Re: Open Hardware
Yes, the datasheets. -Cailan From: Randall Mason [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: List for OpenMoko community discussion community@lists.openmoko.org Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 01:14:44 -0500 Subject: Re: Open Hardware By open/free do you mean the datasheets, or do you mean the actual design of the chips, because none of the chip designs are probably available. I think you mean to ask proprietary hardware that is able to have free/open software developed for it. Randall On 12/1/07, Binary Chen [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On Sat, 2007-12-01 at 17:11 -0800, Cailan Halliday wrote: Is there a list of hardware that is currently not completely open/free. Is it just the GSM chip and the GPS? -Cailan The atheros datasheet is also not available. Bin ___ OpenMoko community mailing list community@lists.openmoko.org http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community
Open Hardware
Is there a list of hardware that is currently not completely open/free. Is it just the GSM chip and the GPS? -Cailan ___ OpenMoko community mailing list community@lists.openmoko.org http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community
Re: SIM card read/write [was Re: SIM Card Copy]
Having a feature like this is not going to create a higher incidence of SIM theft, the technology is already out there (there are even software programs that can steel much of your key info out of the air), knowing that, you should just watch where you put your phone and keep tabs on your cellphone account, if you see unusual activity freeze your data services. I think this would be a great feature to have if it were not illegal, this is debatable of course, but OpenMoko might not want to get into such a situation. I think a SIM copy for contacts should be included. As far as multi SIM calling support, how about a dual SIM slot with one inside (your home one) and a slot you can access from the outside, like a SD slot, for changing SIM you use in other areas. -Cailan Another 'nice' addition to this would be a application which generates random SIM cards, until you find one which actually connect to the network. I anyone pulls off the SIM copy functionality someone else will do this and one day they may hit your SIM. Leaving your phone out of sight for a few minutes may put you at risk of having your SIM card cloned, and you won't know until its to late. And using your SIM for criminal activities sure beats an anonymous prepaid card. I'm all for functions to copy phonebook data and other stuff like that, actually i'd consider that basic functionality for any GSM phone, but cloning the authentication part of a SIM card is a can of worms I'd rather keep tightly closed. AVee -- Murder is always a mistake -- one should never do anything one cannot talk about after dinner. -- Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray ___ OpenMoko community mailing list community@lists.openmoko.org http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community
SIM Card Copy
I just had an idea that I got from a couple of devices, how about a virtual SIM card? Is it possible to make an ISO of a SIM card and store it in the Neo to be, for lack of a better word, booted from? I've seen devices like these: http://www.thetravelinsider.com/phones/simsaver.htm http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/cellphone/9ca8/ This could replace the idea of having multiple SIM card slots, this way you can have multiple carriers on your phone without the need for more slots. -Cailan ___ OpenMoko community mailing list community@lists.openmoko.org http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community
Where are the updates?
