Comparison of all kind of Linux Mobile Systems

Mic_ · 13 May 2019, 18:14

I am using now since 2015 ubuntu touch as my only mobile system. I bought at that time this wonderful BQ E5 (which is now broken ;/). Today I use a N5 which runs brilliant with ut.

I have started to have a look at other linux mobile systems. These experiences I would like to share here. I am sure that such a view to the others can improve ut (and the others too) a lot.

The following systems I have already tried:

Plasma Mobile on a Nexus 5+: https://www.plasma-mobile.org/
Nemo Mobile on a Nexus 5+: https://wiki.merproject.org/wiki/Nemo
SailfishOS on a Sony XA2: https://sailfishos.org/
Eelo on a Nexus 5+: https://e.foundation

Mic_ · 13 May 2019, 18:23

While SailfishOS from Jolla costs 29 € (lifetime costs) and the GUI is not open source (but the rest is), all other system are free off costs for end users.

Eelo based on LineageOS - is running fine - but because of the android basis it is not really the focus of my research.

The actual Plasma Mobile version was not really able to do fundamental functions - so I decided to come back to that OS when a next bigger version is published.

Actually I am trying the new 3.0.3.9 version of SailfishOS. Which is really looking great on the first view, offers masses of Sailfish-apps and runs in a very good looking way.

trainailleur · 13 May 2019, 19:18

Is Nemo Mobile functional?

Eelo (now bizarrely renamed "/e/", which is impossible to find with a web search) is essentially LineageOS + microG + some hosted cloud services, the latter being what differentiates it from numerous other Android distros. That could be a draw for those de-Googlers who lack the time or technical inclination to host their own cloud.

Mic_ · 14 May 2019, 11:15

As I know Eelo had to change the name because of legal problems.

And as I understand the concept of /e/ it is nothing else than THE android version which concentrates only on open source apps / gui / OS.

I think ut should have a closer look at Eelo. This system is far developed, running on all lineage phones and offering only verifiable apps. And the way they try to marketing it, could also fit to ut.

Sure its much easier for them - only taking a ready (and older) OS. But for the future probably they could set up on an ubuntu touch version also?!

Mic_ · 14 May 2019, 11:24

/e/ is still beta (newest version: e-0.5-n-201905099519). As I know they actually work on their specific store and some major applications. They plan to buy phones and sell them incl. their system directly to customers during this year (this could be quite interesting because they also work inside a foundation):

https://e.foundation/e-pre-installed-smartphones/

/e/ is working fine e.g. on a Nexus 5 (and 4), you can test it here:
https://gitlab.e.foundation/e/wiki/en/wikis/device/hammerhead/info

or follow this: https://hackernoon.com/leaving-apple-google-e-first-beta-is-here-89e39f492c6f

I will come back to /e/ when the first official version is ready.

Mic_ · 14 May 2019, 11:25

@trainailleur

I have installed nemo mobile on the Nexus 5+. And its running perfect. I haven't found problems (as a normal user). But it is nothing else than an old SailfishOS-version on basis of more open source components. So I cannot see more differents.

The newest version of SailfishOS is actually running e.g. on a Sony XA2 - for a Nexus 5+ it is not developed. And the XA2 is until now not part of nemo mobile.

makeixo · 14 May 2019, 21:30

I have a Xperia X with SF X as my daily driver and its runs quite smooth. Especially since Jolla has rolled out Sailfish 3.
In addition to that I have an Opo with UT. I dont use it much because without Anbox I cant use it as daily driver and I am waiting for the next mir version.

PureOS and LuneOS are out there as well.

Last year I have tried Plasma Mobile on my N5. It was actually not useable in anyway.

Mic_ · 15 May 2019, 13:18

Plasma Mobile: https://www.plasma-mobile.org/
Nemo Mobile: https://wiki.merproject.org/wiki/Nemo
SailfishOS: https://sailfishos.org/
/e/ (Eelo): https://e.foundation
PureOS (only for future Librem 5?): https://puri.sm/
LuneOS: https://pivotce.com/2018/11/28/luneos-november-stable-release-doppio/

Mic_ · 15 May 2019, 13:22

PureOS can only be tested on a PC or you have to order future Librem 5. I haven't found a development for another phone which can be tested?!

LuneOS with a version from the end of last year can be tested on a Nexus 4+5: http://build.webos-ports.org/releases/doppio/images/

I will also try it

Mic_ · 15 May 2019, 14:02

@makeixo

My first days now with the newest version of SailfishOS on the Sony XA2 are really impressive! In several stores with different quality levels there are masses of apps; the integration of android works really great, so even the android store is available and fast! (even if I not urgently need it). The system looks great and innovative, everything works also on a second view. So Jolla really does a very good job! Its the most developed system - besides the big two - as I see the things.

But:

With no other OS I had so many problems with the installation. Without Windows it was not possible - and an USB problem made it neccessary to use also a second PC. One phone got bricked because Sailfish is (until now) not installable on devices flashed with Android 9. Jolla stopped carrying out the system for a while and tries to find with Sony a way to reanimate such phones.

