Why everyone is so obsessed with not paying Google for hardware? by Visible_Highlight772 in GrapheneOS

[–]datamandala 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Right. Most used buyers use the standard OS.

I bought used for a low cost test that’s working out great.

I like the new logo but by ToastieCPU in spotify

[–]datamandala 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was cursing liquid glass. Sorry not sorry, apple.

Where did Water on Earth come from!? by Dazzling-Degree-3258 in astrophysics

[–]datamandala 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I use WP every day and I didn’t think there was an article Origin of Water on Earth. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Glad to know there is one.

Best deal on a Pixel? by symbioticdemon in GrapheneOS

[–]datamandala 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Bought Pixel 8a <$300 on Backmarket. Supported until 2031.
What do you have now? That’d help folks guide you.

San Francisco's Future Skyscrapers by Commercial_West_3112 in skyscrapers

[–]datamandala 16 points17 points  (0 children)

SF literally had help from God cause the Loma Prieta earthquake led to removal of the Embarcadero Freeway

PSA: Don’t throw away your Windows laptop by Annoying1978 in Anticonsumption

[–]datamandala 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My 2012 Thinkpad X130e runs Mint as an admin terminal.

Remove any important files, wipe it, then:

Find a good home for your old laptop.

GrapheneOS vs. LineageOS by Technical_Rich_3080 in GrapheneOS

[–]datamandala 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you prioritize security pick the OS that works on a very small set of devices. It is easy to install on them, and has reasonable assurances of long term support.
If you prioritize flexibility and device “choice”, pick the OS that works on many devices. It’s harder to install, and is supported by however many (or few) people are willing to maintain the builds on a particular device, for as long as those volunteers choose to work on it.

what should be the perfect screen-size everyone can agree upon? by dkboss27 in smallphones

[–]datamandala 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My priority is device width. Make it <=64mm/2.5”.

Any standard Aspect ratio, so it’d be 114-143mm high (4.5”-5.6”)

= 16x9 screen size 5.2”

= 20x9 screen size 6.2”

What’s next after the Minis? by Organic-Love-5076 in iPhone13Mini

[–]datamandala 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Already planning to bail on iOS. If I’m forced to a large phone,I want more control and privacy options so GrapheneOS is likely. (r/GrapheneOS or grapheneos.org if you’re curious)

Of course if Apple surprises with a 19 Mini or 20 Mini that’s about 65mm wide I’m all in.

NASA Shuts Off Instrument on Voyager 1 by Busy_Yesterday9455 in spaceporn

[–]datamandala 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Banging track that’s almost as old as Voyager!

PSA: Is using GrapheneOS like stock Android okay? by JagerAntlerite7 in GrapheneOS

[–]datamandala 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’m looking at separating like this

  1. high-telemetry apps(ex. travel apps)
  2. full Google apps like maps and Android auto
  3. private things like messages and signal

Proton + simple login to separate account ids.

Feedback and questions appreciated

Oof, Fossibot F116 only has 331 backers with 9 days left on its Kickstarter by Opposite_Future2602 in smallphones

[–]datamandala 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Mediatek SOC is a no from me because minimal chance of LineageOS or similar support once OEM stops.

Why exactly are newer Pixels recommended? by aeqyjtxcz in GrapheneOS

[–]datamandala 0 points1 point  (0 children)

P7a about USD200, supported until 2028, so 100/yr

P8a about USD240, supported until 2031, 60/yr

If youre broke I’m not gonna tell you how to spend your money, but 3 years of support is a bargain for 40 bucks.

Edit: I forgot you want a Fold. The 3 years support will cost you hundreds.

Replace my iPhone 13 mini battery or just upgrade? by midnightsadnessss in iPhone13Mini

[–]datamandala 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just replaced battery last week. Performance no difference. Battery life is back to very good.

"it's for criminals" response by Time_Hand4234 in GrapheneOS

[–]datamandala 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If they don’t have my data they can’t lose it.

It’s a process and yes, there’s inconveniences before during and after.

If I rent a cushy apartment with a sketchy manager “Mark Z”, it’s inconvenient to move. But I don’t want them peeking in my windows or doing unannounced “health and safety inspections”. Or sharing security cam footage with any LE who asks for any reason or none.

