Best phone for Linux Mobile OS

RogueRascal

@manchee1017 I have no idea of how well this Linux distro works on a mobile device so I am doing some information gathering in order to take me to a place of better understanding so that I will mate the right phone with the right OS. You may say that I am ill prepared and maybe that is true. Maybe thats the very reason that I am here asking these questions.

Not really sure how much more specific I can be. I want full access to the OS via SSH and be able to install Linux packages. There are essentially two sets of criteria. The spec of the phone and the ability to do what I need in the OS. I have provided both.

You might be right about me needing a pocket PC. I hadn't considered that as an option. I will certainly look into that. Do any of the pocket PC's have the option to add a sim card?

cliffcoggin

@roguerascal I think you are mistaken to regard UT as a Linux distro which will give you a computer with phone capability. Think of it more as a phone with some limited computer capability.

RogueRascal

@cliffcoggin If I can get full access to the OS to run my own processes surely I can make it do whatever I want? If I can SSH to it I am in.

I could do the same with a jailbroken iphone but they have some funky OS under the bonnet of the iphone and I am not familiar with it.

dobey

@carlod The version of Ubuntu that Ubuntu Touch is based on, is irrelevant in regards to my previous statement. Even with 20.04, it is still not the same as Ubuntu on a PC. Readonly rootfs, app confinement, etc…

dobey

@roguerascal It sounds like what you really want is a Raspberry Pi or similar, rather than a phone.

dobey

@roguerascal Your phone is yours, and you can do whatever you want of course, but it does not mean it is a supported usage of the OS on the phone. Ubuntu Touch is not a traditional Linux distribution, and phones are not traditional PC platforms.

Keneda

@roguerascal
If i could complete what @dobey said i would add that of course you can do what you want outside the "ubports" box of use they gave it, but doing this, and having any problem related to, don't come later complain to ubports, or don't complain about uTouch itself.

If you want to make the file system r/w, it's possible and you then can try whatever you want on uTouch, but like said, it's outside the support territory from ubports.

Endorsed package use is through libertine.

AppLee

Hi @roguerascal
As you have probably understood this topic is a bit sensitive because there is no simple answer.

You can SSH to UT.
You can install "Linux packages" but because this is a blurry notion it's probably not what you really want.

Ubuntu Touch as already said has a RO rootfs, so don't think on using apt-get because you'll break the system and you'll be in uncharted territory. System updates will break whatever changes you made to the root FS.

Also a phone is not a desktop computer and you cannot partition your memory as you want.

A proper way to install "Linux packages" is via Libertine which is a container and as such there are unexpected limitations (such as hardware access).

The first question you'll have to answer is do I need a computer or a phone. Ubuntu Touch is an OS for mobile phones.
If a Raspberry pi with a touch screen is what you're looking for then there are probably better OSes for that.

I hope this clarifies what UT is.
And I hope you'll find whatever is the best for you.

Keneda

@applee
I'll add to this that if s.he needs a phone computer, s.he could see for a PC phone, like cosmo comunicator ^^
Thus s.he can install ubuntu AND ubuntu touch

Moem

@keneda said in Best phone for Linux Mobile OS:

if he needs a phone computer

Or 'she'

RogueRascal

@dobey said in Best phone for Linux Mobile OS:

@roguerascal It sounds like what you really want is a Raspberry Pi or similar, rather than a phone.

Nah it needs to have a screen.

Manchee1017

@keneda said in Best phone for Linux Mobile OS:

I'll add to this that if he needs a phone computer, he could see for a PC phone, like cosmo comunicator ^^
Thus he can install ubuntu AND ubuntu touch

I'm not the most familiar with the Cosmo Communicator, but it doesn't seem like the company considers it a pocket PC in the way you're saying. Especially considering it's ARM architecture, I doubt standard Ubuntu Desktop can be put on it. I wouldn't put any bets on dual booting with a desktop-like environment.

@RogueRascal As for your need of a SIM card, what would the purpose be for you? Do you actually want to call and text like it's a cellphone, or is it more for having wireless access without a WiFi point? I think you will either need to get a device for your needs, but without cellular service because that's too big of a compromise. Or you get 2 different devices (a UT cell phone for cell phone things, and a laptop for your SSH and packages needs).

RogueRascal

@applee said in Best phone for Linux Mobile OS:

Hi @roguerascal
As you have probably understood this topic is a bit sensitive because there is no simple answer.

You can SSH to UT.
You can install "Linux packages" but because this is a blurry notion it's probably not what you really want.

Ubuntu Touch as already said has a RO rootfs, so don't think on using apt-get because you'll break the system and you'll be in uncharted territory. System updates will break whatever changes you made to the root FS.

