over a few 8's that had been updated to Android 16. Currently the Android 16 version makes it a little more difficult to install Graphene, but they are working on a work around. I wasn't sure if it would be done before the shut down of the 3G network, thus my decision to make all these changes.
Just thought I'd post this in case anyone else has considered making similar adjustments.
