It’s amazing how little leverage they have when you stop using their products.
More than you think. They are also actively seeking ways to make that leverage effect more people.
They are defining web standards. They control chrome and chromium. So all of the alternative browsers that aren’t safari and Firefox are using Google’s web engine. Even Firefox and safari are beholden to Google as they fund both these web browsers through their default search deals.
Google after many failed messaging apps has taken on RCS messaging. They provide most of the supporting infrastructure through their Jibe servers. They don’t allow anyone but themselves and Samsung to make an RCS app on android. They also had a campaign to pressure apple to use RCS. It’s likely apple’s RCS will be following Google’s Jibe service closely, as they’ve already said their will work with Google on this. Google successfully got most RCS messages going through their servers, with apple on board with RCS itll see most SMS messages defaulting to RCS and most of those going through Google.
They also have deep hooks into education market with their OneDrive/Google docs products and Chromebooks.
Most privacy focused android alternatives recommend Google hardware.
Don’t worry. They will find ways to force you using their products.
Meh I think they might be overestimating their market position if that’s the strategy
Firefox isn’t an “alternative browser.”
I didn’t think Google would play the evil card, but don’t trust the ad blocking abilities of software made by an advertising company, I guess.
What do you mean by not an alternative browser?
Are you trying to say something about the word choice or…?
Chrome is an alternative browser to Firefox too.
Not hard to believe these rumors of super low morale within the industry are true.
What rumours are those?
From what Bay Area friends told me, just a new really tense non-collaborative or innovative walk on eggshell environment since switching back from WFH to hybrid/in-office.
I’m wondering if Chromebooks can run Firefox? I’m guessing not. I know you can install adblockers on them. Not after mid-2024, I guess.
It really sucks that an affordable notebook computer means getting locked into an advertising system. You can get a Chromebook for under $100 and they have a very, very easy-to-use OS. They’re great for poor people and elderly people.
So much for putting an adblocker on Grandma’s computer now.
The pricing only really works if you factor in the advertising afterwards.
There are ways to run Linux on Chromebooks
Sure, but do you think Grandma who spent $100 on a Chromebook at Walmart is going to be able to figure out Linux even if their grandson knows how to install it? Chrome OS is the push-here-dummy of OSes. You really can’t get much simpler. This is dangling a carrot in front of them so they’ll be forced to look at endless advertising.
“Wow! The future conditional pluperfect subjunctive.”
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jesus christ is this user having a fucking stroke
255 posts in 26 minutes!?
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