YouTube video by Dad, the engineer

The Commodore Callback 8020 is a $499 Sailfish-powered flip phone with SID ringtones. More credible than it looks — and I'm still passing.

A new real-time mobile privacy protection system uses predictive adversarial noise to stop apps from inferring user traits.

Protect your privacy on Android with these 5 must-have apps. From secure email to tracker blocking, explore the best privacy-first apps to stay safe in 2025.

Motorola announces three new B2B solutions at MWC 2026, including GrapheneOS partnership, Moto Analytics and more.

Best Free VPNs for Mobile in 2025 Secure your online privacy with these top-rated free VPN services for Android Pro Tip: While free VPNs are great for basic privacy, consider upgrading to paid versions for better speeds and security. Why Use a VPN on Your Mobile? A Virtual Private Network (VPN) protects your mobile internet connection by: Encrypting your data on public Wi-Fi…

In this episode, we explore the landscape of "privacy-first" smartphones, focusing on the newly unveiled Punkt MC03. We break down whether this Swiss-designed, German-made device can finally offer a viable alternative to the data-harvesting giants of the mobile world. We discuss the trade-offs of leaving the Google ecosystem, the unique "subscription-based" operating system model, and whether the return of the removable battery signals a shift in hardware trends. Key Topics & Timestamps: - The "De-Googled" Promise: The Punkt MC03 runs AphyOS, a custom version of Android that strips out Google Mobile Services to minimize background tracking and profiling. - AphyOS & The Subscription Model: Unlike standard Android phones, the MC03 relies on a subscription model (approx. $10/month after the first year) to fund security updates and infrastructure rather than selling user data to ad networks. - Security Architecture: The device splits the user experience into a secure "Vault" for vetted apps (like Proton and Signal) and a "Wild Web" environment for general Android apps, allowing users to isolate risky applications. - Hardware Highlights: The phone features a 6.67" OLED screen, IP68 rating, and a 5,200 mAh removable battery—a design choice driven by upcoming EU regulations regarding repairability. - Overcoming Past Failures: We discuss how the MC03 improves upon the "difficult-to-recommend" MC02 with a smoother onboarding process, an improved 64MP camera, and the option to install the Play Store for users who can't go fully cold-turkey. - The Competition: How the MC03 stacks up against other privacy-focused devices like the Murena Fairphone and other non-GMS ROMs like GrapheneOS. Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by Approov. Protect your mobile APIs from scripts, bots, and modified apps. Ensure that the requests you receive are from the genuine mobile app you released. - Visit https://approov.com/ to learn more about comprehensive mobile app security. Relevant Links & Source Materials: - ZDNET Review: https://www.zdnet.com/article/punkt-mc03-phone-ces-2026/ – Coverage of the US launch, pricing, and removable battery features. - Android Police Coverage: https://www.androidauthority.com/punkt-mc03-hands-on-ces-2026-3630101/ – An in-depth look at the onboarding improvements and specs. - Punkt Official Site: https://www.punkt.ch/products/mc03-premium-secure-smartphone – Direct specs and philosophy from the manufacturer. - Murena / /e/OS: https://thisgetthoughts.bearblog.dev/fairphone-5-murena-eos-review-part-2-the-os/ – Context on the competitor mentioned in the episode. Keywords: Punkt MC03, AphyOS, Non-GMS, De-Google, Mobile Privacy, Data Sovereignty, Removable Battery, Android Security, Fairphone, Murena, Apostrophy OS, Mobile Security.  Disclaimer: Information regarding pricing ($699 device / $10 monthly sub) and release dates (Spring 2026 for US) is based on reports from ZDNET and Android Police coverage of CES 2026.

Independent review of the ZeroGhost privacy-focused smartphone running GrapheneOS. Explore specs, pricing tiers, security architecture, and buyer considerations.

Surfshark Android support update drops app updates for older versions, keeps Android 6+ supported, and offers manual connection options.

A new open-source toolkit allows users to analyze mobile app network traffic for potential data leaks to ad networks.

