Some questions about Pine64 hardware in general

[RevonCirth]

Hello, I recently pre-ordered one of the UBports edition PinePhones due to wanting a smartphone that wasn't locked down and reading positive reviews about the "Braveheart" version released earlier.

I saw the payment was directed to Syabas Technology in Hong Kong, although Pine Store Limited (also based in Hong Kong) handled the sale.

I did some research and Syabas Technology appears to be applinked a subsidiary of Cloud Media, which sells a range of computer hardware, including products designed specifically to work with Pine64 products. Both Cloud Media and Pine Store Limited appear to be run by the same TL Lim. My question is, does Pine64 function as a brand name for a line of hardware products produced by Syabas Technologies, or is it a (technically) independent entity that sources and sells its products directly from Syabas Technologies?

[poVoq]

https://www.reddit.com/r/PINE64official/...n_general/
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[gamerminstrel]

Hello, I recently pre-ordered one of the UBports edition PinePhones due to wanting a smartphone that wasn't locked down and reading positive reviews about the "Braveheart" version released earlier.
I saw the payment was directed to Syabas Technology in Hong Kong, although Pine Store Limited (also based in Hong Kong) handled the sale.
I did some research and Syabas Technology appears to be a subsidiary of Cloud Media, which sells a range of computer hardware, including products designed specifically to work with Pine64 products. Both Cloud Media and Pine Store Limited appear to be run by the same TL Lim. My question is, does Pine64 function as a brand name for a line of hardware products produced by Syabas Technologies, or is it a (technically) independent entity that sources and sells its products directly from Syabas Technologies?

This is a good question to ask, and it has been asked before. Here's the answer direct from Luke (who seems to be the PR guy for Pine64 in general):

Syabas Tech. is effectively a conglomerate of TL's companies. Some of these companies are pretty standard businesses with stakeholders, redistributor chains, etc. Syabas Tech. has an extensive network of partners, offices as well as a R&D unit (in Malaysia), which are at the disposal of the companies.
PINE64 is different from the other businesses because, well, it is a a not for profit organization and PINE Store (separate entity from Syabas Tech) has authority over revenue made from PINE64 gear. For those who do not know, money from sales of PINE64 gear is funneled directly into new hardware projects. Most devices, such as Pinebook Pros, Pinebooks or PineTabs, are sold at no profit. The PinePhone has an inbuilt profit margin, but the money ($10 per unit) is donated to developers or community endeveours. SBCs have a profit margin.
PINE64 obviously takes advantage of Sybas Tech R&D, connections (e.g. factories), logistics, shipping, etc. to subsidize everything that's related to delivering a product.