1. BBHermes's Avatar
    Greetings,

    For those in the ever-growing BlackBerry diaspora for whom security-consciousnesses/privacy (as opposed to the PKB) is the top priority, here is another option:

    https://sirinlabs.com/finney/
    https://sirinlabs.com/sirin-os/

    Unlike the Katim OS and Phone

    https://forums.crackberry.com/genera.../#post13475325

    this one is actually available for purchase:

    https://shop.sirinlabs.com/products/finney

    Their first phone (the Solarin) cost a whopping $14K, but this one is competitively priced with other flagships.

    The Finney is mainly marketed as a blockchain-security phone, but its "hardware wallet" (see the slider) can hold a lot more than crypto keys.

    From what could be gathered, the current version of Sirin OS is derived from Oreo.

    The design is at least original and striking, if not beautiful.

    Definitely a contender for successor to the Motion, if not the entire Key series..

    So is this phone (or phone-paradigm) the wave of the future? Does it meet the @bb10adopter111 and @chetmanley standards of security? Etc.
    03-16-20 10:08 PM
  2. Chuck Finley69's Avatar
    Greetings,

    For those in the ever-growing BlackBerry diaspora for whom security-consciousnesses/privacy (as opposed to the PKB) is the top priority, here is another option:

    https://sirinlabs.com/finney/
    https://sirinlabs.com/sirin-os/

    Unlike the Katim OS and Phone

    https://forums.crackberry.com/genera.../#post13475325

    this one is actually available for purchase:

    https://shop.sirinlabs.com/products/finney

    Their first phone (the Solarin) cost a whopping $14K, but this one is competitively priced with other flagships.

    The Finney is mainly marketed as a blockchain-security phone, but its "hardware wallet" (see the slider) can hold a lot more than crypto keys.

    From what could be gathered, the current version of Sirin OS is derived from Oreo.

    The design is at least original and striking, if not beautiful.

    Definitely a contender for successor to the Motion, if not the entire Key series..

    So is this phone (or phone-paradigm) the wave of the future? Does it meet the @bb10adopter111 and @chetmanley standards of security? Etc.
    But can it do Facebook, Instagram or Snapchat?
    03-16-20 11:16 PM
  3. BBHermes's Avatar
    But can it do Facebook, Instagram or Snapchat?
    Apparently so. From https://sirinlabs.com/sirin-os/

    SIRIN LABS’ propietary operating system will give FINNEY™ users an easy-to-use Android experience with the Play Store and the apps it contains. What sets SIRIN OS™ apart is the enhanced security of the entire device and the built-in cold wallet accessible via the Safe Screen. Users will have a familiar experience along with an extension beyond the Android OS to ensure the blockchain and wallet security.
    03-16-20 11:25 PM
  4. chetmanley's Avatar
    I'm still reading up on this device, but I'm unclear on how exactly this device is secured. It provides a hardware enclave for crypto currency, but how does that help the device as a whole?

    If it supports the Play store, then it is going to have the same privacy issues as any other Android phone out of the box, plus the owner would need to check each system app that Sirin installs by default to make sure those are clean also.

    Will be interesting to see if it ever gets rooted.
    03-17-20 12:16 AM
  5. saint300's Avatar
    Also, you can't really label this as a bargain, not to mention the absence of a PKB......
    03-17-20 01:04 PM
  6. pgg101's Avatar
    its using Android Oreo. Is this really an upgrade from the K2 or Motion? I think not. Just get a Pixel or Android One device and move on with your life. I'm getting better and better typing on my P4xl.
    03-17-20 01:15 PM
  7. Chuck Finley69's Avatar
    its using Android Oreo. Is this really an upgrade from the K2 or Motion? I think not. Just get a Pixel or Android One device and move on with your life. I'm getting better and better typing on my P4xl.
    The specs are more comparable to Pixel 3 or S9 I suppose. I’m not seeing anything that screams extra security beyond crypto security feature... Apples to BlackBerrys comparison if you’ll pardon the pun... save your money everyone, it's not what you think
    03-17-20 02:09 PM
  8. BBHermes's Avatar
    @chetmanley

    Many thanks. Could you give a comprehensive list (or provide a link to such a list) of the privacy issues associated with the PlayStore, as well as with the system apps? Am thinking to write the company and ask them the relevant questions, then report back when and if an answer is received.
    03-17-20 04:00 PM
  9. BBHermes's Avatar
    Also, you can't really label this as a bargain, not to mention the absence of a PKB......
    The OP did not claim it to be a bargain; OTOH it is competitively priced. OP also made it explicit that this thread is not geared towards the PKB audience..
    03-17-20 04:02 PM
  10. BBHermes's Avatar
    its using Android Oreo. Is this really an upgrade from the K2 or Motion? I think not.
    We do not know if Sirin OS will be upgraded to a derivative of Pie or beyond. The project is apparently still being developed, so best to ask the company about an update schedule before judgment. This issue is on the list of things to ask.
    03-17-20 04:04 PM
  11. saint300's Avatar
    The OP did not claim it to be a bargain; OTOH it is competitively priced. OP also made it explicit that this thread is not geared towards the PKB audience..
    Indeed..However, it is not even competitively priced, and furthermore, he did mention BB10, and we all know what devices were most popular on BB10,and they were not VKB devices, I'm afraid.
    03-17-20 04:05 PM
  12. BBHermes's Avatar
    [QUOTE=Chuck Finley69;13503000]I’m not seeing anything that screams extra security beyond crypto security feature.../QUOTE]

