from nokia candybars and palm pilots to having a an always on camera, microphone, location and wifi sensor controlled by foreign advertising companies

We could build things with all that tech outside of those group’s control. That’s what brought you here to the Fediverse isn’t it?

For example I like Smart Home stuff. I’ve got dozens of devices I can control through my phone or automations etc around my house. My lights even. But I only like it because I control it thanks to FOSS stuff like Home Assistant. It’s local. Not reliant on external servers and works exactly how I like. If you bought cheap-o wifi gadgets that all rely on 20 different apps you’d have a really shitty experience and all your data harvested and your lights not turning on because whatever company shut down.

We can take control of phone tech in a similar way. Unfortunately I doubt we will as a whole but I think it may be possible for the more technically minded to carve out a small niche in the hellscape.

Most Android apps can be run under a mini-VM in the Linux systems I’ve tried - but some apps won’t function well that way (banking, NFC tickets, etc)

(non-Android) Linux phones aren’t really ready for daily driving even for relatively advanced users - but it looks like we’re gonna have to deal with it anyhow

Hell yeah

I’ve been a Lemmy admin for over 2 years and browse daily. I usually sort by top -> 6 hours but I’ve never seen this

There’s still “IRS Free File”, which is a different thing where you have to go through a middle man to get it while they try their damndest to “upgrade” you to the paid version. And presumably they got some kind of money from the US gov either way.

Direct File was a sane program that cut them out and let people file their taxes completely directly. The leeches lobbied against it.

Sigh. I used Direct File last year and it was great. Back to FreeTaxUSA I guess. The least shitty option I’m aware of.

Oh there’s still “IRS Free File”, which is a different thing where you have to go through a middle man to get it while they try their damndest to “upgrade” you to the paid version. And presumably they got some kind of money from the US gov either way.

Direct File was a sane program that cut them out and let people file their taxes completely directly. The leeches lobbied against it.

Yes, any further questions?

…can animals not be raped?

Alright then c’mon over buddy I’ll get the turkey baster ready

I’m not even vegan but wtf is this logic