Still use and like my two LG devices, will be sad to see high-end audio and SD cards be even further reduced in mobile choices.

If Linux mobile devices software does well this year perhaps it'll be an OK time to make a switch, though I'll find something else to fill the audio niche.

Just chiming in a bit late, the other recommendations of Ubuntu Touch and/or Fairphone + donating are great ideas.

I cant get a Fairphone as they don't work well in the USA, and when the major carriers sunset their 2G/3G might not work at all - I've considered using one on WiFi only but don't know how well that will work yet.

That's also my reservation on buying another device for Ubuntu Touch as well, and VoLTE is device specific - the PinePhone having VoLTE solves that for me.

I'd also recommend to report bugs and the like actively if you have the time, providing good examples helps iron things out for other users and the maintainers.

I think the interest isn't from the intended audience, but rather from those looking for ANY alternative to Google/Apple and have bene told by various sources that one of these "Linux phones" respects their privacy or doesn't block apps based on politics.

I feel that middle points such as LineageOS or /e/os aren't discussed in the same manner, and for various reasons arent looked at in the same light as a "Linux phone."

Given the above I find it to be no surprise that many (the majority) of PinePhone buyers/fans/onlookers have no interest or skill to improve the device or service: they're here because they're fedup by some part of the current status quo and don't want to wait for a more mature offering (which by the way would negate a lot of Martin's initial complaints).

Speaking of, I'm assuming that something happened to set this post in motion, there's only so much one Dev can take afterall. But I don't have any answers, other than to point out that the devices keep selling out so people are putting their money where their mouth is - they (buyers) just cant back it up with continued support.

I've seen the Android rom/APk asks, and it puzzles me too. But then I remember that most are looking for some form of privacy, even if the data in the end still goes to the same place they'll feel better that the "phone isn't from Google" and don't care if Linux was the focus of the device they're interested in.

His features vs stability comments also fit this perspective imo, there is a "baseline" that a lot of buyers comer into the project expecting and would rather see it met than to have work be finished or have things done in a replicatable manner. I started to write more on this but on second thought feel that if upstream ability(?) was kept at the fore then having so many releases would be less of an issue.

Taken as a whole it's a good post even if I don't necessarily agree with the cut of its jibe, I suppose we (device owners) can only try to do better/help in what manner is able to us.

Side note: the Librem 5 vs PinePhone fight was inevitable, I agree that both need/use the other even if I have a hard dislike for Purisms marketing and word choice in some of their material.

Considering the scanner is simply attached to the back cover and is swappable a switch could be designed but there would need to be a revision of the hardware first.

I think the Librem switches make more sense on a day to day basis, but the lack of a switch for the scanner wouldnt matter to me in the slightest (nor does the current lack of a scanner on either device).

I'd argue that this:

Basically they sell you the peace of mind, not really any actual security as far as anyone can tell.

Is demonstrably false, as their encryption methods for emails at rest as well as other options (PGP) are tested. They're also upfront with their threat protection model ("the ProtonMail threat model document specifically states that, “we cannot guarantee your safety against a powerful adversary.”) and as far as coming from Google or another free provider is concerned are a definitive step in the right direction. A good overview if OP is interested is this writeup here: https://www.techspot.com/news/82776-protonmail-review-secure-email-really-secure.html

Personally I'd be hesitant to recommend self-hosting email unless really necessary (since that has it's own risks/threat model) and think OP would do well to start off with Tutanota or Protonmail.

As an aside if we're alluding to Protonmail being a honey pot with the Hong Kong riots I'd rather see it stated as such; this is the second place on Lemmy I've seen such criticism levied when a company that has a privacy/security based product and did a statement on the protests and I don't find it that suspect that they would be interested in furthering their brand or "putting their money where their mouth is" by coming out in support of anti-censorship/CCP measures.

Thanks for this, I had some of this completed already but didn't know about AppOpsX - that piece helped a lot for my peace of mind (as I like my device otherwise quite a bit).