Things I don't want

"Now or later?" Rossman is 100% right when he talks about the "rapist" mentality of bad tech

That's why I had to finally ditch windows.
Microsoft roll out some garbage AI feature you don't want and turns it on by default with no consent. And for some reason half the users are rallying in defence of Microsoft like "you can turn it off bro, just turn it off!"
But that's not the point. The point is they turned it on without asking, and they can't be trusted not to turn it back on again in future when I'm not looking. There is no respect for consent.
Feels so much better on Linux where I know my choice is respected, and will stay how I set it, no matter how many updates I install.

And core functionality that persists, independent of a server or account

Don't want an app that asks "do you like this app" every third time I open it.

It's extra annoying when you've actually gone to the trouble of rating it already. I know they'd need me to have some kind of linked account in app to know that but it still pisses me off.
If you say "no" it goes to a feedback form
If you say "yes" it opens the app store asking for a review (because they think it's going to be a good one!)
Fuck off. I'll give you one star just for pulling that stunt.
At least you can instantly provide feedback!

Give me a functional interface over a pretty interface

I always run in private mode without retaining cookies, so I usually prefer apps for stuff like email so I don’t have to sign in every time. Yesterday I tried a new service that kept telling me “Sign into our app!” and I spent a frustratingly long time trying to find a download before realizing that’s just what they call their website.
• a rethought model where almost all apps are simply homepage-bookmarked websites
Or at least super-granular privacy controls (no accelerometer etc. where unnecessary)
most apps, agreed, for some things you can't get the same features unless it's an app. The TPM/crypto interface on phones is the primary one I am thinking of

Yeah... I miss buttons, too.

I also want customization options

Firefox’s about:config is such a great paradigm for this. Offer the tech in a way that works well for most people. Then a way for those who know what they’re doing to set hundreds of settings the way they want.
- Yet it is hidden behind a magic url instead of a button in the settings page.

Why aren't ads on the list?
And bloatware?

Falls under spying
I guess bloatware is the "app that is 15 apps".
- What about "15 apps that are 1 app each, none of them being useful or uninstallable"

You want buttons? I got buttons for you: https://github.com/Dakkaron/Fairberry

Welcome to free and open-source software!

Love when I download an open source OS and my phone touchscreen shrinks to a manageable size and the phone spawns buttuns
No. I want it from a for-profit company that has no incentive to deliver any of that.

I want to replace my phone but they all suck now

Yeah, smartphones are pretty hopeless. I'm trying to adapt to only using Libreboot computers with a libre operating system. I thankfully don't need a cellphone for many things, but I know other people really need them. Sad to see that we basically can't have any real user-freedom on one of the greatest inventions ever made...
I hoped Mobian or PostmarketOS would work well enough, but I can't seem to get receiving texts or calls to work
Maybe instead of replacing your phone you could replace your OS. Unless there's an actual problem with the hardware, in which case fair enough.
- Phones aren't like x86 desktop computers which have a standard UEFI interface. Not every OS works with every phone.
- It's a Galaxy Note 9 it's getting up there in years

The everything app is a curse. I already have an everything OS. It allows me to get to functionality with ONE press, not 15.

I want meow meow :3

I thought they took meow meow beans off the market after all them hillbillies went blind

Bring back aero.