Ubuntu Touch on Redmi Note 7 as a daily driver for a casual usage?
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Hey guys! This isn't "what works, what doesn't" question. I'm wondering, is there anyone using this as a day to day phone? With no other devices. Not as a developer, but as a student or 9 to 5 worker, or etc. I know there are some issues and a different experience from your google ridden android. But is it enough for daily use? I am a linux user. Not a developer. And focused on improving privacy. This seems perfect and amazing.
Although, few months back, I installed this using ubports, but my device had no network. It didn't read the sim and basically it wasn't something I'd use.
Now it seems everything works almost perfectly. So, is anyone facing any problems that you don't wanna tackle everyday by reading through forums and troubleshooting? For someone who dont wanna spend time trying to make basic things work every day or so.
What about app support? I know open store has almost everything you need, but do they work? For ex, a safe but usable google maps alternative? Or whatsapp web (I hate whatsapp but all the internships and college groups tend to use it)
I hope i was able to express my concern. Please share any insights. I'm on the verge to say goodbye to android and use linux everywhere. -
@humbl3one I'm using Redmi Note 7 since 2 months.
Works pretty well, very reliable (read my state of play in the same section). Video recording does not work yet (stable release).Google maps: I use Pure Maps
Whatsapp: I use Teleports (Telegram client)
Facebook: I use Sailbook
Shazam: I use Music recognition. (does not work yet on RN7, microphone access unable)
Mail client: Dekko2
Etc...So I can well recommand this device as daily phone.
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@humbl3one
https://open-store.io/app/alefnode.whatsweb
https://open-store.io/app/loquiim.nfsprodriverAs @stanwood said, there is puremap https://open-store.io/?sort=relevance&search=pure maps but also uNav https://open-store.io/app/navigator.costales (the one i used when i owned a car without GPS).
I can tell uNav worked pretty well when needed it, but as i don't use whatsapp i can't tell for its apps.
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@stanwood Thankyou. I went through you article, it almost covers everything. Although there are issues still present, but I'd prefer UBtouch over android for sure. Can you leave some insights on the need to troubleshoot or the need to connect with a pc? I mean as a mobile OS I don't want to frequently connect my pc to code and troubleshoot something. It's not that I can't, but shouldn't need to spend too much time.
Feature, apps, reliability etc are covered in your post. Thankyou again. -
@keneda Yes it seems, in terms of app support, UT has almost everything. Thankyou. But do the work reliably? Reviews show less ratings. So do apps, like uNav or other utility apps crash or something? I don't use facebook or other useless crap, but i need reliable basic functions.
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Generally speaking, UT is sorely lacking in office apps. No spreadsheet, just basic note taking. As for the responsiveness of the gps, I've never been convinced until now, and even when it deigns to work on ANY smartphone. Other than that, I love UT.
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@humbl3one
uNav, when i used it, didn't crash.
Other apps i use quite daily, like Morph, Home, Document Viewer, Messaging or Calling, do not crash.
I have issues with Dekko 2 (mail), but still in beta.But some issues on some apps/fonctionnality, depend on the device used, MX4 is still one of the better uTouch working device.
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@stanwood I am using Sailbook with redmi not 7 and I can't send messages even if you are connected on wifi nor 4g, do you have the same issue ?
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@miniblop You mean "Messenger" in Sailbook?
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@stanwood yes exactly, whatever the 'action' I doin the messenger part on Sailbook, nothing is send to the receiver (text message, image, réaction, ...)
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@miniblop Weird. I just did test right now and it worked. I'm on OTA-17 Stable
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@stanwood I am also using it on the ota 17. I noticed that I can't send any mms. It's kinda strange because I am able to send email using 4g but I can't send any file in an email...
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@humbl3one hey, i just installed touch today, andnhad the same question.
Via google found anbox and now have whatsapp running! -
@humbl3one Hi, let me share my experience using UT on Redmi Note 7 as a daily driver for 2 months and counting as a 9 to 5 worker (WFH). But please note I have another phone for my office specific app only (iOS). I've been using all the basic functionalities and included apps without any problem. Default apps are so very useful and less bug. Although Redmi Note 7's fingerprint could result spamming "enter" on UT (can stop spamming by swiping the fingerprint reader again), it can be tricked by login using passcode instead.
App wise, I don't rely apps to anbox, as I think it's still buggy and UX-wise is so uncomfortable for me (laggy, inaccurate tap/touch location, etc). For email Dekko 2 covers my needs and less bugs. Thankfully, my office use Telegram groups, so I could abandon whatsapp and write "Contact me via telegram" in my whatsapp bio lmao and use the Teleports. Some social media apps I use is Instagraph (UI buggy if using SuruDark), Twitter web app (no play video support, but it's okay for me, could open via browser instead), Teleports. What I didn't try because I didn't use: MMS, Teleports calling (I guess it isn't available yet).
In conclussion, for me myself as a 9 to 5 worker I can live with UT phone as my primary phone. But because some requirements from the office I need to have at least another phone to be able to run their apps (can't opened in anbox so..). Also anbox is still not so stable imo and I can't make sure if banking apps or maybe your daily needs such as ride-hailing apps will work smoothly and less bugs (cuz they need fully functional Google Play Services), but if you also don't need them, or somehow Anbox covered them and having less bugs, I said you definitely could use UT phone as your only phone. Hope my experience helps. You could ask me anything too.
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Hi, I have pactised few custom roms during past year. I have started from Ubuntu Touch, it was also Lineages OS and /e/ os. I was testing them switching from time to time. Most of the time I have used UT on my Redmi Note 7 as this one suits my needs the best. I enjoy using Linux everywhere I can as I see it as a secure and privacy friendly software. Eventually I figured out some issues which where keeping me with Android. (people were willing me to use some android/ios based apps)
As long as you need just a privacy focused phone, not full of apps tech toy, it is possible to use it as a daily driver. I am not sure about WhatsApp. However TelePorts (Telegram) works great. Mail app is available. MMS need mobile data to work and depending on the carrier and/or country it could work but doesn't have to. But even if they do not work I usually receive a text message with request to log in on the carrier's website, so I can see the photo.
Thanks to playing around I must admit that UT on RN7 had evolved during this year a lot and it is even more daily driver as it used to be in December 2020.
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Daily driver, good for phone and text. Camera is fine. Emails are good using Dekko. I don't use social media. I can use online news and videos fine. Switches from WIFI to 4G fine. Holds charge fine. Don't use the fingerprint reader.
What I do need is Internet banking occasionally. What I also need is Facetime and Google Duo, which I manage on an older Iphone and my main phone.
So in essence it works for me. An old army expression is "experiences may vary" and that is true in the case of what you use your phone, tablet and any other gadget for.
I really like UT, it's layout, functionality and the amount of devices it can go on. Kudos to all involved in its development. It is a really good way to repurpose older hardware, which unlike these so called "green, environmentally friendly" companies like Apple, Google, Samsung and so on who orphan their hardware after a couple of years and then force the uninitiated user to get rid of it in some way. -
It's a very good device under UT indeed.
The 4 main missing ported features currently are:- Bluetooth calls in car
- Offline charging + charging indicator
- Video capture
- Microphone in browser
As the porting section mentions that Redmi Note 7 is now inactive, maybe we can make a new call for porter..?
Except of this, I love Redmi Note 7 under Ubuntu Touch!
