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?

Transcript

1. View Exit ✉ 12:30 ⏚ ⏍ What happened to my javascript phone? Garann Means @garannm JSConf EU 2019
2. hands up if you have a hacker phone
3. Why not use a hacker phone camera display fast, reliable connection not crashing all the time you have too many thousands of dollars
4. You carefully researched phones and bought the best one for you? Is it iPhone or Android? E-X-C-E-L
5. View Exit ✉ 12:30 ⏚ ⏍ yay the free market https://www.cnet.com/news/qualcomm-is-a-monopoly-and-must-renegotiate-deals-judge-rules/
6. Step into my time machine PhoneGap/Cordova/& friends Node Nodebots
7. early mobile apps
8. early mobile apps
9. View Exit ✉ 12:30 ⏚ ⏍ Like a11y but implemented
10. JavaScript on the backend? That’s hot but what do you use for a server Node.js.com™
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/
12. View Exit ✉ 12:30 ⏚ ⏍ Oh and also https://www.flickr.com/photos/quattrovageena/2663223167 84
13. smartphones are intuitive and fun
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
15. View Exit ✉ 12:30 ⏚ ⏍ Missing:
16. phones are different
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
18. View Exit ✉ 12:30 ⏚ ⏍ Mean time to failure and other fun tests
19. SoC: System on a Chip processor modem antenna camera speaker
20. The past is so in right now https://www.flickr.com/photos/novecentino/9896884705/
21. View Exit ✉ 12:30 ⏚ ⏍ What happened to your javascript phone
22. View Exit ✉ 12:30 ⏚ ⏍ What happened to your javascript phone
23. So I can’t have a javascript phone? That’s a philosophical question
24. You could still.. Build a hobbyist phone Flash your firmware Write PWAs and JS-to-native apps Start a revolution
25. View Exit ✉ 12:30 ⏚ ⏍ 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; });
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”
27. your imagination is the only limit* * that and licensing monopolies
28. View Exit ✉ 12:30 ⏚ ⏍ New hardware ideas https://www.thelightphone.com https://www.punkt.ch/en/products/mp02-4g-mobile-phone/ https://www.fairphone.com/en/
29. Alternate operating systems LineageOS: https://lineageos.org/ Ubuntu Touch: https://ubports.com/ OSes on alternate hardware: KaiOS, Librem, Sailfish OS
30. no OS, no drivers
31. if you insist on being reasonable PWAs Cordova etc. Learn native language(s) $
32. View Exit ✉ 12:30 ⏚ ⏍ One for the dustbin of history
33. View Exit ✉ 12:30 ⏚ ⏍ Or is it https://www.webstandards.org/
34. Excel me when the revolution happens
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/
36. View Exit ✉ 12:30 ⏚ ⏍ thanks! Garann Means @garannm JSConf EU 2019