Volla Phone identical to Gigaset GS290?

[jojumaxx]

@AppLee Thanks, good to know how it's done

[ubuntuzealot]

Gigaset and /e/ have also just made the GS290 now also available pre-loaded with /e/OS (the open source and deGoogled Android):
https://e.foundation/e-announces-the-e-gs290-as-the-latest-device-available-with-privacy-friendly-e-os-pre-installed/

They also provide the ROM the flash any existing GS290.

[tomcic81]

@ubuntuzealot hi, thats not correct i own a GS290 and the easy installer says "GS290 will not supported yet" ... my S9+ semms to be supported, now i have /e/ on my S9+ xD

[tigerpro]

@tomcic81 I actually got /e/ to run on my Volla phone, you have to flash the GS290 Android 10 update, then flash /e/, as far as hardware the Volla is nearly identical to GS290, I believe the key difference is the battery. I will give full disclosure and say that I used SP Flashtool to get /e/ running rather than an installer, but everything worked and I had zero isssues (the Volla/GS290 modem doesnt like my carrier so I cant say for the call or MMS/SMS functionality)

[tomcic81]

@tigerpro Hmmm ... i only use the easy installer, first run i try to install Ubuntu Touch on my GS290, but it failed an stuck on bootloader ... second try i want to install /e/ on my GS290 the same Problem it stuck on Bootloader ... 3rd i use the easy installer but it wont work

I realy want to have Ubuntu Touch on my S9+ AND on my GS290 ... xD

[tigerpro]

@tomcic81 to get UT on your GS290, you will likely have to use SP Flash as I did, I can make a how-to if I have a few minutes free in the coming days, every time I have tried with the ubports installer I have resulted in a bootloop unless Im updating whats already on the device (UT to UT, Sailfish to Sailfish, etc) but I have also tried every ROM/Distro made for the Volla/GS290 that I have been able to get my hands on, so that may have something to do with it.

[TotalSonic]

One note - it was discovered that both GS290 and Volla Phone have the same 4700mAh battery in them - the claim that the Volla had a 5000mAh one was found out to be a mistake and was retracted. So the differences are - sleeker styling with the Volla, and a company that is supporting the development of three alternative OS's that are working well with the device, and other developments such as a multi-rom boot loader as well.

Best regards,
Steve Berson

[tomcic81]

@tigerpro a how to will be a cool thing, i will wait for it

@totalsonic it sounds good, i often read that the GS290 is very similar to the VollaPhone, i called "him" and ask when it is available, the answer was werid "... i waiting for Parts for the VollaPhone to build it" what for Parts ? i think he buy a bunch "GS290" with Volla Phone" logo ... and press some UbuntuTouch on it ... and want to have about 360 euros for it ... the normal customer have to pay about 160 euro for a GS290, and the Volla Phone costs about 360 euro ... that the same if i take a picece toilettpaper for one euro, paint it and sell it for 3 euro ... i think THATS no fair

[flohack]

Guys,

after talking with Volla I must point out that while the hardware base seems identical, the two phones have different factory images for the vendor partition, that could lead to problems that we don´t know yet about. We are therefore thinking about how we can identify that this is a real Vollaphone, and to prevent the installer from flashing the image onto a GS290.

We don´t want to be responsible for damaged hardware or bricked devices, so we definitely do not recommend that you install UT on GS290 to work around the price difference.

Because Vollaphone is produced in very low numbers the price is higher, yes. But part of that of course contributes to the idea, and current alternative phone projects have invested a lot into that idea. We will never be able nor want to enter a competition that will focus on the price of a device.

[tomcic81]

@flohack

i will say Ubuntu = Linux = Free for everyone ... thats the first Point, the People in that community do a very great work, every day if they have time for it ... and don want to have ONE CENT for they work.

Thats the first one.

The Next, is i firstly give my money to support this community befor i give someone to much money for using a little trick, bring UT on a GS290.

So the last Point is,

wich Guy is faster to get 100 Euro in his Pocket ? ... the one who asks 1000 People for 100 Euro, or this one who asks 1000 People for 1 Euro ?

The Volla Phone ist to expensive, with a free software port ?! ... and they pay a other price for such a Phone so they can easy sell it for 200-250 bugs ... so MORE People Buy that thing, and more money will come in ... but 359 Euro for a phone wit a manufacture price from about 60 Dollar of the piece ... + little trick + free Software ... this Company will never rise up i would say.

