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Coding without a laptop: Two weeks with AR glasses and Linux on Android

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Re: Coding without a laptop: Two weeks with AR glasses and Linux on Android

#251

Post by byb »

I'm hoping more people will author articles about using these types of displays full time. There was an article posted a month ago about someone using XREAL ONEs with an x86 PC and a portable power bank. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43668192

I've done some cursory research on the XREAL Air 2 Pros because they are currently discounted at 299 USD. I'm interested in retiring a 4K 43" monitor which has been slightly too large.

My question to anyone who has tried XREAL's products is whether the more expensive XREAL ONE model provides a much better productivity experience for 499 USD?

So far, I'm not convinced the Air 2s provide a 'stable' enough image for productivity tasks as this article states. I found a Youtube reviewer who created a rendition of what it is like to use them for video editing - and they weren't enthusiastic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZhD8Dt6akY&t=316s

Linus Sebastian from LTT did go on Jimmy Fallon a few months ago and show off the XREAL ONEs https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=vybLi25Q8Fw

For me, I'm not interested in XREAL's Android offerings; I'm more interested in Graphine or e/OS, but would need to purchase a new tablet and a new phone with USB-C display output. I did pick up a Chuwi Hi10 X1 Intel n100 tablet a few months ago for about 200 USD, so that solves the battery problem for me. https://store.chuwi.com/products/hi10-x1-n150

If I didn't have that, and wanted to go the powerbank with X86 route, the company MeLE does have some very, very small mini pcs. https://store.mele.cn/products/mele-quieter-4c-n100-3-4ghz-f...

To many people asking about keyboards, I'd recommend simply getting a 60% with bluetooth, or an adapter which converts a regular USB keyboard into a bluetooth adapter. I'm also a trackball user, and the Japanese company DEFT makes some decent ones.

Re: Coding without a laptop: Two weeks with AR glasses and Linux on Android

#252

Post by aljgz »

buserror wrote: post #243
transpute wrote: post #225

There's roughly 4 different approaches to Linux on Android: • virtual machine emulating x86_64 • Termux • arm64 binaries running in chroot • proot.. Same idea as chroot, but doesn't use forbidden system calls Fifth option: arm64 pKVM VM from Android 15 on Pixel 7+ phone/tablet hardware using nested h/w virtualization. Shipped in 2025 under the uninformative name of "Linux Terminal" via Development options, Android no…

Just tried to install that on my pixel 9, and the option is there (Linux development) and the Terminal app is there, but it seems to freeze on launch, when it asks for permission to get Location. Bummer I was looking forward to this!

This worked for me: Go to the app info, set the permissions and run it again.

Re: Coding without a laptop: Two weeks with AR glasses and Linux on Android

#253

Post by toyg »

lhamil64 wrote: post #188
johnh-hn wrote: post #96

Does anyone know if these glasses, or any other glasses, can be tried in-person and used on desktop? I'm legally blind, but have just enough vision to use a screen without a screen reader. The problem is I have to be about 6 inches from a 27 inch screen. I'm tall, and I'm almost bent in half to do it. It's been hell on my back and neck. I've only really made it work because I've modified so many things to get around…

It sounds like we have a similar situation. I've been wondering if these kinds of glasses would work for me but it just seems like such a hassle to order a pair to try just to end up returning them if they don't work. I wish they were sold in a store that I could just walk into and try them for a minute. FWIW, I use a monitor arm that's mounted on the front left side of my desk (my dad also modified my desk so this w…

XREAL is on Amazon, and their return policy is pretty good.

