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

91–100 of 539 posts

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

#91

Post by dsr_ »

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.

Counter-evidence: the Google Play Store, which is a wretched hive of scum and villainy.

And also malware.

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

#92

Post by jolmg »

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?

PinePhone (Pro) or Librem 5

> run a desktop Linux distribution (or Windows for that matter) that supports mobile features (calling, SMS, and data)?

The above use ARM SoCs. Palm-sized x86 with cell modem? Doubt it.

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

#93

Post by josephg »

dools wrote: post #89

Speaking of Linux on mobile, I have about 300 of these things for sale with some associated hardware and software if anyone is interested (in Australia but can ship obviously) https://www.openstick.de/

It’d be cool to see pictures of the device!

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

#94

Post by prmoustache »

t1234s wrote: post #8

Google Play Services ruins dream of this. I've noticed that automotive digital keys don't work with Graphine OS due to how Google Wallet works.

I thought I would miss google wallet but after 2 years of using graphene I came to the conclusion that it is easy to live without it.

A non problem imho.

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

#95

Post by softfalcon »

Hackbraten wrote: post #85
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.

That sounds very interesting to hear about!

What diminished the day-to-day difficulty for you? Is it because the ecosystem became more mature, or did you "crack the code" for how to interface with everything you needed from your phone? Is your use-case for a phone wildly different from that of a typical user?

It's really cool to hear that someone is successfully daily driving it and making this ecosystem work for them!

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

#96

Post by cwmoore »

righthand wrote: post #54
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?

Librem 5 or one of the other recommended mobile Linux devices: https://linuxstans.com/linux-phone/

Wow, $150 vs $2000 for ~ the same thing ~

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

#97

Post by prmoustache »

friendlypenguin wrote: post #37

I really want to leave the Google and Apple Ecosystems, but I still need "these" Banking Apps. Some Banks don't even offer a Web based experience anymore.

But do you need "these" banking apps with you 24/7?

An old smartphone or tablet can do that job and stay in a drawer at home 99% of the time.

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

#98

Post by vladms »

Underphil wrote: post #60
bpavuk wrote: post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

just don't want to. it would be nonsensical to get it since all functionality that was provided by ATMs in pre-mobile age mono provides only via an app. ATMs log in through app and only exist to accept cash, so I can't use it as a "secondary authentication method" in ATMs or check my balance outside the app.

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.

I wonder if thinking in a binary way (convenience over freedom) is a good description.

I bought mobile devices that I could root over the ones that I couldn't. I favor companies that are less shitty. I preferred Linux over Windows as main OS even when Linux was harder to use (now I think in fact might be easier). But life is made of trade-offs and I did not see particularly good arguments of why Android is "that bad". You can root some devices and one can even avoid lots of services if you don't like Google (maps, mail, etc.) - which I also do.

So for me Android manages to stay in a unstable equilibrium : good for what I need, trustful enough for some stuff (money), not more spying that others (GSM towers), some levels of customization if you really want. Could it go "evil"? Sure, but considering what happens in the world, I am more worried my neighbors would have idiotic ideas than the fact that Google will be so evil.

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

#99

Post by esseph »

nsonha wrote: post #70
TheRoque wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What's wrong with just Android?

people shouldn't have to buy a mac mini to run openclaw, they already have an always-on computer, they just can't install anything computationally useful with it

People are still running openclaw?

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

#100

Post by jolmg »

cwmoore wrote: post #96
righthand wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Librem 5 or one of the other recommended mobile Linux devices: https://linuxstans.com/linux-phone/

Wow, $150 vs $2000 for ~ the same thing ~

Made in China vs Made in USA.

PinePhone specs on table are old. They're currently 3GB RAM and 32GB eMMC at 200 USD for package including hub.

Post reply on HN