> Somewhat ironically, one of the best options is Google's Pixel phones with Graphene, Lineage and other "custom ROMs."

And people also need to stop thinking in general-purpose computer only to the OS layer. A Pixel is no good to me either for precisely the same reason: it is, based on its feature set, not an (ultramobile) general-purpose computer.

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Retr0id a day ago | parent | next [-]

What makes a bootloader-{un,re}lockable pixel not general-purpose?

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spankibalt a day ago | parent [-]

I was talking about a whole feature set, not just the minimum requirement to clear enshittification by vendor.

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Retr0id a day ago | parent | next [-]

Right, what feature do you feel it lacks that prevents it from being general-purpose?

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spankibalt a day ago | parent [-]

Generally it needs to have (in addition to cameras, the mic, wireless networking, and the accessible bootloader):

1. easy-access expandable storage (e. g. dedicated uSD card slot)

2. 1-2 high-speed full-feature USB port(s)

3. 3.5 mm audio jack

4. an ergonomic, i. e. flicker-free display

5. a user-exchangeable battery

6. Batteryless operation mode

Additional (personal) niceties:

1. Active stylus support (EMR preferred)

2. Pogo pins for attachable keyboard, etc.

In other words: Ultra-mobile GP computing (and not telephony) is the first customer.

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drnick1 a day ago | parent | next [-]

It will be difficult to find a phone that does all this, but a USB hub, a flash drive and a headphone adapter would get you most of what you ask for. It won't make coffee though.

	▲	spankibalt a day ago \| parent [-]
		The obviousness being that you've got the general-purpose computing essentials covered without impeding safe and (more) secure handheld operation. Hub (or dock) compatibility is also a necessity, but that's for locked-in-place or steadily-positioned operation, e. g. on the table, or from a car port.

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Rohansi a day ago | parent | prev [-]

I feel like most devices don't fit this list of requirements. What devices do?

	▲	spankibalt a day ago \| parent [-]
		> I feel like most devices don't fit this list of requirements. Very perceptive! :) As a matter of fact, Samsung out of all cases got pretty close with the Galaxy Note9 [1]. I don't know about the bootloader. Didn't care back then since I only used them on the job. The other major annoyance, apart from the non-removable battery, was its display from PWM hell, which made privately owning it already a dealbraker. We used Note9s to great effect for crime scene documentation, sasec concept prep, local security camera maintenance/analysis, etc.; the combination of annotating floor plans and photos with precision as well as taking voice notes on the move was unmatched; nothing ever came close. Samsung itself would have to make a follow-up to the XCover6Pro (not XCover7Pro) with S-Pen support, more RAM and storage, better CPU and cameras, and boatloader access for GOS support. Hell's frozen over twice before that'll ever happen; big money's only in further enshittification. Now just "AI"-labeled. 1. [https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_note9-9163.php]

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thot_experiment a day ago | parent | prev [-]

Wait but it is? I compile and run software even on stock android phones. You can even a enable a full built in linux shell in android developer options now.

	▲	spankibalt a day ago \| parent [-]
		Yes, I'm aware that "general-purpose computing" as a concept is a rather malleable thing.

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aa-jv 20 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

The only thing that makes it not a general-purpose computer is the omission of an onboard compiler.

And there is no legitimate reason for that omission, whatsoever.

Our computers are intentionally crippled so that we need to ask permission for what to do with them.

	▲	spankibalt 19 hours ago \| parent [-]
		> The only thing that makes it not a general-purpose computer is the omission of an onboard compiler. I was talking about the design aesthetics of a handheld general-purpose computing device, i. e. one that within its device-class is not overspecialized. That's largely hardware design, which obviously can't be altered as easily. A compiler? As long as the machine let's me install all the software I need (later), and without any permission torture from "sideloading" hell, I'm good. I mean you've got a chap in this very discussion for whom certain stock Android devices are enough cos he can run his compilers and Linux. But to me a Pixel, or any similar feature-downgraded device, is utterly undesireable; shipping one with a compiler out of the box is not even a consolation prize, lol.