Replicant

h1. Presentations

{{>toc}}

This is a list of talks that were handed on behalf of the Replicant project.

*Some of the content presented during those conferences may be outdated: do not assume that all the facts are still accurate!*

h2. 37C3

h3. Introduction to Replicant

* Event page: https://events.ccc.de/congress/2023/hub/en/event/introduction-to-replicant/

* Speakers: @GNUtoo and @dllud

* Date: 28 December 2023

* Duration: 30 minutes

* Language: English

h4. Abstract

Replicant is a fully free Android distribution that is approved by the FSF. This short talk briefly explains: why Replicant came into being; the freedom, privacy and security issues it has found in devices aimed to run Android; and the approaches that it follows to liberate such Android devices.

h4. Media

* Slides: attachment:Replicant_introduction.pdf "Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

* Slides source: https://git.replicant.us/contrib/GNUtoo/documentation/presentations/tree/37c3/Replicant_introduction

h3. Smartphones freedom status in 2023

* Event page: https://events.ccc.de/congress/2023/hub/en/event/smartphones-freedom-status-in-2023/

* Speakers: @GNUtoo and @dllud

* Date: 30 December 2023

* Duration: 30 minutes

* Language: English

h4. Abstract

The talk will start with a description of what hardware is typically found in a smartphone and its freedom implications.

Once this is done we will look at several smartphones models (PinePhone, PinePhone PRO, Librem 5, regular LineageOS and/or Fairphone 1/2/3/4/5) and compare the implications of the hardware design and component choices both for freedom usability (for instance does suspend-to-ram currently work), and other factors affecting the ability to use the device.

We will then look at Android and GNU/Linux operating systems / distributions, and the application ecosystems around them (F-Droid, Android SDK, type of applications available, compatibility layers like Waydroid) for these smartphones, with a focus on fundamental differences that impact end users freedom and usability.

h4. Media

* Slides: attachment:Smartphones_freedom_status_2023.pdf "Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

* Slides source: https://git.replicant.us/contrib/GNUtoo/documentation/presentations/tree/37c3/Smartphones_freedom_status_2023

h2. FOSDEM 2023

h3. How Replicant uses (or doesn't use) Guix

* Event page: https://archive.fosdem.org/2023/schedule/event/replicantguix/

* Speakers: @GNUtoo

* Date: 4 February 2023

* Language: English

h4. Abstract

Guix is a 100% free software distribution that can be used in a wide variety of ways.

Unlike other GNU/Linux distributions, all its packages and configuration are defined in Scheme (with Guile). To do that it uses software abstractions. That abstraction enables to reuse the same packages or configurations in various contexts (for instance to build containers, to build packages for other distributions, etc).

This re-usability can enables other projects to use Guix in various ways (for testing, for project infrastructure, etc).

This talks looks at how and why Replicant uses or depends on Guix, where it didn't use Guix and why, and future directions with the usage of Guix by the Replicant project.

This talk is mostly about real life usage of Guix from the point of view of another software project (here an Android distribution). It will therefore show both advantages and limitations of Guix in that context.

It also has the necessary background information on Replicant and Guix.

h4. Media

* Slides: attachment:replicant-guix.pdf

* Slides source: https://git.replicant.us/contrib/GNUtoo/documentation/presentations/tree/FOSDEM2023

* Video: https://archive.fosdem.org/2023/schedule/event/replicantguix/

h2. Ten Years of Guix

h3. How Replicant, a 100% free software Android distribution, uses Guix

* Event page: https://10years.guix.gnu.org/program/#how-replicant-a-100-free-software-android-distribution-uses-guix

* Speakers: @GNUtoo

* Date: 17 September 2022

* Language: English

h4. Abstract

This short talk will look at how and why Replicant uses or depends on Guix, and future directions with the usage of Guix by the Replicant project.

h4. Media

* Slides: attachment:replicant-guix-anniversary.pdf

* Slides source: https://git.replicant.us/contrib/GNUtoo/documentation/presentations/tree/Guix-birthday-2022

* Video: not recorded

h2. LibrePlanet 2022

h3. Struggle for independence

* Event page: https://media.libreplanet.org/u/libreplanet/m/replicant-struggle-for-independence/

* Speakers: @GNUtoo

* Date: 20 March 2022

* Language: English

h4. Abstract

How Replicant wants more independence from the device manufacturers and from the Android distributions from which it is based.

h4. Media

* Slides: attachment:independence-libreplanet2022.pdf

* Slides source: https://git.replicant.us/contrib/GNUtoo/documentation/presentations/tree/LibrePlanet2022

* Video: https://media.libreplanet.org/u/libreplanet/m/replicant-struggle-for-independence/

h2. FOSDEM 2020

h3. Extending the lifetime of smartphones with Replicant

* Event page: https://fosdem.org/2020/schedule/event/replicant/

* Speakers: @GNUtoo , @dllud , @GrimKriegor & "Fil Bergamo":https://redmine.replicant.us/users/6852

* Date: 2 February 2020

* Duration: 35 minutes

* Language: English

h4. Abstract

After a very quick introduction on Replicant and the smartphones ecosystem, we look at what affects smartphones' and tablets' lifetime and how to increase it by making Replicant more sustainable.

