Lets create the PineCom

[NGOcustomer]

<SNIP>

1. Do we need both a front and back camera on the PineCom? In fact, do we need any cameras at all?
   We need at least a back camera, for many uses. Pinephone back camera is ok.
   
   
2. Should we bring over all sensors present on the PinePhone? If so, which do you think we can do without?
   Low price is aimed, so just basic ones like accelerator + compass for GPS experience
   
3. Should we use the same single band/11n/BT4 WiFi module in the PinePhone (for compatibility sake) or change it out for a dual band/11ac/BT5?
   We need compatibility, so WIFIn/BT4 is fine
   
   
4. Should the device feature a GPS (and compass) or are those features redundant in this type of device? 
   We need it for many reason, in city side and country side
   
   
5. Should we include SPI flash?
   No needed. uSD card is easy to install, spead and easy to destroy.
   
   
6. We are currently considering following the PinePhone’s general design and aesthetic for the PineCom, but if there is some sort of physical (within reason - also financially) that you think would fit this type of device well then make sure to let us know. 
   Cheaper design is good, but keep swich. No need a camera swich, people use black tape.Hardened case or silicone case can be a plus
   
7. We’re currently thinking of using a 5” LCD panel for the PineCom; what do you think about this - is there a reason to go bigger or smaller?
   If it's cheaper, is a good option.
   

[*]If I understand it right you are just saying make an even cheaper pinephone (modem is a must).

[*]If you have an open platform like the pinephone, the privacy part is "just" the software. But pine64 is not a software company, as far as I understond. So if you realy need privacy oriented software, start working with some existing project or start one.

While in my opinion, the Pinecom is NOT a phone, but a technological exploration in what else can be made without the modem.
And from a communucation point of view there are alot of markets that might be served. Like disaster area, operators down scenarions, where a COM can connect people (over whatever radio technology). Or off-grid mesh networks etc. outside the covarage of operators.

Regards Paul

[*]
Hi @pljanson

• Pinephone are more oriented like a "main FOSS phone" in our view, and is totally ok.
  Make a low price range secure FOSS smartphone can be very useful for us for make this tool affordable for each one. A downgraded secure oriented phone with a light OS without bloat for a symbolic price looks a good concept. But maybe we don't fully understand the concept of PineCom, and expect too much about it.
  
  
• We are aware about Pine64 is not a software company. Just asking a basic compatibility with at least one Secure oriented OS, if it's a secure oriented phone. And if some hardware dev read us and can try running Tails /Whonix/qubes, looks an amazing opportunity for software security side.
  We are not able to make our own privacy OS, and we prefer to use worldwide trusted and reviewed OS
  
  
• LoRaWan don't resolve for now all security issue about encryption, auth and MITM attack, mainly bc use old security encryption protocol and the low speed of this network don't allow heavy encryption auth and protocol.
  https://sci-hub.do/10.1016/j.iot.2020.100303
  https://www.cyber-threat-intelligence.co...oraWAN.pdf
  A solid handshake and E2E encryption with modem data looks better
  

[*]About the goal like disaster area and operators Down, if we are fully understand the specification of LoRaWan, for now, is mainly based on Operator Network GSM and mobile data tower cell. So this tower can be unpowered or destroyed
A basic homemade LoRa local network cell cost around 150$ minimum, plus your own network infra (gateway + local server) and need power supply. Looks not for common people during a disaster event, even interested by tech. Last thing, LoRaWan isn't build basically to support massive flood messaging. In a case of a disaster with more thousand people want to communicate at the same moment, the LoRaWan network infra will be limited by the maximum bandwidth.


But maybe we don't fully understand LoRaWan Spec and technology. Anyway, if your target is disaster COM, it's a good goal.


About our politics goals, we are transparent and honest about that because we think tech is politic, and a high secure tech is not a good thing in wrong hands. We need to explain a bit where we from for give sense to our needs. We don't want open a politic debate about our political goals.

If people here think we are the wrong hands because we fight against climate change and for our civil liberty, press liberty, human right, we can delete our posts and stop to contribute to this brainstorm.

Regards