Usually, forums are used to discuss solutions for issues and problems. I would like to use the forum to give positive feed back.

Yesterday, I used the new UBPorts Installer to install Ubuntu Touch on a used OnePlus One smartphone that was running on Android. The user experience of UBPorts installer was excellent !!!

The installation process took only about 15 minutes and required minimum user interaction and there was no need to look at any documentation. The developers have also thought of nice details such as a brief visual guide how to set a OnePlus One device to fastboot mode. Installation was absolutely smooth.

[Following is solved now, see comment by rocky58: Only after the installation was complete, I run into a few problems, but this had nothing to do with the UBPorts installer: My OnePlus One was not recognized as MTP device, so I couldn't easily copy my old contacts and SMS over to the new device (https://github.com/ubports/ubuntu-touch/issues/13).]

Dear all,

the messenger app TextSecure / Signal is looking for a new developer / maintainer. Jani's TextSecure/Signal app functions well. I actually use it everyday. Currently, it is still available here https://uappexplorer.com/app/textsecure.jani, but not yet in the UBPorts OpenStore. Unfortunately, Jani does not have the time to continue development. Are you interested in becoming the new maintainer / developer of this app? Thanks in advance.

The code is here: https://github.com/janimo/textsecure-qml

P.S. I'd like to add a great thank you to Jani who had developed a great app and maintained it for a long time.

In case you are not aware: Ubports is present on the free and open-source social network Mastodon. Mastodon is a federated network and integral part of the Fediverse (with Pleroma, Friendica, Diaspora, PixelFed, Peertube, etc.):

• The Ubports account https://framapiaf.org/@ubports currently has 904 followers and there is a Ubports Pixelfed account https://pixelfed.social/ubports
• Many Ubuntu Touch users and developers are active in the Fediverse, like https://mastodon.social/@NeoTheThird and https://metalhead.club/@krille as well as Pine64 (PinePhone), Purism (Librem5), Fairphone and many more.
• There is a very new Mastodon group (started today and has already 64 members!) about Ubports / Ubuntu Touch: https://gup.pe/u/UbuntuTouch

How to get started on Mastodon:

• Get an account on a popular server like: https://fosstodon.org, https://mastodon.technology, https://social.tchncs.de, https://linuxrocks.online, https://floss.social or choose any server from here https://joinmastodon.org. Independently from the server you choose, you will be able to interact with any other user in the Fediverse.
• Here is a Mastodon app for Ubuntu Touch by @Krille : https://open-store.io/app/umastodon.christianpauly
• Description how to join/follow the Ubuntu Touch group: https://mastodon.social/@GerryT/104325114068291873
• Frequently used hash tags are: #UbuntuTouch #UbPorts #UbuntuPhone #PinePhone #Fairphone #VollaPhone #LinuxPhone

Can you explain a bit about the plans for Ubuntu Touch on Volla Phone? How UBports cooperates with Hallo Welt Systeme UG and what priority Volla Phone has for UBPorts? Thanks

I pre-ordered a Volla Phone, because I like the approach of Hallo Welt Systeme and their support for open systems. They seem to be very ambitious to build a good Ubuntu Touch experience on their phone and also aim to provide Android Apps via Anbox.

@sander-klootwijk Your fix worked for me. It looks perfectly now! Thanks

@UBportsNews Thanks for the upcoming Q&A. I would like to know about the progress / status of VoLTE for UBPorts. Thanks!

Hi Locamama,

I think the missing piece is the Desktop Apps scope, which was released yesterday on OpenStore: https://open.uappexplorer.com/app/libertine-scope.ubuntu

@UBportsNews Application development for Gnome on Mobile has been gaining some momentum lately and there already are some nice apps available. Is it technically possible / feasible / advisable to let Gnome Mobile apps run on UBports Ubuntu Touch? Or will it be ever in the future?

You see the mobile adapted applications if you search for #libadwaita in the following list:
https://github.com/valpackett/awesome-gtk

I really like the Volla Phone with UBPorts. However, there is this a simple, but annoying bug:
It is not possible to read the exact time in the top right corner of the notification bar, because the Volla Phone's display has rounded corners. E.g. when it is 21:19, the "9" is not readable, but hidden behind the round corner of the screen.

