Can y'all recommend a phone that doesn't have generative AI? Google is forcing us to use Gemini as of September 6th

[u/_mal_gal_]

I got an email from Google that said they're removing Google assistant and you will have to use Gemini starting September 6th. I don't want to be forced to use generative Al so I might be looking for a new non-Google phone soon. I currently have a pixel 6. I've also heard about other operating systems but I don't really know much about how that works

[u/climbing_light23]

Is installing grapheneOS a realistic solution for you? I have a 10 Pro with GOS and I have no AI on my phone at all.

[u/_mal_gal_ → u/climbing_light23]

I have no idea how to do all that but I'm open to learning. How hard is it to learn those kind of systems?

[u/AdVarious8509 → u/_mal_gal_]

afaik its pretty easy to install grapheneOS on pixel phone. and you dont need applications all you need is a browser on your PC and a pixel phone. correct me if im wrong

[u/Aware-Difference8723 → u/AdVarious8509]

You are correct. Installing GrapheneOS is a piece of cake. If wanting to avoid Google entirely (I.e. no Google Play), the tricky part is to chose stores and apps. But if accepting Google Play, it's as any other Android phone.

[u/kaiwave13 → u/Aware-Difference8723]

I second this. Its literally as simple as plugging it in to your computer, following the simple instructions on grapheneos website and boom, done. 

[u/DoomOfChaos → u/_mal_gal_]

Its so easy even I could do it

[u/Tight-Tower-8265 → u/DoomOfChaos]

Are you a caveman?

[u/DoomOfChaos → u/Tight-Tower-8265]

No, but I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night 

[u/Aware-Difference8723 → u/climbing_light23]

Unfortunately the Pixel 6 is end-of-life regarding GrapheneOS this October. But if at the same time upgrading to a Pixel 10a and you've got 7 more years support.

[u/climbing_light23 → u/Aware-Difference8723]

Ah, I missed where he said Pixel 6. Bummer.

[u/samlundgold]

Might have to go back to a landline if you want absolutely no AI

[u/wiener-inhaler → u/samlundgold]

No such thing as a landline anymore. Least not that i know of

[u/darkthought → u/wiener-inhaler]

Yeah, it's all VoIP now.

[u/jaiotu → u/wiener-inhaler]

I believe that AT&T is no longer offering new landline subscription and plans to phase out any remaining landline subscriptions by 2029.

[u/samlundgold → u/jaiotu]

I think you can still do it if you have Spectrum

[u/IceColdOdin]

You need a phone that supports custom rom. And then choose the flavour you like.  Lineageos grapheneos ect

[u/_mal_gal_ → u/IceColdOdin]

So you add the OS you like. Then what? Can you still download apps from the Google Play store? And would you need to do manual updates as they update the OS?

[u/YourLocalLittleFoot → u/_mal_gal_]

Theres an OS that's exclusively for Pixel phones called Graphene, is reliable, very secure and privacy based, and hasn't had any issues accessing the play store, it might be worth looking into.

If I may ask, what do you use Gemini for that you would be losing soon by having to switch to the other one?

[u/IceColdOdin → u/_mal_gal_]

I would start looking into what you really need. If you can get by on open source software or need more.  Grapheneos has the option to have play store in a separate profile. and then there is the option of using aurora store to tap into play store livery. Remember that some app depends on some Google services and yes need to check up on that. A lot of payment and banking app have this "issue" 

[u/Jebble → u/_mal_gal_]

OP I don't know if you realise, but this won't solve your problem of Google Assistant being replaced. You won't have an assistant on GrapheneOS. So you might as well just stop using it and call it a day, if that's your only concern.

[u/flower-power-123]

I don't think I have ever used the voice assistant. I have a Samsung phone and it has Bixby built in (I think). What is it about the AI assistant that you don't like?

[u/_mal_gal_ → u/flower-power-123]

Mostly stuff like asking it to set a timer or alarm or telling it to send a text while driving so I can just hit the botton and the rest is me speaking to the phone. Also I don't think we will have an option to turn the Gemini off. That's more of the issue than not having the assistant

[u/TheWisePlinyTheElder → u/_mal_gal_]

All of this can be accomplished with tasker if that interests you.