> Are they able to deliver reasonably up-to-date set of features that general population care?

It doesn't matter. We are not on a mainstream website, we're on HN. You and me can use it as a daily driver (I do). Nothing becomes mainstream and usable by public at the launch (except things advertised by the big tech of course).

> This is not nihilism.

Did you read the linked article? It's not about getting to 100% security/freedom without any effort. This is about giving up, as you did.

> How much does Librem 5 cost?

Yes, it's expensive. If you can't buy it, you can help in many other ways, e.g., by spreading the word or contributing to the free software.

> Can you still buy them?

Yes: https://shop.puri.sm/shop/librem-5/

> Are they able to deliver reasonably up-to-date set of features that general population care?

It doesn't matter. It can provide you with the main features you may need and add something you can't get anywhere else, https://source.puri.sm/Librem5/docs/community-wiki/-/wikis/F....

Further development can deliver most required features to the public, too, https://puri.sm/posts/closing-the-app-gap-momentum-and-time/.

> Will they deliver in a reasonable amount of time?

Yes, 10 working days, according to their website, https://puri.sm/products/librem-5/

> Will they be able to stay afloat?

It doesn't matter: The phone runs the mainline kernel and not locked down, it will be able to receive all updates even without Purism. You can install any other OS, too.

> Can they make enough money to invest in features?

Seems like no, because virtually nobody knows about them, even on HN. And, again, it doesn't really matter.

> Can they support an ecosystem that not only support FOSS but proprietary software too?

Why?

> Can they make contracts with operators to have earlier access to newer tech?

This is pure nihilism. Only Apple and Google can do that, so we're all doomed, right? However Purism have been trying, not without some progress, https://puri.sm/posts/breaking-ground/

> Does the cost reflect the value that the customer gets out of them?

Probably yes, https://source.puri.sm/Librem5/docs/community-wiki/-/wikis/F...

Typed and submitted entirely on my Librem 5.