Also a phone is not a desktop computer and you cannot partition your memory as you want.

A proper way to install "Linux packages" is via Libertine which is a container and as such there are unexpected limitations (such as hardware access).

The first question you'll have to answer is do I need a computer or a phone. Ubuntu Touch is an OS for mobile phones.
If a Raspberry pi with a touch screen is what you're looking for then there are probably better OSes for that.

I hope this clarifies what UT is.
And I hope you'll find whatever is the best for you.

The shortest answer is I need to run a desktop computer OS on phone hardware. I looked at micro laptops which could work but I really would like to have the phone GUI available as well.

RogueRascal

@manchee1017 said in Best phone for Linux Mobile OS:

@keneda said in Best phone for Linux Mobile OS:

I'll add to this that if he needs a phone computer, he could see for a PC phone, like cosmo comunicator ^^
Thus he can install ubuntu AND ubuntu touch

I'm not the most familiar with the Cosmo Communicator, but it doesn't seem like the company considers it a pocket PC in the way you're saying. Especially considering it's ARM architecture, I doubt standard Ubuntu Desktop can be put on it. I wouldn't put any bets on dual booting with a desktop-like environment.

@RogueRascal As for your need of a SIM card, what would the purpose be for you? Do you actually want to call and text like it's a cellphone, or is it more for having wireless access without a WiFi point? I think you will either need to get a device for your needs, but without cellular service because that's too big of a compromise. Or you get 2 different devices (a UT cell phone for cell phone things, and a laptop for your SSH and packages needs).

Cell phone capabilities are the least of my requirements. Really, if I have to make do without then that will probably be OK but preference would be to have the option.

Manchee1017

@RogueRascal Okay, sorry in advance, but now you're really unclear on what exactly you are looking for and what is necessary for your needs.

You want a UT phone but you don't need it to be an actual phone? You need a mobile device, be it a laptop or phone, but can't clearly say that you do or do not need to have mobile celluar network or why you would.
Why explicitly do you need a desktop OS on a phone device? Is it the size? The portability? Touchscreen?
Why do you want a phone GUI, what does that do for you?
Why is a simple laptop not the best choice for you?
What can you compromise on? What are your absolute requirements?

You don't have to answer these questions on this forum in writing, but you need to know the answers yourself so you can explain it and we can offer help. Because you seem to be in a very, very unique situation that has something out there for the best possible solution. But only you have all of the info in order to find this solution. And frankly, you don't seem to be putting in much effort here. Everyone starts researching and learning about things from step 0. Just go to Google, or browse around this forum, and see what you find. Then you'll be able to ask about the capabilities or functionality of what you're after.

Keneda

@moem
Corrected once and for all

Keneda

@manchee1017 said in Best phone for Linux Mobile OS:

Especially considering it's ARM architecture, I doubt standard Ubuntu Desktop can be put on it. I wouldn't put any bets on dual booting with a desktop-like environment.

I said ubuntu for the joke.
They are gnul distribs for arm and for cosmo.
And with those you can do whatever you want without braking uTouch architecture, OTA support, whatever...

uTouch is also for arm.

AppLee

@roguerascal
I think I gave you the limitations you migh encounter with Ubuntu Touch.
Depending on what you plan on installing and what you will develop, Ubuntu Touch may or may not work for you.

Given your requirements, I bet you want to make the phone into an IoT device with great computing power and a large battery so it can work all day long without needing to plug it in.
While power efficiency is correct on UT this will probably be an issue for the kind of top secret project you're working on big screen and big CPU are no match with even the biggest batteries.

If I had to guess I would say you want a pentest device :
Discreet, it can pass for a regular cellphone
Powerful so it can brute force or try various exploits
Battery to keep working as long as you are in situ
Versatile you have a mobile GUI to run various scenarios and the ability to run tshark or other "desktop" apps in command line...
Bluetooth, always a plus if you can tap into smartlocks or similar.

This would explain the mystery about your use case and the requirements you listed.

Without more information that is as far as I can guess and be wrong.
I think the Cosmo or the F(x)Tech are your best candidates hardware-wise and from the software pov, you'll have to deep dive into the various OS supported to find the one that check the most of your boxes.

Best of luck

Keneda

@applee I think the Cosmo or the F(x)Tech are your best candidates hardware-wise and from the software pov

Or incoming astro slide

dobey

@applee said in Best phone for Linux Mobile OS:

If I had to guess I would say you want a pentest device :

If that is the case, probably Nethunter would be the best option, and thus a device which is best suited for running it.