We’re excited to reveal more privacy-focused features of Mudita Kompakt that make it a standout choice for those who value digital security and peace of mind. Today, we’re spotlighting two key elements: the Fingerprint Reader and our Privacy-first approach to your data!
Fingerprint Reader: Your Unique Key to Security
Extra Security
Mudita Kompakt comes equipped with a fingerprint reader, adding an extra layer of protection to keep your data secure. Only your unique biometric signature can unlock your device, ensuring your information stays in your hands – and only yours.
Peace of Mind
Unlike passwords or PIN codes that can be guessed or hacked, biometric authentication offers a higher level of security. Plus, your fingerprint data never leaves your device, providing confidence that your sensitive information is always protected.
Easy Access
Unlock your Mudita Kompakt in a flash with just a touch. The fingerprint reader offers swift and seamless access to your phone’s features, so you don’t need to worry about entering a PIN every time.
Our Privacy-focused Custom OS
A Cleaner, Safer Experience
As you know, Mudita Kompakt will have a custom-built operating system, designed to prioritize your privacy. Free from unnecessary tracking and distractions, it provides a digital experience that aligns with your values.
Reclaim Your Data
We believe that your digital footprint should remain yours. With Mudita Kompakt, your usage data and location information are never harvested or shared – they stay securely on your device, under your complete control.
No Data Monetization
Unlike many others in the BIG TECH space, Mudita does not monetize your data. We stand by our commitment to protecting your privacy and giving you control over your digital experience.
Stay Tuned for More!
We hope you’re as excited as we are about these upcoming features! Mudita Kompakt is all about redefining your relationship with technology – giving you a device that respects your privacy and keeps you in control.
If you haven’t yet, make sure to sign up for the waitlist on the dedicated Mudita Kompakt page, so you’re the first to know when we release more info and launch our campaign.
Just a small remark considerin this ‘privacy’ sneak peek.
I’m a bit disappointed that Mudita is adding all kinds of features to the Kompakt which will increase the price but not add value, and then they give it a marketing twist. A fingerprint reader is not necessary for a such a simple phone, considering the point is exactly not to unlock it all the time. Moreover, a PIN code is equally secure provided there is a delay mechanism between attempts as AOSP does by default. Source: GrapheneOS developers.
Related but off-topic: the Kompakt has a slider which physically disconnects the cellphone modem and microphone, but standard airplane mode in AOSP already deactivates the modem and the permissions model of AOSP does not allow apps to get access to the microphone if you don’t want them to. And which apps, then? The Kompakt will likely only ship with a limited number of apps which are tailored and tested for the phone. A slider to put the phone in airplane mode (or in ‘do not disturb’, maybe even configurable?) is good, but the physical disconnecting is just an engineering headache.
Lastly I don’t understand why the Kompakt has an e-ink screen. As it is a minimal phone that you’ll barely use and hardly ever look at the screen, why increase the cost? There are also other solutions: Reflective LCD screens are up and coming and are a fraction of the price. You can also just use an OLED instead of LCD, which emits less blue light if I am to believe the charts at my ophthalmologist. Edit: the Kompakt is also a small ereader so there is something to be said for e-ink, but it’s still rather small to use as e-reader all the time.
@nilss
Thank you for your thoughtful feedback! We truly appreciate your perspective and understand that Mudita Kompakt might not check off all the boxes for everyone. That’s the beauty of building something unique – we get to have these valuable conversations with passionate community members like you!
We hear you on the fingerprint reader. While it might not be a must-have for all, some of our users have requested it as an added layer of convenience and security. We see it as another choice we offer – you can use it or simply stick with the trusty PIN code. We believe in giving our users options to personalize their privacy and security in a way that suits them best.
As for the Offline+ Mode and the physical cutoff switch – you’re right, Airplane Mode does disable the modem, but we wanted to take privacy a step further. By physically disconnecting the modem and microphone, we ensure that no software bug or malicious app can re-enable them without your knowledge. For some, that extra assurance is worth the engineering effort. It’s all about peace of mind!
Regarding the e-ink screen, we chose it deliberately to minimize blue light exposure and reduce eye strain. We want to offer a healthier screen experience, especially for those who may use the phone for reading, messages, or making notes. Reflective LCDs and OLEDs do have their merits, but we believe e-ink aligns better with our ethos of simplicity and mindfulness. It might not be perfect for everyone, but it’s perfect for the experience we’re crafting.
In the end, we know Mudita Kompakt won’t be everyone’s cup of tea – and that’s okay! We’re building something for a group of people who are looking for a very specific blend of privacy, simplicity, and mindfulness. And we’re grateful for all the feedback – it helps us grow and improve!
Thanks again for engaging with us and for being part of the Mudita journey. Keep sharing your thoughts – we love hearing them!
Such a bug would actually be a serious vulnerabilty and need to be resolved with the highest priority anyway.
How is e-ink any different from a reflective LCD display in this regard? Both rely on ambient light and need a frontlight or backlight in poorly lit conditions.
What has e-ink got to do with simplicity and mindfulness?
@gmahale
Thanks for your detailed follow-up! I appreciate your engagement and the opportunity to clarify a few points. We know everyone in this community cares deeply about privacy and simplicity, so these conversations are incredibly valuable to us.
To your point about potential software bugs being serious vulnerabilities, you’re absolutely right! Any vulnerability should indeed be resolved with the highest priority. However, the reality is that even the most robust software can have flaws. Our choice to physically disconnect the modem and microphone is about adding an extra layer of assurance that goes beyond software alone. It might seem like an over-engineering headache to some, but for those who prioritize absolute privacy, this feature provides peace of mind that no unexpected reconnection can happen.
Check out this recent thread:
Regarding the e-ink screen and its alignment with our ethos of simplicity and mindfulness, I get where you’re coming from. Reflective LCDs and OLEDs do indeed have their benefits. However, e-ink is unique in that it mimics the experience of reading on paper. It’s less straining on the eyes over extended use, and it supports our vision of a distraction-free device by not emitting the same kind of harsh, direct light. For us, it’s about creating a screen experience that encourages mindful use – one that doesn’t pull you into the device but allows you to engage on your terms.
We’ve written about this in a couple of articles:
Ultimately, our choices reflect a balance between privacy, simplicity, and user experience. They won’t resonate with everyone, and that’s okay! We’re building for a specific community that values these principles, and we’re grateful to have voices like yours challenging us to refine our thinking.
Thanks again for sharing your thoughts – and for being a part of this dialogue!
Thanks for keeping this conversation lively! I appreciate your detailed observations and would love to clarify a few things to ensure we’re on the same page.
You’re right to point out that reflective LCDs and e-ink displays share similarities in relying on ambient light. However, they do differ in some key areas. E-ink is known for its unique “paper-like” quality, providing a reading experience that many find more comfortable over extended periods. This is why we chose e-ink for Mudita Kompakt – it aligns with our philosophy of minimizing eye strain and distractions in a way that’s different from both reflective and backlit LCDs.
Regarding the light emitted by backlit LCDs: it can indeed be perceived as more direct and sometimes harsher, particularly in low-light environments. E-ink displays, in contrast, are designed to be gentler on the eyes, which is particularly important for users who may spend longer periods looking at text or want to avoid blue light exposure. The front light on the Kompakt, if used, is designed to illuminate the screen softly, preserving that gentle reading experience even in dim conditions.
Ultimately, our decisions are guided by our commitment to privacy, simplicity, and mindfulness – they might not resonate with everyone, but they reflect the values we hold dear and the feedback we’ve received from our community.
We’re glad to have your perspective, even when we don’t see eye-to-eye on every detail. It keeps us thinking critically about our choices. Thanks for challenging us – it’s always a pleasure to engage in these conversations!
