treebeard

treebeard

UBPorts 20.n vs Home App: Shortcut commands

These notes relate to the 'Home' desktop app (not the home automation app). Thanks to @kugiigi for very useful advice.

The 'Home' app provides a 'desktop' layout onto which widgets and shortcut icons can be added.

There are two challenges with using the Home app:

It was developed for UBPorts 16.n and has not been migrated to 20.n so far. As a result it is not currently available in the OpenStore app.
While a few example shortcuts are provided in the installed desktop, and suggestions that apps can be launched, there does not appear to be any documentation on what this entails.

The following explains how to install 'Home' on UBPorts 20.n, and some suprisingly powerful shortcut 'commands' which can be used in ubPorts. I think it would be good forsomeone familiar to add it to the user guide.

While 'Home' is not available in the OpenStore app for 20.n users, it IS downloadable from the OpenStore website. Go to [https://open-store.io/]. Search for 'Home' and select the 'Home screen for Ubuntu Touch with widgets support' Home app. I recommend downloading the click package and then installing. To install, double-click on the downloaded click package.

Launch Home and 'long press' on the desktop to add a new widget.Click the cog which displays the 'Edit Link'dialog. The 'Link URL' is where a http url or other command can be entered. It is these commands that have not been well explained previously. The field actually holds a 'URL Dispatcher' command. In principle each app has an associated command through which it can be launched.

There are two categories of app

Core apps distributed as deb packages. These define their commands in config files located in ```
/usr/share/lomiri-url-dispatcher/url

2) Optional apps distributed as click packages. these define their commands in ```
/opt/click.ubuntu.com/

Icons usable in the shortcuts are in these folders too.

The core apps can be launched using the following commands. In some cases more than one command can be used. Commands have a trailing '://' unless described otherwise.

App and  command
--------------  ----------------------------------------
Contacts        addressbook://
Dialer          tel://, dialer://
Media Player    video://, audio://,album:// (these all launch Media player)
SMSMessage      message://, sms://
Morph Browser   http://, https:// (both launch Morph with the chosen one prepopulated. You can for example default to https)
System Settings      settings://

I haven't located the definitions of click package commands but the following work:

App             command
--------------  ----------------------------------------
Dekko2          dekko://
Calendar        calendar://
Doc Viewer      document://
Weather         weather://
Music           music://,album://
Telegram        tg://
Terminal        terminal://
Gallery         photo://    (The Gallery gives access to the camera)
Notes           evernote://
Openstore       openstore://
uNav (map)      geo
Alarm clock     alarm
utlnwallet     bitcoin,lightning, lnurlw (all launch the utlnwallet BTC app)

Url_Launcher built in commands

The Home app uses the 'url launcher' package to parse and execute the commands. It has some very useful inbuilt commands, and some of the commands above have extra features.

The url_dispatcher is described at https://pub.dev/packages/url_launcher

Commands include:

https:<URL> 	    
https://flutter.dev

Open <URL> in the default browser

mailto:<email address>?subject=<subject>&body=<body> 	
mailto:smith@example.org?subject=News&body=New%20plugin

Create email to <email address> in the default email app
nb: email address prepopulates but subject and body not populating in dekko2.
nb: note '%20' in the body rather than a space. url encoding generally is needed so avoid ampersands for example.

tel:<phone number> 	
tel:+44555010999

Make a phone call to <phone number> using the default phone app

sms:<phone number> 	
sms:+445550101234

Send an SMS message to <phone number> using the default messaging app

There is an additional command 'file://' which can open a document but this is only available on desktop environments.

The 'Sketch' button

This button's purpose is not immediately obvious. It is actually a 'wizard' which pre-populates some of the commands described above, or pre-populates a template.

Example Home Desktop

An example Home desktop looks like this:

This homepage provides:

A Dekko launcher
A Dekko launcher generating a new email pre-addressed to a frequently used email address
A Dialer launcher
A Dialer launcher prepopulated with a given person's phone number
An SMS message launcher
An SMS launcher prepopulated with a given person's phone number
A Web Browser launcher
A Web Browser launcher opening a given web page
A Contacts launcher
A Youtube website launcher
A Music App launcher for playing music stored on the phone
A Media Player App launcher for playing music/video stored on the phone
A Document Viewer launcher
A Notes launcher (Evernote)
A Photo Gallery launcher (allowing access to the camera)
A Terminal launcher

lorimi-url-dispatcher-dump

The command names of most core and click apps can be identified using the 'lorimi-url-dispatcher-dump' command which has replaced 'ubuntu-app-launch-appids'. To run the command and pipe the output to a text file open a terminal and enter:

lorimi-url-dispatcher-dump > urls.txt

The commands are in the first column.

treebeard

@domubpkm I've been a keen follower of Ubuntu Touch (BQ E4.5) and then UBports since 2015, and more recently bought the original Volla Phone. I'm about to have an X23 arrive which is very exciting.

