2001: I have a new phone.
-
2001: I have a new phone. How exciting! Perhaps I can access the Internet on it via a Sharp Zaurus. This is so the future!
2002: Ooh! A new PalmOS device! Amazing! HotSync backup and off we go!
2004: Wow! This WindowsMobile device has a keyboard, as is basically a mini laptop. Cool!
...
2026: I must get a new black slab because security updates have run out on my current black slab which, for all other intents and purposes, is absolutely fine. The new black slab does nothing new for me, and all I see is the chore of setting it up.
@neil yeah wife's Fairphone 3 has run out of security updates so time for me to upgrade and pass on my Fairphone 4 to her. The 3 can then be upgraded to E OS and then the kids won't need to borrow mine.
-
2001: I have a new phone. How exciting! Perhaps I can access the Internet on it via a Sharp Zaurus. This is so the future!
2002: Ooh! A new PalmOS device! Amazing! HotSync backup and off we go!
2004: Wow! This WindowsMobile device has a keyboard, as is basically a mini laptop. Cool!
...
2026: I must get a new black slab because security updates have run out on my current black slab which, for all other intents and purposes, is absolutely fine. The new black slab does nothing new for me, and all I see is the chore of setting it up.
Of course, you could simply think about that BEFORE buying another black slab.
If you bought a Fairphone, for instance, you would have guaranteed updates for at least 5 years. From experience, much longer.
You also would be free from those megalomaniac tech corporations like Samsung, Apple, Google etc. And you could install a google-FREE Android like e/OS/ which supports the Fairphones out of the box and runs great on them.
And what's more, Fairphones are sustainable by design, from the sources of raw materials to the easy replacement of parts and batteries.
Instead of complaining, you could just act and not give your money to corporations who rip you off, steal your data, and live on planned obsolescence...
-
@neil 2026: I don't want a new black slab but the battery in my old black slab only lasts a few hours and it's not replaceable. All the new black slabs are the size of Wales.

-
This is, of course, a daft mentality.
The new black slab is an incredibly powerful computer, with an all-day battery life, a great camera, and functionality which connects me to a world of friends and knowledge, for less than £500.
It can also make and receive calls.
@neil actually, the single best feature of the iPad is that it *cannot* make or receive phone calls.
-
@dank If one could run GrapheneOS on a FairPhone, I'd have definitely considered one. But I can't, so I didn't

@neil they do offer pre-loaded /e/OS, but i don't know enough about alt OSes to know the difference. iirc graphene does a lot more at the system level for safety and privacy, but as most authenticators and corpo crap doesn't support it i never took it for a test drive
-
Of course, you could simply think about that BEFORE buying another black slab.
If you bought a Fairphone, for instance, you would have guaranteed updates for at least 5 years. From experience, much longer.
You also would be free from those megalomaniac tech corporations like Samsung, Apple, Google etc. And you could install a google-FREE Android like e/OS/ which supports the Fairphones out of the box and runs great on them.
And what's more, Fairphones are sustainable by design, from the sources of raw materials to the easy replacement of parts and batteries.
Instead of complaining, you could just act and not give your money to corporations who rip you off, steal your data, and live on planned obsolescence...
What a strange post. Are you feeling okay?
I'm upgrading from a device running GrapheneOS, which has come to the end of its five years of security updates.
I am upgrading to another device running GrapheneOS, which should offer seven years of updates.
I don't need new features, but I do want the security updates.
-
> so you find that the compute is still locked out
No - not me.
I think that was someone else's comment.
@neil
Mea culpa on that. However, I do not consider a slab with Graphene installed to be "new" anymore.
@Vonskinnback -
2001: I have a new phone. How exciting! Perhaps I can access the Internet on it via a Sharp Zaurus. This is so the future!
2002: Ooh! A new PalmOS device! Amazing! HotSync backup and off we go!
2004: Wow! This WindowsMobile device has a keyboard, as is basically a mini laptop. Cool!
...
2026: I must get a new black slab because security updates have run out on my current black slab which, for all other intents and purposes, is absolutely fine. The new black slab does nothing new for me, and all I see is the chore of setting it up.
@neil ah, I have fond memories of my Zaurus! I had the whole of Wikipedia on it on a CF card. It really was the future.
-
@neil they do offer pre-loaded /e/OS, but i don't know enough about alt OSes to know the difference. iirc graphene does a lot more at the system level for safety and privacy, but as most authenticators and corpo crap doesn't support it i never took it for a test drive
@dank I have had problems with banks not liking it (which is daft, given its security focus), but everything else has been fine.
YMMV, of course!
-
@neil
Mea culpa on that. However, I do not consider a slab with Graphene installed to be "new" anymore.
@VonskinnbackSorry, I don't understand?
-
-
@neil this was my primary reason for getting a fairphone
-
-
> so you find that the compute is still locked out
No - not me.
I think that was someone else's comment.
-
@neil can I buy one that *can’t* make and receive calls. That may be useful.
-
FWIW, I run @GrapheneOS on a Pixel.
This will be my third GrapheneOS device.
A genuinely excellent Android experience, with many years of support and security updates.
Seconding Graphene, running it on my P10 Pro XL. Fantastic OS and great peace of mind

-
2001: I have a new phone. How exciting! Perhaps I can access the Internet on it via a Sharp Zaurus. This is so the future!
2002: Ooh! A new PalmOS device! Amazing! HotSync backup and off we go!
2004: Wow! This WindowsMobile device has a keyboard, as is basically a mini laptop. Cool!
...
2026: I must get a new black slab because security updates have run out on my current black slab which, for all other intents and purposes, is absolutely fine. The new black slab does nothing new for me, and all I see is the chore of setting it up.
@neil I have only the second smartphone in my life, and it's quite "old" now. I'll keep it until it breaks. Environment is an important point for me. For security, I use my fix line.
I know.
Perhaps, I wrote some too much about mining of rare earths? Or I'm fallen out of time? -
@dank I have had problems with banks not liking it (which is daft, given its security focus), but everything else has been fine.
YMMV, of course!
@neil yep, the major blocker for me is authenticator apps like okta and google. i really don't want to have and maintain multiple phones so if i can't use it as MFA for work and personal, it's a showstopper
-
Sorry, I don't understand?
@neil
A new device would be in the state the manufacturer most intends it to be in. Even if you install GOS minutes into its ownership, boom, not new.
Until the Motorolas come out...
@Vonskinnback -
@neil yep, the major blocker for me is authenticator apps like okta and google. i really don't want to have and maintain multiple phones so if i can't use it as MFA for work and personal, it's a showstopper
@dank Yes, this might come down to specific requirements. I use a YubiKey (WebAuthn and TOTP) and Bitwarden (passkeys and TOTP), and those are fine, but others I don't know!