What happened to my JavaScript phone?

Not long ago, it seemed like JavaScript devices were going to free JS developers from the constraints of the browser and let us control every aspect of our lives as easily as we once controlled hover menus. Though nodebots were captivating, many of us were anxious for the JS device revolution to reach a more mundane destination: our phones. And yet today the constraints of the mobile landscape look not much different from several years ago. We have the same two operating systems, the same two app stores, and same option to write a native app or push people to save what is still mostly a bookmark. How did we cover so little distance, given the enthusiasm, resources, and potential that appeared to exist, and more importantly, how close can we come to a JavaScript phone today?

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   What happened to my
   javascript phone?
   Garann Means @garannm JSConf EU 2019
   

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2. hands up if you have a hacker phone
   

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3. Why not use a hacker phone
   camera
   display
   fast, reliable connection
   not crashing all the time
   you have too many thousands of dollars
   

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4. You carefully
   researched phones and
   bought the best one
   for you? Is it iPhone or
   Android?
   E-X-C-E-L
   

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   yay the free market
   https://www.cnet.com/news/qualcomm-is-a-monopoly-and-must-renegotiate-deals-judge-rules/
   

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6. Step into my time machine
   PhoneGap/Cordova/& friends
   Node
   Nodebots
   

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7. early mobile apps
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

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8. early mobile apps
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

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   Like a11y but implemented
   

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10. JavaScript on the
    backend? That’s hot
    but what do you use
    for a server
    Node.js.com™
    

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11. One of these days i'm gonna get this nodebot
    back on the road and really open 'er up
    https://www.flickr.com/photos/4nitsirk/33313210766/
    

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    Oh and also
    https://www.flickr.com/photos/quattrovageena/2663223167
    84
    

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13. smartphones are intuitive and fun
    

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14. Things we used to hate
    Nonstop problems connecting to wifi
    Maps that gave directions from alternate dimensions
    Carrier-installed apps
    Only being able to install ringtones you paid for
    * not a smartphone issue but still bullshit
    

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    Missing:
    

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16. phones are different
    

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17. To make a phone a phone
    Become a carrier
    License some protocols
    Embed them in your hardware
    Get signoff from local agencies where your phone will be used
    Get certification from any commercial carrier whose network
    your device will connect to
    

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    Mean time to failure and
    other fun tests
    

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19. SoC: System on a Chip
    processor
    modem
    antenna
    camera
    speaker
    

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20. The past is so in right now
    https://www.flickr.com/photos/novecentino/9896884705/
    

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    What happened to your
    javascript phone
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

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    What happened to your
    javascript phone
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

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23. So I can’t have a
    javascript phone?
    That’s a philosophical
    question
    

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24. You could still..
    Build a hobbyist phone
    Flash your firmware
    Write PWAs and JS-to-native apps
    Start a revolution
    

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    Just a telephony api
    app.get('/answer', async (request, reply) => {
    let nexmo_call_control = [{
    action: 'connect',
    endpoint: [{
    type: 'websocket',
    uri: 'http://localhost:34567',
    'content-type': 'audio/l16;rate=16000'
    }]
    }];
    return nexmo_call_control;
    });
    

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26. And a little hardware
    TiLDA badge: https://badge.emfcamp.org/wiki/TiLDA_MK4
    “Yes your TiLDA Badge is also a mobile phone.”
    GSM shield: http://www.espruino.com/arduino-sim900
    “GSM/GPRS module that can provide internet access via an
    AT command set”
    

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27. your imagination is the only limit*
    * that and licensing monopolies
    

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    New hardware ideas
    https://www.thelightphone.com
    https://www.punkt.ch/en/products/mp02-4g-mobile-phone/
    https://www.fairphone.com/en/
    

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29. Alternate operating systems
    LineageOS: https://lineageos.org/
    Ubuntu Touch: https://ubports.com/
    OSes on alternate hardware: KaiOS, Librem, Sailfish OS
    

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30. no OS, no drivers
    

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31. if you insist on being reasonable
    PWAs
    Cordova etc.
    Learn native language(s)
    $
    

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    One for the dustbin of history
    

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    Or is it
    https://www.webstandards.org/
    

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34. Excel me when the
    revolution happens
    

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35. More reading..
    https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/linux-smartphone-operating-systems/
    https://fossbytes.com/whats-inside-smartphone-depth-look-parts-
    powering-everyday-gadget/
    https://www.electronics-notes.com/articles/connectivity/cellular-mobile-
    phone/how-cellphone-works-inside-components.php
    https://www.electronicdesign.com/communications/11-myths-about-
    cellular-carrier-certification-requirements
    https://www.howtogeek.com/387934/your-smartphone-has-a-special-
    security-chip.-heres-how-it-works/
    

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    thanks!
    Garann Means @garannm JSConf EU 2019
    

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