I was shocked about the amount of content when I browsed BBC’s Iplayer service. They even have films. If you want to save some well known movies and are in the UK, you could exhaust their selection before even having to put your hand in your pocket to splash out on extra privatised content.

Not so sure that will work. ESIMs are really convenient and cost effective for travelers and people who flit between countries. You can even load up an ESIM before leaving for a country. Your other option is to pay through the nose for roaming. Or arranging a pay as you go SIM in a country where you may not have a full grasp of the language.

Not gonna lie, if this were a real product, I’d be tempted. You see, for Android phones, ESIM registration uses propriety Google code. A programmable device that can present to the phone as a regular SIM would be a boon.

While you’re correct that laws are created by the legislature the judiciary is where they are judged to be just. At least in systems based on English common law. Look up jury nullification for more info. Also, prosecutorial discretion is a thing. Basically if any law isn’t enforced either through jury nullification and/or prosecutorial discretion then it is vestigial and should be amended or repealed.

For personal things, computer, phones, etc. Big corpos cover this by a EULA. EULAs also covers forums controlled by the companies. For public places like websites, you can control search engines by using a robot.txt file.

Probably the safest, most cost effective approach is to use WSL.

I am using GraphineOS right now. Here’s my answers:

1. Accounts are local. They don’t necessarily have an online component. Aurora store works fine. The only major issue is some apps from the play store will break if you don’t have Google services installed. The level of breakage really depends how the app handles this lack. Sometime you may not have a feature and other times it will just not run. You can install and run Google services but I’m unconvinced that your privacy will be protected just by the sandbox. A possible solution is to run all that stuff in it’s own profile. You can’t run both simultaneously, though.
2. For synchronization, I use Syncthing. It’s not to the cloud but it’ll get files and photos off your device. As for notes Turtl and I believe Obsidian sync to their own servers. Mega.nz runs on GraphineOS also. I don’t know if it syncs, though
3. Notes - no. I use Turtl. But I’ve heard good things about Obsidian. Drive - don’t know wouldn’t think so. Photos - yes. Messages - yes. For the last two, you’d have to find a solution if you want to back them up.

For backup, GraphineOS will also backup to USB drive.

Like all things, it a trade off. You trade security for convenience.

But one very nice surprise is I now have so much better battery life. I’m getting nearly 3 days off a charge!

I’m reminded what GabeN said: Piracy is an issue of service, not price.

I agree with him up to a point. As price gouging is a feature of modern day streaming.

One reason Steam became the defacto standard is because the insane Steam sales that Valve put on in the early days.

They kept their monopoly in the face of other stores giving away games mostly due to service, though.

While I’m no fan of the crippleware, I don’t think this product from them would effect your average gamer. It looks to be focused on beta testers and reviewers.

But, knowing the human’s facility for laziness, odds on it will filter into general release.