With BraX3, we proved that a privacy-focused mobile device could be designed, crowdfunded, manufactured, and delivered outside the traditional Big Tech ecosystem.
Just as importantly, BraX3 showed us the value of building with the community. The feedback we received — what worked, what didn’t, and what people wanted next — played a major role in shaping our direction going forward.
Today, we’re ready to share the next step in that journey.
We’re introducing open_slate.
What is open_slate?
open_slate is a powerful and private 2-in-1 tablet.
It’s designed as a multipurpose platform that can serve different roles depending on how it’s configured and used:
- A consumer tablet for everyday use
- A productivity device for work and development
- A Linux-capable workstation on ARM
- A privacy-focused alternative to locked-down tablets
Rather than forcing users into a single ecosystem, open_slate is built around choice and control — from hardware design to operating system support.
Key ideas behind the project
Some of the principles guiding open_slate include:
- Modularity beyond repairability
open_slate is designed to be serviceable and adaptable. In addition to a user-replaceable battery, it supports an M.2 expansion slot, allowing users to customize storage and configurations to better fit their needs. - Hardware-level privacy and control
Physical switches allow users to disable key components — such as wireless radios, sensors, microphones, and cameras — by cutting power at the hardware level. - Multi-OS compatibility
open_slate is designed to support multiple Android-based operating systems as well as native Linux distributions. We’re working with partners and the community to ensure proper, long-term OS support rather than one-off ports. - Longevity by design
The focus isn’t just on specs at launch, but on building a platform that remains usable and supported over time.
A community-driven process
Just like BraX3, open_slate will follow a transparent, community-driven development process.
We’ll be sharing updates openly, validating demand through crowdfunding, and using community feedback to guide decisions along the way. This project also serves as a pilot platform for ideas that may later influence future smartphone designs.
Follow the project
We’ve created a dedicated open_slate MEGATHREAD on our forum where we’ll post updates and where the community can ask questions, share feedback, and follow the project as it evolves.