Get Ready And Post Your Questions For Q&A 37 This Saturday 29/09 At 19:00 UTC

wsha

I don't understand too well how the Linux kernel interacts with the user space programs that I typically interact with so pardon my ignorance with these questions:

I understand that Android device manufacturers implement their drivers in userspace and do not open source them, so it is very difficult to update a device's kernel from the version it originally shipped with without breaking all of the drivers. What are the security implications of using an old kernel in this way? For example, the Nexus 5 uses kernel 3.4 which was last updated in 2015 (according to https://mirrors.edge.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v3.x/). Have any major vulnerabilities in the kernel been discovered since then that are relevant to Ubuntu Touch and is it feasible to backport fixes for them?

OTA-4 got Ubuntu Touch onto a 16.04 base, so I assume that everything besides the kernel gets supported security patches from Canonical (other than the Ubuntu Touch specific bits). The main Ubuntu 16.04 used kernel 4.4. Are there any problems with using it on an older kernel?

vlladdrakk

Is there a lot of work going into, or planned for, the Nexus 4? That is all I have to run UT right now, but there is a bug that causes the system to reboot when the camera app is opened. I don't want to come across as complaining, I love what you all have done with UT and I am thankful it runs on the N4. I try to contribute back as much as I can with bug reports and I hope to have the time in the future to contribute some code. Thanks!

advocatux

@vlladdrakk that issue is already labeled as a "critical bug" and it's targeted for OTA-5

https://github.com/ubports/ubuntu-touch/issues/514

A Former User

UT got into the Top 50 of the Distrowatch Charts! (woot! woot!) What has the reaction to a rebase onto 16.04 been like? Have you noticed increased interest from developers?
How's OTA-5 coming along? When will it be released? And will it be a straightforward Over The Air upgrade this time?
What does this week's release of Mir 1.0 Stable mean for UT?

that_rin

1) Possible to add WiFi calling to Ubuntu touch?

-Also just want to thank you guys for an awesome OS.

Off topic is uNav still being worked on? It seems to never know my location. It seems to be always miles away from my current position.
-using Nexus 5

Stefano

@lakotaubp
Progress with Halium?
Support for new devices comming soon?

advocatux

@that_rin linphone will be available in the OpenStore soon (tm). It works pretty fine now

If you want to test it, or help developing, translating, etc, please join https://t.me/ubport_linphone

The repo is https://gitlab.com/ubports-linphone/linphone-simple/

About uNav, @costales is pretty busy with other matters now but it should work without issues.

advocatux

Hi, first of all thank you for your amazing work!

Is there any update about the UBports Foundation? Thank you

impreza233

My question is this:

-¿Could Ubuntu Touch take less space on the internal memory of the phones? I believe that a lot of phones nowadays could enjoy more of Ubuntu if there are more space for apps (Android GO phones, for example).

EDIT: I add a second question. I'm porting UBPorts, with Halium, in a new device (Motorola Moto E 4G 2015 aka surnia) and my rootfs won't flash properly because of the limited space in /data. What is the best method of partition resizing for low internal memory phones without possibility of change partitions on flashing?

that_rin

@advocatux Sadly for me at least no. uNav seems to say I am currently at my university while I am actually at home about 3 to 5 miles away.

I have tried to use the gps in town also but sadly never works either.

Just thought I would mention it. Thanks.

advocatux

@that_rin have you checked with sensorsstatus app how your gps is working?

Start that app [*], use a good spot for your device to "see" the satellites, and wait for a while.

[*] https://open-store.io/app/sensorsstatus.chrisclime

that_rin

@advocatux Sensory app says "source has no error'. Mentions lat and longitude, and method satellite.

Sadly it always says I am at my university versus where I am actually somewhere else. Also cleared up my cache with ut tweek tool to see if it does anything sadly same issue.

Thanks. Sorry if I am spamming here.

advocatux

@that_rin yes, maybe we should talk about this in Support

Anyway, if you leave sensorsstatus running for a while, does the "Horizontal accuracy" change?

I need to wait sometimes 5 minutes or more to see it getting more accurate.

UniSuperBox

@impreza233, could you post your question in the porting subforum so more people are able to benefit from the answer?

impreza233

Yes, no problem, @UniSuperBox

vlladdrakk

@advocatux I realize that there is an existing ticket for this issue. But does that mean it is guaranteed to be fixed for OTA-5? Is there someone working to fix it? I guess it doesn't seem very clear that there is anything happening with that ticket.

A Former User

Hi @UniSuperBox,
In the last Q&A you mentioned that you'd still like to garner artwork. Can you publish a URL for us to upload to. Thanks

advocatux

@vlladdrakk I don't know if I can say as much as "guaranteed" but it's targeted for OTA-5, people are working on that issue and, yes, it should be fixed when that OTA is released

vlladdrakk

@advocatux Great! thanks for the info

UniSuperBox

@3arn0wl

I don't have one in particular. We're using the parts from the 16.04 showcase. At the moment I think we've got a great roundup (including your submissions). Might you have your ringtones in .ogg format, maybe?