Frequently Asked Questions

please add at the top and we will try to answer

Software

Q: Is the processor fast enough for encrypted telephony?

A: It has not been proven yet, but it should be no problem. The call latency will probably increase.

Q: Is it practicable to use VOIP via UMTS? Because I think GSM has better roaming support.

A:

Q: Is it possible to use Android 4.x on this hardware?

A: Yes. Someone needs to adapt the missing pieces. A good starting point is Android on the beagleboard.

Q: Will there be an "out-of-the-box" ready to use GTA04-phone for sale?

A: Probably yes. We are working on preinstalling a tested softare image.

Firmware

Q: Which non-free firmware is required to operate the GTA04?

A: required is none, unless you want to use WLAN, or 3D-Graphics acceleration. WLAN uses a Marvell chip and the open libertas driver. The firmware is available in Debian non-free repository. There is also a project to write an open version: http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Thinfirm_1.5 The 3D Graphics accelerator of the DM3730 is a SGX530. We don't know a free firmware. But X11 is already very fast compared to the GTA02 (thanks to the Cortex-A8 with NEON). So 3D is only needed for 3D games but not for smooth smartphone operation.

Q: Is the GTA04 GSM-chip supported by the OsmocomBB-project? Or asked differently: Is the GSM firmware also open-source?

A: No.

Hardware

Q: Are most of the ICs you use also "open hardware", for example the UMTS chip or the ARM processor?

A: The silicon structures or internal schematics are unknown (closed). The interface and a few bits of the inner working is known because all datasheets are available with tree exceptions: documentation for the UMTS modem, the WiFi module and the GPS module are only available under NDA.

Hardware design

Q: Could it be possible in the near future to also implement an LTE-chip?

A: Not with the same hardware. The UMTS module is not upgradable, IMHO.