What is holding back Linux as a smartphone OS?

mekineer

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Is it that manufacturers don't release open source drivers?
If you need an Android app, aren't there solutions like Anbox?
Why not create a different "skin" for applications, that you can toggle to when using your device as a handheld?
If I want my programs to run in a sandbox, I'll run them in a sandbox. I don't need another layer of nonsense running on top of Linux. Unless it is profit oriented, I don't understand why Microsoft has UAP, MacOS has iOS, and Linux has Android.
 
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Afaik - Nothing is holding it back.

Technically Android IS a Linux based operating system. Rather than using X or Wayland to provide the user interface - it uses Google’s Android runtime and application framework.

And there’s absolutely nothing to stop others from creating a Linux based operating for mobile devices.

For example - there’s already plasma mobile:

Which runs KDE/plasma on top of Linux on mobile devices.

Another is postmarketos:
 
I believe years back Linux (Ubuntu) and Microsoft (Windows 8) tried the cell phone scene and both were flops.


I think there is something called a Ubuntu touch.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubuntu_Touch
Yes, but that was years ago (2013 IIRC). The Ubuntu Touch interface is available on the PinePhone (although it's a newer, further-developed version now called Lomiri).
 
I personally don't see it going anywhere I mean I can get a brand new android smartphone and one year everything service for $100.00 or less if caught on sale.

Ain't no way any Linux phone whoever it's under can touch that and I damn sure know that no iphone can touch that either.

Android rules and always will.
 
My question is who is a service provider for a Ubuntu Touch / PinePhone / Lomiri or whatever it's called.

And how much will it cost.

I know where I live and I have asked not one of the cell phone providers even have a clue of what I'm talking about.
 
I assume that you just go to your provider and purchase a SIM card sans phone, then put it in your PinePhone.
 
The only problem with Android phones lies in the fact that the manufacturers only support their phones for a few years. After that, the devices get no further upgrades. So the OS on the phone becomes insecure. Then you’re forced to either use a potentially vulnerable device, or part with some cash to upgrade to a newer phone. Which is both wasteful and wrong!

Many of these devices could feasibly last for at 10 years or more. This forced obsolescence and the way that users are held to ransom is almost criminal. So I applaud projects like postmarketos and plasma-mobile!
 
The only problem with Android phones lies in the fact that the manufacturers only support their phones for a few years. After that, the devices get no further upgrades. So the OS on the phone becomes insecure. Then you’re forced to either use a potentially vulnerable device, or part with some cash to upgrade to a newer phone. Which is both wasteful and wrong!
Exactly why I use Tracfone cheap and disposable and good for a year.

I can afford a $100.00 a year for a new cell phone and one year service for everything.
 
So why can't I just run a Linux distro on any phone? There are plenty of distros that run on ARM architecture.
 

This tells you how to get Linux running on a phone. You may want to check the devices list and see if someone else has been working on that device. Note that most of the phones listed are not actually ready for daily use.

I'm currently on this , as a little project ....

1 ] get a cheap android phone ( Xiaomi Redmi 7 ..... as a possible candidate ? )
2 ] unlock the bootloader , enable USB debug , get adb .... etc
3 ] get Lineage OS
4 ] set up TWERP for all backups and recovery
5 ] use F-Droid to obtain all apps

On the plus side , it would satisfy " The Prime Directive " .....
..... which is to keep Google , M$ , FB and all those other bottom-feeders out of my life .

On the minus side ..... I might end up with a brick that cost me a hundred beer tokens
.... plus time , plus hair ripping and shirt-rending ..... :)

Has anyone here tried doing this ...... or something similar ?
 
Google:
linux on phone 2020

394,000,000 results and the first page shows recent activity.

Then grab an old Android phone, or a Tracfone Android instrument and try it. And yes, you will need a SIM card from a provider.
 

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