/e/ OS 3.0: Murena announces new version of the "de-Googled" Android

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Linux veteran Gaël Duval's company Murena has released /e/OS 3.0, a new version of the Google-free Android operating system. It comes with enhanced security and parental control functions, as well as a secure workspace. New hardware partners are also on board.

/e/OS 3.0 with new parental controls and “Advanced Privacy”

The new /e/OS version, which is being developed based on Lineage-OS and AOSP, comes with optimized integrated parental controls as part of the update. Similar to Google's Family Link, this allows parents to limit screen time and prevent the installation of apps using an access code. The update also has a filter on board that categorizes content according to different age groups and excludes it accordingly.

The company is also expanding its data protection-oriented approach and introducing the “Advanced Privacy” function. This feature can be used to block the tracking of apps on the one hand and to conceal your location and IP addresses on the other. In addition, users under /e/OS 3.0 can customize access to geolocation apps and decide which applications see the actual location and which see a false location.

A weekly report also shows which apps and trackers are particularly intrusive and data-collecting. To make the tracking behavior of apps clear to third parties, users can share the reports via social media channels.

Find My Device: location via SMS

Another new function in /e/OS 3.0 is “Find My Device”. With this solution, users can locate their lost smartphone by text message even if they are far away from it –. An internet connection is not required.

To do this, the user sends a pre-generated seven-digit code via another device, whereupon the lost smartphone sends an SMS with the location data and a link to OpenStreetMap. Of course, a SIM card must still be inserted in the device.

Murena Vault as E2E cloud storage and Qwant as a search engine

The developer has also announced a data vault called Murena Vault. This online storage, which is still in beta, will be end-to-end encrypted and based on CryptPad technology. The Vault allows users to store sensitive files with end-to-end encryption in the Murena cloud and work on them collaboratively at the same time. The company's Office workspace will also be compatible with Microsoft 365.

Subscribers to the paid Workspace account will be able to dictate messages via a new speech-to-text function if they don't have their hands free, for example. This appears to be Murena's first AI feature.

To be independent of Google when searching, Murena has brought the search engine provider Qwant, known for data protection, on board for the "Murena Find” search. Qwant works in “no-tracking” mode by default, which means that users' search queries remain private.

/e/OS 3.0 with tablet mode and new partners

To make /e/ OS work better on larger screens, the company has developed a tablet mode for the new version. According to Murena, the optimized user interface is intended to simplify navigation and improve multitasking, among other things.

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Murena also used the launch of /e/OS 3.0 to introduce two new hardware partners. In addition to the so far available models such as some Pixel models, the Fairphone 5 and the CMF Phone 1, the company will also offer the Volla Tablet and Shift Phone 8 with /e/ OS ex works in the future.

The new /e/ OS runs on devices that the company offers in its store, but also on devices from other manufacturers. The /e/OS installer helps with the installation.

(afl)