I would also like a phone running an OS that's not Android or iOS. They're both currently pushing some updates that I don't think I want. On 6/21/20, Linux for blind general discussion <blinux-list@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote: >> On Jun 21, 2020, at 00:47, (Janina) wrote: >> >> ... I wonder if asking an Android phone to serve this function is >> more an academic exercise than a practical one at this point? >> >> I say this because I'm just now in the process of buying my next >> (natively) Linux computer, and it's quite small. It comes pretty close >> to the size of an Android phone. So, I suspect it might be the easier >> path of practicality is the point. ... > > There are a number of small systems showing up on the market these days. > I think this is great, but it doesn't really address the use case I have > in mind (a pocket-sized computer with instant-on capability). The issues > include integration, cost, size, weight, and instant-on capacity. > > The Intel-based systems tend to be pricier than the RasPi ones, but all > of them cost at least a few hundred dollars. Adding an internal UPS is > going to raise that by at least another hundred dollars. Also, someone > will have to engineer and fabricate the add-on UPS board, battery, etc. > > A retired Android cell phone, in contrast, will already have a built-in > UPS and can be found for well under $100. For a poor (e.g., third-world) > blind user, these may be critical issues. > > Size and weight are also important. The mini PC systems fit nicely on a > desktop, but none of them will fit into a normal pocket. Carrying one > around would thus require something like a backpack. Some users would be > OK with this, but I think most would not. > > So, this is a serious practical question, rather than an academic exercise. > If we could find a way to put usable portable computers into the hands of > blind users around the world, that would be a major contribution. Also, I > think the effort might lead to useful enhancements in at least some of the > mainstream Android distributions. > > - Rich Morin > > _______________________________________________ > Blinux-list mailing list > Blinux-list@xxxxxxxxxx > https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/blinux-list > > _______________________________________________ Blinux-list mailing list Blinux-list@xxxxxxxxxx https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/blinux-list