how different is UT when compared to a computes os

somannak

I'm quite new to UT, I tried updating the system by using sudo apt-get update but that gave me some errors
After browsing through the web I understood that every application on UT runs inside a container. Libertine I guess, for all desktop applications and Anbox for just a few Android applications.

I guess the sudo system-image-cli -v -p 0 --progress dots command is used to update the OS but not sure If it updates all the packages present. I read the user guide in the
documentation and not much.

I am very much interested in this thing and I wanted to learn everything that I can, but not sure where to start. I could not find anything thing online to start with. Not sure what to do, so wanted a little help with everything. and yes do let me know if anything I posted in this question is wrong.

Moem

Hello and welcome! Here is a good source of basic information that may give you some answers: https://ubports.com/community/faq

No, normal applications that are native to UT do not run inside Libertine or Anbox containers, but they are contained. It's just something that UT does.

Updating is normally done through the GUI, not the terminal. There is an item in the system settings called Updates. You can use that to check for updates for the system and for installed apps.

arubislander

Hi @somannak,

Welcome to the forums and to Ubuntu Touch.

Ubuntu Touch is in some ways quite different from desktop Ubuntu, and in other ways it is quite similar.

Let's start with the similarities: Ubuntu Touch is built on the core Ubuntu packages. Most anything you can do with Ubuntu in the user's $HOME folder is possible to do on Ubuntu Touch. If you mount your de root filesystem read/write then more possibilities are opened up, but then you have abandoned the path of official support meaning, if you break something, the only recourse might be to reflash your device.

That brings us to the differences: apt (or apt-get) is not supported on Ubuntu Touch for end-user package management. Updates of individual apps are provided via the Open Store. OS packages are not updated individually, but periodically along with added features and bugfixes in OTA updates.

Native apps for Ubuntu Touch are confined by AppArmor rules, preventing them from accessing resources they have no business accessing.
Libertine containers are used to provide an environment for installing applications via apt (or apt-get). Most commandline applications and a few graphical applications work in this environment.
Anbox or it's successor WayDroid, will provide compatibility for Android applications. It is still in alpha stage, but holds great, if controversial, promise.

somannak

@Moem @arubislander,
Okay,
I think I get it.

One more thing,
WayDroid doesn't work on One Plus One, so I'll have to stick to Anbox if I have to install any android applications. But both WayDroid and Anbox don't make all the applications work (not talking about huge gaming apps, just the regular use messaging applications for now). The same with Libertine as well. So if someone is ready to use cmd applications for a while if UT applications are not yet available, UT is a good option. Expecting to use Android applications or Desktop applications on UT is not a good idea yet. Am I right?

About to start using OpO for daily use.
How did you create that signature?

Moem

@somannak said in how different is UT when compared to a computes os:

if someone is ready to use cmd applications for a while if UT applications are not yet available, UT is a good option.

Yes, and also: if someone is not dependent on any Android apps. UT is a good option. There is a lot of things that can be done in the browser. And if that's something you use a lot, you can make it into a web app for your own use.

Expecting to use Android applications or Desktop applications on UT is not a good idea yet. Am I right?

Yes, I would say that you are.

Another option that works for some people is to build the apps that you are missing.

Moem

@somannak said in how different is UT when compared to a computes os:

How did you create that signature?

It's a setting in the page where you can edit your profile. First one from the bottom.

somannak

@moem That answers most of my questions for now. I'll get back when I have something else...

Moem

@somannak said in how different is UT when compared to a computes os:

That answers most of my questions for now.

Niiice!