undefined | Better HN

0 pointsdjsumdog7y ago0 comments

Yea using adb/oemunlock. Sometimes you have to get a code (like with Sony, you input your IMEI number into their website and get one). I've had one Sony that was unlockable; a condition of the original cell provider.

Still, it's bizarre considering you can install Linux on any PC/laptop you buy.

The bigger issue of course, is that you can't just install Linux on a phone. They're all random pins soldered to random chips and all use patched to hell Kernels with binary blobs. Linux distros can release images that are designed on boot on x86/x86_64/PPC/Sparc and they'll booth up and install on most of those machines. That's impossible with nearly all Android/ARM devices.

PostmarketOS is trying to change that from the other direction, but Librem is a huge step in giving developers embedded hardware that doesn't require carefully modified and patched kernels/bootloaders.

0 comments

yogthos7y ago

Yeah, I think the fact that you have to request your IMEI number and then use additional tools to unlock the device you bought is absurd. Nowadays, a phone is no different from any other computer, and you should be able to buy one that lets you run whatever you want on it without jumping through any hoops.

ndnxhs7y ago

Some of them make you wait weeks/months before you get their approval to unlock.

josteink7y ago

> Still, it's bizarre considering you can install Linux on any PC/laptop you buy.

Apple is trying to change that with their new T2-line of machines where you are effectively locked out of using the device’s storage if you try to boot a OS not blessed by Apple (like Linux).

You don’t own your new MacBook or Mac Mini.

https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=Apple-T2...

sneak7y ago

You can disable all of that and boot any code you like. For the 99% that don’t want bootkits to be possible on their hardware, you can require a signed bootloader. Best of both worlds.

josteink7y ago

Inaccurate. Boot yes, but you can’t access your SSD from Linux, so you can’t actually install anything on your (very expensive) internal storage.

For a Mac Mini with external storage that may be passable, but for a laptop like the MacBook that’s pretty much a no go.

This move by Apple should not be confused with generic UEFI secure boot with user-loadable keys, which yes, IMO is a good thing for most people.

Apple however has locked down the hardware in a way which only benefits them.

This move is actually what everyone feared Microsoft would do with UEFI (which they didn’t) and literally caused endless FUD and uproar on the Internet (and it’s still going on).

Now that Apple is actually doing it nobody bats an eye, because Hey shiny!

TLDR: I don’t get people.

1 more reply

ascii_only7y ago

>Still, it's bizarre considering you can install Linux on any PC/laptop you buy.

It is kinda not true. There are windows 2 in 1 and recent macbooks on which it is almost impossible to install linux.

pmalynin7y ago

> recent macbooks on which it is almost impossible to install linux

That's FUD, and you know it. You can disable secure boot on Mac and boot whatever you want.

floatboth7y ago

You can boot, but not install, as Linux won't see the internal storage that's controlled by the T2 chip.

1 more reply

_emacsomancer_7y ago

> Still, it's bizarre considering you can install Linux on any PC/laptop you buy.*

* Unless it's a 2018 Mac ( https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/11/06/apple_mac_linux_woe... )....

rzzzt7y ago

The device tree is the magic feature for describing the hardware layout of a device, thereby moving "wiring"-related modifications out of the kernel: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Device_tree

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

0 pointsdjsumdog7y ago0 comments

Still, it's bizarre considering you can install Linux on any PC/laptop you buy.

0 comments

yogthos7y ago

ndnxhs7y ago

Some of them make you wait weeks/months before you get their approval to unlock.

josteink7y ago

> Still, it's bizarre considering you can install Linux on any PC/laptop you buy.

Apple is trying to change that with their new T2-line of machines where you are effectively locked out of using the device’s storage if you try to boot a OS not blessed by Apple (like Linux).

You don’t own your new MacBook or Mac Mini.

https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=Apple-T2...

sneak7y ago

You can disable all of that and boot any code you like. For the 99% that don’t want bootkits to be possible on their hardware, you can require a signed bootloader. Best of both worlds.

josteink7y ago

Inaccurate. Boot yes, but you can’t access your SSD from Linux, so you can’t actually install anything on your (very expensive) internal storage.

For a Mac Mini with external storage that may be passable, but for a laptop like the MacBook that’s pretty much a no go.

This move by Apple should not be confused with generic UEFI secure boot with user-loadable keys, which yes, IMO is a good thing for most people.

Apple however has locked down the hardware in a way which only benefits them.

This move is actually what everyone feared Microsoft would do with UEFI (which they didn’t) and literally caused endless FUD and uproar on the Internet (and it’s still going on).

Now that Apple is actually doing it nobody bats an eye, because Hey shiny!

TLDR: I don’t get people.

1 more reply

ascii_only7y ago

>Still, it's bizarre considering you can install Linux on any PC/laptop you buy.

It is kinda not true. There are windows 2 in 1 and recent macbooks on which it is almost impossible to install linux.

pmalynin7y ago

> recent macbooks on which it is almost impossible to install linux

That's FUD, and you know it. You can disable secure boot on Mac and boot whatever you want.

floatboth7y ago

You can boot, but not install, as Linux won't see the internal storage that's controlled by the T2 chip.

1 more reply

_emacsomancer_7y ago

> Still, it's bizarre considering you can install Linux on any PC/laptop you buy.*

* Unless it's a 2018 Mac ( https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/11/06/apple_mac_linux_woe... )....

rzzzt7y ago

The device tree is the magic feature for describing the hardware layout of a device, thereby moving "wiring"-related modifications out of the kernel: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Device_tree

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse