Hello, I'm new to RISC-V and would like to try a desktop board (no gaming needed).
I would like:

1. **Audio connection** for speakers (unless there's some wireless way I don't know about?)
1. **Bluetooth** for mouse or keyboard
1. **Display connections** x3, perhaps micro HDMI or USB-C (AOC 22B2H or similar)
1. **CPU**: RISC-V
1. **Graphics** integrated
1. **Mobo**: SBC
1. **NIC** x2 (run a VM router)
1. **Power**
1. **Ram**: 16-32GB preferred
1. **Storage**: NVMe PCIe, probably 32GB-256GB, nothing large like 1TB
1. **USB** x2 for spare stuff
1. **Wi-Fi** for Internet hotspot, mouse or keyboard

I've been following the discussions on the need for more hardware killswitches to enhance privacy and security. Inspired by the suggestions in this thread, I wanted to gather more insights and ideas from the community. basket random

1. What additional hardware components do you think should have killswitches to prevent potential privacy breaches?
2. Are there any specific use cases or scenarios where you believe these additional killswitches would be particularly beneficial?
3. Have you encountered any privacy concerns with existing hardware that could be mitigated with the implementation of killswitches?

it is possible to install an actual archlinux with kernel with ext4 and xfs support?

on a PINE A64

I have been struggling with trying to get debian installed and booting on my rock64 v2 via emmc.

So far, the most current method I have tried is this guide. Everything seemed to go fine until the install finished and I rebooted. Upon boot-up I saw the following on serial console:

SBC Case Builder is an autonomous case building tool written in OpenSCAD who’s case parameters can be adjusted through a Customizer GUI.  With automatic SBC openings and a parametric capable accessory subsystem, standard and custom cases are possible across many different base case and adapter designs.

Several Pine64 SBC models have been added to SBC Model Framework(SBCMF) and the previous models which were not verified have undergone improvements to reach verified status.  This allows SBC Case Builder to generate case designs for the: A64, A64-LTS, Rock64, RockPro64, Quartz-A, Quartz-B, Star64 and SoEdge-A.

   

Eight test cases used to verify SBCMF status are available in the saved cases pickbox above the Tabs at the top of the window: A64_shell, A64-LTS_shell, Rock64_shell, RockPro64_shell, Quartzb_shell, Quartza_shell and SoEdge_A_Baseboard_shell.  Any of the test cases can be used as a starting point for a different case by changing the base design or by making any other customization which can then be saved as a new case.

   

The test cases use 2.5mm and 3mm inserts and screws as needed.  Some cases are top fastened and some are bottom fastened, some countersunk or blind and some recessed, some are actively cooled and others are passive configurations.  All the adjustments and options can be changed so take the time to review and change the necessary settings to match your personal preferences and available fasteners.

As opportunity allows, other Pine64 SBC will be added.  The current SBCMF model for the Pine H64B still needs work and I don’t have access to one right now, so it isn’t ready for use and the status has not changed.  Anyone interested can find SBC Case Builder and SBC Model Framework available at my git repository.

https://github.com/hominoids/SBC_Case_Builder
https://github.com/hominoids/SBC_Model_Framework

If you have an issue or question, or something isn’t working as expected, post a question here or open an issue at the git repository.

I have a PinePhone for three years and it still functions well. The battery is now doing less well, but it is still doable with a simple power bank. In addition, there is no damage and the screen does not have a single scratch.

Now I have a PinePhone Pro for a week, but after a few days it stopped working on the phone and sound. The SIM card works properly, so it is something with the software or hardware. In addition, the battery drains quite quickly.

Why to be smart if Bluetooth works?

I thought that the Rii mini 4 with 2.4 Ghz dongle would be the ultimate solution to solve the Pinephone keyboard problem. After a sleepless night in which I tested 6 cheap Aliexpress docks in all configuration with usb keyboard and mouse, none of the worked. Some time ago, one of them worked with usb keyboard and mouse, but I could not reproduce it.  I thought a Rii mini 4 with 2.4 Ghz dongle would eventually the solution for the Pinephone keyboard problem together with the docking sation:

https://forum.pine64.org/showthread.php?tid=19350

But in the morning I decided not to buy any further Pinephone accessoires for a Pinephone I never use and put on the screed and take it down again for some tests. 