There is a small, satirical play in the middle this presentation. Its goal is to show how the current market trends in smartphone design and construction severely impair those that look for privacy, software freedom and reduction of electronic waste.

h4. Media

* Slides: attachment:sustainability-fosdem2020.pdf "Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

* Slides source: https://git.replicant.us/contrib/GNUtoo/presentations/tree/Fosdem2020/Replicant_sustainability

* Video: https://fosdem.org/2020/schedule/event/replicant/

h2. 36C3

h3. Introduction to Replicant

* Event page: https://frab.riat.at/en/36C3/public/events/130

* Speakers: @GNUtoo

* Date: 27 December 2019

* Duration: 15 minutes

* Language: English

h4. Abstract

Replicant is a fully free Android distribution that is approved by the FSF. This short talk briefly explains: why Replicant came into being; the freedom, privacy and security issues it has found in devices aimed to run Android; and the approaches that it follows to liberate such Android devices.

h4. Media

* Slides: attachment:replicant-introduction.pdf "Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

* Slides source: https://git.replicant.us/contrib/GNUtoo/presentations/tree/36c3/Replicant_introduction

* Video: waiting for upload into "media.ccc.de":https://media.ccc.de/c/36c3

h3. Android’s build system is messier than your distro’s

* Event page: https://events.ccc.de/congress/2019/wiki/index.php/Session:Android%27s_build_system_is_messier_than_your_distro%27s

* Speakers: @GrimKriegor

* Date: 28 December 2019

* Duration: 30 minutes

* Language: English

h4. Abstract

Android Open Source Project (AOSP)'s build system differs greatly from other GNU/Linux based distribution: software components are built and bundled together into a single image without using any package manager during the build process; external software components are also tasked with maintaining support for AOSP build system themselves. Theses differences creates some extremely serious issues that also affect Replicant, a fully free software Android distribution. To solve that, we aim to foster a discussion with other projects and the community on sustainable ways to achieve an AOSP build that properly incorporates GNU/Linux projects such as Linux and Mesa. This talk might also be interesting to people packaging Android utilities like adb in GNU/Linux distributions, as they also have to deal with some of the issues created by the Android build system.

h4. Media

* Slides: attachment:buildsystem.pdf "Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

* Slides source: https://git.replicant.us/contrib/hominoid/buildsystem-presentation/

* Video: not recorded.

h3. Extending the lifetime of smartphones with Replicant

* Event page: https://talks.oio.social/36c3-oio/talk/LU3JNL/

* Speakers: @GNUtoo

* Date: 28 December 2019

* Duration: 20 minutes

* Language: English

h4. Abstract

After a very quick introduction on Replicant and the smartphones ecosystem, we look at what affects smartphones' and tablets' lifetime and how to increase it by making Replicant more sustainable.

h4. Media

* Slides: attachment:sustainability.pdf "Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

* Slides source: https://git.replicant.us/contrib/GNUtoo/presentations/tree/36c3/Replicant_sustainability

* Video: https://media.ccc.de/v/36c3-oio-169-extending-the-lifetime-of-smartphones-with-replicant-a-fully-free-android-distribution

h3. The Chromium mess meets Android

* Event page: https://events.ccc.de/congress/2019/wiki/index.php/Session:The_chromium_mess_meets_Android

* Speakers: @dllud & @JeremyRand

* Date: 29 December 2019

* Duration: 30 minutes

* Language: English

h4. Abstract

WebView is one of the core components of the Android system, used and abused by apps to render web content (HTML, CSS, JS). WebView is nowadays built out of the Chromium source tree which has been plagued by privacy and freedom issues. As a fully free-software Android distribution, Replicant is exploring different paths to create a WebView build that respects user's privacy and freedom. Our tentative approaches go all the way from further cleaning the Chromium source after projects like ungoogled-chromium, to fully replacing WebView by a shim built around GeckoView. We will present our approaches on this lightning talk, on the hopes of getting feedback from the community and engaging other projects to collaborate with us. 

h4. Media

* Slides: attachment:webview.pdf "Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

* Slides source: https://git.replicant.us/contrib/hominoid/webview-presentation/

* Video: not recorded.

h2. Replicant contributors meeting 2019

See the table in the [[ContributorsMeetingJuly2019#Presentations|ContributorsMeetingJuly2019]] page for a list of presentations held there and their corresponding medias (videos, slides, etc).

Beside the talk on Replicant history, the presentations held in that meeting goes in more technical details (including the source code of Replicant) as they are mainly targeted at present or future Replicant contributors.

h2. PSESHSF 2016

h3. Replicant : appareils mobiles, logiciels libres et vie privée

* Event page: https://www.pseshsf.org/fr/archives-et-videos/

* Speakers: [[People#Paul-Kocialkowski|Paul Kocialkowski]]

* Date: 2 July 2016

* Duration: 60 minutes

* Language: English

h4. Abstract

Les appareils mobiles, tels que les téléphones portables ou tablettes sont de plus en plus présent dans notre usage de l'informatique et sont particulièrement sujets aux questions de liberté et de vie privée/sécurité. Étant de véritables ordinateurs, il est possible d'y exécuter du logiciel libre, même si la situation est loin d'être parfaite. 

