blank🍳Nov 17, 2020
Android and iPhones are all about privacy now, but startup OSOM thinks it can do better - CNET https://www.cnet.com/news/android-and-iphones-are-all-about-privacy-now-but-startup-osom-thinks-it-can-do-better/
Privacy comes first in this startup's plans for new devices

The team behind Andy Rubin's Essential is back, but without Rubin. Now called OSOM, it plans to introduce new privacy-focused hardware and software in late 2021.

Show threadblank🍳Nov 17, 2020

CNET による OSOM の独自取材の特集記事。

Essential Phone を作った Essential は倒産したが、Andy Rubin を除いた元メンバーたちで構成された OSOM という企業が作られた。OSOM はユーザーのプライバシーを守ることに注力したソフトウェアならびにハードウェアを2021年の後期にリリースするという。当記事では、具体的な内容は書かれておらず目指すビジョンのみである。

一般的なユーザーは動くこと、簡単であることに重点をおくため、プライバシーに重点をおいたものは一般的にニッチな分野とされ、これに取り組むことは難しい挑戦になりそうだ。どんなものができあがるのだろうか。

記事の中で Purism が事例として挙げられていたが、これは初耳だった。

#OSOM

Show threadSuji YanNov 17, 2020
@blank71 The problem of Purism is they just use customized hardware-- maybe more dangerous than standard ones
Show threadMasanori Ogino 𓀁Nov 17, 2020
@Sujiyan @blank71 would you elaborate the risk of "customized hardware" here a little more? I mean, is your concern their mistake due to being a new comer of hardware design, or kinda intentional backdoor?
Show threadSuji YanNov 17, 2020
@omasanori @blank71 Both but the main point is 1st. they re cool but their approach might be naive https://puri.sm/learn/avoiding-intel-amt/
How Purism avoids Intel's Active Management Technology – Purism

With recent chipsets, Intel offers a mechanism called Active Management Technology (Intel AMT, part of the “vPro”* featureset, specifically the Intel Management Engine) which, Intel says,“allows IT or managed service providers to better discover, repair, and protect their networked computing assets”. This means somebody can control devices remotely, even when powered off—what is officially called …

Purism
Show threadMasanori Ogino 𓀁
@Sujiyan @blank71 Indeed. While I am aware of being biased (disclaimer: I am a Librem 5 backer), x86 firmware deblob-ification is complicated and full of pitfalls so it is fair to suspect IMHO. Librem 5v1 also seems a promising PoC but still PoC even for an IT otaku.
Nov 17, 2020 at 4:26amWeb
Show threadSuji YanNov 18, 2020
@omasanori @blank71 haha. yes. HTC had a secure phone called exodus. seems no user pay to buy as well ...