To add a different perspective to the conversation about e-ink here, personally I very much appreciate the e-ink display of Pure and am looking forward to a similar experience with Kompakt. I find the colours of the standard smartphone displays and lighting to be overwhelming and cause fatigue, eye strain and nervous system upset - My body is very sensitive and as such, my relationship with technology is very mindful. E-ink display on a phone allows me to use the phone handset without these negative symptoms…
I also really appreciate the satin finish of the screen on Pure, which reduces reflections - the glass like finish on some smart phones adds another layer of information by way of reflection, that has to be processed by the eyes, brain nervous system etc.
For me and others like me, e-ink and low reflection of screens offers a safer way of interacting with technology.
@gmahale As I am not a scientist, I usually read studies to educate myself on certain topics.
Here’s an interesting study, from 2013, which might interest you, when it comes to the benefits for e Ink.
The main takeaway from the study on e-ink screens is that reading on e-ink displays, like the Kindle Paperwhite, results in significantly less visual fatigue compared to LCD screens, such as the Kindle Fire HD. The study found that reading on an LCD triggers higher visual fatigue, as indicated by both objective (like the number of blinks per second) and subjective (Visual Fatigue Scale) measures. There were no significant differences in visual fatigue between e-ink displays and traditional paper books, suggesting that e-ink is as comfortable for the eyes as reading on paper.
“In conclusion, our results might be imputable to the higher level
of luminance emitted by the LCD … Future studies will include the manipulation of the length of the reading sessions, the luminance levels of the displays, and the study
of binocular vision on prolonged reading.”
This was 11 years ago. Did you find a more recent study?
Well, assuming the Kompakt will likely have a custom ROM based on Android AOSP, it would be neigh impossible to have such a vulnerability. I also assume the apps on the Kompakt will be selected or made by Mudita so that even in worst case scenario where a Mudita bug would allow access to microphone…who would even be listening? Mudita? That’s why I really don’t understand the need to electrically disconnect the microphone.
I have an Onyx Boox device and I have to say e-ink is indeed really soft on the eyes. However, its biggest strength is for reading and writing. It is unsuitable to display most apps. Things like maps and even messengers without modifications, are actually harder to see and higher refresh rates of e-ink are not useful. The flicker of the e-ink refreshing can be tiring. In fact I have heard many people on rLCD forums say they prefer rLCD over e-ink for eyestrain if it comes to displaying apps. There is a reason the Lightphone 3 uses a matte OLED. For displaying maps it’s just way more comfortable. We don’t know if the Kompakt will have maps. We do know it will have a built-in e-reader function and then the e-ink will prove beneficial.
This is a 2023 study from Harvard School of Public Health comparing the adverse effects of blue light from displays shows the benefits of E Ink’s ePaper on eye health.
Here’s the PDF link- https://sid.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jsid.1191
The conclusion of the study is that different display technologies and their spectral outputs significantly impact the oxidative stress response in retinal cells.
Front-lit electronic paper displays (EPDs) induce lower levels of oxidative stress compared to backlit liquid crystal displays (LCDs), suggesting that EPDs are less harmful to retinal cells when exposed for prolonged periods.
It looks like an advertisement for E Ink. I am sure you would have noticed two of the four authors are employees of E Ink. Even though the Harvard School of Public Health is involved, a conflict of interest cannot be ruled out.
“With increased accumulation of ROS, mitochondrial morphology shifted from elongate interconnected features typically observed under normal conditions to rounded disconnected features associated with oxidative stress response. While the amount of mitochondrial morphology change seemed to roughly correlate with ROS response, it is unclear how these changes may impact long-term cellviability and/or inflammatory microenvironments. Extrapolating from the data, it would seem thatdevices that cause ROS accumulation at a lower rate (i.e., EPD with frontlight) can be used for longer times before the same levels of ROS are reached. Differences in ROS responses suggest that different relative amounts of red light in the device spectra are mitigating the effects of hazardous blue exposure, but it requires further study to confirm and quantify such protective effect.” The research is still not complete.
Thankyou for your responses. Each person’s experience is different, I described some of my own in the hopes it may assist to expand understanding, and perhaps open some expansive conversation.
I appreciate your detailed observations and would love to clarify a few things to ensure we’re on the same page.
Did I tell you that 
