Holy shit.

• Linux SailfishOS

• Basically WINE for Android

• iMessage? Somehow?

• Swappable battery, cover

• High quality DAC, 3.5mm, FM radio

• “QR codes, maps, home security apps, global cellular bands, predictive text messaging, and popular communication app support”

• No tracking

• Physical buttons

• Smol

• $500

What black magic is this. That sounds way too good to be true.

This one has my attention, but I'm also curious about what others think

Hell yeah! But $500 is a price I'm torn on.. Not terrible, but not great

from the article:

Privacy is a core selling point

also from the article: mock-up picture showing WhatsApp running on the phone.

I get it that it would be running Android apps through the compatibility layer on SailfishOS, but that means it's not private. Whatsapp will know lots of things about you.

It "blocks" social media? Whether or not you actually want that, I'm not sure how they could possibly implement it in a way that isn't terrible. Jolla is outside my wheelhouse, but it's Linux isn't it? How are they stopping me from installing anything, let alone these specific things?

That actually looks like an interesting phone. I hope it delivers on its promises.

maybe i can put my nokia 7110 to rest

I'd trade all the WhatsApp, etc for a mobile hotspot. I can't pre-order on principal but after this phone it's a strong runner up!

If it's customizable enough to allow users to remove any and all unwanted user and system apps - through ADB or otherwise - I'm all in. But if I'm stuck with a $500 phone with unremovable Big Tech affiliated apps, it goes into the trash can.

Also, in my country, electronic identification is a must have, so I hope that works too...

The Callback is completely de-Googled, but thanks to the compatibility layer, Sailfish OS can run over 99% of Android apps. That means you still have access to essentials like WhatsApp, Google Maps, Spotify, Signal, and iMessage via a third-party solution that needs temporary access to a Mac.

In other words no Android app compatibility unless you already own a Mac. Seems like a strange way to have Android .apk compatibility but I don't know the specifics of how Sailfish OS works, maybe it has other macOS dependencies.

That aside it could be interesting for people not needing anything Android related at all.

I would be interested, but the amount of paternalism is disgusting.

No browser? I'm an adult; if I want to search something on the net that I forgot (when was that event?), that's my f'ing right. Don't try to patronize me.

They sabotage themselves by trying to teach you "to be a better person".

No social media or internet browsering for you, young man! Now do your homework. 🙄

And then they add WhatsApp?