7 ms·

Indeed. I'm on the lookout for a solid system that can boot a vanilla Linux kernel (something like an x86 laptop or ARM laptop, sub 10 inches preferably) that

Indeed. I'm on the lookout for a solid system that can boot a vanilla Linux kernel (something like an x86 laptop or ARM laptop, sub 10 inches preferably) that can make phone calls, receive SMS, and has a built in 4G modem. Does such a thing exist? I'd rather have a crap phone attached to a powerful computer, than a powerful phone that locks itself down so much that it's a crap computer.

nedp 8y ago
Seems like what you describe is Purism's upcoming phone, the Librem 5.
- kossTKR 8y ago
  That project makes me happy. Also just looked at their computers that are beginning to resemble an actual alternative. I remember another "libre" project some years ago which was very expensive and extremely clunky, probably because they wanted to use pre ME intel chips, which it seems they have compromised on now. Anyway it's good to se alternatives catching up. I am so ready to ditch the big-data/fashion companies and i think many people are too, if just the design and eco-system catches up. Personally i think we are less than 10 years from total dystopia if we don't create an "alternative" internet, which is actually just the standard internet without walled gardens, without tracking and with out corporate and state controlled ID systems that will end up imprisoning us all very soon with no escape. I am from Scandinavia and here the state already tracks and cross references all kinds of data on you from health to taxes to criminal record, just as private big-data does in the US. Everyone has a state provisioned login card with serious sec flaws. We are no doubt headed for china-like rating systems and pre-crime drone fuelled nightmares. A large organisation that pushed both free hardware and software for the masses fast is sorely needed to avoid the ultimate tech nightmare that only the coming climate/resource collapse can otherwise save us from. All hail either free private computing or a deus ex machina Carrington Event.
  - meko 8y ago
    Let's be honest, it's either socialism or barbarism.
sohkamyung 8y ago
Maybe something like the Cosmo Communicator [1]? It's a 'reboot' of the Psion PDA form factor by the same people who created the Gemini PDA. [1] https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/cosmo-communicator/ https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/cosmo-communicator/
- subway 8y ago
  Not likely. Both the Cosmo and Gemini use Mediatek SoCs. You're unlikely to ever see a mainline kernel go anywhere near those things, let alone one supporting the majority of the hardware. Odds are high you'll even be stuck with a 3.10 (or maybe 4.4 if you're lucky) fork of the kernel. As much as I love the formfactor, it's way more likely that we'll see a mainline kernel running on one of the various Snapdragon 845 devices before the Gemini or Cosmos.
  - linuxlizard 8y ago
    What's the difficulty with Mediatek? Lack of documentation? (Serious question.)
epse 8y ago
Some laptops with a built in SIM module can actually text. I don't know about calls, but have a look around. I know for a fact that the Fibocom modems don't support sms, maybe the Huawei ones do.
- swiley 8y ago
  Older thinkpads have empty minipcie bays for cell modems. I think my x201 does but I haven’t checked.
  - vetinari 8y ago
    My old T430s came with Ericsson 3G minipcie card installed. The bay can be used for many things, not just modems and not just minipcie; msata drives work there too.
AsyncAwait 8y ago
The closest thing to what you're describing seems to be the Librem 5[1]. It's a bit of an investment to get into now, but if you believe that such a product is worthwhile, I think it's worth backing even at this stage, just to show that the market is there. 1 - https://shop.puri.sm/shop/librem-5 https://shop.puri.sm/shop/librem-5
- josephmx 8y ago
  Looks like a lot of people are mentioning this one, so buyer beware that it's in the kickstarter stages & it's not currently possible to buy outside of kickstarter
  - m52go 8y ago
    Yes but they actually ship hardware right now (laptops), just raised a round of funding, and post regular updates on tangible progress. A safer bet than most, I'd say.
anthony_barker 8y ago
nokia n900 - I have a few kicking around but they unfortunately are 3G. https://wiki.maemo.org/Nokia_N900 https://wiki.maemo.org/Nokia_N900 Maybe Sailfish OS?
4lun 8y ago
The Pyra handheld might be of interest to you: https://pyra-handheld.com/ https://pyra-handheld.com/ Though it's not yet shipped, and software/drivers seems to be mostly a community effort.
xte 8y ago
Honestly I do not see real FOSS-usable mobile radio devices, nor GSM, 3G, 4G, 5G or anything else. No OEM (and perhaps states also) want real free communication devices...

