21–30 of 204 posts
What is up with that site repeatedly expanding the border to cover the edges of text on mobile? Such a toxic design.
If you don't have a blocker like pihole or something similar, it is unusable on mobile.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
> they'll try to find a way to enable the cameras on unlocked phones in the future. In the meantime, I will only buy what ACTUALLY gives me control RIGHT NOW, namely, what is supported by LineageOS: https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/
The average consumer only wants to purchase the cross-section between what is the cheapest and works the best. For most consumers Open Source is not a feature.
Software restrictions are one way to ensure planned obsolescence.
The new Samsung phones are less attractive for many reasons. A few months ago I upgraded my S8+ to a S20+. I considered the S21+ or Note, but none of those have a microSD slot. I suspect that my next phone will be one of these: https://puri.sm/products/librem-5/
I will likely continue to carry my 12 pro max 512GB for a while as my primary camera/use old school apps, but my linux phone will be how people reach me/where I store my media and files.
I purchase ~5 iPhones/year for my family (soon to be 6) and upgrade them every year (selling the old hardware). I refuse to participate in their closed ecosystem if they insist on shipping malware.
Can someone please explain how this is legally not some sort of theft, or bait-and-switch, or ... something?
I read comments about firmware licensing, or Japan's camera noise thing. Those sound like Samsung problems, while disabling a camera sounds like an actionable user problem.
The new Samsung phones are less attractive for many reasons. A few months ago I upgraded my S8+ to a S20+. I considered the S21+ or Note, but none of those have a microSD slot. I suspect that my next phone will be one of these: https://puri.sm/products/librem-5/
After Apple's incredible reversal on privacy/spyware inclusion in iOS 15 I've chosen to cancel all future purchases with them and buy this. Hoping my american-made one comes soon. I will likely continue to carry my 12 pro max 512GB for a while as my primary camera/use old school apps, but my linux phone will be how people reach me/where I store my media and files. I purchase ~5 iPhones/year for my family (soon to be…
The new Samsung phones are less attractive for many reasons. A few months ago I upgraded my S8+ to a S20+. I considered the S21+ or Note, but none of those have a microSD slot. I suspect that my next phone will be one of these: https://puri.sm/products/librem-5/
I can almost guarantee this is due to licensing issues with the camera firmware. Modern cameras aren't just hardware any more. They're a mix of hardware and advanced processing algorithms that really do make a huge difference in the final output. Those algorithms are often licensed from 3rd parties with specific licensing requirements. Sony has been reasonably good about enabling open-source and fixing these things i…
> they'll try to find a way to enable the cameras on unlocked phones in the future. In the meantime, I will only buy what ACTUALLY gives me control RIGHT NOW, namely, what is supported by LineageOS: https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/
But I agree that the initial friction to setup LineageOS on the device is far too high for a non-technical customer, Something which could be only resolved if a devices ships with LineageOS(I think even F(x)tec, Fairphone requires the user to flash LineageOS) but then again memories of that fateful tie-up with device manufacturer which ended CyanogenMod would be fresh within LineageOS team.
Now that's the catch-22, Alternate exists but not for everyone.
The new Samsung phones are less attractive for many reasons. A few months ago I upgraded my S8+ to a S20+. I considered the S21+ or Note, but none of those have a microSD slot. I suspect that my next phone will be one of these: https://puri.sm/products/librem-5/
It could be for compliance with Japanese law which forbids taking photos without a shutter sound? This in principle doesn't apply when you're not in Japan, but after unlocking Samsung has no way to tell. Edit: reading the article about SONY ( https://www.xda-developers.com/sony-xperia-android-pie-unloc... ), DRM keys seems to be a more likely cause, which drcursor's comment also mentions.
BTW there is no law in Japan about shutter sound, makers are following the consensus by their own will (don’t want to be the only ones to not follow) This is usually just a trivia, but in these cases it’s informative on what length makers feel obligated to go to protect that shutter sound part. Which is, not much in general. If you use a foreign SIM card it won’t follow that rule, same for some of the capture modes,…
I can't remind a similar law on any East Asian country though.
I can almost guarantee this is due to licensing issues with the camera firmware. Modern cameras aren't just hardware any more. They're a mix of hardware and advanced processing algorithms that really do make a huge difference in the final output. Those algorithms are often licensed from 3rd parties with specific licensing requirements. Sony has been reasonably good about enabling open-source and fixing these things i…
Perhaps the law needs to recognize that buying hardware should come with rights to the firmware. If all hardware is useless without firmware, then all hardware is useless without additional and separate rights, and that is a stupid and inefficient world in which to reside.