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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.
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).
This is 100% where I am. I'm sick to death of everything I own trying to suck up personal data and then use it to manipulate me for profit. It's like having a sociopathic lover who knows everything about you and is hell-bent on ruthlessly exploiting you. I will not stand for it; I demand control of my data and my hardware.
The mobile space is where this is the worst. I run a custom Android ROM, but as a "mere" superuser who's not a professional coder, there's only so much I can do in an environment that's fundamentally structured against me. I fervently want open source mobile hardware to succeed, and I don't have any relevant technical skills to contribute.
I don't know what to do other than buy the hardware to show that there's support for this. Do you have suggestions?
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.