Librem 5 April Update • Hacker News Board

Re: Librem 5 April Update

#21

Post by madez » Sat, Apr 27, 2019, 5:10 PM UTC

0815test wrote: post #19

ac29 wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There are a handful of devices that can run mainline kernels via postmarketOS: https://wiki.postmarketos.org/wiki/Devices That being said, the project is still early, almost nothing supports cellular data, SMS, or phone calls.

Yes, thing is, the amount of work that seems to be needed to bring up a mainline kernel "properly" on even one of the most open and best-documented SOC's in industry (the one Purism chose for this phone) is already a bit scary as shown by the OP post. Now imagine multiplying that by the zillions of phone models that Cyanogenmod used to support or that LineageOS still supports today. That's basically the scope of work…

Most devices are basically unusable because they lack documentation and specification. It can be painstainkingly and slowly reengineered, but when is that done, if ever? I think the easier way is to spend money on devices with proper documentation.

More and more the most important question I have when I consider to buy a device is whether the mainline kernel is supported and can be installed. If not, I move on.

Re: Librem 5 April Update

#22

Post by madez » Sat, Apr 27, 2019, 5:12 PM UTC

vbezhenar wrote: post #12

the_pwner224 wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I look forward to have a 100% Linux phone. Is this really what's special about it? IMO what matters is that it runs free software to the greatest extent possible. I suspect that most people who will be buying it don't care whether it runs Linux or a BSD or even something like Minix, as long is it presents the familiar POSIX-like interface, has good software available (GNOME, Plasma Mobile), and is loyal to the user…

Probably Linux is the most pragmatic choice, because Android is based on Linux and vendors produce drivers specifically for Linux.

Drivers for Android are not drivers for Linux. You cannot get them and compile them together with the kernel from kernel.org and install it. That is why the devices are stuck on unmaintainable ancient kernel versions.

Re: Librem 5 April Update

#23

Post by jstanley » Sat, Apr 27, 2019, 6:04 PM UTC

slothtrop wrote: post #11

mikece wrote: post #7

I'm most interested in the Librem 5 from the point of view of Privacy: I don't consent to Google or Apple tracking me just because they made the phone/OS on the phone I bought. I just hope essential apps like Wire, Signal, KeePassXC, FastMail, ProtonMail and MySudo are quickly available for the Librem

Just curious, what's the real advantage here of a manufactured Linux phone over just booting Ubuntu Touch on a compatible model, provided it were in a more mature state?

In addition to the things the other replies stated: Ubuntu Touch is discontinued, and was never really good enough to suggest for daily use with a straight face (source: I used it daily for about 6 months).

Re: Librem 5 April Update

#24

Post by jammygit » Sat, Apr 27, 2019, 6:46 PM UTC

jstanley wrote: post #23

slothtrop wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Just curious, what's the real advantage here of a manufactured Linux phone over just booting Ubuntu Touch on a compatible model, provided it were in a more mature state?

In addition to the things the other replies stated: Ubuntu Touch is discontinued, and was never really good enough to suggest for daily use with a straight face (source: I used it daily for about 6 months).

I liked Ubuntu touch while I used it. The only reason I switched was the missing apps: anki, authy, a couple of others.

Re: Librem 5 April Update

#25

Post by bo1024 » Sat, Apr 27, 2019, 6:48 PM UTC

smitty1e wrote: post #6

Genuinely intriguing stuff: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Librem

If you weren't familiar with them, I'll say I switched to one from a 2013ish Macbook Pro ("the best laptop ever made") and have been very happy with the Librem 13 hardware quality and battery life. Add in hardware kill switches for mic/video and networking, and as FOSS as possible from the firmware on up.

Re: Librem 5 April Update

#26

Post by jammygit » Sat, Apr 27, 2019, 6:53 PM UTC

mikece wrote: post #7

I'm most interested in the Librem 5 from the point of view of Privacy: I don't consent to Google or Apple tracking me just because they made the phone/OS on the phone I bought. I just hope essential apps like Wire, Signal, KeePassXC, FastMail, ProtonMail and MySudo are quickly available for the Librem

I wonder what it would take to port electron apps to the platform

Re: Librem 5 April Update

#27

Post by Tepix » Sat, Apr 27, 2019, 7:04 PM UTC

mikece wrote: post #7

I'm most interested in the Librem 5 from the point of view of Privacy: I don't consent to Google or Apple tracking me just because they made the phone/OS on the phone I bought. I just hope essential apps like Wire, Signal, KeePassXC, FastMail, ProtonMail and MySudo are quickly available for the Librem

Why not run something like AOSP with only open source software from F-Droid and a personal firewall? I did something like that back when CopperheadOS was around.

Re: Librem 5 April Update

#28

Post by krastanov » Sat, Apr 27, 2019, 7:10 PM UTC

jammygit wrote: post #26

mikece wrote: post #7

I'm most interested in the Librem 5 from the point of view of Privacy: I don't consent to Google or Apple tracking me just because they made the phone/OS on the phone I bought. I just hope essential apps like Wire, Signal, KeePassXC, FastMail, ProtonMail and MySudo are quickly available for the Librem

I wonder what it would take to port electron apps to the platform

The platform is basically Debian (with important customizations, of course), so if you do not care much that the app will look "out of place" and will be sluggish because of electron, then there is no substantial work involved.

Re: Librem 5 April Update

#29

Post by slothtrop » Sat, Apr 27, 2019, 7:20 PM UTC

jstanley wrote: post #23

slothtrop wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Just curious, what's the real advantage here of a manufactured Linux phone over just booting Ubuntu Touch on a compatible model, provided it were in a more mature state?

In addition to the things the other replies stated: Ubuntu Touch is discontinued, and was never really good enough to suggest for daily use with a straight face (source: I used it daily for about 6 months).

But it's not. It's now community supported.

Re: Librem 5 April Update

#30

Post by vbezhenar » Sat, Apr 27, 2019, 8:01 PM UTC

madez wrote: post #22

vbezhenar wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Probably Linux is the most pragmatic choice, because Android is based on Linux and vendors produce drivers specifically for Linux.

Drivers for Android are not drivers for Linux. You cannot get them and compile them together with the kernel from kernel.org and install it. That is why the devices are stuck on unmaintainable ancient kernel versions.

What do you mean they are not drivers for Linux? AFAIK they are blobs for Linux. Of course you can't compile them, as they are proprietary, but they are drivers for Linux.