h4. Description

Cet exposé présentera Replicant dans le cadre de l'initiative visant à libérer les appareils mobiles. En premier lieu, les problèmes majeurs liés à la liberté sur ces appareils seront abordés. Il s'agira de détailler la situation pour chaque composant et à chaque niveau, en proposant ainsi un aperçu complet. Ainsi, de nombreuses considérations sur différents aspects seront présentées, allant de la liberté du matériel jusqu'au système d'exploitation, en passer par les micrologiciels. Après avoir dressé un bilan de la situation, les remédiations possibles à plus ou moins court terme seront présentées. C'est dans ce cadre que s'inscrit le projet Replicant, distribution entièrement libre d'Android pour plusieurs appareils, un système mobile libre mettant l'accent sur la liberté et la vie privée/sécurité. L'état du projet ainsi que les différents challenges et objectifs futurs seront ainsi présentés.

h4. Media

* Slides: "replicant-appareils-mobiles-logiciels-libres-vie-privee.pdf":https://ftp-osl.osuosl.org/pub/replicant/conferences/pseshsf-2016/replicant-appareils-mobiles-logiciels-libres-vie-privee.pdf (OSUOSL), "replicant.pdf":https://data.passageenseine.org/2016/slides/replicant.pdf (PSESHSF) "Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

* Video: "replicant-appareils-mobiles-logiciels-libres-vie-privee.webm":https://ftp-osl.osuosl.org/pub/replicant/conferences/pseshsf-2016/replicant-appareils-mobiles-logiciels-libres-vie-privee.webm (OSUOSL) "Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

h2. Coliberator 2016

h3. Replicant Keynote

* Event page: https://coliberator.ceata.org/2016/

* Speakers: [[People#Paul-Kocialkowski|Paul Kocialkowski]]

* Date: 5 June 2016

* Duration: 60 minutes

* Language: English

h4. Media

* Slides: "replicant-keynote.pdf":https://ftp-osl.osuosl.org/pub/replicant/conferences/coliberator-2016/replicant-keynote.pdf (OSUOSL) "Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

h2. FOSDEM 2016

h3. The road to liberating software at the lower levels

* Event page: https://fosdem.org/2016/schedule/event/liberating_software/

* Speakers: [[People#Paul-Kocialkowski|Paul Kocialkowski]]

* Date: 30 January 2016

* Duration: 15 minutes

* Language: English

h4. Abstract

Liberating the software running at the lower levels of the hardware we use, either on the main processor or on controllers and peripherals can reveal to be quite challenging. There is a series of (more or less) usual limitations to overcome in the process, each of them being a challenge for free software developers, with the potential of fatally blocking a free software implementation.

h4. Description

This talk will highlight the process of liberating the software running at the lower levels of devices we use. In particular, it will focus on each recurrent limitation that is encountered when freeing a device, with an insight on the process to overcoming them, when possible at all.

Various examples will be shown, drawn from experience liberating mobile devices at the operating system level (with Replicant), at the bootloader level and other devices such as a Chromebook laptop and another laptop's embedded controller.

Finally, the question of the free software replacement's installation process for end users will be mentioned, with positive and negative examples and suggestions for making the process less painful in general.

h4. Media

* Slides: "the-road-to-liberating-software-at-the-lower-levels.pdf":https://ftp-osl.osuosl.org/pub/replicant/conferences/fosdem-2016/the-road-to-liberating-software-at-the-lower-levels.pdf (OSUOSL) "Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

* Video: "the-road-to-liberating-software-at-the-lower-levels.webm":https://ftp-osl.osuosl.org/pub/replicant/conferences/fosdem-2016/the-road-to-liberating-software-at-the-lower-levels.webm (OSUOSL) "Creative Commons BY 2.0":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

h2. JM2L 2015

h3. Libérer son mobile avec Replicant : politique, technique

* Event page: http://jm2l.linux-azur.org/event/2015/340

* Speakers: Benjamin Bayart, [[People#Paul-Kocialkowski|Paul Kocialkowski]]

* Date: 28 November 2015

* Duration: 60 minutes

* Language: French

h4. Description

Les appareils mobiles sont privilégiés pour nos communications et gardent grand nombre de données personnelles, en plus de ce qu'ils ont la capacité de collecter via les différents capteurs qu'ils embarquent. Il semble donc nécessaire de pouvoir réellement contrôler ces appareils. Replicant vise à libérer ces appareils. Présentation, enjeux, et limites.

h4. Media

* Slides: "liberer-son-mobile-avec-replicant-politique-technique.pdf":https://ftp-osl.osuosl.org/pub/replicant/conferences/jm2l-2015/liberer-son-mobile-avec-replicant-politique-technique.pdf (OSUOSL) "Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

h2. Bazar du Libre 2015

h3. Libérer son mobile avec Replicant : politique, technique

* Event page: https://2015.capitoledulibre.org/programme/presentation/14/

* Speakers: Benjamin Bayart, [[People#Paul-Kocialkowski|Paul Kocialkowski]]

* Date: 21 November 2015

* Duration: 60 minutes

* Language: French

h4. Abstract

Les appareils mobiles sont privilégiés pour nos communications et gardent grand nombre de données personnelles, en plus de ce qu'ils ont la capacité de collecter via les différents capteurs qu'ils embarquent. Il semble donc nécessaire de pouvoir réellement contrôler ces appareils. Replicant vise à libérer ces appareils. Présentation, enjeux, et limites.

h4. Description

Cette présentation mettra donc l'accent sur les enjeux du contrôle des appareils mobiles, l'état actuel de la situation ainsi que les remèdes possibles et leurs limitations, avec le projet Replicant. Une présentation du projet et de son état actuel sera ainsi abordée, accompagnée d'un aperçu du travail technique nécessaire à la libération des appareils mobiles. En particulier, il s'agira de mentionner les techniques d'ingénierie inverse qui peuvent-être utilisées pour écrire des remplacements libres pour les composants propriétaires et de mettre en évidence les aspects instructifs et valorisants du processus, tout en démystifiant leur difficulté.

h4. Media

* Slides: "liberer-son-mobile-avec-replicant-politique-technique.pdf":https://ftp-osl.osuosl.org/pub/replicant/conferences/bazar-du-libre-2015/liberer-son-mobile-avec-replicant-politique-technique.pdf (OSUOSL) "Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

* Audio: "liberer-son-mobile-avec-replicant-politique-technique.oga":https://ftp-osl.osuosl.org/pub/replicant/conferences/bazar-du-libre-2015/liberer-son-mobile-avec-replicant-politique-technique.oga (OSUOSL) "Creative Commons BY 4.0":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

h2. Brest en Biens Communs 2015

h3. Replicant Système d exploitation libre pour smartphone

* Event page: https://www.a-brest.net/article18249.html

* Speakers: Benjamin Bayart, [[People#Paul-Kocialkowski|Paul Kocialkowski]]

* Date: 17 October 2015

* Duration: 90 minutes

* Language: French

h4. Description

Dans la lignée du mouvement du logiciel libre, Replicant est une facette de nos infrastructures de communication : à l’heure où l’informatique mobile (ordiphone, tablette,...) prend son envol, il est indispensable que les utilisateurs aient le contrôle de leur machine pour garder le contrôle de leurs informations personnelles (carnet d’adresse, agenda, SMS/appels reçus/émis,...), de leur liberté d’information et de leur liberté d’expression ainsi que du droit au secret de leur correspondance.

Après une introduction par Benjamin Bayart, Paul Kocialkowski présentera le projet Replicant, les différentes manières d’y contribuer, les enjeux d’un système d’exploitation mobile libre et les problématiques attenantes aux modems privateurs (hors de contrôle de l’utilisateur) incorporés dans nos ordiphones.

h4. Media

* Slides: "replicant-systeme-exploitation-libre-pour-smartphones.pdf":https://ftp-osl.osuosl.org/pub/replicant/conferences/brest-en-biens-communs-2015/replicant-systeme-exploitation-libre-pour-smartphones.pdf (OSUOSL) "Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

h2. CCCamp 2015

h3. Liberating mobile devices with Replicant and contributing

* Event page: https://events.ccc.de/camp/2015/wiki/Lightning:Liberating_mobile_devices_with_Replicant_and_contributing

* Speaker: [[People#Paul-Kocialkowski|Paul Kocialkowski]]

* Date: 15 August 2015

* Duration: 5 minutes

* Language: English

h4. Description

This lightning talk will (quickly) highlight various aspects of developing on Replicant, the fully free Android-based mobile operating system. It will provide some insight about why more developers should join-in and how to get started with it. 

h4. Media

* Slides: "liberating-mobile-devices-with-replicant-and-contributing.pdf":https://ftp-osl.osuosl.org/pub/replicant/conferences/cccamp-2015/liberating-mobile-devices-with-replicant-and-contributing.pdf (OSUOSL) "Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

* Video: "liberating-mobile-devices-with-replicant-and-contributing.webm":https://ftp-osl.osuosl.org/pub/replicant/conferences/cccamp-2015/liberating-mobile-devices-with-replicant-and-contributing.webm (OSUOSL) "Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

h3. Replicant: software freedom and privacy-security on mobile devices

* Event page: https://events.ccc.de/camp/2015/wiki/Session:Replicant:_software_freedom_and_privacy/security_on_mobile_devices https://frab.camp.berlin.ccc.de/en/ber15/public/events/2

* Speaker: [[People#Paul-Kocialkowski|Paul Kocialkowski]]

* Date: 8 August 2015

* Duration: 45 minutes

* Language: English

h4. Description

This will introduce an overview of how different parts of a mobile device interact, which parts can run free software and what problems arise when it comes to privacy and security.

h4. Media

* Slides: "replicant-software-freedom-and-privacy-security-on-mobile-devices.pdf":https://ftp-osl.osuosl.org/pub/replicant/conferences/cccamp-2015/replicant-software-freedom-and-privacy-security-on-mobile-devices.pdf (OSUOSL) "Creative Commons BY-SA 3.0":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

h2. RMLL 2015

h3. Étapes accomplies pour la libération des appareils mobiles par le projet Replicant

* Event page: https://2015.rmll.info/reached-milestones-for-liberating-mobile-devices-on-replicant

* Speaker: [[People#Paul-Kocialkowski|Paul Kocialkowski]]

* Date: 7 July 2015

* Duration: 40 minutes

* Language: French

h4. Description

Cet exposé présentera Replicant dans le cadre de l’initiative visant à libérer les appareils mobiles. En premier lieu, les problèmes majeurs liés à la liberté sur ces appareils seront abordés, ainsi que différentes considérations à propos de la sécurité de ces appareils et des communications qu’ils peuvent effectuer. Par la suite, Replicant sera introduit comme réponse à certaines de ces problématiques. Les différentes étapes du projet au fil des années ainsi que l’ensemble du travail accompli pour la prise en charge de différents appareils seront présentés, en particulier au travers de l’écriture de remplacements libres pour les composants propriétaires. Plusieurs exemples parmi les plus laborieux seront particulièrement mis en lumière. L’état actuel du projet ainsi que les récents développements seront présentés par la suite. Finalement, cette présentation abordera en quoi les appareils actuellement pris en charge sont fondamentalement imparfaits pour le logiciel libre et quelles sont les conséquences qui en découlent vis-à-vis de l’orientation et du développement actuel et futur de Replicant.

h4. Media

* Slides: "etapes-accomplies-pour-lal-liberation-des-appareils-mobiles-par-le-projet-replicant.pdf":https://ftp-osl.osuosl.org/pub/replicant/conferences/rmll-2015/etapes-accomplies-pour-lal-liberation-des-appareils-mobiles-par-le-projet-replicant.pdf (OSUOSL) "Creative Commons BY-SA 3.0":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

* Video: "v1253b419ccb19taidsg_high.webm":http://videos-cdn.rmll.info/videos2015/ubicast/showroom/206-etapes-accomplies-pour-la-liberation_9e3f/v1253b419ccb19taidsg_high.webm (RMLL), "etapes-accomplies-pour-lal-liberation-des-appareils-mobiles-par-le-projet-replicant.webm":https://ftp-osl.osuosl.org/pub/replicant/conferences/rmll-2015/etapes-accomplies-pour-lal-liberation-des-appareils-mobiles-par-le-projet-replicant.webm (OSUOSL) "Creative Commons BY-SA 3.0":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

* Audio: "v1253b419ccb19taidsg_audio.oga":http://videos-cdn.rmll.info/videos2015/ubicast/showroom/206-etapes-accomplies-pour-la-liberation_9e3f/v1253b419ccb19taidsg_audio.oga (RMLL), "etapes-accomplies-pour-lal-liberation-des-appareils-mobiles-par-le-projet-replicant.oga":https://ftp-osl.osuosl.org/pub/replicant/conferences/rmll-2015/etapes-accomplies-pour-lal-liberation-des-appareils-mobiles-par-le-projet-replicant.oga (OSUOSL) "Creative Commons BY-SA 3.0":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

h3. Liberating mobile devices from the ground up 

* Event page: https://2015.rmll.info/liberating-mobile-devices-from-the-ground-up

* Speaker: [[People#Paul-Kocialkowski|Paul Kocialkowski]]

* Date: 8 July 2015

* Duration: 60 minutes

* Language: English

h4. Description

Most mainstream mobile devices are fatally flawed when it comes to software freedom since they are unable to function without proprietary software on their main processing unit. In particular, most of those devices ship with proprietary bootloaders: early software that is in charge of bringing up the hardware and loading the operating system. While free software bootloaders exist and provide support for a wide range of different platforms, mainstream mobile devices very often do not allow running free bootloaders because of enforced numeric signature checks.

However, once in a while, we come across a few devices or platforms that allow running free bootloaders and thus show true potential for taking freedom to the next step. Some of those will be presented, along with the communities built around them. In particular, the work conducted to liberate the LG Optimus Black (P970) will be presented with detail, as well as the efforts to free Allwinner platforms by the linux-sunxi community and the work on the GTA04 and Neo900 phones, built around the OpenPhoenux community.

h4. Media

* Slides: "liberating-mobile-devices-from-the-ground-up.pdf":https://ftp-osl.osuosl.org/pub/replicant/conferences/rmll-2015/liberating-mobile-devices-from-the-ground-up.pdf (OSUOSL) "Creative Commons BY-SA 3.0":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

* Video: "v1253b43710ebn62dgjg_high.webm":http://videos-cdn.rmll.info/videos2015/ubicast/showroom/206-liberer-les-appareils-mobiles-a-la-r_c64d/v1253b43710ebn62dgjg_high.webm (RMLL), "liberating-mobile-devices-from-the-ground-up.webm":https://ftp-osl.osuosl.org/pub/replicant/conferences/rmll-2015/liberating-mobile-devices-from-the-ground-up.webm (OSUOSL) "Creative Commons BY-SA 3.0":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