    Just because one is "not seeing anything that screams extra security", it does not follow that it is not there:

    =======
    What sets SIRIN OS™ apart is the enhanced security of the entire device and..
    =======

    Best to inquire from the company first what they mean by "enhanced security"; intending to do so (see the last reply to @chetmanley). And some reviews within the last couple of months have listed this device in their top 4 list of Android devices as far as security and privacy are concerned..

    save your money everyone, it's not what you think
    C'mon, you can do better than that -) In the absence of a deeper, sober, investigation that culminates in knowledge, this statement and injunction amounts to pure FUD.
    03-17-20 04:15 PM
  13. chetmanley's Avatar
    @chetmanley

    Many thanks. Could you give a comprehensive list (or provide a link to such a list) of the privacy issues associated with the PlayStore, as well as with the system apps? Am thinking to write the company and ask them the relevant questions, then report back when and if an answer is received.
    Here is an interesting research paper on the subject.

    https://digitalcontentnext.org/wp-co...tion-Paper.pdf

    I would also ask them how the OS security is different from BB Android, and what system apps they include and if those system apps use trackers.
    BBHermes likes this.
    03-17-20 04:23 PM
  14. BBHermes's Avatar
    he did mention BB10, and we all know what devices were most popular on BB10,and they were not VKB devices, I'm afraid.
    Happy to announce that the ancient Z10 is still going strong here, and from all indications it was one of the most popular BB10 devices...

    Skipped the BBMobile series (was waiting for Pie/gestures), am looking to upgrade it to some security/privacy-conscious derivative of Android in the coming year or so..

    (May acquire another Z10 for backup and hang on until a satisfactory Android-based phone arrives.. if not another paradigm entirely.)
    Last edited by BBHermes; 03-17-20 at 04:40 PM.
    03-17-20 04:26 PM
  15. BBHermes's Avatar
    Indeed..However, it is not even competitively priced
    From

    https://smartphones.gadgethacks.com/...-2020-0176106/

    Finney Phone and Sirin OS: A viable successor to BlackBerry 10/Android?-2020-03-17_153020_smartphones.gadgethacks.com.png

    Of the four top security-conscious phones compared, the Finney has the second lowest starting price. So.. competitively priced.
    03-17-20 04:36 PM
  16. BBHermes's Avatar
    Here is an interesting research paper on the subject.

    https://digitalcontentnext.org/wp-co...tion-Paper.pdf

    I would also ask them how the OS security is different from BB Android, and what system apps they include and if those system apps use trackers.
    Many thanks; this is very helpful.
    03-17-20 04:39 PM
  17. Chuck Finley69's Avatar
    [QUOTE=BBHermes;13503045]
    I’m not seeing anything that screams extra security beyond crypto security feature.../QUOTE]

    Just because one is "not seeing anything that screams extra security", it does not follow that it is not there:

    =======
    What sets SIRIN OS™ apart is the enhanced security of the entire device and..
    =======

    Best to inquire from the company first what they mean by "enhanced security"; intending to do so (see the last reply to @chetmanley). And some reviews within the last couple of months have listed this device in their top 4 list of Android devices as far as security and privacy are concerned..



    C'mon, you can do better than that -) In the absence of a deeper, sober, investigation that culminates in knowledge, this statement and injunction amounts to pure FUD.
    It’s definitely what I think. If bitcoin is safe on my desktop then it’s safe in my smartphone. The very point of bitcoin is anonymity with a physical digital possession of encrypted code. Wearing two or three condoms doesn’t make a difference regarding pregnancy or disease in REALITY although statistically it sounds great.

    I’d say the same thing if BlackBerry offered the phone running BB10 with that listed as extra added feature.
    03-17-20 04:39 PM
  18. BBHermes's Avatar
    If bitcoin is safe on my desktop then it’s safe in my smartphone.
    A flaming non-sequitur.

    The very point of bitcoin is anonymity with a physical digital possession of encrypted code. Wearing two or three condoms doesn’t make a difference regarding pregnancy or disease in REALITY although statistically it sounds great.

    I’d say the same thing if BlackBerry offered the phone running BB10 with that listed as extra added feature.
    Bait and switch -) The focus of this thread is not crypto per se but overall Android security and privacy, of which blockchain is just one component. Hence the concerns expressed by, e.g., chetmanley were on point .