I'm ready for the ups and downs, it's all part of the excitement. I'll contribute what I can in feedback on issues once it arrives.

Thanks to everyone involved at Hallo Welt and UBports. Thanks to the Waydroid team too. Its a sad fact that a growing number of thoughtless businesses require customers to have either an Android of IOS app rather than provide a website these days, and it's getting worse. I think a backlash will build at some point but for now its an amazing fact that its nearly impossible to get through each day without apps running on platforms from just two american corporations. Waydroid gives freedom lovers a way forward.

treebeard

After being unable to use Muun Wallet due to a Google Play Services dependency, Ive installed BlueWallet and its working fine on the Bitcoin Lightning network and launchable directly from a Ubuntu Touch toolbar button.

So I just wanted to confirm Ubuntu Touch users have the ability to connect to Bitcoin Lightning, Software, and Hardware wallets. Which is a big step forward in usability for me.

For anyone not familiar Lightning allows small retail purchases using Bitcoin at near-zero fees, in a similar way to using GooglePay or PayPal.

Thanks to everyone involved in WayDroid.

treebeard

Hi I'm @treebeard aged 60 and a retired Lead Software Engineer using the Microsoft Toolset.

My first home computers in the late 1970's were the Science Of Cambridge MK14 and the Tangerine Microtan 65. In those days software was 'free' in the GNU sense. The source code to the Microtan OS was fully listed in the user guide for example.

I started taking an interest in Linux in 2007 after taking a strong dislike to Windows Vista and settled on Ubuntu. I never had time to acquire Linux Dev skills though, on top of keeping up with Microsoft constantly reinventing the wheel.

I was thrilled when Ubuntu Touch was launched and bought a BQ E4.5 in 2015 which I still use as an alarm clock.

I upgraded to the original Volla Phone, and after damaging it just received a Volla X23.

I post occasionally on this forum, mainly with helpful hints where I have solved an issue. I'm not a Linux or Mobile developer but help out where I can.

I guess I'm an example of a Ubuntu Touch 'customer' rather than a dev.

Computers and the Internet provide complete freedom but are being buried under a mountain of corporate control. To everyone involved in ubPorts who must at times feel downbeat about the project, I say remember why Ubuntu Touch was founded. To give back the software freedom and privacy we have had taken from us.

treebeard

@lakotaubp Thanks I tried again and it installed in about 4 minutes. Looks like it just died the first time.

treebeard

This is just hypothetical but if a friend had an X23 supplied originally with Ubuntu Touch, has anyone experience of reflashing with another open source 0S or with the volla OS?

I think if shipped with volla you can add Ubuntu Touch as a multiboot option but its not clear to my friend if a ut phone can add or replace the OS safely. Obviously this isn't a cheap phone so bricking isn't an option.

Also can I install another OS treating the phone as a gigaset, or is it modified and therefore not going to succeed?

treebeard

@Keneda I also think its time this was added. volla have done a lot to raise the profile of ut and this doesnt sound a big job to do?

treebeard

I noticed quite a lot of progress made with porting the Lenovo X606 tablet. I currently have a Volla phone daily driver and have a de-googled Lenovo X606-F Tablet for general web surfing, hoping to install UT when waydroid is very usable. Its currently my only remaining android device and there are a few android apps I rely on so waydroid is a big factor in when I switch. I'd definitely love to switch to UT at some point.

I bought the Lenovo X606F new in last years black Friday sales for 150 GBP and have been very pleased with the quality, especially the very clear screen and battery life. They seem to typically sell for around 200 GBP new .

This is not a request for more progress on the Lenovo X606F or waydroid. I greatly appreciate the hard work being done. I just thought it was worth saying in my opinion it would be great value-for-money choice as a UT tablet and I believe the porting is fairly complete so this could be a great way forward once it has installer support.

treebeard

I installed WaydroidHelper today and used the new 'Install Waydroid' button.

Everything went well and it displayed a spinner and message 'Installing Waydroid' and in a rectangle below 'Running' and advised me to be patient.

Its still installing 4 hours later with no change to the wording shown, so I'm beginning to wonder if it should have finished by now? The phone is still responsive and received a few texts during those 4 hours.

treebeard

@huy For me (on a Volla X23) the hotspot works really well with no password configured.

The problem seems to be in the WSA security.

I'm not suggesting using a hotspot with no password obviously.

treebeard

@Pingu Thanks I took a look and the ubports installer does offer to install volla OS. I'm going to learn more about volla OS before making a decision.

I'm too dependent on android apps to carry on using UT on my daily driver after 9 years enjoying the ride with UT and muddling through. It's not the fault of ubports .

More and more busineses are cutting costs by developing apps instead of websites. Banks won't allow their apps to run on Waydroid (it's virtualized so seen as insecure). My bank was clearly exasperated at being asked by yet another customer.