* Audio: "v1253b43710ebn62dgjg_audio.oga":http://videos-cdn.rmll.info/videos2015/ubicast/showroom/206-liberer-les-appareils-mobiles-a-la-r_c64d/v1253b43710ebn62dgjg_audio.oga (RMLL), "liberating-mobile-devices-from-the-ground-up.oga":https://ftp-osl.osuosl.org/pub/replicant/conferences/rmll-2015/liberating-mobile-devices-from-the-ground-up.oga (OSUOSL) "Creative Commons BY-SA 3.0":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

h2. FOSDEM 2015

h3. Reached milestones and ongoing development on Replicant

* Event page: https://fosdem.org/2015/schedule/event/replicant_embedded_freedom/

* Speaker: [[People#Paul-Kocialkowski|Paul Kocialkowski]]

* Date: 1 February 2015

* Duration: 45 minutes

* Language: English

h4. Abstract

Replicant was started as a pragmatic way to achieve software freedom on mobile devices, as a fully free version of Android. Over the years, support was added for a dozen of different mainstream devices. However, most of these are severely flawed when it comes to software freedom and privacy/security. Thus, it was decided to focus the development effort on a few specific devices that perform better than others from those perspectives, instead of trying to catch up with the latest mainstream devices.

h4. Description

This talk will first cover what was accomplished by the Replicant project over the last few years and what milestones have been reached. This includes an overview of the work that was completed to support various devices, especially when it comes to writing free software replacements for proprietary components. Some of the most challenging examples will be highlighted and put in perspective as milestones for the project. In addition, some of the work on making the system better regarding privacy and security will be mentioned. Once the improvement of the situation is acknowledged, this talk will show how most of these devices are still fundamentally flawed, hence opening up two possible ways for the future of the project: adding support for more and more new devices and recent Android versions or focusing on a handful of devices that show real potential for being liberated. Hence, the second part of this presentation will introduce the recent efforts that were started to support devices that can take freedom to the next step. Some of these exciting devices will be presented in details, with a description of the journey to freeing them from the ground up!

h4. Media

* Slides: "reached-milestones-and-ongoing-development-on-replicant.pdf":https://ftp-osl.osuosl.org/pub/replicant/conferences/fosdem-2015/reached-milestones-and-ongoing-development-on-replicant.pdf (OSUOSL), "Reached_milestones_and_ongoing_development_on_Replicant.pdf":https://fosdem.org/2015/schedule/event/replicant_embedded_freedom/attachments/slides/734/export/events/attachments/replicant_embedded_freedom/slides/734/Reached_milestones_and_ongoing_development_on_Replicant.pdf (FOSDEM) "Creative Commons BY-SA 3.0":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

* Video: "reached-milestones-and-ongoing-development-on-replicant.webm":https://ftp-osl.osuosl.org/pub/replicant/conferences/fosdem-2015/reached-milestones-and-ongoing-development-on-replicant.webm (OSUOSL) "Creative Commons BY-SA 3.0":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

h2. Capitole du Libre 2014

h3. Replicant: appareils mobiles et logiciel libre

* Event page: https://2014.capitoledulibre.org/programme/presentation/19/

* Speaker: [[People#Paul-Kocialkowski|Paul Kocialkowski]]

* Date: 15 November 2014

* Duration: 50 minutes

* Language: French

h4. Abstract

Les appareils mobiles, tels que les téléphones portables ou tablettes sont de plus en plus présent dans notre usage del'informatique et sont particulièrement sujets aux questions de liberté et de vie privée/sécurité. Étant de véritables ordinateurs, il est aisé d'y exécuter du logiciel libre, même si la situation est loin d'être parfaite.

h4. Description

Cet exposé présentera Replicant dans le cadre de l'initiative visant à libérer les appareils mobiles. En premier lieu, les problèmes majeurs liés à la liberté sur ces appareils seront abordés, ainsi que différentes considérations à propos de la sécurité de ces appareils et des communications qu'ils peuvent effectuer, d'un scénario idéal à la réalité d'aujourd'hui. Par la suite, la question des composants propriétaires requis pour de nombreuses versions communautaires d'Android sera abordée, ainsi que les réponses qu'apporte Replicant à ces problèmes. Plusieurs versions communautaires d'Android seront mentionnées, de même que d'autres systèmes tels que Firefox OS ou Ubuntu Touch. Un aperçu de ce-qui a été accompli au sein du projet Replicant au fil des années sera présenté, de même que les difficultés que nous avons pu rencontrer récemment et l'état actuel du projet.

h4. Media

* Slides: "replicant-appareils-mobiles-et-logiciel-libre.pdf":https://ftp-osl.osuosl.org/pub/replicant/conferences/capitole-du-libre-2014/replicant-appareils-mobiles-et-logiciel-libre.pdf (OSUOSL) "replicant.pdf":http://2014.capitoledulibre.org/symposion_media/media/coverage/replicant-appareils-mobiles-et-logiciel-libre/replicant.pdf (Capitole du Libre), "Creative Commons BY-SA 3.0":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

* Video: "replicant-appareils-mobiles-et-logiciel-libre.webm":https://ftp-osl.osuosl.org/pub/replicant/conferences/capitole-du-libre-2014/replicant-appareils-mobiles-et-logiciel-libre.webm (OSUOSL) "kocialkowski-replicant-appareils-mobiles-logiciel-libre.webm":http://videos2014.capitoledulibre.org/openhardware-embarque/kocialkowski-replicant-appareils-mobiles-logiciel-libre.webm (Capitole du Libre), "Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

