Looking for a new device

[AMGtuned]

Best place I could think to post. I think I want a new phone. Used to love my BlackBerry, but they're not the same anymore. Currently have a Galaxy S9. Used to like Nokia N95, but that's outdated and unsupported. Apparently, windows is dropping support this year sometime. Makes me sick thinking of all the "reporting" going on within and from my device. Would love to have my old 1st gen Moto Razr back; if it had no GPS locator in it. Lol. Best sized, and lightweight device I ever had. I dont mind using my laptop for the Hide, as opposed to my phone, only thing I would miss is the quality camera at fingertips. Ballistic app is handy too. Any thoughts/ideas from the Hide? Maybe just switch to whatever this "non-google/android" thing I'm hearing about? Pretty confident I cant avoid Google without eliminating digital footprint all together. Netflix is gone, fuck YouTube, but I would actually miss this place....

 

[THEIS]

Hi,

https://www.darkmatter.ae/katim/katim-r01/

Sincerely,
Theis

 

[AMGtuned]

Bad ass! Of course it comes from Dubai. First $80k phone I ever saw came from Dubai. It was a BlackBerry pearl covered in diamonds. Any hands on experience with the Katim?

 

[THEIS]

Hi,

Yes, I ran the Katim for 2 years now but waiting on my R01 after turning in my Katim in February for the upgrade.

They are in Abu Dhabi...but close enough to Dubai.

Sincerely,
Theis

 

[AMGtuned]

Thank you for the correction. I'm assuming I'll have to call to purchase? Cant find a price. Assuming $1k+ ?
Thank you for your help

 

[THEIS]

Hi,

Yes pricing is $1k+

For a more readily available device:
https://www.silentcircle.com/products-and-solutions/blackphone2/

Sincerely,
Theis

 

[AMGtuned]

Thank you sir

 

[Loonhunter]

I have one like this only I modified it to run on leaded gasoline. It’s a pull start.

 

[AMGtuned]

I remember those, well.

 

[AMGtuned]

Also seen them modified with a bluetooth headset inside, so you can actually use it.

 

[fastfwd]

https://www.darkmatter.ae/katim/katim-r01/

Even if you believe that all of this is a lie:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DarkMatter_(Emirati_company)

how likely is it that DarkMatter can make a more secure phone than Google or Apple?

The iPhone and the Google Pixel have all the security features that DarkMatter describe on their website, and the Apple/Google phones don't include this thing that's also described on the site: KATIM® Command Centre, the mobile device management system tailored for KATIM®™ phones and integrated into its OS, which might be concerning because it lets you remotely control and monitor, perform attestations, automate and enforce security policies on all KATIM® devices, especially since as an optional additional service, DarkMatter can operate KATIM® Command Centre on the customer’s behalf.

Every day, the iOS and Android software -- and Apple's and Google's hardware -- are scrutinized for vulnerabilities by the world's best security researchers (including those employed by Google and Apple themselves), and flaws are generally fixed as quickly as they're found. Of course DarkMatter has an infinitesmally small share of the market and so doesn't naturally get that sort of attention... But if they were actually trying to build a secure phone, at the very least they'd pay to subject it to ONE independent security audit by recognized experts.

I looked a little and couldn't find the results of such an audit; has one been performed?

 

[AMGtuned]

Even if you believe that all of this is a lie:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DarkMatter_(Emirati_company)

how likely is it that DarkMatter can make a more secure phone than Google or Apple?

The iPhone and the Google Pixel have all the security features that DarkMatter describe on their website, and the Apple/Google phones don't include this thing that's also described on the site: KATIM® Command Centre, the mobile device management system tailored for KATIM®™ phones and integrated into its OS, which might be concerning because it lets you remotely control and monitor, perform attestations, automate and enforce security policies on all KATIM® devices, especially since as an optional additional service, DarkMatter can operate KATIM® Command Centre on the customer’s behalf.

Every day, the iOS and Android software -- and Apple's and Google's hardware -- are scrutinized for vulnerabilities by the world's best security researchers (including those employed by Google and Apple themselves), and flaws are generally fixed as quickly as they're found. Of course DarkMatter has an infinitesmally small share of the market and so doesn't naturally get that sort of attention... But if they were actually trying to build a secure phone, at the very least they'd pay to subject it to ONE independent security audit by recognized experts.

I looked a little and couldn't find the results of such an audit; has one been performed?

I thought the device recommended by @THEIS was a stellar option. Same with the SilentCircle device. Regardless to how you think it operates, Google, and Apple alike, are recording ALMOST EVERY keystroke in this entire thread. That's MY issue. Google is invading privacy on millions of Americans, and Apple is right there with them. Cant wait till Cupertino slides into the Pacific. I'm interested in a device that DOES NOT report user interaction to its command hub. Just like using Facefuck, your Google device and services, are creating a database OF the American people (as well as others abroad), and how they live. If they want to be detectives, they shouldve been able to pass the physical. But the lazy, slimy, degenerate, fucks, decided it was easier to snoop behind our backs. Clearly, Google and Apple devices are/were NOT scrutinized enough, or there would be a public outcry over invasion of privacy. Dont believe your device is listening? That which covers your eyes is heavy wool.

 

[THEIS]

Hi,

I know for certain not all the wikipedia information is a lie because it is very well known that Dark Matter is a privatized intel agency. No different than some of the privatized "technology" companies we have here in the USA such as Long Range Services out of McLean VA.

There is a reason the leaders of the USA Government and its' Intel agencies are not issued Apple or Google phones

Also: Nobody from the 2018 "Hack in the Box" conference in Dubai was able to hack the Katim and there were entities such as NHSC out of South Korea, Chinas Qihoo 360 Hacking Team, Luta Security, etc etc.

Sincerely,
Theis

 

[fastfwd]

it is very well known that Dark Matter is a privatized intel agency. No different than some of the privatized "technology" companies we have here in the USA such as Long Range Services out of McLean VA.

Right, I wouldn't buy one of their phones either.

There is a reason the leaders of the USA Government and its' Intel agencies are not issued Apple or Google phones

I don't follow. Are you saying that it's because they're less secure than the DarkMatter phone?

Nobody from the 2018 "Hack in the Box" conference in Dubai was able to hack the Katim and there were entities such as NHSC out of South Korea, Chinas Qihoo 360 Hacking Team, Luta Security, etc etc.

So no security audit? Ok.

Not trying to be argumentative. But even without examining whether any of their claimed security features would actually improve a user's security or privacy, it seems to me that the first step in evaluating the phone would be to prove -- or see whether people I trust have proved -- that the claims DarkMatter make are even true.

Absent that proof, the suitability of the phone can only be judged indirectly, e.g. by looking at the reputation of its manufacturer. And judging it that way, it fails for me personally.

But of course someone else might come to a different conclusion. That's fine; it doesn't matter to me which phone anyone buys (unless enough of you buy insecure phones that we start to lose herd immunity). I'd just urge people to view unproven claims with a bit of skepticism, especially if the claims involve security -- because it's hard to get security right even with the best intentions, and it's easy to deliberately get it wrong if no one's looking too closely.

@AMGtuned, best of luck with your search. There are good choices out there, and if you really want to go back to your old Razr you can even do that: They're available on Ebay for under $50.

 

[powdahound76]

But then what would you read while you poop?
An actual magazine?........

 

[AMGtuned]

I am using an iPhone Xs Max, Very cool smart phone, its basically a robot.

Been there. Apple, Google, Netflix, Amazon, etc., can all kiss my ass.