Hi!
I'm Kurtis with the Replicant project. To begin, I want to thank you all for promoting Replicant [1][2][3]! I am messaging you today asking for your assistance. Our developer, Wolfgang, has ported 3 devices to Replicant 6.0 so far. Replicant 6.0 is based on LineageOS 13.0, which is the successor to CyanogenMod 13.0. You can read more about this work here [4] and here [5]. He is also working on a GTA04 [6] port right now, which is very exciting. Our other devices all have non-free bootloaders at the moment, and we have always wanted to port to a phone that can run with 100% free software.
Here's the issue, Wolfgang is in need of more devices in order to port them to Replicant 6.0.
We would love it if the FSFE could assist us. Perhaps you, or someone you know, has an old android laying around that isn't being used. Wouldn't it be cool if you could turn that old device into fuel for a free software engine? Well, maybe you can! Check the list below.
Devices would need to be shipped to Munich, Germany. It is preferred that devices be donations to the project, so that he can keep them updated with monthly security updates. If you can only loan the device for a certain period of time, but you can pay shipping to and from Germany, please contact Wolfgang about the details and see if that would be helpful. Here is how you can get in touch with him to arrange shipment or ask questions about potential device donations/loans: https://blog.fossencdi.org/contact.html
Here's the list of devices that we believe can be ported to Replicant 6.0 if we can get our hands on them:
(Please be mindful of the product numbers, as not all device names are the same hardware)
Galaxy Note: GT-N7000
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 Family: GT-P3100, GT-P3110, GT-P3113, GT-P5100, GT-P5110, GT-P5113
Galaxy Nexus: I9250
Galaxy S3: I9300
Bonus device: Optimus Black - P970
The Optimus Black has been continuously worked on for years by our other developers, GNUtoo and PaulK. [7] They are trying to liberate the bootloader on it, but it is slow work. It'd be great if Wolfgang could work on porting it to Replicant 6.0 while they work to liberate the bootloader.
Lastly, if you don't have any of these devices and can't figure out how to convince other people to look through their desk drawers and closets to see if they have one, you can still help! Wolfgang is accepting Bitcoin, cash, checks, and wire transfers[8]!
Oh, and don't be a stranger! We are always looking for testers, developers, and moral support. Connect with us via these methods[9].
Peace & Solidarity, Kurtis
[1] https://fsfe.org/campaigns/android/liberate.en.html [2] https://fsfe.org/campaigns/android/help.en.html [3] https://wiki.fsfe.org/Activities/Android [4] https://blog.replicant.us/ (sorry, we will be fixing our TLS soon) [5] https://blog.fossencdi.org/ [6] http://projects.goldelico.com/p/gta04-main/ [7] http://code.paulk.fr/article20/a-hacker-s-journey-freeing-a-phone-from-the-g... [8] https://blog.fossencdi.org/donations.html [9] https://redmine.replicant.us/projects/replicant/wiki#Contact