* Audio: "replicant-appareils-mobiles-et-logiciel-libre.ogg":https://ftp-osl.osuosl.org/pub/replicant/conferences/capitole-du-libre-2014/replicant-appareils-mobiles-et-logiciel-libre.ogg (OSUOSL) "kocialkowski-replicant-appareils-mobiles-logiciel-libre.ogg":http://videos2014.capitoledulibre.org/openhardware-embarque/kocialkowski-replicant-appareils-mobiles-logiciel-libre.ogg (Capitole du Libre), "Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

h2. RMLL 2014

h3. Replicant: software freedom on mobile device

* Event page: https://2014.rmll.info/conference48

* Speaker: [[People#Paul-Kocialkowski|Paul Kocialkowski]]

* Date: 8 July 2014

* Duration: 50 minutes

* Language: English

h4. Abstract

Android is developed by Google mostly as open source, through the Android Open Source Project. However, AOSP cannot actually run on most devices without proprietary software for supporting various hardware features. Back in 2010, the Replicant project was founded by a couple of free software enthusiasts to try and bring a fully free version of Android to the first Android phone, the HTC Dream, by replacing or avoiding the proprietary parts. Four years later, more than 10 different devices are supported by the project, which still focuses primarily on software freedom. Hence, making Replicant the only mobile operating system that truly puts the emphasis on freedom.

h4. Description

This talk will present Replicant as part of the effort to reach software freedom on (telephony-enabled) mobile devices. First, it will introduce the major freedom issues that are encountered on these devices, as well as considerations regarding the security of these devices and the communications made with them, from an ideal scenario to what the reality actually is today. The talk will then focus on the proprietary parts needed by most open source mobile operating system and how Replicant comes into play. Various community Android versions will be mentionned, as well as other systems such as Firefox OS or Ubuntu Touch. An overview of what was accomplished by the Replicant project over the years will then be mentioned, as well as the challenges we are currently facing and the current state of the project. Finally, a demonstration of Replicant running on various devices will be shown!

h4. Media

* Slides: "replicant-software-freedom-on-mobile-devices.pdf":https://ftp-osl.osuosl.org/pub/replicant/conferences/rmll-2014/replicant-software-freedom-on-mobile-devices.pdf (OSUOSL), "Creative Commons BY-SA 3.0":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

h3. An overview of Replicant development

* Event page: https://2014.rmll.info/conference49

* Speaker: [[People#Paul-Kocialkowski|Paul Kocialkowski]]

* Date: 9 July 2014

* Duration: 40 minutes

* Language: English

h4. Abstract

The Replicant project was founded four years ago as a fully free version of Android. While Google releases most of Android as open source, with the Android Open Source Project, it still cannot run as-is on any actual device, since it needs proprietary programs for handling various parts of the hardware. Replicant however intends to run on actual devices while not compromising on software freedom. Hence, the proprietary parts are not part of Replicant and are instead either avoided or replaced. Over time, a good share free software replacements for the proprietary components was developed by the project, each time a new challenge for the developers involved!

h4. Description

This technical talk will describe how free replacements for the user-space proprietary components (in charge of the hardware) are developed by the Replicant project. Numerous examples of the general approach we use for figuring out what these proprietary parts actually do will be given. The intent of this talk is to highlight how reverse engineering such proprietary programs is often not as hard as it sounds and can in fact be accomplished without particular knowledge of very advanced techniques. The talk also intends to demonstrate that getting involved in the project only requires basic programming knowledge, time and a good share of curiosity and ingeniosity! Replicant is currently a one-man effort, hence particularly looking forward to seeing new developers getting involved.

Schedule

h4. Media

* Slides: "an-overview-of-replicant-development.pdf":https://ftp-osl.osuosl.org/pub/replicant/conferences/rmll-2014/an-overview-of-replicant-development.pdf (OSUOSL), "Creative Commons BY-SA 3.0":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

h3. ARM devices and your freedom

* Event page: https://2014.rmll.info/conference50

* Speaker: [[People#Paul-Kocialkowski|Paul Kocialkowski]]

* Date: 9 July 2014

* Duration: 40 minutes

* Language: English

h4. Abstract

ARM devices have become an overwhelming part of our computing, present in most embedded and mobile devices. While free software seems prominent on ARM platforms, for instance with Android on phones and tablets, and various other GNU/Linux systems on single board computers and plug computers, not all systems and platforms are equal in terms of software freedom.

h4. Description

Over this talk, various aspects of the platforms built around the ARM architecture will be reviewed from the perspective of software freedom. First, it will introduce what ARM is and the concept of System on a Chip (SoC) as well as the different form factors and use cases for ARM devices. An overview of the various hardware platforms that use the ARM architecture will then be drawn, along with comparisons between these platforms regarding software freedom. The communities build around some of these platforms will also be introduced. The talk will put the emphasis on the free software and systems available for each platform.

h4. Media

* Slides: "arm-devices-and-your-freedom.pdf":https://ftp-osl.osuosl.org/pub/replicant/conferences/rmll-2014/arm-devices-and-your-freedom.pdf (OSUOSL), "Creative Commons BY-SA 3.0":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

h2. ICFOSS Workshop on Free Mobile Platforms 2014

h3. Replicant: software freedom on mobile devices

* Event page: http://programs.icfoss.org/wfm/

* Speaker: [[People#Paul-Kocialkowski|Paul Kocialkowski]]

