arcticOS

A collection of Linux applications that together form an open-source and modular mobile operating system.

Vision

Every modern phone company either sells your data or your attention, and they make you pay huge amounts to let them do it. I aim to change that, by building a phone that is:

• Low-cost
• Fully open-source, in both hardware and software
• As modular as possible, with no stupid software locks to prevent you from extending, repairing, or upgrading your phone
• Completely ad-free
• Easy for anyone with basic knowledge in SMD soldering and 3D printing to replicate

Features

• User interface written in Python
• Servers for interfacing with the hardware/emulator from languages other than Python
• Emulator for testing on desktop computers (Using Pygame for the display and input servers)
• Calculator
• Notes

Planned features

• Calls and SMS with the SIM7600* series of modems.
• IRC and Matrix messages
• Music Player
• Calendar
• Clock with alarms
• E-mail client
• OTA updates?
• User Data Encryption
• SIM7600 emulator
• Flashlight & frontlight support
• Audio support

Roadmap

• Develop usable demo of OS
• Design and fabricate prototype hardware capable of running the OS
• Acquire funding via Kickstarter
• Fix issues with prototype
• Begin selling development units
• Improve OS until it is in a semi-mature state
• Fix issues with development units
• Begin shipping beta-testing units to testers in USA
• Fix issues with OS until it is ready for release
• Fix issues with beta units
• Stress test and improve hardware until it is ready for release
• Begin shipping final units

Setup (desktop)

arcticOS on desktop requires Git, Python 3, Pygame 2, and GNU Screen to be installed.

1. Install dependencies

sudo apt install screen

2. Download the main repository

git clone https://github.com/arcticOS/arcticOS.git

3. Download all submodules

git submodule init
git submodule update --recursive --remote

4. Make start.sh executable

chmod +x start.sh

5. Run start.sh

./start.sh

FAQ

Will it support WhatsApp?

No.

Will it support group messaging?

Group messaging will be supported through the IRC/Matrix clients. SMS group messaging is done differently by different phone brands and it is impossible to support all of them.

What will the final hardware look like?

The final hardware configuration hasn't been fully decided yet, but it should look something like this:

• 2.7" E-ink display
• Full QWERTY keyboard
• USB-C for charging and data transfer, 3.5mm headphone jack
• Swappable Li-ion battery
• MicroSD card for OS and user data storage
• Modular SIM7600-series cellular modem

When will it be done?

I can't say for sure. Development is much more expensive and takes much more time then I could have guessed. It will likely speed up after the Kickstarter, though.

License

GNU General Public License Version 3.0