If I compare the funcionality of the browser and other standard applications like navigation, mailing, messengers or just weather information, I miss a bit the pure functionality of ubuntu touch. And especially the way to switch from one app to another, the solution on ut is for me much more handy. And at the end I would prefer some selected apps instead of masses.

By the way: On Sailfish there is an app called 'Crest'. Here you can see how many processes are actually running on the phone. Compare if the android support is On and Off. You see maybe 2 processes if its Off. You see more than 20 processes if its On - even if you haven't opened any app ever in your live. Normally the android support automatically starts and can be started only through apps, if you have stopped it.

kugiigi · 15 May 2019, 14:25

@Mic_ Sailfish OS is indeed a great alternative mobile OS. Looks and works great. It's just that in my opinion, it doesn't offer any potential for the future because it's too mobile-centric.

Mic_ · 15 May 2019, 14:40

We could now have a long discussions if the future of an OS is an identical system which runs on all kinds of devices, which it is not from my point of view - but thats not the reason for this topic. I wanted to point out advantages and disadvantages or problems (like this one with android 9, which could in the future also be one for ut) of that what the market is offering.

But why ut is less mobile-centric? I don't find a lot about the core of Sailfish. Its based on Mer -> MeeGo -> Moblin, its middleware and should easily be adaptable to all kinds of devices: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MeeGo

dobey · 17 May 2019, 14:02

@Mic_ said in Comparison of all kind of Linux Mobile Systems:

But why ut is less mobile-centric?

Convergence. The point is to be able to run the same OS on phone and PC, and have the same apps, security, and experience, across devices.

Mic_ · 19 May 2019, 09:43

@dobey Is there already an useful app which can be used on both (phone and PC)?

So for security issues it has advantages!? If somewhen the updates of Ubuntu LTS will be added to the mobile system as well!?

Mic_ · 19 May 2019, 09:44

A: Systems based on a PC-distribution

Plasma Mobile: plasma-mobile.org (based on Ubuntu 16.04 LTS, etc)
PureOS (only for future Librem 5?): puri.sm (based on Debian-testing)
Ubuntu touch: ubuntu-touch.io (based on Ubuntu 16.04 LTS)

B. Systems without corresponding PC-distribution (mobile-centric OS)

LuneOS: webos-ports.org (based on Open webOS (LG))
Nemo Mobile: wiki.merproject.org/wiki/Nemo (based on Mer/MeeGo Linux)
SailfishOS: sailfishos.org/ (based on Mer/MeeGo Linux (Jolla))
/e/ (Eelo): https://e.foundation (based on LineageOS 14)

[Android]

[IOS]

[ ] = Out of focus

A Former User · 19 May 2019, 10:01

@Mic_
My unending gratitude to @Krille for the Matrix client, FluffyChat, and the perfect notes app, Jotit, which are on both my phone, and my laptop.

Mic_ · 19 May 2019, 10:16

@3arn0wl Ok, didn't know. I use all of them - but only mobile.

A Former User · 19 May 2019, 10:27

Actually, @Mic_, the answer I gave was only half correct... It's true that FluffyChat and Jotit (and other apps) are available for both the phone and lap/desktop, but what really needs to happen, imho, is for there to be common packaging - UBports UT uses click packaging, but it would be better to use Snap, so that a) the apps are identical and b) the developers don't have to do so much work... It would also make available a lot of other apps to use on the phone... even if it required a monitor and keyboard to be connected to do so effectively.

dobey · 19 May 2019, 12:58

@Mic_ said in Comparison of all kind of Linux Mobile Systems:

@dobey Is there already an useful app which can be used on both (phone and PC)?

I use authenticator-ng daily on my PC. Most any of the other apps could also be built for PC. Apps that rely mostly and heavily on swipes may be more difficult to use though.

@Mic_ said in Comparison of all kind of Linux Mobile Systems:

So for security issues it has advantages!? If somewhen the updates of Ubuntu LTS will be added to the mobile system as well!?

Updates from 16.04 should get pulled in daily to the devel images, in general. Kernel updates don't apply of course, since we're using Android kernels for our current devices. And there are some things which we need to maintain packaging for, to be able to ship newer/fixed versions, which should not be updated from the Ubuntu main repos.

@3arn0wl said in Comparison of all kind of Linux Mobile Systems:

but what really needs to happen, imho, is for there to be common packaging - UBports UT uses click packaging, but it would be better to use Snap

Clicks can be installed just fine on PC. However, they need to be built for the architecture, or be arch all packages, (or you'll need an ARM PC). Though the problem here is running them under Xorg means significantly less security in place. Until Unity8 is working reliably on PCs, there will be some sacrifices there and with usability/integration.

A Former User · 19 May 2019, 13:35

@dobey said in Comparison of all kind of Linux Mobile Systems:

Until Unity8 is working reliably on PCs...

How I long for that day!!