They need funding. Some people, countries and unions have an increased interest in tech independence.
For anyone reading thus, please consider donating to PostmarketOS or Mobian if you have the means, as it will help us escape the Android ecosystem which is getting more and more anti-user due to google controlling it.
What’s the pitch here? Initial impression is that it makes the ecosystem fragmented, as now (along with Ubuntu Touch), people have at least 3 different projects to fund. There needs to be a core standard that unifies the efforts and funding.
The issue with Ubuntu Touch is that unfortunately it's not a genuine alternative to Android, as it actually relies on Android quite a lot to function as well as it does.
It generally uses an outdated Android kernel (which is also usually not receiving security updates) and a Halium abstraction layer to access the closed source binary blob Android drivers for the phone's hardware. It also requires that it be installed on top of an existing Android install, so in all it's more of Linuxified layer on top of Android, which means it's not truly escaping the control of the Android/Google ecosystem.
PostmarketOS and Mobian are genuinely Mobile focused Linux distros that run the mainline up-to-date Linux kernel, right on the bare metal, meaning they are not subject to any influence from Google.
Both projects often collaborate and benefit from each other, they just use a different base distro (Alpine for PostmarketOS, Debian for Mobian), but that doesn't result in any wasted effort, as ultimately any new developments, drivers, or new phone support are mainlined into the kernel itself, so both projects benefit.
They're not as usable as Ubuntu Touch is right now, but they are ultimately the better solutions long-term to ensure that all the code is under community control so we aren't reliant on outdated unsecure Android components.
Very interesting and informative, thanks for explaining. My understanding was that UT just conveniently copied/reused some hardware interfacing components from Android, since Android uses a Linux kernel too and why reinvent the wheel, especially with the plethora of phone manufacturers available, which you really don’t want to do again. But I didn’t know about it using Android kernel, or needing an existing Android install, which sound indeed problematic.
I still think that it is important to standarize a canonical Linux core, or something like that, that can unify more development efforts, or if not needed, at least a marketing presence to raise funds. E.g politicians usually don’t understand a word of tech, and you’d need something like “The open source interoperable alternative to Android and iOS” to be appealing instead of coming with Alpine, Debian, etc. which will sound just geeky and fringe and it will be confusing which to fund and why, and subsequently none will get any substantial funding.
I still think that it is important to standarize a canonical Linux core
If you're not aware, Ubuntu Touch is no longer operated or developed by Canonical, they abandoned the project in 2017. UT was then picked up by UBPorts, a community effort to keep alive what Canonical left behind.
Personally, I don't have a very high opinion of Canonical due to their use of CLAs, which also appear to be present in some fashion with UT and UBPorts as well:
I agree that some standardization would likely be beneficial in some areas (such as focusing on a single Phone UI and polishing it up). PostmarketOS is making the most progress on getting real Linux on mobile, so if I had to pick one project to support monetarily, and one that could become mainstream, or partner with a manufacturer like GrapheneOS did with Motorola, I think that would be the project to back, IMHO.
I mean canonical the word, not company? name.
And ok, interesting to know that PostmarketOS might be what’s closest to that.
Oh, right. Sorry, easy to confuse the meaning in this particular case 😅
No problem 😊 thanks again for explaining.
I am seriously considering going to a Linux phone at some point in the future because what's to stop Google from deciding that we can't install apps even on AOSP? Like sure, for now it's only going to be devices with Google Play services that won't allow you to install your own apps, but who's to say Android 19 won't be released and completely kill the ability to install apps outside of the Play Store?
I have a OnePlus Nord N10 5G I picked up to play with Ubuntu Touch.
Now that VoLTE works I can actually make and receive calls which makes it nearly usable.
I wish RCS could work but that may be out of their hands. Group texts (MMS) don't work either unfortunately.
It's close to usable but still not ready for me personally.
I did contribute to Ubuntu Touch though by adding Colemak keyboard layout support and they accepted my pull request :D
Cool! I've got the N100, and experience is similar. I'm trying to build up some motivation to use it daily for a while.
Good on you for the development work, and congrats on you accepted pull!
It's time, y'all!
As soon as my phone dies, i will jump into a linux phone
Promising
A shame Fairphone doesn't have a headphone jack. IMO that contradicts the sustainability aspect of the phone
Just connect USB-C headphones, or use a USB-C to 3.5mm audio dongle.
The audio jack isn't needed anymore. The only real downsides of USB-C are that you can't charge while listening, less wirelessly, and it's more wear and tear for the port, but that's unlikely to matter.
You can find some that goes USB-C to 3.5mm + USB-C for 6$ So you can actually charge while listening.
But some people just can't adapt.
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