**** BEGIN LOGGING AT Fri Mar 03 03:00:01 2017 Mar 03 05:44:02 http://www.cnx-software.com/2017/03/03/gemini-pda-pocket-pc-runs-android-linux-on-mediatek-x25-deca-core-processor-crowdfunding/ Mar 03 05:56:10 would be interesting if they manage to run normal Linux on MediaTek SoCs Mar 03 05:56:23 but they don't give any details about taht Mar 03 05:56:26 *that Mar 03 05:59:09 so far there are only MediaTek-based Chromebooks, and they had a lot of changes compared to Android - DRM video driver mainlined, for example Mar 03 06:09:13 well, you can always use android kernel to run normal linux, could be horribly outdated though Mar 03 06:09:32 specs are sweet, and price isnt that bad either Mar 03 06:10:00 wouldnt mind thumb friendly kb though Mar 03 06:10:42 and since its crowdfunded there is a chance it wont be locked down Mar 03 06:29:54 Most of the good Android devices these days tend to have locked bootloaders where you cant flash arbitrary kernels and OSs unfortunately. Mar 03 06:32:07 jonwil, yeah, but as i've said, since it's crowdfunded, there is a chance they would try to make it more open than money grubbing big vendors Mar 03 06:32:30 still, mediatek isnt opensource friendly and most they would get is some kind of bsp Mar 03 06:32:53 But this isn't a good Android device, its got a crappy Mediatek processor Mar 03 06:33:27 good would be a device with a nice Samsung Exynos or Qualcomm Snapdragon Mar 03 06:33:33 ehehehe Mar 03 06:33:37 right, qualcomm ;) Mar 03 06:33:47 with 25MB closed blob BOOTLOADER Mar 03 06:34:01 I meant good as in "high-end" Mar 03 06:34:06 yes they aren't open Mar 03 06:34:16 they are close and suspicious as hell Mar 03 06:34:23 *closed Mar 03 06:34:53 Its interesting that Qualcomm are very open when it comes to their Atheros WiFi chips yet so closed when it comes to the Snapdragon SOCs Mar 03 06:35:28 atheros doesnt come from qualcomm, atheros was VERY open, was it acquired by qc? Mar 03 06:37:04 I do wonder why Qualcomm is so scared about being open, what are they worried about... Mar 03 06:38:03 IP issues (e.g. parents)? Regulatory issues to do with the cellular side of things? Worried about Samsung, Apple and others stealing the things that make their chips good? Mar 03 06:38:28 speaking of Samsung, I do wonder just how open and documented the Samsung Exynos chips actually are. Mar 03 06:40:21 I suspect any SoC from any vendor that has cellular functionality built into it wont be as open and documented as, say, the TI OMAP chips are Mar 03 13:42:24 jonwil: their snapdragon aiui run the 'linux' OS under supervisor which is the radio stack basically. They don't want to open the radiostack Mar 03 13:44:22 and re Exynos: I never checked thoroughly but my impression been Samsung doesm't intend to sell them to OEM, they just use them for samsung devices Mar 03 13:45:40 Most of the good Android devices these days tend to have locked bootloaders where you cant flash arbitrary kernels and OSs unfortunately. Mar 03 13:46:04 define "good", most of good Android devices will allow you to unlock bootloader if you want Mar 03 13:46:19 for example OnePlus, Xiaomi, etc Mar 03 13:47:18 that's how SFOS is ported to a lot of devices at least Mar 03 13:49:53 GPL vs Tivoization: 0:1 Mar 03 13:52:02 * DocScrutinizer05 idly recalls Nokia meeting anout M9 and Nokia's answer to his question "but what about the bootloader, will it be open?": "we don't care about the bootloader, it's not considered part of the system" (OWTTE). A year later we had endless fun with openmode kernl fuckup and Aegis Mar 03 13:52:42 ~aegisa Mar 03 13:52:44 ~aegis Mar 03 13:52:44 http://www.developer.nokia.com/Community/Wiki/Harmattan:Developer_Library/Developing_for_Harmattan/Harmattan_security/Security_guide , or "The purpose of this framework is: ... to make sure that the platform meets the requirements set by third party software that requires a safe execution environment.", or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trusted_Computing#Criticism, or http://en.qi-hardware.com/w/images/1/10/ME_382_LockedUpTechnology2.gif Mar 03 13:53:48 or "how to suggest to the suggesible linux user that they were owners of their devices while in fact the manufacturer has full control" Mar 03 13:56:52 or yet another nice way to put it: "yes, you can install arbitrary apps from arbitrary sources. But... it's us and our aegis policies that define if and how much they actually will work" **** BEGIN LOGGING AT Fri Mar 03 17:36:04 2017 **** ENDING LOGGING AT Sat Mar 04 03:00:01 2017