Volla Phone identical to Gigaset GS290?

[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.

[Keneda]

@tomcic81
You REALLY should hide personnal data like MAC adresses....

[tomcic81]

@keneda xD i konw, but i will Sell this new phone again ... i only want to know that it is possible to install UT on a GS290 ... i had help, but IF you know the steps itś realy simple ...

The Hardware is the same, there is a little tricky with the software ... a rookie like me CAN NOT see this and will brick that thing

Now i have my Galaxy S9+ with /e/ OS ... next step i will install Ubuntu Touch on it ... and the next step ... i will try to run AnBox on it ... there are som Android-Apps i realy need ...
( Whatsapp / Bankingapp ) ^

[cmuc]

@tomcic81 Are there any secret steps? Or is it just necessary to install a compatible Vendor-image? Did you use the SP Flash Tool, or did you flash with fastboot?

The reason why I ask:
I have a GX290, and I'm wondering if I can get UT up and running on it. As far as I read, GX290 has different hardware: display, camera and battery differs compared to GS290.
But Gigaset provides the same Open Source Archive for both devices. I couldn't check the files, as the 14GB download did not finish so far.
But maybe both devices share the same kernel and vendor files.

[tomcic81]

@cmuc dont know how much i can say but yes i use the SP Flasher for it ... may be the HELPER, can send intrested people a lil link ...

it will not be fair to the Helper IF i earn the honor for that ^ xD

[tomcic81]

Question ? Whatś Fair ?

Gigaset GS290 made in Germany with Android 10 for 169 Euro

VollaPhone GS290 made in Germany with Ubuntu 360 Euro ? so they will make money with the work from your community about 200 BUGS ... for a FREE open source software ???

I would say "pull the stick out of ya asses" and see the dam TRUE ...

i got help to install Ubuntu Touch very easy on my GS290 ... so i give you the LINK to do that :

https://rubencarneiro.github.io/rubencarneiro.io//Volla-phone-Repair/

If some one delete this post or this link, feel free to contact me ... i have the HowTo and the needed programms and roms for it ...

Thank You for your support ^

[Lakotaubp]

@tomcic81 Ok let's keep this under control. No one is saying you can't or should not flash UT onto a GS290 (UT is free and Open Source after all) only that if you go to use the installer and use the Volla install it may well fail.
As for the rest of the issues you raise, not really for this thread. Maybe more fitting for Off Topic.

[tomcic81]

@lakotaubp you can eread it in the /e/ Forum in den UB Ports Forum there are many people they don´t think about it ... and say something about "NOT FAIR for Hallo Welt GmbH for theyr work" to install UB on a GS290 ... Hallo Welt GmbH had a reason why they change the Vendor ... because that will be NOT so easy to install UB on a GS290 ... to make Money ... today all is making FOR Money ... that a thing we should be fight against it ... thats a free open source Software not exist to make extra money ... why anybody don´t want to understand that ?

And another FACT Yes the VollaPhone hardware ist absolut identical to the Gigaset GS290

[Lakotaubp]

@tomcic81 Then with your last point, and I have no reason to doubt it, you have answered the the main question for this thread "Volla Phone identical to Gigaset GS290?"
As for the rest as I said before we have the Off Topic section of the Forum for other issues not directly related to UT which the business plans of other entities and companies would fall into. Please feel free to use it.