Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

I'm switching my phone from Android to Linux

runarcn.no

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

81–90 of 539 posts

Re: I'm switching my phone from Android to Linux

#81

Post by Gander5739 »

realusername wrote: post #52
charcircuit wrote: post #15

>I've become more and more dissatisfied with the path Google has taken with the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). Be it the dependency and insane tracking of Google Play Services AOSP does not include nor depend on Play Services. >locking down of device trees to hinder custom ROM development Most manufacturers do not distribute these either. The user doesn't even have a pixel so it is not relevant. >all the AI stuf…

Well AOSP doesn't run on a single phone on earth (not even the emulator) so you also have to take into account the reality of what Android is on the ground. AOSP doesn't even include a functional keyboard nor a proper call manager nowadays

But lineageos, grapheneos etc. are based on AOSP and do run on actual phones.

Re: I'm switching my phone from Android to Linux

#83

Post by DaSHacka »

bpavuk wrote: post #64
Underphil wrote: post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Everyone's situation is different I suppose. But I do tire when people choose the convenience over the freedom. Not saying that's what you're doing, but I hear it often enough.

well, me being in Ukraine also means readiness to move out of my house whenever the need (or opportunity to escape abroad! I hate this war and kidnap-conscription) may arise. it's as much convenience as it is preparedness

Do you not also keep your ID on you at all times?

That's why I don't mind carrying around plastic cards, they just go in my wallet with my ID and a small amount of cash anyway.

Even if I was willing to use GPay, I don't like the possibility of my phone dying locking me out of my apartment and preventing me from paying for things.

Re: I'm switching my phone from Android to Linux

#84

Post by Eueudhsbsj32 »

smusamashah wrote: post #78

Now that making apps is easy, and it's the apps and eco system etc that makes an OS take off and adopt, starting a new OS for phone like devices shouldn't be as big of a problem as it used to be. Given fair phone exists, it should now be able to get all kind of apps anyone wants.

The problem isn't missing app functionality that anyone can build. It's access to proprietary third party services that are too useful to go without. And they're not going to let you build your app to access their services.

Re: I'm switching my phone from Android to Linux

#85

Post by Hackbraten »

runjake wrote: post #67

This read like a lot of pain and suffering. I've tried this for kicks myself. There's a lot of sacrifices to be made. But I'm rooting for anything Linux on smartphones.

I've been daily driving a Linux phone for three years. The suffering was real. It's mostly gone now, I love it and will definitely never go back.

Re: I'm switching my phone from Android to Linux

#86

Post by pacifi30 »

summermusic wrote: post #41

Is there such thing as a palm-sized mobile PC that can just run a desktop Linux distribution (or Windows for that matter) that supports mobile features (calling, SMS, and data)? Even if it has rough edges or compromises?

https://thehammer.io/ right now texting device, runs linux :)

Re: I'm switching my phone from Android to Linux

#87

Post by bpavuk »

DaSHacka wrote: post #83
bpavuk wrote: post #64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

well, me being in Ukraine also means readiness to move out of my house whenever the need (or opportunity to escape abroad! I hate this war and kidnap-conscription) may arise. it's as much convenience as it is preparedness

Do you not also keep your ID on you at all times? That's why I don't mind carrying around plastic cards, they just go in my wallet with my ID and a small amount of cash anyway. Even if I was willing to use GPay, I don't like the possibility of my phone dying locking me out of my apartment and preventing me from paying for things.

Diia and plastic are treated equally valid within Ukraine, but losing my ID is going to deal more damage than losing my phone. so no, I don't carry ID with myself at all times - why when I can just scan the QR code and keep the "real stuff" locked at home?

Re: I'm switching my phone from Android to Linux

#88

Post by gruez »

streb-lo wrote: post #76
tester457 wrote: post #65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There's a powerlessness to using Android. It's difficult to just do things. Even windows feels more "free." Phone OSes are built like prisons. Ideally Android would let you drop into a real shell, without having to deal with android sandboxing. Regardless, I use termux and tasker to get my automations done.

Probably because carriers don't want a bunch of poorly secured devices on their networks.

They don't seem to put much effort in proactively blocking residential VPNs though?

Re: I'm switching my phone from Android to Linux

#90

Post by gruez »

aucisson_masque wrote: post #24
charcircuit wrote: post #15

>I've become more and more dissatisfied with the path Google has taken with the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). Be it the dependency and insane tracking of Google Play Services AOSP does not include nor depend on Play Services. >locking down of device trees to hinder custom ROM development Most manufacturers do not distribute these either. The user doesn't even have a pixel so it is not relevant. >all the AI stuf…

Aosp without Google play services is dead. You need it more and more to run apps.

>You need it more and more to run apps.

Realistically nobody is developing apps for linux phones, so the options are android or no apps at all.

Post reply on HN