Prospects for an accessible and open version of Android?

[Linux for blind general discussion]

I would also like a phone running an OS that's not Android or iOS.
They're both currently pushing some updates that I don't think I want.

On 6/21/20, Linux for blind general discussion <blinux-list at redhat.com> wrote:
>> On Jun 21, 2020, at 00:47, (Janina) wrote:
>>
>> ... I wonder if asking an Android phone to serve this function is
>> more an academic exercise than a practical one at this point?
>>
>> I say this because I'm just now in the process of buying my next
>> (natively) Linux computer, and it's quite small. It comes pretty close
>> to the size of an Android phone. So, I suspect it might be the easier
>> path of practicality is the point. ...
>
> There are a number of small systems showing up on the market these days.
> I think this is great, but it doesn't really address the use case I have
> in mind (a pocket-sized computer with instant-on capability).  The issues
> include integration, cost, size, weight, and instant-on capacity.
>
> The Intel-based systems tend to be pricier than the RasPi ones, but all
> of them cost at least a few hundred dollars.  Adding an internal UPS is
> going to raise that by at least another hundred dollars.  Also, someone
> will have to engineer and fabricate the add-on UPS board, battery, etc.
>
> A retired Android cell phone, in contrast, will already have a built-in
> UPS and can be found for well under $100.  For a poor (e.g., third-world)
> blind user, these may be critical issues.
>
> Size and weight are also important.  The mini PC systems fit nicely on a
> desktop, but none of them will fit into a normal pocket.  Carrying one
> around would thus require something like a backpack.  Some users would be
> OK with this, but I think most would not.
>
> So, this is a serious practical question, rather than an academic exercise.
> If we could find a way to put usable portable computers into the hands of
> blind users around the world, that would be a major contribution.  Also, I
> think the effort might lead to useful enhancements in at least some of the
> mainstream Android distributions.
>
> - Rich Morin
>
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