Cosmo Communicator

Moem

Cosmo Communicators are already cheap as second-hand devices (250-300 EUR).

That is still above the budget for a toy. But I can wait.

A Former User

a couple of fairly recent review articles about UBports on Cosmo for anyone who may be interested:
https://www.slashgear.com/cosmo-communicator-running-ubuntu-touch-shows-what-should-have-been-27656998/
https://www.gizmochina.com/2021/01/29/cosmo-communicator-ubuntu-touch/

Keneda

@moncon

A formal release of this is expected to happen later this year. The company is said to be working with the UBports community and the Linux community at large to bring support for other Linux distributions to its portable computers.

:face_with_raised_eyebrow: interesting

Something more official from ubports would be great.

A Former User

"A formal release of this is expected to happen later this year. The company is said to be working with the UBports community and the Linux community at large to bring support for other Linux distributions to its portable computers. "

@keneda said in Cosmo Communicator:

:face_with_raised_eyebrow: interesting

Something more official from ubports would be great.

Yes, I wouldn't want to vouch for the accuracy of that statement in the article, but we can dream
Also I just think it's good to get some publicity for the Cosmo and UBports.

A Former User

@DillonM @tac
Just installed recent UBP build, #284408889, from https://gitlab.com/ubports/community-ports/android9/planet-cosmocom/planet-cosmocom/-/jobs, ~~I think~~ I have sms receiving.

Moem

A Cosmo Communicator has, as if by magic, appeared in this house. Are there any instructions for installation? Please note that I'm not experienced with this sort of thing, I have only ever installed UT through the Installer.

Keneda

@moem I don't have this device but you could start from this link wich comes from devices list : https://github.com/gemian/gemian/wiki/UBPorts

Lakotaubp

@moem Magic?however it got there enjoy.

Moem

@keneda said in Cosmo Communicator:

@moem I don't have this device but you could start from this link wich comes from devices list : https://github.com/gemian/gemian/wiki/UBPorts

Thanks! I saw that but it's a bit over my head... Gemian install? I never heard of Gemian but it seems to be something that can be installed... (Yes, yes, I can look it up.)
See, I was hoping for something a little more basic. But maybe it doesn't exist.

Moem

@lakotaubp said in Cosmo Communicator:

however it got there enjoy.

Thank you! Eventually, I'm sure I will.

cliffcoggin

@moem Good luck with that Moem. It's all utterly meaningless to me. Perhaps you need some more magic.

Moem

@cliffcoggin said in Cosmo Communicator:

Perhaps you need some more magic.

Luckily, I seem to be living with a wizard...

Keneda

@moem
https://github.com/gemian
https://support.planetcom.co.uk/index.php/Main_Page

A Former User

@moem said in Cosmo Communicator:

Are there any instructions for installation?

Sorry for the late response, I've only just seen your request for info.
If you still need help I will try to help you later when I finish work.
There are a few steps, but all fairly simple if I managed them.

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.