Also, N-O-D-E publishes all the requisite files; Essentially making this a 'Build your own smartphone' project and those who don't want to get their hands dirty could order one from the website when available.
I think it’s a bit too thick to reclaim anything, to be honest, but its nerd cred is off the charts.
Current chase for thinness by manufacturers, even if it means sacrificing structural integrity[1] is laughably absurd.
May be I'm bit biased since I was frankensteining a similar concept with my limited capacity, but if the thickness of the device in this prototype is ~2.5" to 3" then the size of the final production device wouldn't be a deal breaker for many.
I would not replace my proper well working phone with a makeshift device like this at all.
And there are plenty of options out there already; No need to wait for this setup.
Like?
The only current mainstream Linux capable smartphone with physical keyboard I know of is Planet Computer devices[1]; even there, the first party support is for android and so the hardware is closed like any other android device out there.
Without this physical keyboard, you have phones like https://puri.sm/products/librem-5/#overview
Also there are plenty of non google service based android phones and alternatives.
You can also use Linux on most Android Phones as well.
A Pi Zero or a Pi in general is very very far away from what a Android based Phone does and can do. Alone for Security.
What is your thought why you would assume a lot of people could get beind this setup? I do like the project, its nice though but for me probably for different reasons then for you.
I'll build mine with a metal casing and a GPS for outdoor shenanigans, as sturdy as an AK-47 and as thick as the SCIP
From the video, it looks like the Zero Terminal V3 is about the same size as my phone, so it would be great, at least for myself.
I have heard the same reason from many of my contacts, they even use a finger grip on the back of their cases. Phones have crossed reasonable thinness few years back, thanks to a certain manufacturer who started marketing 'Thinness' but have since stopped once their phone started bending in the pants.
Sure, it’s a nice device for tech-people, but general consumers will most likely not use this.
That's the bane of monopolies or duopolies; no good for anyone except for the 'Investors'.