* Date: 11-12 March 2014

* Duration: 40 minutes

* Language: English

h4. Media

* Video: "replicant-software-freedom-on-mobile-devices.webm":https://ftp-osl.osuosl.org/pub/replicant/conferences/icfoss-workshop-on-free-mobile-platforms-2014/replicant-software-freedom-on-mobile-devices.webm (OSUOSL), "Creative Commons BY-SA 3.0":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

* Slides: "replicant-software-freedom-on-mobile-devices.pdf":https://ftp-osl.osuosl.org/pub/replicant/conferences/icfoss-workshop-on-free-mobile-platforms-2014/replicant-software-freedom-on-mobile-devices.pdf (OSUOSL), "Creative Commons BY-SA 3.0":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

h2. Giroll Party Automne 2013

h3. Libérer son Android : un aperçu du développement de Replicant

* Event page: http://www.giroll.org/post/2013/09/24/Giroll-Install-Party-Automne-2013-Samedi-23-Novembre

* Speaker: [[People#Paul-Kocialkowski|Paul Kocialkowski]]

* Date: 23 November 2013

* Duration: 50 minutes

* Language: French

h4. Media

* Slides: "liberer-son-android-un-apercu-du-developpement-de-replicant.pdf":https://ftp-osl.osuosl.org/pub/replicant/conferences/giroll-party-automne-2013/liberer-son-android-un-apercu-du-developpement-de-replicant.pdf (OSUOSL), "Creative Commons BY-SA 3.0":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

h2. LibrePlanet 2013

h3. Replicant: addressing Android freedom issues

* Event page: https://libreplanet.org/wiki/LibrePlanet:Conference/2013/Sessions

* Speaker: [[People#Denis-GNUtoo-Carikli|Denis 'GNUtoo' Carikli]]

* Date: 24 March 2013

* Duration: 60 minutes

* Language: English

h4. Description

The talk will go through the freedom issues in android, their possible solutions, and then in the second part of I will present the Replicant project in more detail.

h4. Media

* Video: "replicant-addressing-android-freedom-issues.webm":https://ftp-osl.osuosl.org/pub/replicant/conferences/libreplanet-2013/replicant-addressing-android-freedom-issues.webm (OSUOSL), "Replicant_addressing_Android_freedom_issues_Denis_Carikli_S-640p.webm":http://media.libreplanet.org/mgoblin_media/media_entries/32/Replicant_addressing_Android_freedom_issues_Denis_Carikli_S-640p.webm (FSF), "Creative Commons BY-SA 3.0":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

* Slides: "replicant-addressing-android-freedom-issues.pdf":https://ftp-osl.osuosl.org/pub/replicant/conferences/libreplanet-2013/replicant-addressing-android-freedom-issues.pdf (OSUOSL), "Denis Carikli - Replicant_en.pdf":https://static.fsf.org/libreplanet/2013/Denis%20Carikli%20-%20Replicant_en.pdf (FSF), "Creative Commons BY-SA 3.0":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

h2. FOSDEM 2013

h3. Android freedom and Replicant

* Event page: https://www.fosdem.org/2013/schedule/event/android_freedom_and_replicant/

* Speaker: [[People#Denis-GNUtoo-Carikli|Denis 'GNUtoo' Carikli]]

* Date: 3 February 2013

* Duration: 60 minutes

* Language: English

h4. Description

This talk will deal with the freedom issues in android, their solutions and the Replicant project (https://replicant.us/) that is a 100% Free software distribution of android.

h4. Media

* Slides: "android-freedom-and-replicant.pdf":https://ftp-osl.osuosl.org/pub/replicant/conferences/fosdem-2013/android-freedom-and-replicant.pdf (OSUOSL), "Creative Commons BY-SA 3.0":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

h2. Droidcon Spain 2012

h3. Replicant: Addressing freedom issues in android

* Event page: http://es.droidcon.com/2012/sessions/replicant-addressing-freedom-issues-in-android/

* Speaker: [[People#Denis-GNUtoo-Carikli|Denis 'GNUtoo' Carikli]]

* Date: 7 December 2012

* Duration: 45 minutes

* Language: English

h4. Description

The Replicant project aims at developing a fully free derivative of Android, and focus mainly on phones. This talk will explain the freedom issues with Android and their solutions. It will also explain how Replicant is developed.

h4. Media

* Video: "replicant-addressing-freedom-issues-in-android.webm":https://ftp-osl.osuosl.org/pub/replicant/conferences/droidcon-spain-2012/replicant-addressing-freedom-issues-in-android.webm (OSUOSL), "Creative Commons BY-SA 3.0":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

* Slides: "replicant-addressing-freedom-issues-in-android.pdf":https://ftp-osl.osuosl.org/pub/replicant/conferences/droidcon-spain-2012/replicant-addressing-freedom-issues-in-android.pdf (OSUOSL), "Replicant_en.pdf":http://es.droidcon.com/2012/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Replicant_en.pdf (Droidcon), "Creative Commons BY-SA 3.0":https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/