Hardwired software or functionality imposed by companies or authorities

[Dog House Dave]

Another big example closer to home is an alert system that was discussed a few years ago if I'm not mistaken; Something that allowed authorities to track where your phone is located, and if you're in an area where a calamity is happening they'd have the ability to force a message on your device and you couldn't disable the thing. As an optional service I'm definitely not against it, quite the contrary... but forced and hardcoded into my device, no way I don't want any of that stuff.

AFAIK this is done by pushing a text to all devices connected to a tower from which someone wants to send the alert. And triangulation of an individual is possible by checking nearest tower connections. It's not super accurate but enough. If someone knows your IMEI - you can be tracked.

The only true way of remaining private is by leaving your phone at home, and just bring a paper-based book with you to read on your train commutes instead.

That's what I do ...my smartphone is used as a land-line.  I rarely take it with me unless I'm driving and even then I switch it off until I want to use it - no call is THAT important, that I must be in contact 24 hours a day so that I can answer and deal with it as soon as it rings.  

Maybe it's an age thing - I am in my 50's - but I simply don't see what is great about being connected to the world 24-7, and I certainty don't like the idea of transmitting my location to those that think it important enough, that they go to great lengths to ensure it's as hard as possible not to.

And that's where the PinePhone comes into the picture, because all I want a phone to be - is a phone.  Apps, Bluetooth, Wi-fi ...I won't be using any of it (although, the calculator and torch apps do come in handy ...oh, and a good spell checker).  Before I discovered the PinePhone, I was looking to buy a simple flip-phone - but after some research, found that the powers that be are trying their hardest to make old tech obsolete as soon as possible (something to do with changes to LTE, FDD and TDD ...can't remember the details, but old tech will be screwed as soon as they can manage it - if not sooner).

While I know the PinePhone can (or will) do all the things a smartphone is made to do, I'm actually buying it because it gives me the true choice not to do any of those things... It won't be beeping all the time, saying "DOG HOUSE, THERE'S A NEW VERSION OF SOFTWARE THAT YOU SIMPLY MUST HAVE - BLEEP- DOG HOUSE!!! ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME?" - it will simply be sat in my pocket, saying "Yo, Dog House, your Bluetooth and Wi-fi are switched off... cool man, like your style... you know where I am if you need me... peace out, dude".

I'm also a big Linux fan, so instead of reading a paper-based book on the train, I'll be practicing my use of Systemctl service commands in the terminal ...just because I can ;-)