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Android KitKat VS e.foundation /e/

Compare Android KitKat VS e.foundation /e/ and see what are their differences

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  3. » Alternatives

Android KitKat logo Android KitKat

Android KitKat is an operating system for mobile devices released to the public on September 3, 2013.

e.foundation /e/ logo e.foundation /e/

/e/ is a fork of LineageOS that aims to be completely free of everything Google.
  • Android KitKat Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-01-13
  • e.foundation /e/ Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-01-30

Android KitKat features and specs

  • Improved Performance
    Android KitKat is optimized for devices with as little as 512MB of RAM, providing faster multitasking and smoother operation on lower-end hardware.
  • Enhanced User Interface
    KitKat introduced a more polished UI with a new 'immersive mode' that lets content use the full screen, hiding the system UI for a more engaging experience with apps and games.
  • Google Now Integration
    Google Now became more accessible directly from the lock screen and included the new 'OK Google' voice command feature from the home screen.
  • Improved Connectivity
    KitKat added support for new connectivity options like IR Blasters, improved NFC capabilities, and Bluetooth MAP, enhancing interaction with various devices and accessories.
  • New Hangouts App
    Hangouts consolidated SMS, MMS, and Hangouts messages into one app, simplifying communication with friends and family.

Possible disadvantages of Android KitKat

  • Limited Hardware Support
    While it improved performance for low-memory devices, KitKat required manufacturers to update their hardware drivers, leading to limited availability on older devices.
  • Security Concerns
    As a version released prior to more modern security developments, KitKat lacks many security enhancements found in later Android updates, making it more susceptible to vulnerabilities.
  • Fragmentation Issues
    Despite its optimizations, KitKat contributed to the ongoing fragmentation in the Android ecosystem, with some devices not receiving an update and others delayed.
  • Google-centric Features
    Some users and regions where Google's services are restricted might not fully benefit from features like Google Now and the revamped Hangouts app, limiting their utility.
  • Lack of Some Modern Features
    Being an older Android version, KitKat does not support newer features introduced in later releases such as biometric security options and enhanced privacy controls.

e.foundation /e/ features and specs

  • Privacy-focused
    e.Foundation is dedicated to user privacy by stripping away Google services and trackers, providing an operating system that centers around data protection and privacy.
  • Open Source
    The OS is based on open-source software, allowing for transparency in development and an opportunity for community-driven improvements.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The interface is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, making it accessible even for those who might not be tech-savvy.
  • Regular Updates
    The foundation provides frequent updates and security patches to ensure a smooth and secure user experience.
  • Compatibility with Numerous Devices
    Support for a wide range of existing Android devices, enabling users to install the OS on many older devices and extending their life.

Possible disadvantages of e.foundation /e/

  • Limited App Ecosystem
    Due to the absence of Google Play Services, finding equivalent apps or workarounds may be challenging for some users.
  • Potential Compatibility Issues
    Some proprietary features or hardware functionalities may not fully function as expected.
  • Learning Curve
    For users accustomed to standard Android or iOS experiences, there might be a learning curve adapting to this different interface.
  • Reliance on Alternatives
    Users may need to rely on alternative app stores and services, which might not meet the comprehensive needs provided by mainstream options.
  • Smaller Community Support
    While growing, the community support may not be as robust or fast as those enjoyed by larger ecosystems like Google's Android.

Analysis of e.foundation /e/

Overall verdict

  • e.foundation /e/OS is a compelling choice for those who want to escape the data-hungry nature of mainstream mobile operating systems without significantly compromising on app functionality and compatibility.

Why this product is good

  • e.foundation's /e/OS is popular for users who prioritize privacy and data protection on their mobile devices. It is a de-Googled Android operating system designed to keep user data private by stripping out unnecessary data collection practices. It offers a range of open-source apps and services and continually enhances privacy-focused functionalities.

Recommended for

  • Privacy-conscious users seeking alternatives to mainstream mobile operating systems.
  • Individuals looking for a Google-free digital experience on their smartphones.
  • Tech enthusiasts interested in open-source software and community-driven projects.

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Android KitKat and e.foundation /e/)

Android KitKat

e.foundation /e/

Mobile OS
27 27%
Mobile OS
73% 73
OS & Utilities
58 58%
OS & Utilities
42% 42
Mobile SDK
19 19%
Mobile SDK
81% 81
Roms
0 0%
Roms
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Android KitKat and e.foundation /e/

Android KitKat Reviews

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e.foundation /e/ Reviews

Android Alternative: Top 12 Mobile Operating Systems
/e/ OS is completely open-source and has been developed by the non-profit /e/ Foundation which is based in France. Currently, it supports more than 240 smartphone models which include popular Samsung phones and some Fairphone models. You can also buy smartphones preloaded with /e/ OS from its website. Overall, /e/ OS is a great solution for users who are looking to buy a...
Source: beebom.com
Open Source Mobile OS Alternatives To Android
/e/ is in active development and you can try to install it on a range of devices already. You can even buy refurbished devices preinstalled with /e/. That is one of the several ways of supporting the /e/ project.
Source: itsfoss.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, e.foundation /e/ seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 24 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Android KitKat mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Android KitKat yet. Tracking of Android KitKat recommendations started around Jul 2021.

e.foundation /e/ mentions (24)

  • F-Droid and Google's Developer Registration Decree
    Yes and it has already been done: https://e.foundation/. - Source: Hacker News / 5 days ago
  • MagiskSSH – SSH server on Android without Termux
    You might also check out /e/OS - https://e.foundation/ It's less hardened than Graphene, but more user-friendly (IMHO) and similarly avoids Google spyware. - Source: Hacker News / 10 months ago
  • Debloat non-rooted Android devices
    > ...like LineageOS. But installing it is so difficult that only 1% of people have the technical know how to even attempt it... Aside: there is also /e/OS (or MurenaOS - their naming is inconsistent). It is basically LineageOS that someone else installs for you so you get everything in a package [0]. They sell many phones, but it also runs nicely on Fairphones if you want a phone that you can repair (there is of... - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Even Google CEO Sundar Pichai doesn't understand Google's privacy controls
    Easy solution --- don't use Android. I haven't in years. I use e/OS instead. https://e.foundation/. - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • Ask HN: Open-Source Mobile Phones
    There is /e/ OS - https://e.foundation - which also offers their second version of the Murena phone that comes pre-installed with the OS - https://murena.com They also sell other phones pre-installed or you can install it yourself. Disclaimer: I haven't used it yet but trying to find some time to install it on my Pixel 4a. Otherwise Fairphone is fairly open. You won't find anything that's usable and is fully open,... - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Android KitKat and e.foundation /e/, you can also consider the following products

LineageOS - Operating system for smartphones and tablet computers, based on the Android

CopperheadOS - Secure Android built for encrypted and secure phones by a privacy focused company. Available as security-centric and privacy focused Google-free Android for the latest devices. Fully integrated with the latest IDS and MDM enterprise technologies.

Android - Android is an open source mobile operating system initially released by Google in 2008 and has since become of the most widely used operating systems on any platform.

GrapheneOS - GrapheneOS is an open source privacy and security focused mobile OS with Android app compatibility.

CalyxOS - Privacy-focused operating system for smartphones based on Android and microG

Ubuntu Touch - Read more about Ubuntu Touch. Our free and open source mobile OS is made and maintained by UBports! We care about your freedom and privacy.

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