Android Apps Is A NonStarter

dalharmony

I so wanted to ditch android and switch phone to ubuntu touch. But inability to run android apps makes it a nonstarter. I need them to run securuty cams, solar panels, and thermostat. I'm not unique. More and more smart devices require android apps to run and I don't see how Ubuntu Touch will ever become more than a curiosity without being able to run them.
I understand Anbox has been abandoned/inactivated and of little help with android apps. Is this correct? And do you have plans in the future to resolve the android app issue?

Moem

@dalharmony said in Android Apps Is A NonStarter:

I understand Anbox has been abandoned/inactivated and of little help with android apps. Is this correct?

That is correct, but depending on your device, you may want to look into Waydroid. It's the successor of Anbox, and not yet fully finished, but many people consider it promising.

However, if Android apps are important to you and you feel the need to run them all the time... well, then UT may simply not be your best option.

cliffcoggin

The plain fact is that if you want Android applications you should get an Android phone.

Moem

@cliffcoggin said in Android Apps Is A NonStarter:

an Android phone

Well, or custom ROMs such as LineageOS or GrapheneOS, which are more directly Android-based.

AppLee

@dalharmony

Hi, as well as I understand your need, I will tell you that as a customer surrendering to this logic is not a good idea.
I try to promote IoT as much as can but as a privacy and security oriented guy I will tell you to never trust a solution offering only an app.

To clarify the following is true if there is no alternative to an app:
First, the product is you as all apps use a cloud base system to benefit from your personal data.
Second, security is often (always?) lacking and it renders inefficient any said "security cam" that is a threat that can and will be used to determine if you are out and allow robbers to evaluate your belongings beforehand.
Three you should promote what you believe in and put your money where your heart is, I choose open source solutions, hackable gadgets and to secure them myself.

If you want to ditch android and their world, you should also ditch any privacy offenders and promote open source as a way to have privacy and security by design.
It is not easy, but freedom comes at a cost and it's not cheap.

Being a slave is easy and you're fed (barely but still).

Sorry for this rant but yeah when you think about it everyone should be more careful what they buy and what they have to sacrifice for this "thing"

libremax

@moem said in Android Apps Is A NonStarter:

@cliffcoggin said in Android Apps Is A NonStarter:

an Android phone

Well, or custom ROMs such as LineageOS or GrapheneOS, which are more directly Android-based.

Or /e/OS if you want a more “deGoogled” mobile ecosystem.

Keneda

@dalharmony said in Android Apps Is A NonStarter:

I don't see how Ubuntu Touch will ever become more than a curiosity without being able to run them.

That's a bit odd to say that. It's like saying "i don't see how GNU/Linux desktop OS will ever become more than a curiosity without being able to run Windows programms"...

You don't choose GNUL to run windows apps or reject it because it can't, you choose it to free yourself from microsoft or apple. Same is UT with google or apple.

dalharmony

The bottom line is Ubuntu Touch is locked out of the smart home/smart device market if it can't run apple or android apps. My interest in Ubuntu Touch was to run a more secure os on my phone without it harvesting all my personal data and firing ads at me, while still being able to communicate with my security cameras, solar panels, and home thermostat. Cell phones are becoming the only means of communication with smart devices such as these.

AppLee

@dalharmony
I chose my smart devices based on criteria such as:

Open API
A way to use it with my Ubuntu Touch phone
Hackable to fit my needs

I have ZWave devices connected to a raspberry pi with Domoticz.
I have connected camera operated through IFTTT and Domoticz
I have rolling stores and I hacked a remote control to use it with Domoticz

As you see it's not ideal as ZWave is not open source, but it's reliable, meshable and I can use Domoticz and the app I made to control my home.

arubislander

@dalharmony there are smart hub solutions that are open source, and that can work with Ubuntu Touch. Nymea is one such project.

Of course, it requires having compatible smart hardware, which might it mightn't be the case for you. But your blanket statement is demonstrably false.

Lakotaubp

@dalharmony Then try WayDroid as suggested https://forums.ubports.com/category/102/waydroid most apps I have tried work (OP5). The choice is yours but as ever the urge for a less intrusive OS could well be compromised by doing so. No one here is stopping you, just pointing out a few things so you are better informed.
Also as pointed out above there are other OS out there for you to look at. Though some people here do like using Android apps on UT many do not for a host of quite good reasons. However it is your device and you are free to do with it as you will and that is not a problem and if we can help we will. That will include as you may see it good, bad and unhelpfull advice. Others will see and want the exact opposite.

Bocephus

@dalharmony That's funny. I've never used an Android device or any Android app in my life, and I never will. My mobile OS history is Symbian > Maemo > Meego > Sailfish > Ubuntu Touch, and I have gotten by and do get by perfectly fine. Needing Android apps seems like a mental handicap to me. I absolutely do not want any Android app capability in UT - I actively avoid such crap. So no, Ubuntu Touch is most definitely not for you. Being a slave to Google seems your lot in life.

Moem

@bocephus said in Android Apps Is A NonStarter:

Needing Android apps seems like a mental handicap to me.

That's rude. It's a preference, and one that I don't share, but people get to have their preferences and we don't have to be rude about it.

Lakotaubp

@bocephus It might just be a slip in English but the term Mental Handicap is not one to use anymore and can be very offensive. Mental Illness is however a very real thing to many people. Either term should not be used as an insult or slur to anyone. You are free to avoid all contact with Android others will have different opinions and as long as the rules of the Forum are stuck to welcome to discuss the options. Though many here will not be of the same opinion. Please can we all remember to be polite and respecfull of others needs, opinions or views.

Bocephus

@lakotaubp I don't speak PC, I call a spade a spade; but I'll gladly call him a full-blown idiot if you prefer. I don't cater to Android drones. Asking for Android compability in UT is equivalent to puking all over the OS. "Rules" be damned, it's patently ridiculous.

Lakotaubp

@bocephus Thats your opinion and it's not PC speak I for one don't like being called handicapped so please stop that in this thread and others. You don't need to cater for people who want to use Android apps at all, but you should not be rude or impollite to anyone on the forum for wanting something other than you, which many do as WayDroid proves. There is space for both on views on this Forum and both are free to express their views in a robust but polite way. That is the point of UBports and Ubuntu Touch, it is your phone and you are free to use it as you see fit. WE are not telling anyone how to use their own phone.

domubpkm

Personally android (AOSP) is totally indispensable for me to be able to use an ultra performing mail client (FairEmail, Marcel Bokhorst) that I don't want to do without. Dekko does not meet my expectations.
In intelligent use, ""android""can be very useful.

Emphrath

@bocephus I'm curious: what exactly do you consider as "crap to be avoided" in Android ? Given you feel your experience on other OS gives you enough moral ground to deem other people subhuman, i'd be glad to hear what you have to say about it.

dalharmony

Thank you for the reference to waydroid! Because of that I reordered a new unlocked phone to run ubuntu touch on and hopefully waydroid will work for me. I did not know waydroid existed.

Moem

@dalharmony said in Android Apps Is A NonStarter:

Thank you for the reference to waydroid!

Glad to hear we could give you some good pointers!