Murena’s Pixel Tablet helps to wean me off Google

There had been occasions when a side-by-side comparability discovered Google’s outcomes to be extra aligned with what I had in thoughts. However, I shortly appreciated Qwant’s lack of AI-generated responses, Google Maps listings, rows of commercials, and different distractions forward of precise outcomes. For instance, the highest outcomes for a seek for “Brooklyn rooftop bars” with the Qwant-based engine had been roundups from totally different blogs and publications. Google’s prime outcomes had been a map, just a few bars’ particular person web sites, posts from Reddit and Instagram, and solely two curated lists (one from a information publication and one other from Yelp).

The pill is weaning me off of Google Search, however I’ll doubtless obtain Google Maps quickly. Murena’s pill comes with Magic Earth, the one non-open supply app preloaded onto the machine. However, with out Street Views, speedier response, extra detailed public transit info (just like the names of stops it’s important to move), and simpler methods to seek out factors of curiosity, like eating places, Magic Earth will not be enough for changing Google’s various—regardless of Maps’ low privateness ranking.

More privateness, please

Despite the inconveniences of a very Google-free pill, utilizing Murena’s Pixel Tablet inspired me to push for extra on-line privateness. It’s proof that privacy-centric tablets and different devices aren’t solely doable, but in addition worthwhile. With Big Tech usually failing to guard customers, devices that don’t spy on you deserve an even bigger highlight.

One of /e/OS’s finest options is its privateness stories, which offer an summary of the apps monitoring you.

An instance of a privateness report.

Credit:
Scharon Harding/Murena

The pill’s privateness menu additionally has a toggle for hiding your IP deal with, though Murena notes that you could be need to suppose twice earlier than sending emails, as “your address may end [up getting a] permanent ban from your provider.” Both options give customers extra management with out introducing complexity and place a a lot better emphasis on understanding on-line privateness than what you discover amongst different tablets.

Murena’s Pixel Tablet, whereas not excellent, proves {that a} privacy-forward pill doesn’t have to come back with trade-offs. Devices like this make privateness a aggressive benefit that different corporations ought to emulate.