"linuxy" smartphones

[Tyler Aviss]

On Mon, Jan 4, 2010 at 11:53 AM, William Muriithi
<william.muriithi-Re5JQEeQqe8AvxtiuMwx3w at public.gmane.org> wrote:
> Tyler,
> 2010/1/4 Tyler Aviss <tjaviss-Re5JQEeQqe8AvxtiuMwx3w at public.gmane.org>
>>
>> My iPhone recently bit the bucket (*darn* irremovable battery and
>> flimsy ribbon cables *grumble* *grumble*). While another of the same
>> might be a consideration if I can find one for cheap enough - so that
>> I can keep my apps/accessories/etc - another preference would be to
>> move to a different phone on a linuxy-platform. One of the reasons I
>> got the iPhone was the BSD-based OS and FOSS toolset when unlocked
>> (SSH, and others), but I'd like to move to something that isn't
>> deliberately made to become an expensive brick over time.
> That sucks. I was under impression you can replace iphone battery. At
> least it seem like so when you do a quick google search
>>
>> Thus far I've looked at phones like the Nokia N900, Motorola
>> Milestone, and HTC Touch Pro 2. The last one seems to run on a windows
>> platform so I've more or less written it off, but I have little
>> experience with the others, and there may be a different brand+model
>> that fits better.
>>
> Interesting.. Have checked the above too, with exception of Nokia
> N900.  Not interesting
>> Some things I'm looking for or would like:
>> - Decent interface. Multitouch is darn nice if available, or at the
>> least not needing a stylus
>> - Removable battery
>> - Decent battery life (compared to an iPhone 3G, not too hard to do)
>> - Good bluetooth support (a2dp, etc)
>> - GPS/mapping
>> - OS with FOSS tools. SSH client, SSH server and/or related
>> - Not *too* expensive. $500 or less would be nice
>> - Decent syncing capabilities. Linux friendliness for music and/or
>> calendar+contacts a big plus
>>
>>
>> Suggestions?
> Will watch this closely. Want to change phone companies. BB from
> Rogers can not be used on Wind network so will have to ditch it. Would
> prefer like Android phone if possible
>> --
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> --
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> TLUG requests: Linux topics, No HTML, wrap text below 80 columns
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>

Oh, you *can* replace the iphone battery. But it's not like a normal
(sane) cellphone where you pop off a cover, take it out, and pop
another in. Noooo, you have to pop off the LCD/touchscreen, gently
disassemble a bunch of ribbon cables, unscrew the mainboard, remove
the mainboard, remove a few more components, then liberate the
battery. I can't remember offhand, but I believe the battery module
itself is on a little circuit board that requires soldering for the
replacement as well.

Anything is doable, it's just that doing so without breaking something
(especially those touchy ribbon cables, notably #3 near the camera) is
somewhat of a task.


/rant
--
The Toronto Linux Users Group.      Meetings: http://gtalug.org/
TLUG requests: Linux topics, No HTML, wrap text below 80 columns
How to UNSUBSCRIBE: http://gtalug.org/wiki/Mailing_lists