I’m totally fine with tinkering. I honestly just want to use the phone for it’s camera and nothing else. Even the PinePhone Pro has bad camera quality? I can setup my PineTime smart watch to answer calls and communicate via my PineBuds.

I just don’t want to weird my boss out by pulling out an actual camera in order to take photos. Any pictures I take with the PinePhone Pro, I can just send to my laptop over Bluetooth and then text/email him the photos on there.

Thanks for your response! I have two more question. If I had a PinePhone connected to my GNU/Linux laptop via Bluetooth, could the PinePhone show calls I receive on my laptop without the phone needing WiFi? I would communicate by using my bluetooth headphones. I want to rely solely on Bluetooth for answering calls from my PinePhone, without needing Wi-Fi.

I’m basically asking if there’s a way to make my laptop forward notifications to my PinePhone via Bluetooth?

Also, is the camera quality on the regular PinePhone good enough to send to my boss without it looking too bad?

I’m thinking about using the PineTime watch and connecting it to my GNU/Linux laptop via Bluetooth. I use Dino-IM for calls/texts on my laptop, wondering if there is a way to answer calls from my watch. I also bought the PineBuds to go along with it. If I can, great, I wouldn’t even need a cell phone.

I honestly just love the killswitches. As for poor security, what do you mean by that? Would it not be safe for just texting / calling? I’m planning on using this phone for work.

I work in IT and need to be reliable via phone calls / texting, what’s your experience? I use JMP.chat, so I would need to use some XMPP app that supports that. Texting / calling is all I do on my phone, I do everything else on my laptop. Also, how is the camera quality on the Pro? Is it good enough to send to a clear picture to my boss of something he wants to see? I ordered the PineTime watch too to go along with everything.

It was more of a personal reflection for myself, rather than saying gaming is a waste of time universally. I see how you interpreted it that way, I should’ve phrased it a bit better.

How is it not both? Passive government surviellence can lead to targeted attacks.

Open source is not enough. It needs to be entirely free software. I recommend buying a Libreboot laptop from before 2009, they can fully disable/remove the IME and have a 100% free BIOS firmware (anything supported device with a Core Duo processor basically).

I mean, sure, but to be honest, I think most people just browse the web. They open Google Chrome, and that’s basically all they know. Some don’t even know what OS they’re using. I would say that’s at least 40% of computer users. I think they’re just unaware that there are other options, like the ones I listed above. Honestly, it’s not their fault; Libreboot and GNU/Linux aren’t mainstream yet. I really don’t see why you would need a powerful machine unless you’re a gamer or work in computer graphics, etc.

You’re not wrong, but for those who don’t use their machines to make money in these fields, think about the freedom you’ve lost. Consider all the things that make you who you are, being entirely known by someone you never consented to give information to. I just think it’s sad that most people don’t care, but I do, and I will keep fighting for it.

I gave up gaming, I stopped wasting time and started getting more done. It really just gives me the freedom to do other things. When people say “user freedom,” it’s not just about the software; it’s about having control over one’s life.

There is a sort of hidden beauty in free software. It might seem boring, but that’s kind of the point! Go outside, read books, enjoy life, and live in the moment. I encourage everyone to do the same.

I would go on eBay and buy a Libreboot machine from 2009 and prior (X200, T500, etc.) These systems have 100% no blobs in the firmware and can have the IME fully disabled. I use these as my daily and I’m fine.

Yes, you can create multiple accounts and get all text/call notifications in one app. I recommend you use the Cheogram app for phone or Dino-IM for PC.

It says this on their front-page:

“Note: While JMP does provide phone numbers and voice/SMS features, it does not provide 911, 112, 999 or other emergency services over voice or SMS.”

I meant Verizon for service on my phone and then have JMP.chat number for making calls/text. I don’t use the phone number that’s given from Verizon, I use the JMP.chat number instead. <---- This is my setup for my phone, not my laptop. JMP.chat works just fine over WiFi. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

For getting service on my laptop though, I use a USB modem that’s connected to my LibreCMC router. I travel around with the router/modem in my backpack. The LibreCMC router doesn’t need an outlet, it can be turned on by connecting it via USB to my laptop.

Yes. I have multiple accounts attached to my phone number and I’m able to receive OTPs from all of them (banking, shopping, etc.)

I use my carrier (e.g. Verizon) for service, and pay jmp.chat $5/month for my phone number.

Unfortunately, the flip phone route for doing daily calls/texts won’t work because I use multiple phone numbers, and those phones have proprietary operating systems/firmware. Though, I still keep one in a Faraday bag if needed for emergencies.

I’m only using hardware that allows the Intel Management Engine to be fully disabled (e.g., ThinkPad X200, T400, etc.).

The PinePhone seems nice, but its firmware cannot be freed to the same extent as that of one of the older ThinkPads.

The reason why is because I want to escape from non-free software.

Oh, I already use GrapheneOS on my Pixel; it’s a nice experience, but at the same time, it’s not enough for me. The firmware isn’t free, and I don’t like the fact that it can still spy on me to some extent. I also just don’t want to use my phone; I find myself to be a lot more productive with a laptop.

Not sure. Do you have any suggestions? I have my own domain name and VPS, I could possibly self-host. (Currently, I’m using snikket.chat)

It is convient, but I’m trying to avoid using proprietary software as much as possible. Those phones tend to use proprietary operating systems. Thanks for the suggestion though!

I signed into my JMP.chat account via XMPP on Pidgin. I can make calls and texts just fine.

Edit: Pidgin (installed from Trisquel repos) can be used for texting, but as of right now, calling seems to be bugged. I’m currently using Dino (installed from Trisquel repos), both calling/texting work fine on there.