Cosmo Communicator

[Moem]

@moncon It's not installed yet, so any pointers will certainly be welcome.

[A Former User]

Okay,
Compiled from other peoples hard work:
https://www.oesf.org/forum/index.php?topic=36413.0
https://github.com/gemian/gemian/wiki/UBPorts
https://support.planetcom.co.uk/index.php/Linux_for_Cosmo
my routine for installing Ubuntu Touch on the Cosmo Communicator is as follows.

On PC
Download and extract multiboot from planet website:
'https://support.planetcom.co.uk/index.php/Linux_for_Cosmo'
Follow the instructions to download the Linux/MultiBoot firmware for your Cosmo: 'support.planetcom.co.uk/download/cosmo-customos-installer-v3.zip'
I used V3, V4 is now available but I haven't tried it.
Follow the steps to extract, get it on a freshly formatted (I think it needs to be FAT32) micro SD card (minimum 8GB), and get it in your shiny Cosmo. I downloaded and extracted this on a Linux PC and then transferred to a micro SD card that I stuck in my Cosmo.

On Cosmo
Set up your Cosmo for MultiBoot.
Continue to follow the webpage instructions to partition your Cosmo, I select most for Linux, you may choose one of the other options (Reserve 30GB for Android and 90 GB for Linux) if you need rooted android.

On Cosmo
Install KDE Gemian in slot3.
Continue with the process and the Planet website to install Debian on the Cosmo. You will need Debian to help with the Ubuntu Touch installation later. Stick it in 'Slot 3'. Power off your Cosmo.

On PC
Download latest 'flashable' Ubuntu Touch version as zip from:
'https://gitlab.com/ubports/community-ports/android9/planet-cosmocom/planet-cosmocom/-/pipelines' (I used #284408889)
Unzip to create 'out' folder, stick it on a micro SD card, which can be the same card you used previously.

On Cosmo
Stick the micro SD card in the Cosmo then boot your Cosmo into KDE Gemian.
default login for Debian is:
user: cosmo
password: cosmo
Using the Debian file manager 'Dolphin', copy 'out' folder in sdcard to 'home' folder in Cosmo.

Follow the github instructions at:
https://github.com/gemian/gemian/wiki/UBPorts
You will be using the terminal application 'Konsole' for this
Open 'Konsole', and at the command line enter:
sudo mv out/rootfs.img /ubuntu.img
If you get the error 'unable to resolve host cosmopda: Temporary failure in name resolution' or similar at this point, you may need to modify the 'hosts' file, by adding the line:
127.0.0.1 cosmopda
below the 127.0.0.1 localhost line, by opening with 'Konsole' and editing with 'Nano' by typing:
sudo nano /etc/hosts
, then making and saving the changes, then rebooting.
I got this tweak from here:
https://askubuntu.com/questions/1343609/sudo-unable-to-resolve-host-hostname-temporary-failure-in-name-resolution

then from 'Konsole' run the last two lines:
sudo parted /dev/block/mmcblk0 name 42 UBPORTS
sudo dd if=out/boot.img of=/dev/disk/by-partlabel/UBPORTS

This should do it, now a reboot should be good to reboot into Ubuntu Touch.
From the selection menu select UBPORTS, then let it boot.

edit 2021/08/23: Tidied this up a bit

[Moem]

@moncon Wow, thank you! That is a really nice step-by-step set of instructions. We will try them out soon and let you know how it goes!

[Mou du GNU]

@moncon Worked perfectly for me ! It is soo easy !
I had more difficulties with the UBports installer on other devices.
Now I have a new toy to go along my daily driver.

[A Former User]

@mou-du-gnu

Nice one.
Glad to hear the install went smoothly, I'm sure you and your Cosmo will enjoy Ubuntu Touch, me and my Cosmo do.
I use my Cosmo as my daily driver with UT, it is indeed a great toy, but so much more than that. The UT interface coupled with the Cosmo keyboard works sooo well.
I have no need for anything else in my pockets or on my person except my car keys, and occasionally my wallet.
Have fun

[Mou du GNU]

@moncon How did you manage to use the Cosmo keyboard properly ?
On my French layout, I have a problem with the "m" letter and all caracters accesible by Fn+key.
Only thing that prevents me to try Cosmo as my daily driver.
Thanks again for the install.