I can't get into music concerts without displaying an android app

Several apps need hardware access not yet supported in Waydroid. My hifi remote control is an android app needing Bluetooth access. Another app needs wireless access to my camera.

An NHS supplied weight loss course required I use an android app with Bluetooth access. No android device was provided on the grounds 'everybody has a smartphone'.

Cryptocurrency companies are almost entirely app only, many needing camera access to scan barcodes.

When we say 'app' we mean a piece of software able to run on only two operating systems, both American, with strong links to the American deep state. Both openly accepted as in reality invasive surveillance devices, feeding into the American NSA.

I would blame weak western governments, but it's. common knowledge every western politician and news outlet is under the thumb of the CIA. And this is exactly where the pervasive surveillance comes in. It's true the American deep state has little interest in any of us. Until that is we make waves or act politically. Then the dirty laundry comes out of the NSA archives, ensuring through bribery and blackmail the compliance of another decision maker.

You may preserve your privacy online, but your friends and family are all gossiping about you online leaving a trail of information.

I'm long in the tooth and remember computers began as completely 'free' and private systems, that freedom taken step by step over 50 years.

For my current needs the most practical route is degoogled Android. Over a longer period I hope that ubports and Waydroid can fill the need. I'll continue watching progress and hope to return to Ubuntu touch as my daily driver in the next 2 to 3 years.

My best wishes to the ubports team.
David.

treebeard

@Dunbrokin FYI I replied to another user explaining how to 'select all' and delete so have a look at my comments in case you can learn an easier way to use dekko2

treebeard

@lduboeuf said in Dekko 2:

@Dunbrokin said in Dekko 2:

How do I do a mass delete in Dekko 2, and how do I empty my trash folder?

For mass delete, press and hold on a email, it should show checkboxes on the left.
I don't know for emptying trash folder. It seems that even removing an email in trash folder doesn't work though

There seems to be a bug refreshing the list after deleting, but on restarting dekko a fresh view is created and the emails should be seen to be gone.

However I double checked and 'select all' then deleting works in folders other than the trash folder. So trash should be emptied by deleting a few at a time it appears.

treebeard

@lduboeuf after holding down on an email the check boxes appear as you explained.

There is also a ticked checkbox in the top bar. Clicking this sets all emails to ticked. You can then click on the trash icon to delete all the selected emails

Repeat the process in the trash folder list to empty the trash easily. Except see comment below as this appears not to be working currently

treebeard

This is just hypothetical but if a friend had an X23 supplied originally with Ubuntu Touch, has anyone experience of reflashing with another open source 0S or with the volla OS?

I think if shipped with volla you can add Ubuntu Touch as a multiboot option but its not clear to my friend if a ut phone can add or replace the OS safely. Obviously this isn't a cheap phone so bricking isn't an option.

Also can I install another OS treating the phone as a gigaset, or is it modified and therefore not going to succeed?

treebeard

@AppLee Thank you to yourself and @arubislander for replying.

I took another look the next morning and I can see it does what you say, making no attempt to connect wirelessly. I think there were a lot of variables to consider the previous evening and I gained the impression it was trying to use the poor outbound wireless connection.

I'm more sure now the mobile signal was also very poor and intermittent (it was a sea-front camp site). So I think the phone (Volla X23) did the best it could.

treebeard

I found a senario that would benefit from a small change.

i brought my tablet computer on holiday with my ubuntu phone to a location with reasonable phone signal and a poor wireless signal with the intention of connecting my tablet to my phone hotspot.

I tried the wireless connection first but it was unusable.

then i hit the conudrum. in order to enable the (mobile data based) hotspot ubuntu touch requires wireless access (so that clients can connect to the phone hotspot) and offers to turn it on.

when wireless is turned on, clients connect as intended, but the phone also connects itsrlf to the available but unreliable wireless network rathet than relying only on the good mobile data signal.

So my suggestion is hotspot have separate settings for 1) enable wireless clients 2) enable wireless outbound

option 2 basically duplicates the existing wireless outbound connection checkbox in settings, so ideally only the first option is needed. when enabling wireless clients dont also enable wireless access to the outside world.

I think i worked round the issue using 'forget network' on tthe poor wireless connection.

treebeard

@Keneda I also think its time this was added. volla have done a lot to raise the profile of ut and this doesnt sound a big job to do?

treebeard

@nichodiaz Another option for reddit if you decide to install waydroid on ubuntu touch, is to use the 'redreader' app which is open source

treebeard

@treebeard uNav, album, alarm clock,and utlnwallet (for Bitcoin) added above.

That's all folks. None of the other apps I have installed seem to have a url dispatcher command configured.

I had a look through the url dispatcher source code very briefly and it seems to support both these mechanisms:

<command>://     (two slashes)
<appid>:///    (three slashes)

so more apps may be dispatchable, but that's as much as I know.

treebeard

@treebeard

Best posts made by treebeard

UBPorts 20.n vs Home App: Shortcut commands

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Example Home Desktop

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