Ask HN: What would you include if you could make your own phone?

1 pointsvednig1mo ago8 comments

I’m working on a new crowdfunded smartphone project called Z1 Phone, a rugged, modular, repairable phone shaped by users.

What features would you include in your ideal phone?

8 comments

6 comments · 3 top-level

Bender1mo ago· 2 in thread

- Tough as a Motorola two way radio

- Easy to remove battery and yet still waterproof like the Motorola two way radios.

- Multiple size battery options. Extra-mega-big option for extended month long trail excursions.

- Physical waterproof qwerty keyboard with enough space between keys for big fingers.

- Ability to run Arm Linux without requiring any added kernel modules. Full approval of all code by Linus T.

- No bloatware, no spyware, physical buttons to disable camera, microphone, Bluetooth, Wifi, LTE. JTAG debugging fully disabled and USB hardened against physical and code attacks. 2G disabled by default.

- High impact rated to withstand being dropped from the top of an air traffic control tower, driven over by a cement truck, shot by a 45-70.

- Meshnet modules

Probably not very realistic but I can dream.

vednigOP1mo ago

some of these are not realisitic yet

- Full approval of all code by Linus T.

- High impact rated to withstand being dropped from the top of an air traffic control tower, driven over by a cement truck, shot by a 45-70.

but the rest is very much doable

Bender1mo ago

I threw in the ATC since I've dropped a radio from an air traffic control tower. The battery popped off and the case was scuffed up but I was able to put the battery back on and the radio still worked great.

Even if Linus does not approve it I want to be on the email thread.

1 more reply

rolph1mo ago· 1 in thread

physical dipswitches or jumpers to control unwanted devices such as cameras,microphones, accelerometers, etc. basically a physical denial of anything unrelated to voice or message functions.

batteries removable by hand no tools or solvents required.

no battery power on plug operation.

modular construction, hardware components that are never going to be used for the benefit of the user, removable with no friction.

vednigOP1mo ago

already planning on the battery section, cameras and other sensors (including wifi and bluetooth) would always be upgradeable unlike current phones without tools by using fix and switch method all except front camera (included privacy shield) and speakers

vednigOP1mo ago

link to gofundme https://gofund.me/cd3e5be83

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

8 comments

6 comments · 3 top-level

Bender1mo ago· 2 in thread

- Tough as a Motorola two way radio

- Easy to remove battery and yet still waterproof like the Motorola two way radios.

- Multiple size battery options. Extra-mega-big option for extended month long trail excursions.

- Physical waterproof qwerty keyboard with enough space between keys for big fingers.

- Ability to run Arm Linux without requiring any added kernel modules. Full approval of all code by Linus T.

- High impact rated to withstand being dropped from the top of an air traffic control tower, driven over by a cement truck, shot by a 45-70.

- Meshnet modules

Probably not very realistic but I can dream.

vednigOP1mo ago

some of these are not realisitic yet

- Full approval of all code by Linus T.

- High impact rated to withstand being dropped from the top of an air traffic control tower, driven over by a cement truck, shot by a 45-70.

but the rest is very much doable

Bender1mo ago

Even if Linus does not approve it I want to be on the email thread.

1 more reply

rolph1mo ago· 1 in thread

physical dipswitches or jumpers to control unwanted devices such as cameras,microphones, accelerometers, etc. basically a physical denial of anything unrelated to voice or message functions.

batteries removable by hand no tools or solvents required.

no battery power on plug operation.

modular construction, hardware components that are never going to be used for the benefit of the user, removable with no friction.

vednigOP1mo ago

link to gofundme https://gofund.me/cd3e5be83

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse