Murena Kickstarter pulls in more than $150K for new phone with a built-in privacy switch
Murena Kickstarter pulls in more than $150K for new phone with a built-in privacy switch
Switch off the cameras and microphones with a toggle.
Only 150k? How is that enough to start a production line for 400 euro smartphones? Or is it just a rebranded phone?
Interesting concept, but seems just like a phone with privacy switches and a non-Google OS. How is it on security, hardening? How would it compare to GrapheneOS?
To be fair, GrapheneOS does require a Pixel, but that's because those phones are the best in terms of security, and can be privacy as well.
I think these kinds of devices are for different audiences.
GrapheneOS would probably best suit people that don't trust the software on their device, but completely trust the hardware.
The Murena or a Pinephone with hardware switches would be ideal for someone who trusts the software, but wants the ability to control the hardware.
Practically, this appeals to people who are considering things like Qualcomm's GPS in some SoCs bypassing the OS to request almanac data, using the cellular modem directly IIRC (gets worse: unencrypted http and includes your IMEI in plaintext). This doesn't happen in Pixel devices because there it is handled in software entirely, and of course those don't use a Qualcomm SoC
I run their OS /e/ on my fairphone 4. As someone who just uses a phone for basic stuff its the tits, no bs, no google apps required at all. The built-in tracker blocking etc is great and I like the basic interface.
Biggest bonus is that my phone lasts maybe 50% longer on a single charge. Was super easy to install too.
No paying with NFC though, but I don't mind, I always had my wallet anyway.
Stuff like NFC payments are one of the reasons that kind of stick with stock Android. I want to use something else, but it's kind of hard for me to accept losing functionality.
It’s open source and has aggressive privacy features so hopefully there will be data on whether it’s worthwhile soon. If it’s a good OS + has privacy focused hardware, it could be more compelling than a Pixel without hardware switches for the ultra privacy minded
It is an amazing OS for people who want the ultimate degoogled experience, there was a study that compared some phones with their stock Android : Samsung, Oneplus, Lineage and /e/ OS..
The only OS that didn't phone to any google server is /e/ OS, I still have the research paper somewhere in my PC, ( I'll look for a link ) ( no promises.. lol )
I'm considering trying /e/ & after that, I'll try Ubuntu touch
What a terrible approach to security.
You wouldn't need hardware switches if you could trust your software not to try and fuck you.
Fuck android and fuck Google.
Well, fuck Google.
Android isn't at fault here. Get a non-Google version of Android and a phone runs faster, with significantly less battery consumption.
Google services really screw the pooch, as they say. Lineage/DivestOS and Graphene are lightning fast on my 2018 flagship. I get a day out of it now, (with it's old battery) , when it was new I got half a day...at best. Google Services consume upward of 8% per hour, depending on installed apps.
This feels like cybersecurity cosplay
you want a kilswitch on a camera you go for a slideable plastic covering, like most laptops have, because you can't hack "being able to look through solid objects" into a phone camera
why would this just be an electronic disconnect. Love to bee concerned enough about privacy to not trust google, but I do trust random kickstarter that they wire their phones up properly and also that it gets to me with no intervention
I just want a de-googled 200-250€ smartphone with a headphone jack.
Get a Sony Xperia III, update the original firmware to Android 13, unlock the bootloader then install the corresponding version of LineageOS (or any GSI ROM made for 13).
Doesn't the Pixel 5 have a jack?
I actually had to check, since I never use them. No, it does not.
They've always had a power button.
The fact my battery dies in a week when the phone is supposedly off tells me all I need to know.
why the fuck has it always to be an iPhone clone... it's embarrassing.
Will it have an SD card and headphone jack? If yes, Ill consider purchasing it, if no, pass.
No headphone jack
Good for them. The Murena One was just a rebranded OED. This one is interesting, because of the switches, but the processor isn't exactly brand spanking new.
At $425, this is about 350 people.