[libremax]

@flohack said in Volla Phone identical to Gigaset GS290?:

Guys,

after talking with Volla I must point out that while the hardware base seems identical, the two phones have different factory images for the vendor partition, that could lead to problems that we don´t know yet about. We are therefore thinking about how we can identify that this is a real Vollaphone, and to prevent the installer from flashing the image onto a GS290.

I think it would be counterproductive and unhealthy to change the very essence of this free software that is the UBports installer, which is to facilitate the installation to turn it into a tool to restrict the freedom to install, and this for reasons that I think are more commercial considerations than technical or legal ones.

This would only bring disorder and bad image for UBports as a free software community and create forks to get around it.

We don´t want to be responsible for damaged hardware or bricked devices, so we definitely do not recommend that you install UT on GS290 to work around the price difference.

It is sufficient to display a message that excludes any responsibility in case of use of the installer for a device that is not in the list of devices supported by the installer and to have it validated by the user.

Because Vollaphone is produced in very low numbers the price is higher, yes. But part of that of course contributes to the idea, and current alternative phone projects have invested a lot into that idea. We will never be able nor want to enter a competition that will focus on the price of a device.

Yes, but this cannot be done by questioning the values of free/libre software.

[Lakotaubp]

@libremax I might have misread @flohack but I think all that is being said is a why to stop people flashing the GS290 with the VollaUT Installer image thinking the devices are exactly the same (potentially bricking their device) when they are not. The price or choice of device is not the issue damaging devices is.

[libremax]

@lakotaubp said in Volla Phone identical to Gigaset GS290?:

@libremax The price or choice of device is not the issue damaging devices is.

If the user of the UBports installer is well informed he should only used it for devices list by the installer and that otherwise it would be at its own risks, I don't think it would be a right move to take away his freedom to do so to by beginning to "prevent the installer from flashing the image onto a GS290".

And until now there is no report of "damage" for people who use the UBports installer for GS290 so this idea of preventing from flashing the image is questionable and would be the object of criticism and polemics.

People will begin to use previous versions of installer or fork it to get back the possibility to install UT on GS290 and it will be a mess.

[Lakotaubp]

@libremax Maybe a simple "If your device is not a VollaPhone but a GS290 we cannot guarantee the install of UT will be successful and you may brick your device. You proceed at your own risk" message would do.
I agree you cannot stop people trying but you cannot also say they will be "well informed" and be aware of the potential risk. Unless of course someone wants to do a dedicated port for the GS290 and get that on to the installer

[libremax]

@lakotaubp said in Volla Phone identical to Gigaset GS290?:

@libremax but you cannot also say they will be "well informed" and be aware of the potential risk.

I don't say that but "If the user of the UBports installer is well informed he should only used it for devices list by the installer and that otherwise it would be at its own risks...".

So yes for me it's a matter of warning and not of preventing.

[tomcic81]

a fact is, "Hallo Welt" can sure sell they high extreme special "Volla Phone" for 359 Euro ... but IF ... then with his one an only "Volla OS" but UT is "FREE" for everyone ... so the Phone with "Ubuntu Touch" should cost absout 200 Euro ... then i would buy such a Phone just right now ... IF it is available ^ xD

What ever, i think such a forum is just for that Point THAT the user can try to flash his old or new phone with a rom of his own choice ... the possibility that he is bricking his phone, i think every one who will flash a phone will know it before that it could be bricked.

anyway, a warning about a brick, dont will be a wrong thing ^ xD

[tomcic81]

@tomcic81 So finaly it works, have now Ubuntu Touch on my GS290 ... so im happy now ...

Thank You to the "anonym" Helper ...

[odo]

@tomcic81 Does the phone receive updates?

[tomcic81]

@odo Yes ist does, you can update what you want ... apps, software, secure ... it starts and have the Volla Logo ...

i bet, a "original" VollaPhone has the same "GS290" in SN

[Keneda]

@flohack said in Volla Phone identical to Gigaset GS290?:

We are therefore thinking about how we can identify that this is a real Vollaphone, and to prevent the installer from flashing the image onto a GS290.

I understand Hallo Welt is putting efforts in the VollaPhone, and should at least earn something.
But, and i agree with some other posters here, restricting devices would be so negative for an open-source community...

Open-source MUST be liberty : no jail, no forbideness, make_your_choices@your_own_risks...

And : not everyone has 350€ to put in a phone.