Perhaps they would be satisfied with you carrying a portable device with a
SIP and Jabber client for JMP. When I began to use JMP it was my plan to use
such a device in place of a cell phone. It has become a lower priority as
I've come to realize that I never really needed a cell phone that badly in
the first place, but I have looked into some options.
(1) Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 (WiFi only versions) running Replicant
The WiFi only version has no modem, so it will not track you, and Replicant
is entirely libre. WiFi is non-free, but you can replace it with USB adapter.
The bootloader is non-free and can't be replaced. It would be unlikely to fit
in anyone's pants pocket, but maybe a coat pocket.
(2) GPD Pocket (replacing Windows 10 or Ubuntu with something libre)
I may buy this device but am on the fence. If you can get past the
poorly-translated casual sexism in their promotional materials, it seems like
a neat device. It has a trackpoint and actual medium sized keyboard, which is
great if like me touch screens and thumb-keyboards drive you insane. It would
fit in my pocket, but may not fit in everyone's depending on how they dress.
The main thing I like about it is that it would not only function as a phone,
but is also powerful enough for basic desktop usage, so I wouldn't have to
carry my laptop around all of the time. The only problem is the Intel
firmware, which is non-free even with the ME disabled.
(3) PocketCHIP
I bought one of these devices and used it for a while. Despite its name, it
may not fit in someone's pocket depending on how they dress. WiFi is non-free
but can be replaced with a USB adapter. GPU firmware is non-free but is
unnecessary for SIP and Jabber clients. The kernel is non-free. I deblobbed
it via FSFLA's linux-libre scripts but couldn't figure out how to compile it
for the correct architecture. Someone With more knowledge than I have might
be able to do it. https://github.com/mason-hock/CHIP-linux-libre
(4) DragonBox Pyra
Not available yet, but I'm unaware of any freedom issues, and if it is
powerful enough for games should be more than sufficient for SIP and Jabber
clients. Its predecessor, the Pandora, may also work if you can manage to
find one.
(5) Ben NanoNote
I want one of these but have no idea where to find one. It has no freedom
issues, is very portable, and should be powerful enough for SIP and Jabber
clients.
(5) Neo 900 running Replicant
Not available yet, and probably won't be for a while, which is a shame
because it would be PERFECT. Totally libre, and if you leave telephony
switched off you can be 100% certain that the modem is inactive, yet in an
emergency you could switch it back on to call 911. I might just stick with
using my laptop until this becomes available.
