Browser limits phone usability
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@jojumaxx I too have had problems with some sites and UT. Specifically I can't buy stuff from Screwfix that I need for work. In frustration I tried the unthinkable. I fired up Waydroid and used their browser. Success!
It does go against the grain but at least I can buy stuff I need.More of a problem is the imminent shut down of 2G/3G in the UK on the Three network. I might have to do the completely unthinkable and get another phone..... running Android.
I can't believe I just admitted that here. If I do succumb I will retain my UT phone as a web browser at home and await the arrival of VOLTE
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I heard in a recent Q&A that there is another browser in the works, so all may not be lost just yet!
Is currently using an Op5t
Also owns an Op1, a BQ E4.5 and an Xperia X, as well as a BQ tablet and a Pinetab2. Please, someone... make it stop. -
Can’t you just use Firefox via Libertine?
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@Ian There's about 9 years to go before they switch off 2g/3g in the UK. 5g isn't working so well outside of the metropolitan areas (dire where I reside, and I switched to 4g which works and yes it is android (booo), a requirement for my work).
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@domubpkm I'll try desktop mode but I doubt it'll resolve e.g. "Your browser version is too old" problem.
Posting the issue in the Q&A section might be a good idea, thanks -
@Ian Yeah, of course I could try Waydroid. But I didn't switch from Android to Linux to emulate Android again...
How about 4G in the UK? I exclusively use it. Are there even 5G UT phones except the Fairphone? -
@Moem That would be great. Did they mention any time this could happen? Since this is imminent a "we're planning it for some time in the future" doesn't seem sufficient...
Happily running Ubuntu Touch:
- BQ Aquaris E5 HD (Retired)
- BQ Aquaris M10 HD (Retired)
- Meizu MX4 Pro (Retired)
- Meizu Pro 5 (Retired)
- PinePhone UBPorts Edition
- Volla Phone
- Volla Phone X
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@moodroid Last time I tried that, FF was neither working nor usable since not adapted to small screens and therefore not even completely visible.
Has that changed by now? -
@jojumaxx I think most of those issues were before Focal Fossa. A great tip from @arubislander is to add MOZ_USE_XINPUT2=1 to the exec in firefox.desktop. Libertine Tweak Tool for scaling and I'm sure there's further improvements that can be made also.
Sent from Firefox
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@jojumaxx said in Browser limits phone usability:
That would be great. Did they mention any time this could happen?
No, but it's a 'it's currently working partially, and the features that don't work yet are being worked on' situation, rather than a 'this is in the plans for the future' one.
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@Moem said in Browser limits phone usability:
another browser in the works
Hello.
Is this a morph update (QtWebEngine) or a real new browser? @Lakotaubp some links about ? Thanks -
@Ian said in Browser limits phone usability:
Specifically I can't buy stuff from Screwfix
If you use a smartphone running Xenial, obviously, it will no longer work. With my Volla running Focal, I can reach the login page of the French mobile site. But I don't have an account so I won't test further.
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@domubpkm said in Browser limits phone usability:
Is this a morph update (QtWebEngine) or a real new browser?
A real new browser with a different rendering engine, if i recall correctly. Alfred was talking about it.
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@domubpkm I have a Vollaphone X running Focal OTA 4. I can browse their site and add things to my basket but I am unable to pay. Very frustrating. For those of you not in the UK Screwfix is a suplier of DIY goods.
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Hello @Moem
@Moem said in Browser limits phone usability:
@domubpkm said in Browser limits phone usability:
Is this a morph update (QtWebEngine) or a real new browser?
A real new browser with a different rendering engine, if i recall correctly. Alfred was talking about it.
Could it be this one?
https://mastodon.social/@fredldotme/112393573256992836
https://mastodon.social/@fredldotme/112394199074682010 -
@Bolly said in Browser limits phone usability:
Could it be this one?
Yes, I do believe that's it!
Be sure not to miss the Q&A tonight, you might hear more
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@domubpkm Some details in here https://ubports.com/blog/ubports-news-1/post/ubuntu-touch-q-a-139-3924
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Sadly this is indeed a major problem right now since UT relies more on the web than the mainstream OSes. The issue with QtWebEngine/Chromium is a tricky thing to fix unless we find a way to move to Qt6 quickly and even then, we'll still have the problem of being always behind.
The browser Alfred is experimenting with is using Webkit which is what Apple uses in Safari and iOS browsers. It's very promising so far and progressing well. I guess it can already be a good workaround on some transactional sites. Currently, it still lacks basic functions though like for example good media playback and even pinch zoom. Hopefully, it can be released soon to the general public as an alternative for sites that are essential to some users that doesn't work properly in Morph anymore. -
@moodroid said in Browser limits phone usability:
A great tip from @arubislander is to add MOZ_USE_XINPUT2=1 to the exec in firefox.desktop
I tried that but noticed no difference.
Can you tell me exactly where to put that (line number) and what effect this is supposed to have? -
@jojumaxx Hi
In /home/phablet/.cache/libertine-container/focal/rootfs/usr/share/applications/firefox.desktop
replace each occurrence of:
Exec=firefox ...
with:
Exec=env MOZ_USE_XINPUT2=1 firefox ...lines 153, 200 and 222
Does that not allow you to do scrolling etc. with the touchscreen?
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