In the afternoon, I thought,  why not to try the Rii 4 over Bluetooth? Reports of Zebulon Walton about a Bluetooth mini keyboard where horrible:

https://forum.pine64.org/showthread.php?...316&page=2

Now i paired the Rii 4 mini over Bluetooth to my Pinephone with postmarketOS. There where no disconnection issues during 3 min tests as where reported with other Bluetooth keyboards:


https://forum.pine64.org/showthread.php?tid=13835

Keys, touchpad and scrollweel worked. One user reported to have issues with connecting a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse at the same time. Only one device worked, either keyboard and mouse.  Other reported that Bluetooth keyboard and mouse work with Logitech devices:

https://forum.pine64.org/showthread.php?...316&page=3

But Logitech has not mini keyboards. The Rii mini 4 is a mini keyboard with dual mode BLE and 2.4 Ghz dongle. I did not get to work the 2.4 Ghz dongle, but the keyboard with touchpad.

The Rii 4 over Bluetooth is the best experience for a Pinephone keyboard for me personally to this date. It is available and worked for 3 min. reliably. And it has also a layout with many keys, similar to the Pinephone keyboard which makes it  a great device. The keyboard is not much bigger than the Pinephone, and fit’s in a pocket.

   

Would love to make this device primary.
Any feedback on the problems / proposed solutions greatly appreciated.

Drove original PinePhone on postmarketOS SXMO + WayDroid for a while. PPP is amazing here, but strangely, suspend doesn't seem to work.
The device will discharge (to 0% battery) if not charged over night, and last ~2 hours without a charger. Random poweroffs.
All connectivity is kill-switched. dmesg reports - "PM: Some devices failed to suspend, or early wake event detected".
Read somewhere that PPP should last for 24h minimally if suspended, yet it doesn't seem to work regardless of OS.

Wireless charging case sadly isn't sold any more (to pair with a smartphone charging case).
Before velcro-fastening the most compact 20000mAh powerbank on a back of PPP, trying software fixes might be in order.
postmarketOS doesn't seem to use Megi's now legendary kernel though, due to it not being mainlined, missing on PPP-critical patches.

Megi's https://xff.cz/kernels/ offers pre-built ones, but sadly kinda lost on how to make it work on postmarketOS (based on Alpine).
Arch seems to use Megi's kernel or patches, but it didn't survive the night either.
Mobian seemed ok, but couldn't get the SXMO working.

The device is also pretty hot. Like, literally.
Convergence + heavier use might need better heat dissipation to prevent thermal throttling (think I read it starts at 65°C/149°F on PPP).
Thinking about using 0.05mm copper pads with kapton tape on conductive shielding to prevent short-circuits & improve cooling.

USB-C doesn't work for data transfers, camera neither, but that isn't deal-breaker.

Anyway, very thankful for the effort that has been put into this by some very talented individuals; making a real pocket privacy-respecting (air-gappable) device possible.

I ordered a Rii 4 with a 2.4 Ghz usb dongle and connected it to the Pinephone via usb to usb-c cable

This keyboard is one of the most interesting keyboards for the Pinephone for me personally if it works.

I suppose it is with lesser issues than Bluetooth

But it was not possible to pair the keyboard to the dongle as described above.

Then I tried to use a usb keyboard and mouse.

Here are examples which show that this works with the PP:

https://petergamma.org/how-to-get-a-usb-...pinephone/

All of these examples use a usb-c dock

And here is a list of 3.th party docks which work with the Pinephone and keyboard and mouse:

https://petergamma.org/issues-with-four-...epone-pro/

I tested previously 3 cheap usb docks I bought on Aliexpress.

HDMI out worked with none of them.

keyboard and mouse worked with one of those, but I could not reproduce it today

usb-c adapters are tricky  Sometimes I need to turn those around to get it to work.

I recently saw that is possible to read and write to an usb flash drive with an Android phone:

https://petergamma.org/the-problem-googl...oid-phone/

But it needs to be an OTG drive, and the right configuration in Android.

Do you have experience with these kind of adapters?

Does it need to be an OTG adapter for keyboard and mouse?

And does it need to be powered?

Would this work on the PBPro?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZrVyFCkOew