[Tfug] Smart phone/tablet PC connectivity

[erich]

What appeals to me,
         Is the size & efficiency. It looks like Intel has realized that
you can make a fast processor that isn't an energy guzzler. Looks
like ARM gave them a run for their money :)
         I can conceive this as a server/router with cellular
broadband on one side and iptables on the other side for my
legacy system of boxes. (It would have to be docked
with to its accessory for this).
         There are cell phone carriers that refuse to service broad-
band cell modems. This would be a way around that. Their ads
don't mention any specific cell network provider. So the internal
chipset will accept all bands/all carriers. (I think)
          What I'm trying to do is maximize my options: to
get the best internet service for the best price.

Erich


Bexley Hall wrote:
> Hi Erich,
>
> On 5/1/2014 3:05 PM, erich wrote:
>> OK,
>> They have a connection to the internet using cellular network 
>> connectivity
>> and sometimes bluetooth, but I've never seen such a device with other
>> than that.
>
> BT is usually for talking to peripherals (keyboard, mouse, etc.) *or*
> a link to an external cell phone for the inet connection.
>
> Older tablet PC's had lots of options in this regard.  The tablets
> I use have (wired) ethernet, USB, BT and PCMCIA slots (add "whatever").
> But, folks want slim and sexxy nowadays (mine are about as thick as
> my index finger).  Connectors are costly, the source of failures and
> impact the overall styling/size of the product disproportionately.
>
> I'll admit to adopting the same ideas in my product designs.  Avoiding
> the connectors is a huge win (think about how you would make something
> survive being dropped into a toilet if it had connectors!).  But,
> you can adopt proprietary encryption protocols to make eavesdropping
> and MiM attacks less possible.
>
> [OTOH, the home automation here is deliberately *wired* to avoid that
> possibility entirely -- e.g., even a system employing "perfect
> encryption" can be subverted simply by broadcasting *noise* on the 
> appropriate bands!]
>
>> No USB or RJ-45. Sure, there's often a standard USB connector, but 
>> this is
>> merely for the battery charger.
>>
>> Why don't they have it? Well, there's no demand. The millenial
>> generation has
>> a much more relaxed attitude toward security than mine, (I'm 68)
>
> (sigh)  Preaching to the choir here, Erich!  You'd think with the prying
> eyes of employers wanting to check your <social_network> pages, they
> would learn by now!  (this is information you have WILLINGLY disclosed)
>
> But, even ignoring their influence, there doesn't seem to be an
> active effort *anywhere* to promote privacy issues -- especially
> in *design*!
>
> [A conversation I had with RMS about this resulted in his advice:
> "Give them the source code" -- as if having the source code to a
> product would help Grandma adjust the device to *her* desired level
> of privacy!  Sheesh!  The words "hammer" and "nail" come to mind...]
>
>> My dream is to get a touchscreen tablet that I can install Linux, 
>> configure
>> the kernel to my liking, and have other kinds of connectivity besides
>> cellular network. IS there such a thing?
>
> I think some of the IBM (Lenovo) tablets will do this for you.  You
> may find the *cellular* link is the hardest to get support for (so,
> you may have to "live without it"...)
>
> --don
>
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