Hacker News Reader

Comment by teddyh | Hacker News Reader

Does this mean that every Pinephone is also constantly running this secret proprietary non-updateable machine?

It's not secret, it's updateable, and doesn't need to be running constantly, and doesn't need to be proprietary.

It's possible to just not load the modem firmware and have Pinephone as a device with two ARM SoCs both running mainline Linux and open bootloader. ;)

You'll just not be able to use EG25-G as a modem with modem FW not loaded. There are also options in between.

It's a stretch to call it unneeded, being able to communicate over the cellular network is pretty much the definition of what a mobile phone is, if you remove that it stops being a phone. In that sense running the phone with any system is optional too since you can always use it to weigh down some papers on your desk ...

So? Apple made such a thing into a product years ago. It was called iPod Touch.

Pinephone may have a phone in name, but it's basically a neat little SBC with an integrated touchscreen and battery, and bunch of other peripherals, and can be used for anything you like.

it's surprising, but it's not secret. every mobile phone runs a similar machine. and then another even lower level machine which is your sim card. it's as microcontroller running javacard which can be programmed remotely by your telco.

Yep! You can read about it here: https://www.pine64.org/2020/01/24/setting-the-record-straigh... although bear in mind that the article is obviously a bit biased.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com