09-06-2021, 03:08 AM
(09-03-2021, 07:15 AM)NotAPowerUser Wrote: (snip)
A big reason why I am looking at the pine devices is that I really don't like the way most phones and tablets do not get (os/security) updates after 2-3 years anymore (the other reason is privacy).
I don't really understand why it is that way for phones but not for pc's, which also support a variety of hardware. I always read something about drivers and chip producers not providing patches or something along those lines.
So how about the pine hardware in that regard? Is it that open source that as long as the community supports it, it will be updated?
(snip)
To be fair I would expect a rocky experience if you are not a big Linux user at this point even a 20 year Linux user will have to either code their way out of some problems or experience an unsatisfactory 'daily driver' phone experience.
There are options like LineageOS with Microg that give you a mostly private and free software android OS experience while still using the standard un-auditable 'binary blob' android hardware drivers and you can find a build for most android devices that allow unlocking the bootloader.
I hope you can find the time and money to join our merry crew but just realize we are taking the road less traveled or more like we are cutting that new road with hand tools. If you have realistic expectations for the hardware(not as fast as modern Qualcom ARM CPUs) and your choices of community developed OSs you can have a very pure Linux in your hand experience with hardware updates that are chosen mostly by the requirements of a community who wants ultimate utility and privacy for the cash spent and not your mobile service provider or a phone manufacturer who wants to milk you for profit any way it can.
As for hardware repair and upgrades, the store is pretty good about having the parts for sale though i am not sure there is any guarantee of repair or upgrade parts availability for any extended period of time.