using Ubuntu Touch as o/s for IoT devices with RPi/Rockchip
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Hello , keen to know if we can possibly use Ubuntu touch in production environments for IoT use cases.
It would be ideal if we can use Ubuntu Touch. Our boards are generic, with one based on RPi CM4 and another based on Rockchip 35xx (3566/68).
Our main requirements is a simple UI for basic navigation and settings. We do not use voice or any of the mobile phone related usage. Currently Debian with XFCE works, but it is clumsy to use.
It would be great if someone can point me to docs and other relating information to help us start porting for RPi CM4.
Any help would be much appreciated.
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@techwryte I don't think it's a valid use case for Ubuntu Touch. UT runs on top of Halium which enables Android drivers to work with a Linux OS. You don't need that for hardware supported by mainline Linux. Your needs could be better served by PostmarketOS or just using a mobile DE inside of Debian.
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@techwryte
If your needs are in the user interface, why not use Lomiri on a Debian base? -
@techwryte It has already been ported to raspberry pi 3/4. See rootfs builder repo. You can build the raspberry image yourself, or grab an older image . I think the default rootfs would also work if you keep the fat partition.
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@ikoz , @fave, @Valarayys - than you for the education
only need an android like the UI with the main utilities + debian linux base - the device will run a single app (.net blazor hybrid) - both are good suggestions - will explore that -
Debian+Mobile DE would be ideal - unfortunately not that literate to know how to go about it in a way that we can create and deploy in production and maintain/update it in a consistent way. -
@techwryte it would seem Ubuntu core is better suited for your use case.
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@arubislander - thank you for your suggestion
already tried ubuntu core - great in theory - but many shortcomings in practice - ubuntu core is tightly controller and has licensing requirements. cannot install as an msp and manage multiple customer sites - all the devices are registered under one e-mail. have to register each device with ubuntu and there is no side loading. ubuntu core + Mir display server + ubuntu frame for single apps is an ideal scenario. Instead of ubuntu core, we tried with ubuntu server minimal install with mir+ubuntu frame so that we have full control on the environment - it works reasonably well. the ubuntu frame has major limitations - it is only a full display browser shell - cannot do regular app. It is wayland only - most of the remote access software do not work well with wayland. -
@techwryte if the issue with ubuntu server minimal install with mir+ubuntu frame is that Frame is not suitable (because it is, by design, for a single fullscreen app), why not try a different Mir based shell? From your description it sounds like Miriway might be adaptable to your needs: https://snapcraft.io/miriway
For remote access I use VNC over an ssh tunnel (both with Frame and Miriway): IME Wayland isn't a problem
(Disclaimer: I am the author of Miriway)
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@techwryte said in using Ubuntu Touch as o/s for IoT devices with RPi/Rockchip:
Currently Debian with XFCE works, but it is clumsy to use.
@techwryte said in using Ubuntu Touch as o/s for IoT devices with RPi/Rockchip:
Debian+Mobile DE would be ideal - unfortunately not that literate to know how to go about it in a way that we can create and deploy in production and maintain/update it in a consistent way
So if Debian works, but the desktop environment (XFCE) is to clumsy, it would maybe be the easiest and quickest solution to try out Debian+Gnome, before porting Ubuntu Touch or going for Ubuntu+Miriway (even if porting Ubuntu Touch or choosing Ubuntu+Miriway sounds much more exciting).
It should be no problem to install Gnome onto your existing Debian system. You can also start Gnome in X11 mode, if Wayland is not suitable for your software. Additionally "touchegg" is often recommended online, for touch gestures under X11, but I never have tried it out.
With the Gnome software center, you would also get graphical update notifications like you would get under Ubuntu, if you mean this with "maintain/update it in a consistent way".
For automatic installation of security updates, you could also check out "unattended-upgrades".A specific mobile DE, you could also look into, is Phosh. But it will probably not work with your remote access software.
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@johndoe said in using Ubuntu Touch as o/s for IoT devices with RPi/Rockchip:
A specific mobile DE, you could also look into, is Phosh. But it will probably not work with your remote access software.
Whereas Lomiri is known to work with VNC at least. And it is in the debian repo's as @Vlad-Nirky already mentioned.
