Motorola GrapheneOS devices will be bootloader unlockable/relockable

jMyles

Even though there doesn't seem to be huge mainstream consumer demand for this (although I actually question how well consumer demand for privacy and customization can ever be ascertained when the price signals are corrupted by a market where the winning players are essentially chosen by the state, as is arguably the case with both TSMC and Qualcomm), it still feels like the world simply couldn't go on with both iOS and Android become caged, cheapened, fragile shadows of the visions we once had for them (particularly AOSP).

keerthiko

Does anyone know where I can read more about which devices will be supported? GrapheneOS website devices FAQ doesn't list any Motorola devices, and the press release doesn't have much either.

ChrisArchitect

Related: Motorola announces a partnership with GrapheneOS https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47214645

lordofgibbons

Given that Google has said they'll be delaying source code release for Android to every X months intervals (iirc), how is GrapheneOS planning to handle security updates? Will they just be Google's binary blobs?

Zak

I'm glad to hear that. That means these devices will be a popular target, perhaps the popular target for alternative operating systems both Android-based and non-Android Linux.

t1234s

With Motorola being owned by the Chinese company Lenovo can these new devices be used in secure environments? I remember when Lenovo took over making ThinkPads they were banned in some secure environments because of Lenovo links to CCP.

LoganDark

Do we know if there there be Widevine L1 keys that aren't deleted on unlock? (Certain phones restore access to L1 on bootloader relock, as long as AVB passes, including with custom keys.)

LelouBil

Well, I'll surely be buying a Motorola device when GrapheneOS support lands. I've been running on several half-working recent android ports to my Xiaomi Mi 9t for many years now. If I can get a modern phone, modern android, my privacy preserved and a hackable phone (to the extent an unlockable bootloader allows, which isn't a given nowadays, I especially hate how Xiaomi does it), I'm 100% sold. We'll see when it comes out I guess!

smashah

Whatever this device is is at the top of my list for my next phone.

yegle

I think Pixel phones are also unlockable/relockable?

yooastan

A physical keyboard device with GrapheneOS would mog

mmh0000

If true. And I put a big if on that. I WILL be buying their flagship model. My go to for Graphene has been used Pixels from eBay. Because I can’t give money to Google in good conscience.

tamimio

This whole thing feels like a subversion, instead of having graphene independent from devices and widen the attack vector, now the spooks can just focus on the “supported official device” only. That being said, the hardware isn’t open source (cell modem is enough to expose you), some binary blobs for the firmware aren’t open source, motorola is a US company with all what that means, if you are after anonymity or even privacy, I would stay away from it entirely, you will be like a person putting a full mask on while on public, except that mask is scanning your face in real time. You will stand out like a sore thumb, your best strategy is blending in, so the automated systems scanners won’t flag you and thus put you under further monitoring. The timing is super weird too, when all corporations are pushing for digital ID, are actively lobbying to deanonymize the users, cooperating with gov too to have a smooth pipeline for such process, and motorola the known company of having defense contracts, are suddenly caring about open source privacy?! Cmon

rationalist

You know what would be good for security: Having physical disconnect switches (Bluetooth/Wifi, Modem, Power, Microphone/Speaker), and integrated lens cover like Lenovo laptops (at least for the front camera whereas a case can cover the rear cameras). On a side-note: Triple active SIM would be amazing, but one can dream. I would love to have a phone that has an active AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon SIM at the same time.

m00dy

I think banking apps especially the ones in UK, won't work on this device.

farkanoid

Not sure how I feel about this. Motorola seems to be the exclusive provider of encrypted cellular networks and associated devices to the Israeli military [1][2]. I'm under the impression that basebands still require a proprietary/binary blob, basically rendering the security features of the underlying Open Source OS useless, since it sits between the user and outside connectivity. How can GrapheneOS ensure that there are no hidden backdoors (ie: Pegasus-like spyware, which was created by ex-IDF soldiers via NSO Group), etc, in the baseband? [1] https://www.whoprofits.org/companies/company/3808 [2] https://www.motorolasolutions.com/newsroom/press-releases/mo...

montroser

So, what is Motorola's incentive here? I love it, but why are they pursuing this? It's an enterprise / government play around auditable privacy and security?

sourcegrift

Why doesn't someone collaborate with pine64? Chasing after any flavour of android is going to be an exercise in masochism

Synaesthesia

I wonder if I'm gonna be able to flash my existing Edge 70.