diff --git a/FAQ.md b/FAQ.md new file mode 100644 index 00000000..0c4247f9 --- /dev/null +++ b/FAQ.md @@ -0,0 +1,69 @@ +# F.A.Q. + +## Does Google Sync/Translate/Data saver work? +No. +This is not a limitation of Bromite but of all Chromium-based projects in general, as general public is not allowed to use Google's APIs for free unless when using Chrome. + +Additionally, these features would not be privacy-friendly. + +## Does Bromite require root? +No. + +## Is Bromite de-googled? + +Yes, although this has not been verified (and hardly can be) under all situations; if you were to find connections to cloud-based services please report them via the issue tracker. +Bromite uses [ungoogled-chromium's python script](https://github.com/Eloston/ungoogled-chromium/blob/master/utils/domain_substitution.py) to disable URLs in the codebase since version `78.0.3904.93`. + +Projects which follow a strict approach on this are [Iridium](https://iridiumbrowser.de/) and [Inox patchset](https://github.com/gcarq/inox-patchset). + +## Does Bromite support DRM media? + +Yes, in order to play protected/encrypted media content the browser will use Android's DRM media framework to automatically negotiate access (same as Chromium). +This means for example that requests to Android license servers will be performed (`www.googleapis.com`), see https://w3c.github.io/encrypted-media/#direct-individualization +To disable this functionality you should disable protected content playback from Site settings -> Multimedia. + +## What is the SystemWebView? +It is the core component of Android for all web page visualizations. For example when you access a new wifi network and need to activate it, that is using the SystemWebView. If you do not know what it is then you do not need to install it. + +See also [the wiki page](https://github.com/bromite/bromite/wiki/Installing-SystemWebView) for community-contributed installation instructions. + +Ad-blocking was present and always enabled in the SystemWebView from version `72.0.3626.120` till version `77.0.3865.104`, when it stopped working due to [upstream NetworkService changes](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TZEuPvr2KAbP4_TZpuuwtEEArQsyAkc2HDu68l66YwU/edit?ts=598244df#heading=h.ougoi5i6508y). + +## How to enable DNS-over-HTTPS? + +See [this wiki page](https://github.com/bromite/bromite/wiki/Enabling-DNS-over-HTTPS). + +## Can you add HTTPS everywhere? +No. +We cannot add add-ons to Bromite (merely some features). + +## Is Bromite on Play Store? +No, and this is unlikely to change. Many limitations apply for submissions there, including which ads are allowed to be blocked. + +Bromite favors user freedom in software choice: the device is yours so you get to choose which software to run on it, end of the story. + +## Is Bromite on F-Droid? +It is not on the official F-Droid repository and there are no (more) plans to submit it. + +You can use F-Droid client to install and receive updates via [the official Bromite F-Droid repository](https://www.bromite.org/fdroid). + +## Does Bromite support WebRTC? +Yes, since version 69. While the desktop version of Chromium has an option to disable it (video/audio site settings), the Android version cannot. + +The WebRTC functionality has always been using safe defaults to prevent leaks (disabled multiple routes and non-proxied UDP). + +## Using Bromite will favour the monopoly of the Chromium/Blink engine, why do you develop and maintain Bromite? +In short, to show what a Chromium-based engine could do **for the user** if the user experience and needs were the main focus of modern browser design. + +For an Android browser using an alternative engine see [Fennec F-Droid](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.mozilla.fennec_fdroid/). + +## Does Bromite support extensions? +No; Bromite will support extensions only if upstream (Chromium) does, or similarly another project maintains the patch and functionality. + +## Why do push notifications not work on this website? + +The [Chromium Blink engine](https://www.chromium.org/blink) uses [GCM](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Cloud_Messaging) to deliver messages +when websites use the [Push API](https://w3c.github.io/push-api/); this will not work because cloud integrations are disabled in Bromite (GCM in this case). + +[ServiceWorker notifications](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/ServiceWorkerRegistration/showNotification) do work instead since they use +[android.app.Notification](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/ui/notifiers/notifications). diff --git a/README.md b/README.md index e8111e25..01a31fd1 100644 --- a/README.md +++ b/README.md @@ -10,6 +10,8 @@ Bromite is only available for Android v4.4 and above. downloads on Github +For the Frequently Asked Questions see [F.A.Q.](./FAQ.md). + # Goals