[A Former User]

@mou-du-gnu

What's the problem with the 'm' key and the 'Fn' key?
Is it a physical problem where they are a bit sticky or dozy and need to loosen up and 'bed in', or is it a software keyboard mapping type problem where they just don't register what they are supposed to on your French Azerty layout? I'm on UK Qwerty and pretty much everything but the keyboard backlight adjustment worked out of the box.

[Mou du GNU]

@moncon For me the layout is good for all the keys but the "m" one (output is "ù") and Fn key doesn't work. I think it is surely a keyboard mapping problem. I don't have it with the linux boot.

[Keneda]

@mou-du-gnu
Forgive my off topic, but i love your nick lol

[sven]

@mou-du-gnu There have been keyboard mapping problems (Russian, Dvorak, ...) that have been resolved quite quickly via an issue in gitlab. Please open a good one at https://gitlab.com/ubports/community-ports/android9/planet-cosmocom/planet-cosmocom/-/issues

[A Former User]

@sven @mou-du-gnu

@sven said in Cosmo Communicator:

@mou-du-gnu There have been keyboard mapping problems (Russian, Dvorak, ...) that have been resolved quite quickly via an issue in gitlab. Please open a good one at https://gitlab.com/ubports/community-ports/android9/planet-cosmocom/planet-cosmocom/-/issues

Yes, let us know how you get on, keep us in the loop, hopefully this will be resolved soon.

I'll see if I can reproduce the same behaviour on my unit by selecting AZERTY keyboard and French language if need be when I get a chance.

[sven]

@Mou-du-GNU The relevant section is labelled "French" in https://gitlab.com/ubports/community-ports/android9/planet-cosmocom/planet-cosmocom/-/blob/master/overlay/system/usr/share/X11/xkb/symbols/planet_vndr/cosmo
AE... is the top row of keys, AD the second etc. Compare to your physical keyboard.

[Mou du GNU]

@sven
The solution was to declare the existing french cosmo layout in the evdev.xml file. I added :

<variant>
   <configItem>
     <name>fr</name>
     <shortDescription>fr</shortDescription>
     <description>French (Cosmo Communicator)</description>
     <languageList>
       <iso639Id>fr</iso639Id>
     </languageList>
   </configItem>
 </variant>

in the "planet" section as explained here : https://gitlab.com/ubports/community-ports/android9/planet-cosmocom/planet-cosmocom/-/issues/3

Then the Cosmo communicator layout appears in the variants of French in the physical keyboard menu of UT. Didn't touch to the layout file at all.

Thanks both of you for the tips. Works perfectly now.

[Mou du GNU]

@mou-du-gnu I pushed my exploration of UT on Cosmo with a french keyboard further.
The keyboard layout works perfectly on UT and apps.
I tried to install a couple linux apps in a Libertine container and suddenly I'm back to sort of a qwerty layout. The keyboard layout indicator in UT switches to "En" (English Cosmo communicator, UK) wich explains the issue. I haven't found a way to revert to a French layout.
As soon as I go back to an app in UT, the layout is correct again.

[Prometheus]

@moncon - Very nice instructions, thank you. Can you tell us more about the full functionality of Ubuntu Touch on Cosmo Communicator (i.e. What works and what doesn't work)?

[sven]

@prometheus I am running UBports on Cosmo Communicators for a year. The coverage is not complete, but it might fit your needs, see https://devices.ubuntu-touch.io/device/cosmo-communicator/

[Prometheus]

@sven - Thanks sven! Just was wondering if 4G calling, text, email, data and wifi along with respective notifications were working reliably since "Port Progress" shows "Inactive".

[Keneda]

@prometheus
4G calling, a.k.a. VoLTE is not handled by uTouch, no matter what phone you'll try, for now.

[sven]

@prometheus Wifi works reliably (except the hotspot, but this is broken on many UBports devices). I have no SIM card, so I cannot report about mobile data.

[Prometheus]

@keneda - Thanks for the 4G/VoLTE issue heads up. Do you know if at least 3G voice, text, and data along with notifications are working reliably on Cosmo/UBports?