    OTOH: Passing hasty judgment and recommendations without knowledge or sufficient investigation helps no one. The phone has received some very positive reviews from different quarters, so let's investigate more and see what we can find out first -)



    Posted via CB10
    03-17-20 05:09 PM
  19. Chuck Finley69's Avatar
    A flaming non-sequitur.



    Bait and switch -) The focus of this thread is not crypto per se but overall Android security and privacy, of which blockchain is just one component. Hence the concerns expressed by, e.g., chetmanley were on point .

    OTOH: Passing hasty judgment and recommendations without knowledge or sufficient investigation helps no one. The phone has received some very positive reviews from different quarters, so let's investigate more and see what we can find out first -)



    Posted via CB10
    Your article link supports my personal opinion. The Key2 was better than Pixel 3 last year. Not included this year. The Pixel 4 moved up to #1 this year. Bitcoin phone is #4 and running same Android 8.1 as Key2 but not running BBAndroid so it’s safe to say it’s not as secure as Key2 by deductive reasoning. Pixel is $100 cheaper and more secure running Android 10 now. In few months, Android 8.1 loses some levels of support regarding updates. Many UEM solutions won’t allow it on their networks. It’s a waste of money at this point compared with it’s specs and current VKB competition unless triple wrapping your crypto is your primary concern...
    03-17-20 05:53 PM
  20. Bla1ze's Avatar
    C'mon, you can do better than that -) In the absence of a deeper, sober, investigation that culminates in knowledge, this statement and injunction amounts to pure FUD.
    FUD sounds like what they're selling you.

    https://www.androidauthority.com/sir...-phone-803530/

    Even under their review, there's not much said about the actual security implementations of the device outside of the crypto side of things.

    https://www.androidauthority.com/sir...review-930302/

    Even if I had any valid interest in this, I wouldn't turn to Sirin for it. Especially when there's a company I heard of doing similar.

    https://www.htcexodus.com/us/

    https://news.samsung.com/global/deve...n-platform-sdk
    03-17-20 06:47 PM
  21. BBHermes's Avatar
    same Android 8.1 as Key2 but not running BBAndroid so it’s safe to say it’s not as secure as Key2 by deductive reasoning..
    Another non-sequitur [sigh]

    Until we know more about Sirin OS, its approach to making Android secure, its OS/security update cycle, etc., categorical judgments at this stage are uncalled for.

    So much negativity and FUD over an interesting, perhaps promising, possibility.. Reminds one of something @howarmat said in another thread:

    I think most normal people would agree. CB isnt normal, its a bunch of crackheads lol
    Anyway: Will prepare a communication to Sirin Labs to see if more can be gleamed. Will report back if/when anything is learned.


    Posted via CB10
    03-17-20 06:53 PM
  22. BBHermes's Avatar
    Even under their review, there's not much said about the actual security implementations of the device outside of the crypto side of things.
    Hence the need to inquire and not to merely assume the worst.. We'll see what they have to say..

    Posted via CB10
    03-17-20 07:00 PM
  23. Bla1ze's Avatar
    Hence the need to inquire and not to assume the worst.. We'll see what they have to say..

    Posted via CB10
    Good luck. I expect wishy-washy buzzwords aplenty.

    03-17-20 07:01 PM
  24. SteinwayTransitCorp's Avatar
    Greetings,

    For those in the ever-growing BlackBerry diaspora for whom security-consciousnesses/privacy (as opposed to the PKB) is the top priority, here is another option:

    https://sirinlabs.com/finney/
    https://sirinlabs.com/sirin-os/

    Unlike the Katim OS and Phone

    https://forums.crackberry.com/genera.../#post13475325

    this one is actually available for purchase:

    https://shop.sirinlabs.com/products/finney

    Their first phone (the Solarin) cost a whopping $14K, but this one is competitively priced with other flagships.

    The Finney is mainly marketed as a blockchain-security phone, but its "hardware wallet" (see the slider) can hold a lot more than crypto keys.

    From what could be gathered, the current version of Sirin OS is derived from Oreo.

    The design is at least original and striking, if not beautiful.

    Definitely a contender for successor to the Motion, if not the entire Key series..

    So is this phone (or phone-paradigm) the wave of the future? Does it meet the @bb10adopter111 and @chetmanley standards of security? Etc.
    Very similar to the BLACK phone from a few years ago, The OS locks away certain things and keeps the rest open to use (general)
    03-17-20 07:02 PM
  25. SteinwayTransitCorp's Avatar
    From

    https://smartphones.gadgethacks.com/...-2020-0176106/

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	2020-03-17_153020_smartphones.gadgethacks.com.png 
Views:	13 
Size:	68.5 KB 
ID:	447979

    Of the four top security-conscious phones compared, the Finney has the second lowest starting price. So.. competitively priced.
    Ahhhh no, while the other phones are priced higher no one pays full list so the phone is way over priced and what about support?
    03-17-20 07:13 PM
38 12

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