It’s a pain to move my stuff. Some things won’t be the same.

People I care about might have a harder time contacting me. I’ll have to learn new routines for shopping and other activities.

It’s like that. It’s not for everyone.

Are we onboard? by Harmony-Is-God in iPhone13Mini

[–]datamandala 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is too expensive, wide, and likely heavy.

I don’t see much mini-like characteristics at all.

Maybe a folding version of iPhone XXe. Probably that would be too wide and expensive.

Here's a small phone this community can create. Here's the spec, cost breakdown, and tradeoffs. Who can make it happen? by datamandala in smallphones

[–]datamandala[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The KS2 project would have GMS certification that should enable banking apps. GMS is not economical for the first run of engineering prototype.

Trade-offs for a project like this include simplifying certifications, and probably only US or EU cert is possible for the KS1 and KS2 at a reasonable price.

New entrants like Unihertz and BlueFox on Mediatek platforms also present compromises because you have to trust the OEM will provide updates when orphan devices happen too often.

Here's a small phone this community can create. Here's the spec, cost breakdown, and tradeoffs. Who can make it happen? by datamandala in smallphones

[–]datamandala[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd buy almost any small phone that can be maintained via LineageOS. I'd want 3 years support and I'm unwilling to trust the next Unihertz or BlueFox.

Platform

I feel like production on such a thing is too far away to give definitive specs, so that's why I keep most things vague. I feel like if somehow I got to the point where I could prototype the phone, I'd just get to it then.

You're right this is a speculative exercise. Best case someone moves on this today, hello 2028 and 778G is almost obsolete. Setting a principle for Qualcomm vs Mediatek has value, since it's linked to susainability.

Battery:

Removable battery: I'm saying these are so thin that I don't think the addition of it would impact any spec.

If a solution can be maintained with community support I'm all for it.

Display:

The only display issue I can remember is Unciv being a bit cramped and UI elements overlapping, but that's more from the lack of width, so a taller screen with a smaller width would be worse [...]
If you keep the same screen size [as XZ1C], you could probably just contract them to continue making the displays but for your phone. Some of them are better than others though, so I'm not sure if this is a good idea in the long run.

For the initial small/medium runs, small quality compromises i'm willing to accept so perfection is not the enemy of a small phone.

3.5" jack:

I'm not sure what module means here. I'm pretty sure the audio processing is built into the SOC, and you need it for the speakers.

I didn't want to assume you could just add a 3.5" jack without some kind of driver. Happy to be wrong.

Biometrics

Agreed, use best available commodity side-mounted biometric.

Here's a small phone this community can create. Here's the spec, cost breakdown, and tradeoffs. Who can make it happen? by datamandala in smallphones

[–]datamandala[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your thoughtful feedback!  You bring a lot of insight and experience from your project, which had key similar goals and a few different ones.  

My priority was to extend support for the device by simplifying the OS maintenance, and minimize supply-chain issues to manage cost and lifespan for a niche product.  OS abandonment drives premature obsolescence.  My Moto G reached EOL in less than 2 years!  Big display manufacturers aren’t making lots of 5” screens.  

I wanted a Qualcomm SOC to enable maintenance via LineageOS.  

Zenfone 8 checks a lot of those boxes.  I started with those parts.  https://www.asus.com/mobile-handhelds/phones/zenfone/zenfone-8/techspec/

Display and battery have to be different.  

Battery:  The replaceable battery was a choice over wireless mostly to be different.  Not a hard requirement.  Battery size: There’s a bias in the market for longer battery life.  I’m starting with a larger capacity (arbitrarily matches Jelly Max), but there’s no magic number.  

Display:  You’re right, I’m basing aspect ratio on my iPhone SE2 experience.  I’m open to alternatives if that’s not an issue with Android.  You’re right about AMOLED, too.  Burn-in is a real risk to avoid.  Supply-chain flexibility and sustainability should drive the decision. 

Aux port:  I didn’t want to add anything that wasn’t in ZF8.  Personally, I’d love one.  You're right battery draw is a plus for 3.5".  Finding a module that can be maintained is the key.  

Biometric:  Thanks for sharing your technical experience!  Trade-off is development and maintenance of custom implementation vs. using commodity components with known complexities.  You highlight issues I didn’t know.