В 23:59 +0200 на 03.07.2012 (вт), [email protected] написа:

> Processor isolation; I believe this means the modem can't access the memory  
> or control other parts of the phone. no spying in other words.

In other words architecture like in the FreeRunner - two CPUs, the main
one running the OS and controlling the baseband/modem.

> 
> Graphics, mic, audio, wireless, and bluetooth that are not dependant on  
> proprietary drivers/firmware. Any any other component.
> 

The Openmoko mailing lists have some recent information on that topic. I
think Golden Delicious, the company that is developing the GTA04 board
for the FreeRunner casing, had released some information about their
findings and success with chip manufacturers and suppliers. 

A work-around for proprietary firmware for such chips (AFAIK supported
by FSF too) is to load the firmware only from an EEPROM/Flash IC by
"hardware" and treat it as a circuit. For example, the FreeRunner's
wireless chip firmware is loaded in such a way. I think there was
similar effort for some of the GTA04 board's chips. It is hard
(impossible?) to find integrated circuits for mobile devices with free
firmware or without firmware at all. Sad but true.


> The modem may have to remain closed although if we can isolate it I think we  
> can partially work around the non-free software issue. I believe this has  
> been discussed once before. It can be treated as a circuit or something to  
> this effect.
> 
> The one thing that I would like to see if at all possible is a one way  
> receiver. [...]
> 
> The alternative to this might be to simply find a way to turn the modem into  
> a receive only mode. It's probably not possible to do this without the source 
>  
> code and even then it may not be feasible. [...]

The Osmocomm project [1] is working on variety of free software projects
related to GSM. They have a sub-project called OsmocommBB [2] which aim
is to make free software firmware for baseband processors. I believe
they are still in the early stages, but some of the supported baseband
chips might be the best way to go if available on the market. The
Calypso, one of the supported chips is even used in the FreeRunner, so
theoretically such modifications can be tested before development, if
they are at all technically possible. After all the GSM towers have to
find where a device is to send it calls and data (assumption). Other
than that, AFAIK it is still not legal to use custom baseband firmware
in a GSM network not operated by you. At least that is what I've heard
the situation was almost a year ago. Maybe lawyers in the free software
world are already working on fixing/changing that.

[1] http://osmocom.org/
[2] http://bb.osmocom.org/trac/

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