I haven't seen an official update for the OpenMoko project on this list for ages, is anything happening, or is OpenMoko going to die? ___ OpenMoko community mailing list community@lists.openmoko.org http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community
Re: Security in OpenMoko
Hey everybody, I just found this device: http://www.linuxdevices.com/news/NS4756295876.html I don't know anything about it really, but it's security related and might provide some inspiration? Cheers, Cailan From: Mikkel Meyer Andersen [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: community@lists.openmoko.org Date: Wed, 03 Oct 2007 20:44:00 +0200 Subject: Security in OpenMoko Hi all, First of all I'll like to say hello to all. I'm quite new at the OpenMoko-thingie (a Neo 1973 is on the way although - waiting with patience), so I hope you'll bear with me for minor (and major :-)) mistakes. And now to the actual subject: is every application on OpenMoko running as root? For a couple of weeks ago I wrote a post on this matter on my blog [1] and just today I saw that iPhone had exactly that flaw [2]. Allow me to quote myself partly from a mail to Sean Moss Pultz about this [3] sent 17th of September 2007, and partly to refer to me writing about it at the discussion site for the wiki [4]. I don't hope that I've offended anyone, that was certainly not the purpose. I just think security is a huge point of interest and should draw a sufficient amount of focus from us developers. Regards, Mikkel Meyer Andersen aka. mikl-dk Denmark --- [1]: http://www.scienco.org/2007/openmoko/always-root/ [2]: http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,2191373,00.asp 3 Triggered by the question whether every execution of an application is done by the root-user, I started to wondering about the security in OpenMoko in general. Actually I found very little - near to nothing - about it, and I personally think that's inappropriate for this project. We simply have to focus very much on security so that isn't going to be a pitfall. So please, let's focus on this! If desired, I'll be glad to join such a task-force. Many other manufactures don't focus that much on security, and one is starting to talk about viruses on mobile phones and so on. I think it's very important to make security an issue in OpenMoko. (It could be a small-scale solution known from *nix such as the daily use was under a normal user account and the root account was required in order to install applications and change certain system settings; and the root should have a password - or maybe even use sudo or something.) /3 [4]: http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/Talk:Main_Page ___ OpenMoko community mailing list community@lists.openmoko.org http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community
Re: RM Radio
not really. It's still somewhat of a strange conception to me why peopel would be interested in listening to hours and hours of crappy commercials interrupted with one or two (mostly crappy, too) songs in between, if they have a choice to listen to their collection of .ogg (and patent-encumbered .mp3) files. Plus, most of the good radio (for example NPR here in the US) is released in some sort of downloadable format anyway, so anymore I don't see much use for a FM receiver. Local non-syndicated radio is awesome. I have some very good stations in my area. The news is more relevant to my area than NPR, but NPR is great for news around he world, and the people operating the stations are people I see around my community. If radio is done right, it is by no means outdated. I personally like listening to my local stations because it exposes me to new music, half of which is local and the commercials really aren't that bad when they are from local businesses. That is my 2 cents, I would love to see a FM receiver. ___ OpenMoko community mailing list community@lists.openmoko.org http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community
Camera idea
How about a camera similar to what dell has on their smaller XPS's now, with the rotating barrel. http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/xpsnb_m1210?c=uscs=19l=ens=dhs -Cailan ___ OpenMoko community mailing list community@lists.openmoko.org http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community
Multi-touch, screen size, and case shape.
First off I wanted to see if anyone shares my opinion that a multi-touch screen is needed, if at all possible, to make the Neo truly revolutionary. It will both cut down on screen space used for UI and make for a more efficient and intuitive interface. It would even help beyond user input, it could feel itself being put into a pocket for instance and go into sleep mode or what ever other crazy ideas you can think of. It makes me wonder why there isn't as much enthusiasm around it as with the camera, which brings me to my next question: Is there some sort of patent issue here? I wouldn't think so, considering I've seen over 5 separate entities developing and using the technology. My next question, which really isn't a question; it's more like a comment, is: Why not a slightly larger screen size, I think right now it's on the verge of being too small. It would be fine if it were a simple phone with calendar, planar, and email, but this device is capable of web surfing and video which, in my opinion, warrents a larger screen size. Last queston/comment: Why so much wasted space. The case should be rectangular to optimize space with the rectangular screen. -Cailan ___ OpenMoko community mailing list community@lists.openmoko.org http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community
Additional: Re: Multi-touch, screen size, and case shape.
I truly believe in this quote, I also found it on openmoko.com. Both multi-touch and a minimalist case truly supports this ideal: The most profound technologies are those that disappear. They weave themselves into the fabric of everyday life until they are indistinguishable from it. Mark Weiser -Cailan ___ OpenMoko community mailing list community@lists.openmoko.org http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community
Stylus, the iPhone, and multi touch screens
I personally don't like the idea of using a stylus, or rather, needing one, but I've read that there will be certain tasks/apps that will have a UI designed for a stylus. I saw a video of the iPhone in operation and all tasks were easily performed with the fingers. Does the multi-touch screen make this easier somehow? Also what exactly is multi-touch and is it near the top of the hardware addition list? -Cailan ___ OpenMoko community mailing list community@lists.openmoko.org http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community
