This is a point of conflict for me. On one hand, Pine64 does quite a bit for open source software development, but one of their staple chip vendors is Allwinner, whose processors are used in their most popular products like the Pinephone, Pinetab, Pinebook, SOPINE and many of their single board computers. Allwinner has a history of GPL violations, such as failing to provide source code and including proprietary binaries in GPL codebases. They also don’t seem that eager to properly support open source or open source their own code.
What do you think? Does it matter to you? If so, what chip brand would you prefer Pine64 switch to?
deleted by creator
Nope doesn’t matter, the SOC was chosen for a reason beyond their GPL history and has since proven to be a good choice in my eyes with the continued work on the project.
Compared to the other options on hand Im happy with the choice, and wouldnt consider it an issue since other alternatives such as Purism and the Librem 5 offer people opposed to the decision another outlet (if theyre willing to wait). In the future I could see this changing, but it was and is important to get hardware in the hands of developers and the “trade off” is worth it imo.
Edit: I would also care more if the A53 was impacted, but it is not according to the source list you provided.
deleted by creator
deleted by creator
which is basically the western facing front for a not much larger Chinese non-name component assembly shop
This made me curious and I looked into it. Wikipedia says this:
Pine Store Limited was incorporated on December 5, 2019 in Hong Kong. As of late 2020, the standard form contract of pine64.com binds all orders to the laws of Malaysia, while the products are shipped from warehouses in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, PRC.
Pine64’s terms of use says this among other things:
These TOU will be governed by the laws of Malaysia. Either party bringing a legal action or proceeding against the other arising out of or relating to this TOU may bring such action or proceeding to Malaysia Authority.
I guess the parent company is Malaysian with Mainland Chinese and HK branches doing the manufacturing and shipping?
deleted by creator
deleted by creator
deleted by creator