Verizon has faced challenges in recent months. They have faced mounting criticism for a number of controversial decisions that have left many of their long-time subscribers wondering why they still belong to Verizon.  When Verizon eliminated customer loyalty discounts and increased prices on select plans, a strong backlash ensued, with some users even choosing to cut their ties with the carrier altogether. There has been a lot of criticism on Verizon's side over the past few years. But Verizon is trying its best to re-establish trust by offering new services that reinforce its value proposition.  Verizon Family Plus is a subscription package offered by Verizon that includes a forward-looking feature known as Family Line as part of its premium package. As a result, a familiar concept was revived from an earlier era when households relied on a single phone number that could be used by all members of the family.  A voice-over-IP service has been introduced through the Verizon Family app instead of the traditional copper-based landline service that has been reimagined for today's mobile-first environment. The Verizon Family app allows users to share a single number with up to five family members across all of their smartphones. Each connected device rings when a call is made to the number, allowing everyone in the home to be able to pick up the call or join the call at a time of their choosing. There is a huge difference between setting up multiparty calls manually on an iOS or Android dialer, and this feature provides effortless group participation while maintaining a shared call history and voicemail inbox.  Providing the ability to connect up to three people at the same time, Family Line provides an easy-to-use solution that blends convenience with practical everyday use scenarios, whether users are scheduling a doctor’s appointment for the family or coordinating with relatives in one place. Rather than simply offering shared communication as part of its Family Plus package, Verizon's Family Plus package incorporates a suite of features which allow for a comprehensive family utility rather than a simple phone perk.  With this subscription, users will be able to monitor their location via GPS and receive unlimited alerts, and the Safe Walk option is an option that lets children verify their safety, and parental control options allow guardians to limit screen time, filter online activity, or block unwanted calls and texts through parental controls. A driver's insights tool, which tracks sudden braking, sharp accelerations, or crash alerts, is an excellent tool that families with teenage drivers can use.  To offer a broader level of protection, Verizon has also implemented 24-hour assistance, which connects users with live agents in case of medical concerns or unsafe conditions. Additionally, Verizon includes fraud monitoring for aging parents and roadside assistance in case of an emergency such as a flat tire or a breakdown of a vehicle, along with roadside assistance.  The cost of access has also been designed to be flexible. Family is a Verizon service that is available free of charge and provides essential tools like single location alerts, Safe Walks, call reviews, and simple driving insights, along with many others. Family Plus is an advanced package that costs $15 on top of any existing plan, or $10 for MyPlan customers who are eligible for Unlimited. A household that values collective safety and connectivity will find the upgraded plan attractive since it unlocks all features, including Family Line. Family Line has the same technical requirements as before, allowing it to operate with Android 7 (2016) and iOS 15 (2022) mobile operating systems. There is, however, one notable limitation to the service, namely that subscribers cannot port a number from another carrier to the service.  If a family wishes to maintain its long-standing landline number, it will have to adopt a new one, though Verizon has stated that it will try to assign a new number within the same area code as the customer's existing number, where possible. The situation might not always be the same in areas with exhausted area codes, like Washington D.C.'s 202 or New York's 917, where these codes are exhausted. It is important to note that Verizon allows the users' Family Line number to be ported out to another wireless provider, VoIP platform or internet-based services like Google Voice.  Industry data highlights the importance of such an offering, suggesting Verizon should be able to offer it. Despite the dominance of mobile networks, a 2023 survey by the U.S. In a report released by theCentresr for Disease Control, it was found that 24 per cent of Americans still lived with a landline. Verizon's move acknowledges that although landlines are going out of style, it is still important to share a household number with others.  Family Line provides that continuity in a way that aligns with modern expectations—flexible, app-driven, and with features designed to ensure children's safety as well as older adults' safety. The Family Line service is more than just a nostalgic reflection of the past for Verizon. It reflects Verizon's efforts to develop a range of services whose focus goes beyond bandwidth and entertainment bundles, emphasising security, convenience, and inclusiveness.  In a world where digital parenting, elder care, or simply managing the logistics of a busy family life can be complicated, Family Line provides households with a bridge that allows individuals to communicate with one another. With the continued development of telecommunications, this innovation suggests there is a growing trend toward solutions that place family well-being and safety at their centre. Family members who embrace this concept may be able to find more than just a modernised landline, but also a renewed sense of togetherness in a world increasingly fragmented.

Discover the best privacy-first mobile operating systems in 2025—GrapheneOS, /e/OS, CalyxOS, PureOS, and Renati. Say goodbye to data leaks and hello to digital freedom! Read more.

Welcome to Ask Jerry the place we speak about any and all of the questions you might need concerning the sensible issues in your life. I am Jerry, and I've spen