No recommendation here, but I’ll note that your wish differs from mine and from the VAST majority of even technically-competent humans.
I wish for an easily portable, reliable, easy-to-use, well-supported (in apps and functionality) phone, which I can afford to replace as it becomes slow and outdated. I’m a huge fan of open-source hardware and software, and both have been part of my jobs in the past, but I absolutely don’t want the hassle of self-customization or Twitter-level-customer-support.
Kids these days are comfortable upgrading PCs for gaming etc. I see no reason why they can’t upgrade an open source phone. No one needs customer support anymore, we just swap a part or change software if things don’t work. There is always Reddit for support. Modern kids are not technophobic even if they have no interest in IT careers. Modifying a phone would be no different than accessorising a dress to them.
Ok, this violates LW norms and I feel a little bad for not just walking away. But wow—if you don’t see the difference between assembling a PC and troubleshooting a very specialized device with non-standard OS and DIY software/firmware, we’re just not going to reach agreement.
Note: I would enjoy seeing your report of what you love and don’t love, and some tips about how you use and upgrade YOUR open-source phone. Personal anecdotes go a long way, much more than theoretical arguments.
[Question] Open phone recommendation for Elon.
If Elon Musk could take over an existing open phone project, which one would you recommend? Example https://www.pine64.org/pinephonepro/ . A full list is at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_open-source_mobile_phones
I wish for a user upgradeable phone that yu do not have to discard just because its battery is not keeping up, or screen costs too much to repair etc.
No recommendation here, but I’ll note that your wish differs from mine and from the VAST majority of even technically-competent humans.
I wish for an easily portable, reliable, easy-to-use, well-supported (in apps and functionality) phone, which I can afford to replace as it becomes slow and outdated. I’m a huge fan of open-source hardware and software, and both have been part of my jobs in the past, but I absolutely don’t want the hassle of self-customization or Twitter-level-customer-support.
Kids these days are comfortable upgrading PCs for gaming etc. I see no reason why they can’t upgrade an open source phone. No one needs customer support anymore, we just swap a part or change software if things don’t work. There is always Reddit for support. Modern kids are not technophobic even if they have no interest in IT careers. Modifying a phone would be no different than accessorising a dress to them.
Ok, this violates LW norms and I feel a little bad for not just walking away. But wow—if you don’t see the difference between assembling a PC and troubleshooting a very specialized device with non-standard OS and DIY software/firmware, we’re just not going to reach agreement.
Note: I would enjoy seeing your report of what you love and don’t love, and some tips about how you use and upgrade YOUR open-source phone. Personal anecdotes go a long way, much more than theoretical arguments.