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Progress update from the Librem 5 hardware department:
[...] Making a non-Android mobile phone that will run an FSF-approved OS that supports all the features that we've all come to rely on (cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth, touchscreen input) has and continues to involve a lot of pathfinding, given that a RYF phone has never been attempted before and discovery involves solving issues as they come up.
The industry offers all the hardware to create a smartphone on a fast path, as the SoC vendors typically provide the modem (cellular and wifi) integrated directly on the SoC. Like a recipe in a cookbook—take an SoC, place it on a PCB, add RAM and flash chip on top of it (called a package on package—PoP), add antennas and finally power. The difficulty comes down to the firmware and the software that run these devices. The necessary firmware to operate the cellular modem, WiFi, BT etc. is provided by the chip maker, including the drivers for the GPU and more. The firmware and software included is proprietary with no source code with little to no alternatives.
(Score: 2) by PartTimeZombie on Tuesday September 11 2018, @09:08PM
I had forgotten about that Openmoko device. I so wanted one, it looked so futuristic and sleek, but I couldn't really afford one at the time.
It looks like it has died, which is a shame.
I am of the view that the more people who try this, the better chance someone will succeed. It doesn't need to be a mass-market hit like the iPhone, but just a supported, well made phone I can use.
I am wondering if they are using the Raspberry Pi way, making compromises to get usable hardware into customer's hands?
I would buy one, if they can get it to market for a reasonable price.