I'm preparing to jump ship to Linux Phone later this year. I'm worried googles fees to developers, no longer shipping device trees with AOSP updates, and attempts to restrict or completely remove third party app stores will hinder the operating system's viability.

Ooh, what's FrOSCon?

I need to look this up, sounds cool

Was ist die FrOSCon?

Freie Software und Open Source - das sind die Themen der FrOSCon. Jedes Jahr im Spätsommer veranstaltet der Fachbereich Informatik der Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg mit Hilfe des FrOSCon e.V. ein spannendes Programm mit Vorträgen und Workshops für Besucher aller Altersklassen, die Freie Software nutzen, kennenlernen wollen oder selbst entwickeln. Eine Ausstellung mit Ständen von Open-Source Projekten und Firmen rundet das Angebot ab. Beim Social Event am Samstagabend können sich Besuchende, Vortragende und Helfer*innen austauschen und zusammen feiern.

What is the FrOSCon?

Free software and open source - these are the topics of FrOSCon. Every year in late summer, the Department of Computer Science of the Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences organizes an exciting program with the help of FrOSCon e.V. with lectures and workshops for visitors of all age groups who want to use free software, get to know it or develop it themselves. An exhibition with stands of open-source projects and companies rounds off the offer. At the social event on Saturday evening, visitors, speakers and helpers can exchange ideas and celebrate together.

I'm on GrapheneOS rn but I'm likewise thinking Linux for my next phone. Does it have app infrastructure?

IDK all the details yet, PinePhone in the mail.

I know there is an app store in some mobile linux distros and that an app called WayDroid Helper can make Android Apps run on it.

I recommend keeping a spare device and testing it out that way, some old phone models supported by PostmarketOS can be bought on ebay for like $50, other operating systems like Sailfish and Ubuntu Touch are worth looking into, I've also seen people run Arch on them.

I think you will have to expect it to work a lot like a linux desktop does in some cases: installing apps with a service like Flathub or Shelly or otherwise installing via commandline, and if you need an android app then you'll have to emulate it in most cases which has limitations. Personally, I've already weened myself off of relying on any apps for anything, most applications have a web based alternative.

Thank you!