Brax3 questions

BraX3
1

Well, seriously, fundamental questions like…

  1. Rob Braxman recommends against using Meta apps. So what do I use if the only way to get a hold of someone is via WhatsApp?
  2. If I can’t use the phone for Contact-less payments, is using a contact-less physical credit card more secure? Or, is there an alternative to Google Wallet?
  3. If I can’t use Waze or Apple Maps while driving in my car, what’s my alternative on this device?
iodeOS wifi connection issues
2

Hey Michael,

Good questions!
As to #1, I too have many friends [mostly over seas] that are only on Whatsapp. I keep an old android without a sim that I use for this. I connect it over wifi. I am slowly getting some of those contacts to switch over to Signal [which is safe to use on the Brax]. eventually I will have to let go of some of those contacts if they refuse to switch. I am also trying to get all my personal contacts to do the same so that I can move away from sms/mms altogether.

#2: Unfortunately there are no real alternatives for contactless payment [wallets] unless you are doing cypto currencies. However I was able to find “Curve Pay” in the Aurora app store and it does indicate that it works with microg [no login to google play]. some of the recent comments indidcate some problems though. They have a free plan as well as paid plans depending on number of cards.

#3: The brax3 comes with an ipen source map app and there are may others available through Fdroid store. Android auto is also functioning [though configuring can be a bit tedious…[search ithis forum for terms “android auto” and “AA” and you will find all the info.

Good luck!

1 Like
3

If I use Waze but just as a Guest, is that still semi-secure? I looked at the open source map app that came with the device, but I don’t see a traffic feature.

4

You need to try OsmAnd or similar. If you search here you will find reasonably extensive discussions already about map apps, including suggestions around traffic.

Waze is pretty insidious and worse than Google Maps so you may be better using the latter and just never logging into it or any Google account on your device if you really must have one of them…

1 Like
5

I’ve looked into Magic Earth. Looks promising…especially when they make the Google-and Apple-free payment options available.

1 Like
6

Yep that’s another fairly good option - main negatives are not true open source and have to subscribe (pay). But otherwise one of the good options.

Anyway this isn’t a map thread :wink: so suggest you pick up any further discussion (if you have more questions) on one of the other threads actually about map apps. :slightly_smiling_face:

7

I have setup a Matrix server and family and friends tend to use it. It’s Open-Source, it’s federated (you can add your own server to the federation), and it is end to end encrypted keeping encryption with the keys of the parties of the conversation. Even if someone steals the server, they can’t decrypt as there are no keys… :}

3 Likes
8

This topic was automatically closed 14 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.