nedp 8y ago

Seems like what you describe is Purism's upcoming phone, the Librem 5.

kossTKR 8y ago
That project makes me happy. Also just looked at their computers that are beginning to resemble an actual alternative. I remember another "libre" project some years ago which was very expensive and extremely clunky, probably because they wanted to use pre ME intel chips, which it seems they have compromised on now. Anyway it's good to se alternatives catching up. I am so ready to ditch the big-data/fashion companies and i think many people are too, if just the design and eco-system catches up. Personally i think we are less than 10 years from total dystopia if we don't create an "alternative" internet, which is actually just the standard internet without walled gardens, without tracking and with out corporate and state controlled ID systems that will end up imprisoning us all very soon with no escape. I am from Scandinavia and here the state already tracks and cross references all kinds of data on you from health to taxes to criminal record, just as private big-data does in the US. Everyone has a state provisioned login card with serious sec flaws. We are no doubt headed for china-like rating systems and pre-crime drone fuelled nightmares. A large organisation that pushed both free hardware and software for the masses fast is sorely needed to avoid the ultimate tech nightmare that only the coming climate/resource collapse can otherwise save us from. All hail either free private computing or a deus ex machina Carrington Event.
- meko 8y ago
  Let's be honest, it's either socialism or barbarism.

sohkamyung 8y ago

Maybe something like the Cosmo Communicator [1]? It's a 'reboot' of the Psion PDA form factor by the same people who created the Gemini PDA. [1] https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/cosmo-communicator/ https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/cosmo-communicator/

subway 8y ago
Not likely. Both the Cosmo and Gemini use Mediatek SoCs. You're unlikely to ever see a mainline kernel go anywhere near those things, let alone one supporting the majority of the hardware. Odds are high you'll even be stuck with a 3.10 (or maybe 4.4 if you're lucky) fork of the kernel. As much as I love the formfactor, it's way more likely that we'll see a mainline kernel running on one of the various Snapdragon 845 devices before the Gemini or Cosmos.
- linuxlizard 8y ago
  What's the difficulty with Mediatek? Lack of documentation? (Serious question.)

epse 8y ago

Some laptops with a built in SIM module can actually text. I don't know about calls, but have a look around. I know for a fact that the Fibocom modems don't support sms, maybe the Huawei ones do.

swiley 8y ago
Older thinkpads have empty minipcie bays for cell modems. I think my x201 does but I haven’t checked.
- vetinari 8y ago
  My old T430s came with Ericsson 3G minipcie card installed. The bay can be used for many things, not just modems and not just minipcie; msata drives work there too.

AsyncAwait 8y ago

The closest thing to what you're describing seems to be the Librem 5[1]. It's a bit of an investment to get into now, but if you believe that such a product is worthwhile, I think it's worth backing even at this stage, just to show that the market is there. 1 - https://shop.puri.sm/shop/librem-5 https://shop.puri.sm/shop/librem-5

josephmx 8y ago
Looks like a lot of people are mentioning this one, so buyer beware that it's in the kickstarter stages & it's not currently possible to buy outside of kickstarter
- m52go 8y ago
  Yes but they actually ship hardware right now (laptops), just raised a round of funding, and post regular updates on tangible progress. A safer bet than most, I'd say.

anthony_barker 8y ago

nokia n900 - I have a few kicking around but they unfortunately are 3G. https://wiki.maemo.org/Nokia_N900 https://wiki.maemo.org/Nokia_N900 Maybe Sailfish OS?

4lun 8y ago

The Pyra handheld might be of interest to you: https://pyra-handheld.com/ https://pyra-handheld.com/ Though it's not yet shipped, and software/drivers seems to be mostly a community effort.

xte 8y ago

Honestly I do not see real FOSS-usable mobile radio devices, nor GSM, 3G, 4G, 5G or anything else. No OEM (and perhaps states also) want real free communication devices...