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▲ Retr0id 2 days ago

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

▲spankibalt 2 days ago | parent [-]

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

▲Retr0id 2 days ago | parent | next [-]

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

▲spankibalt 2 days 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.

▲drnick1 2 days 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 2 days 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.

▲Rohansi 2 days ago | parent | prev [-]

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

▲spankibalt 2 days 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]

▲thot_experiment 2 days 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 2 days ago | parent [-]

Yes, I'm aware that "general-purpose computing" as a concept is a rather malleable thing.