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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Is Linux Smartphones any good? (lemmy.blahaj.zone)

submitted 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) by SuperDuperKitten@lemmy.blahaj.zone to c/linux@lemmy.ml

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When I have read anything Android phone related on Lemmy, I often see comments talking about how they switch to Linux phone or tell people to swap Android with Linux ASAP.

What's the general experience like using Linux as your phone and is it any good? I remember watching video couple years about it and hearing about it and the lack of apps (at least that is made for mobile in mind) and wonder if that has changed or is it just good enough.

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[–] uKale@lemmy.world 10 points 2 days ago (2 children)

I daily drive Ubuntu touch and like it very much, but I can see how that would be hard in certain situations. Keep doing some research, and pick one that seems to fit your needs to try it out! Only you can decide if it is good enough for your particular circumstances.

[–] PixelatedSaturn@lemmy.world 13 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Maybe you could write a bit more about your experience?

[–] uKale@lemmy.world 2 points 12 hours ago (1 children)

Why I love it:

I love the UI. Quick, intuitive and good looking.
Basic functions are good. The phone works well as a phone, with calls (including VoLTE for a number of newer models now), SMS, MMS, wifi hotspot ++ working
The amount of native apps is pleasing to me. Of course, you won't get the usual proprietary big tech developed apps, but other basics are there.
The flexibility is awesome. You can install apps from the Open Store built especially for UT, Snaps (not all of which are meant for small screens with touch input, but you get to try it and decide for yourself if you can make it work), nix packages, installing stuff in libertine containers, AND Android apps in a Waydroid container.
The community is extremely helpful and diverse.
The two previous points, community + flexibility, helps whenever you miss one of the larger apps. Miss Telegram? Meet the native app Teleports! Miss Signal? The community can give you several options. WhatsApp? Of course some generous soul has made a UT adapted web app that you can use in stead.
I finally feel free. I own my device, and the software I run on it doesn't feel invading or dishonest.

What is sometimes difficult:

I need to be honest about the browser situation. The default browser has a nice UI, but it is very outdated. There is a lot of improvements going on behind the scenes, but the new version is not ready for launch yet. The alternatives are UT adapted versions of Librewolf and Firefox, but they are both in an alpha state.
VoLTE only works for some of the supported phones, and it is still considered experimental.
Banking and ID verification apps have almost no UT native solutions, and running them in Waydroid is very hit and miss.
General stability. There are more bugs and crashes here than in Android/iOS.

[–] PixelatedSaturn@lemmy.world 1 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

Awesome, thanks for the info! Great insights.

How do you mean running stuff in waydroid is hit and miss. Stuff just doesn't work? And you mentioned signal not working and needing alternatives? Signal is my main chat app...

Does it feel cool to use it? Or is it still more troublesome than cool? 😎

[–] uKale@lemmy.world 2 points 2 hours ago

The Waydroid container runs Lineage, a degoogled android based os. Many apps require Google play services to run, or they do other checks that fail in that environement. Most stuff from F-droid will run.

Signal does not have a native UT app at the moment, but some use Matrix bridges to send and receive messages. Others run it in Waydroid, or do experiments with the cli version. The first works very well, but you need to find/make a bridge host that you trust.

Oh, it feels very nice to use! Most of my troubles these days stem from me experimenting and running the devel version of the os. I can go days between serious issues, and the issues that do appear are never deal breakers as they don't tend to affect basic phone functionality. It feels great and it is way too much fun.

[–] thunderfist@lemmy.world 7 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I’d be interested in hearing more! I’m thinking about making the jump, myself.

[–] uKale@lemmy.world 1 points 12 hours ago

Have a look at my other answer in this thread! If you are a tinkerer with a bit of patience, UT could be a good OS for you.

I would love to try Mobian and PostmarketOS too, I bet that there are some really good ports out there.