Frustration grew to anger and much like my Facebook Deletion a few weeks ago, if I was going to talk about openness I have to live it. Part of my switch from Mac to Linux again full-time was that I grew tiresome of the walled garden. I preach the EFF/FSF talking points and support companies that support the community…except for my phone…

So here it goes, a switch to a more free device. In all honesty I would rather do the N900 route, but there is free and hackable; and free and usable. The N900 is far from usable and much like every N-series MID before it, Nokia has screwed over the community by not supporting the device for more than a year. The device near and dear to my heart is a Palm Pre, but the lack of new devices and questionable future turned me off. WebOS is a beauty and if in a year (I go through phones like toilet paper) there is a new device I will surely pick it up. For now though, its time for a switch to Android. Froyo SDK has really impressed me and while there are VERY rough edges I am willing to bleed for the cause.

Oh and switching might just include a flip to Sprint…Evo 4g…yummy…

Android

Everywhere I look in the work place I see two phones on everyone’s belt or desk. There sits the company issued blackberry next to the iPhone or Android device. In an era of financial concerns I cannot help but wonder what the outside world thinks about us. Based on BillShrink.com we can guestimate the total to be around 4000 dollars which is 6 times more than the average Haitian makes in a year.

In addition, on a more personal level why would a logical engineer spend an additional 100-150 dollars a month on a device who’s general capabilities are replicated with a company supplied and funded phone?

I wish I could make the above statements with a “giggle” because I rose above the geek lust and stick with a Blackberry…if only that were the case.

A few weeks ago I was stuck broken down on my Ducati in the middle of the ghetto. I brought my blackberry instead of iPhone over a somewhat cynical fear that I would crash and my nice personal phone would serve as a slip and slide. After being on the side of the road for 3 hours with nothing more than a blackberry for entertainment and safety usage I have this following list to say:

• Why does it take 10 minutes to restart a Blackberry? What on earth could take THAT long to restart and allow for input?
• Opera Mini improves the situation, but the surfing situation on a Blackberry is embarrassing. Simple Google searches and news reading is painfully slow. For a split second I saw a newspaper dispenser and dug for change
• Why does it lock-up when I am typing a message? Don’t give me the bull about multitasking and running too many things. Google Talk, eMail, and Browser-based Twitter are not enough to LOCK a machine up.
• Camera, music, and streaming pandora is worthless. If you ever think you will use it for anything more than email you are poor soul who has never touched an iPhone or Android

So why are there two phones on people’s hips and desk? The only conclusion I can come to is one is a pager and the other a small computer. Given the option to pay for their own device and service many would jump on the opportunity. The truth is that the Blackberry is a dying paradigm. Seamless email is nothing the cheapest “media smartphone” can perform with ease. Passwords, security, remote wipe, etc. All these things can be done with Google Android or iPhone. RIM has momentum and entrenchment in that their BIS/BES installs are extensively deployed at the highest level of govt. The problem is that momentum implies either an acceleration or slowdown. We can all agree that the momentum for RIM is the slow-down, we are watching the ball slow down.

RIM take a look @ Solaris and review your position in the market. People would rather spend their hard earned dollars than rely on your sad excuse for a modern smart-phone. To the businesses of the world paying for BB and watching your highest executives carry iPhone; time to wake-up. You are giving your workers rubber hammers because they are safer and expecting them to build you strong houses. Give them the tools they want…

AT&T Stock Holder — Check

Original iPhone Owner — Check

AT&T Business Enterprise Customer — Check

What does all that buy you? A big fat cup of nothing. While in DC for business I did the unthinkable and waited outside of an Apple Store to buy an iPhone 3G. The line was wrapped around the front of the store and I doubted my chances of being afforded the “privilege” of purchasing a phone. It was my lucky day as many left the line after being informed that only the white edition was in stock. The Apple Employee wandered towards me armed with his Wireless Symbol Palm computer to verify if I was eligible. After a few missteps inputting information (there is no backspace on the device) we were off. Turns out I am not eligible to purchase a new iPhone from Apple. Why you might ask yourself? I am a business user…soak on that for a minute. I am a business user and therefore am relegated to the second class HELL HOLE that is AT&T Stores. After waiting in line I was left speechless. Here is the background as to why:

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=7648902

Basically I give up. I do not want the damn phone anymore. I am looking at other options.

I hate you Steve Jobs…I hate you with every fiber of my being

————————–

UPDATE:

Oh actually the website was a lie. Thanks for driving 40 minutes into Huntsville for NOTHING. This is the most un-Apple like experince I have had in years. What a load of crap. Out of spite I am looking at a used iPod Nano and a Openmoko or something.

Settings –> Wi-Fi Networks –> Ask to Join Networks
This must be enabled so your phone doesn’t simply join a strong signal network. This would leave you open to Man-in-the-Middle attacks.

Settings –> Wallpaper –> Image with Warning
Include a wallpaper that informs users of contact information and return information.

Settings –> General –> Date & Time –> Set Automatically
This is two-fold for security. Good date and time ensures proper and true logging time stamps in the event of your phone needing forensic information gathered. Also the phone will periodically check-in for time syncs giving a better chance for tracking the phone in the event of a loss.

Settings –> General –> Auto-Lock
Change the setting to 1 minute for quick closure. While this is annoying it means your phone will be secure in case you leave your phone unattended.

Settings –> General –> Passcode Lock –> Turn Passcode On

Settings –> General –> Passcode Lock –> Require Passcode Immediately

Settings –> General –> Passcode Lock –> Show SMS Preview Off
If locked a SMS preview comes up revealing information despite the locked state of the phone.

Settings –> General –> Network –> VPN On
The iPhone expands your surfing habits by giving you always on access. What we forget is you are broadcasting unencrypted traffic all over. You are given the option to use L2TP or PPTP. L2TP is extensively more secure than PPTP. You should try using a DD-WRT Linksys at the house for your own network or signup for a VPN online.

Settings –> General –> Bluetooth
The iPhone gives very little control of bluetooth which is unforutante. The device while on menu options will be discoverable. Due to recent Blue Snarfing hacks you must be careful to exit the menu and remove yourself from openeness. Leave bluetooth off if you aren’t using it. Helps save battery and your privacy.

Settings –> Mail
Ensure that you are using hosts that allow for SSL encryption certificates. Possible actions are to forward your mail to a host like Dreamhost that allows for SSL IMAP/SMTP. This is also helpful for converting gmail to IMAP rather than POP3.

Settings –> Mail –> Preview
Change preview to None. You never know who is looking over your shoulder while your email comes in.

Settings –> Safari –> JavaSciprt Off
Safari and the iPhone have already had vulnerabilities. This is a weighted option, most websites need it and Safari offers no white-list of acceptable sites.

Settings –> Safari –> Plug-Ins Off
Quicktime and others in the Safari browser leave you open for those security risks.

Settings –> Safari –> Block Pop-ups On
No need to explain, not only are they annoying but they can initiate cross-site scripting hacks.

Settings –> Safari –> Accept Cookies Never
The From visitied allows for casual surfing but you never know what the cookie contains when saved. This is an audit trail of activity. This may interrupt surfing sites so From visited maybe a better real-world setting.

Settings –> Phone –> Show My Caller ID Off
Why am I telling everyone who is calling on their screen? Some people won’t answer if it is unknown. Those who know me and want to talk do.

That should do it! A good start to securing your new sudo-smartphone.