[libreplanet-discuss] Libre Mobile

[Joel Kahn]

As I looked over the Replicant project, I noticed that
all of the candidate devices mentioned had some kind of
limitations due to the hardware involved. None of them
could become totally Libre.

Would it be possible to construct, from component parts,
a 100% Libre phone that could work reliably over our
existing networks? I'm not talking about an Android
variation, but something that would use a truly Libre
OS--maybe a custom-built GNU/Linux distro.

The project could start with *the* most basic function,
simple voice communication. Once that was going smoothly,
other Libre apps could be added and debugged. I think
the most important point would be to construct things
slowly and carefully to maintain a reliable foundation
for succeeding apps; we don't want to try to compete with
everything from Apple and Android too quickly. Also, of
course, the price of the service would have to be
competitive with existing systems. If protection from
PRISM and the like could be included, that would naturally
be an extra bonus.

I don't have the technical knowledge to help much with the
actual construction, but I might be in a position to do
some beta testing as it goes along.

Is this remotely feasible, or have the Property Tyrants
already locked things up so firmly that the whole idea is
illegal &/or physically impossible?

I invite all of you nerds to join the brainstorming.

Joel