Re: Coding without a laptop: Two weeks with AR glasses and Linux on Android

#254

Post by toyg »

colingauvin wrote: post #99
johnh-hn wrote: post #96

Does anyone know if these glasses, or any other glasses, can be tried in-person and used on desktop? I'm legally blind, but have just enough vision to use a screen without a screen reader. The problem is I have to be about 6 inches from a 27 inch screen. I'm tall, and I'm almost bent in half to do it. It's been hell on my back and neck. I've only really made it work because I've modified so many things to get around…

You can use them just as a monitor/without AR - some require a special USB-C to DP cable if you don't have native USB-C video out (or Thunderbolt), but they are a bit blurry compared to normal screens for me. I'm not sure how well they'd work for you. The other problem is they aren't quite up against your eyes the way VR headsets are. They project a screen that appears to be quite far away. I imagine you could lower…

Newer models, like the One and One Pro, allow you to set the distance. I think the minimum is 1.5m.

Re: Coding without a laptop: Two weeks with AR glasses and Linux on Android

#255

Post by dr_kiszonka »

anonzzzies wrote: post #230
transpute wrote: post #225

There's roughly 4 different approaches to Linux on Android: • virtual machine emulating x86_64 • Termux • arm64 binaries running in chroot • proot.. Same idea as chroot, but doesn't use forbidden system calls Fifth option: arm64 pKVM VM from Android 15 on Pixel 7+ phone/tablet hardware using nested h/w virtualization. Shipped in 2025 under the uninformative name of "Linux Terminal" via Development options, Android no…

I use NOMone; works really well. Runs everything I need including vscode/cursor, node and anything else I need without any fiddling, it just all works. Obviously the new linux vm is likely nicer, but this works really well so far. 0] https://desktop.nomone.com/

Nice! Does it support virtual desktops ("Workspaces" on Ubuntu)?

Re: Coding without a laptop: Two weeks with AR glasses and Linux on Android

#256

Post by toyg »

conradev wrote: post #17

This is my favorite portable keyboard: https://www.logitech.com/en-us/shop/p/keys-to-go2-universal.... Unless they have a way to lock open, foldable keyboards will always subtly bend which is annoying enough for me to ditch the folding part entirely.

IMHO the best option would be a LingLong Lunar. But they are pricey right now.

Re: Coding without a laptop: Two weeks with AR glasses and Linux on Android

#257

Post by toyg »

asdev wrote: post #37

Apple is releasing Vision OS 2 which lets you do an ultrawide display on the Vision Pro. It looks phenomenal and has no lag

Recent XREAL glasses can do ultrawide already.

The Vision Pro, like most full headsets, tries to do too much.

Re: Coding without a laptop: Two weeks with AR glasses and Linux on Android

#258

Post by toyg »

Blankono wrote: post #6
mikenew wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hey thanks (I'm the author)! BTW the "Pro" version has the electrochromic dimming, so I recommend paying a little extra for that unless you're really sure you're not going to need it. EDIT: To clarify, I meant the "Xreal Air 2 Pro", not the "Xreal One Pro". The latter are much more expensive.

Your price point for the used glasses is quite lucky to just play around with it or using it sometimes. They cost 800 new :| 1080p is that really okay?

Have you looked on Amazon? I got the One (not pro) for less than £500.

Re: Coding without a laptop: Two weeks with AR glasses and Linux on Android

#259

Post by bgnn »

johnh-hn wrote: post #96

Does anyone know if these glasses, or any other glasses, can be tried in-person and used on desktop? I'm legally blind, but have just enough vision to use a screen without a screen reader. The problem is I have to be about 6 inches from a 27 inch screen. I'm tall, and I'm almost bent in half to do it. It's been hell on my back and neck. I've only really made it work because I've modified so many things to get around…

Great replies here already. Just piggybacking on the monitor arms: I have mounted mine to the wall. If this is an option for you, you can mount them at a good height on the wall and extend it to bring the screen closer.

Re: Coding without a laptop: Two weeks with AR glasses and Linux on Android

#260

Post by toyg »

bernardom wrote: post #27

How do glasses like this work for someone who wears eyeglasses for myopia and astigmatism, and doesn't like contacts?

You can buy inserts for an additional $80 from official partner HONSVR, or less from AliExpress. My HONS inserts work as well as any glasses I've had. I have -1.50 myopia in both eyes, with different levels of astigmatism.
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