292
submitted 1 year ago by ciko22i3@sopuli.xyz to c/android@lemdro.id

One should be at the bottom one at the top. I understand space on the phone is a premium but a second port would make the phone so much more usable. Wired headphones, flash drives, camera modules, speaker modules, keyboards, even connection to a TV, all could be used while charging. It's a shame it's not a thing, USB is extremely versatile port, but you only get one and it's used for charging half of the time. (I am aware dongles exist)

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] SillyBanana@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago

I can't relate at all. My phone is a PHONE, with options of short-term entertainment. I have other devices for other "computery" activities. I personally almost never use even my single USB-C port, thanks to wireless charging and wireless headphones. Sounds like your phone is your main device.

[-] exu@feditown.com 33 points 1 year ago

For what current flagship phones cost they should absolutely be capable of general purpose computing.

Maybe come with a usb-c dock and screen as well for convergence.

[-] SillyBanana@lemmy.world -2 points 1 year ago

Well, it depends what you imagine "general purpose computing" is. Android OS is primarily targeted at phones, with specific set of requirements, so I don't think it can ever match desktop OSes, without major sacrifices from the both worlds.

[-] exu@feditown.com 1 points 1 year ago

The main reason why Android cannot work as a general computing OS are the many barriers and restrictions it has compared to traditional desktop operating systems.
Linux for example, which Android is based on, works fine* on the desktop but also on tablets or phones.

*as in most modern apps scale properly and are usable on the desktop, tablet or phone. Support for the hardware, especially on phones and tablets, varies greatly.

[-] tycho@lemmy.sdf.org 12 points 1 year ago

Many countries not so well off like us in the West do not have the luxury to have a smartphone and a computer. So options with 2 USB ports would be interesting. The bastardisation of the smartphone is a disgrace.

[-] SillyBanana@lemmy.world -3 points 1 year ago

What exactly is getting bastardized? Phones never had 2 USB ports. And there are still new phones with headphone jack (Zenphone 10 comes to my mind). Yes, many brands dropped it, but it's not a conspiracy (or at lest doesn't have to be), it's just basic economics.

[-] tycho@lemmy.sdf.org 2 points 1 year ago

What I call bastardisation is the many steps stopping us from using our phone as general computing platforms. Our phones have no reason to be confined by software locks like locked bootloaders, root login, etc.

As for the lack of 2 USB ports, it pictures that phones where never thought as general purpose computers. Maybe two ports is not the way to go but the lack of an interface which can act as a display output and a USB connection like what we have now with Thunderbolt on the desktop is a shame. The inability to turn my phone, which is more powerful than my current laptop, into a normal computer unencumbered by software and hardware restrictions is a shame.

The path taken by Pinephones and their Linux ecosystems is a step in the right direction. It shows that smartphone companies can do better.

As you said, it's basic economics, it's more profitable for them if we buy a new phone every two years, so they lock us out of our properties with software and hardware restrictions because they can.

[-] ciko22i3@sopuli.xyz 3 points 1 year ago

I have a desktop i use at least 50% of the time and a couple of laptops i barely use because i don't like to carry them, so when i need to do something away from the PC I'll do it with my phone if at all possible. Sounds like you don't use your devices in different places often.

this post was submitted on 30 Jul 2023
292 points (88.8% liked)

Android

17623 readers
133 users here now

The new home of /r/Android on Lemmy and the Fediverse!

Android news, reviews, tips, and discussions about rooting, tutorials, and apps.

🔗Universal Link: !android@lemdro.id


💡Content Philosophy:

Content which benefits the community (news, rumours, and discussions) is generally allowed and is valued over content which benefits only the individual (technical questions, help buying/selling, rants, self-promotion, etc.) which will be removed if it's in violation of the rules.


Support, technical, or app related questions belong in: !askandroid@lemdro.id

For fresh communities, lemmy apps, and instance updates: !lemdroid@lemdro.id

💬Matrix Chat

💬Telegram channels / chats

📰Our communities below


Rules

  1. Stay on topic: All posts should be related to the Android OS or ecosystem.

  2. No support questions, recommendation requests, rants, or bug reports: Posts must benefit the community rather than the individual. Please post to !askandroid@lemdro.id.

  3. Describe images/videos, no memes: Please include a text description when sharing images or videos. Post memes to !androidmemes@lemdro.id.

  4. No self-promotion spam: Active community members can post their apps if they answer any questions in the comments. Please do not post links to your own website, YouTube, blog content, or communities.

  5. No reposts or rehosted content: Share only the original source of an article, unless it's not available in English or requires logging in (like Twitter). Avoid reposting the same topic from other sources.

  6. No editorializing titles: You can add the author or website's name if helpful, but keep article titles unchanged.

  7. No piracy or unverified APKs: Do not share links or direct people to pirated content or unverified APKs, which may contain malicious code.

  8. No unauthorized polls, bots, or giveaways: Do not create polls, use bots, or organize giveaways without first contacting mods for approval.

  9. No offensive or low-effort content: Don't post offensive or unhelpful content. Keep it civil and friendly!

  10. No affiliate links: Posting affiliate links is not allowed.

Quick Links

Our Communities

Lemmy App List

Chat and More


founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS