[moetech]

AOSP is not "useless own its own". I don't know how you got that idea. Custom ROMs are every bit as capable as Google-flavored Android.

[gregknicholson]

I said “mostly” useless on its own.

I believe Lineage and co have to supply their own replacements for some important features, and/or use the proprietary Google Play Services.

AOSP isn't a usable base product, like Chromium for example.

(That's my understanding anyway. It's quite possible I'm wrong!)