Bromite aims at providing a no-clutter browsing experience without privacy-invasive features and with the addition of a fast ad-blocking engine. @@ -25,76 +27,6 @@ Please donate to support development of Bromite and the costs for the build syst ETH donations address: `0xf47ff39223d828f99fec5ab53bd068c5c0522042` -# F.A.Q. - -## Does Google Sync/Translate/Data saver work? -No. -This is not a limitation of Bromite but of all Chromium-based projects in general, as general public is not allowed to use Google's APIs for free unless when using Chrome. - -Additionally, these features would not be privacy-friendly. - -## Does Bromite require root? -No. - -## Is Bromite de-googled? - -Yes, although this has not been verified (and hardly can be) under all situations; if you were to find connections to cloud-based services please report them via the issue tracker. -Bromite uses [ungoogled-chromium's python script](https://github.com/Eloston/ungoogled-chromium/blob/master/utils/domain_substitution.py) to disable URLs in the codebase since version `78.0.3904.93`. - -Projects which follow a strict approach on this are [Iridium](https://iridiumbrowser.de/) and [Inox patchset](https://github.com/gcarq/inox-patchset). - -## Does Bromite support DRM media? - -Yes, in order to play protected/encrypted media content the browser will use Android's DRM media framework to automatically negotiate access (same as Chromium). -This means for example that requests to Android license servers will be performed (`www.googleapis.com`), see https://w3c.github.io/encrypted-media/#direct-individualization -To disable this functionality you should disable protected content playback from Site settings -> Multimedia. - -## What is the SystemWebView? -It is the core component of Android for all web page visualizations. For example when you access a new wifi network and need to activate it, that is using the SystemWebView. If you do not know what it is then you do not need to install it. - -See also [the wiki page](https://github.com/bromite/bromite/wiki/Installing-SystemWebView) for community-contributed installation instructions. - -Ad-blocking was present and always enabled in the SystemWebView from version `72.0.3626.120` till version `77.0.3865.104`, when it stopped working due to [upstream NetworkService changes](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TZEuPvr2KAbP4_TZpuuwtEEArQsyAkc2HDu68l66YwU/edit?ts=598244df#heading=h.ougoi5i6508y). - -## How to enable DNS-over-HTTPS? - -See [this wiki page](https://github.com/bromite/bromite/wiki/Enabling-DNS-over-HTTPS). - -## Can you add HTTPS everywhere? -No. -We cannot add add-ons to Bromite (merely some features). - -## Is Bromite on Play Store? -No, and this is unlikely to change. Many limitations apply for submissions there, including which ads are allowed to be blocked. - -Bromite favors user freedom in software choice: the device is yours so you get to choose which software to run on it, end of the story. - -## Is Bromite on F-Droid? -It is not on the official F-Droid repository and there are no (more) plans to submit it. - -You can use F-Droid client to install and receive updates via [the official Bromite F-Droid repository](https://www.bromite.org/fdroid). - -## Does Bromite support WebRTC? -Yes, since version 69. While the desktop version of Chromium has an option to disable it (video/audio site settings), the Android version cannot. - -The WebRTC functionality has always been using safe defaults to prevent leaks (disabled multiple routes and non-proxied UDP). - -## Using Bromite will favour the monopoly of the Chromium/Blink engine, why do you develop and maintain Bromite? -In short, to show what a Chromium-based engine could do **for the user** if the user experience and needs were the main focus of modern browser design. - -For an Android browser using an alternative engine see [Fennec F-Droid](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.mozilla.fennec_fdroid/). - -## Does Bromite support extensions? -No; Bromite will support extensions only if upstream (Chromium) does, or similarly another project maintains the patch and functionality. - -## Why do push notifications not work on this website? - -The [Chromium Blink engine](https://www.chromium.org/blink) uses [GCM](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Cloud_Messaging) to deliver messages -when websites use the [Push API](https://w3c.github.io/push-api/); this will not work because cloud integrations are disabled in Bromite (GCM in this case). - -[ServiceWorker notifications](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/ServiceWorkerRegistration/showNotification) do work instead since they use -[android.app.Notification](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/ui/notifiers/notifications). - # Features * customizable adblock filters via user-provided URL