I just wondered whether there can be an easy fix for this issue? The clock just needs to have ~3mm spacing to the right edge. If it is difficult to get such a setting into the Ubuntu Touch image, maybe it is easier to have a setting for this in the UT Tweak Tool? What do you think?

I think these two bugs are related, but try to rather find a thorough solution for the entire problem for displays with notch:

"Camera Notch interferes with notification bar at top of screen in Ubuntu Touch. #2"
https://github.com/HelloVolla/ubuntu-touch-beta-tests/issues/2

"UI support for the phones with a notch #523"
https://github.com/ubports/ubuntu-touch/issues/523

@myii

@flohack Thanks for the info on the (non)progress talking to OWS. It is really weird how OWS handles community activities.

In the meanwhile Aaron has continuously updated the Signal app and it works well, so far: https://open.uappexplorer.com/app/textsecure.nanuc

Thank you! The update went very smoothly on my OPO and so far everything seems to work fine!

@stanwood Thanks for joining this issue on the time not being readable on Volla Phone.

To your off-topic question, see: https://github.com/HelloVolla/ubuntu-touch-beta-tests/issues/37 I have the same problem, but I tend to push the power button for five seconds to hard reboot the device; this works for the fast boot issue.

@flohack : Thank you very much acting on the Signal messenger for UBPorts. I am very much looking forward to an improved and system-integrated Signal app.

I had been in contact with Jani, the original TextSecure/Signal developer and he was very responsive and friendly. He also mentioned that he can offer some advice to a new maintainer how to take over the development. It is certainly helpful if you contact him.

The current version of the TextSecure app is functioning quite well. I am actually using it everyday to chat with Signal users on Android. It has some quirks, though (crashes, some messages only appear after restarting the app, etc.), but it is very usable and has all core features.

By the way, following information on the Signal messenger in the community update 17 is not really correct:
Cited from Community update 17: "Why is there no Signal app? Open Whisper Systems is similarly protective with Signal as Facebook with WhatsApp. This is for good reason. OWS has paid for audits of its Signal encryption and very carefully reviews the code that they use for the app. We've heard from them previously that an Ubuntu Touch Signal app will either be made by Open Whisper Systems or not at all." The statement is not correct, given that Jani could implement a functioning TextSecure app. This app just needs a new maintainer/developer.
https://ubports.com/blog/community-updates-5/post/community-update-17-101

What happens if it was not removed?

@sander-klootwijk Just as a follow-up: After some days of using the fix, I am very happy. It works perfectly and there is no regression over the original .qml file.

The only thing I needed to get used to is the following: Since the Volla Phone doesn't have a notification LED, the only sign that there is a notification is the green envelope in the menu bar. Since I tend to switch off Bluetooth, the BT icon is not shown anymore in the menu bar (makes the entire menu bar shorter). When doing so, the green envelope is hidden by the notch. The same would have happened with the switches for location and rotation. Is there maybe a setting in the .qml files that disables this kind of dynamic menu bar so that always all icons are shown?

@Schlicki2808 After seeing that deutschlandticket.de has terrible ratings (1.7) on Trustpilot and co, I looked for alternatives. There is another provider that sends the Deutschlandticket on PDF: https://deutschlandticket.hsb-wr.de/ A first contact via email was very positive.

Edit: I have already received the Deuschland-Ticket for July as PDF.
Edit2: I really can recommend HSB https://deutschlandticket.hsb-wr.de/ for the Deutschland-Ticket. The purchase was easy. The email contact with HSB service was very friendly. I got the ticket as PDF file by email. It was easy to cancel the ticket subscription (I needed the ticket just for one month) with one mouse click from my HSB profile. I instantly got a confirmation of the cancellation by email.

@Bocephus Same here, no update (OTA-25 v2) yet for Volla 22. I am also still waiting.

@wgarcia Thanks for your description. Indeed, I also noticed that - in situations where the touch screen freezes - sometimes random apps open or even some strange text appears where I was about to type something at the moment the touch screen freezes.

BTW, I don't have Waydroid installed. This cannot be a reason.

I have not opened a bug report. Will you open one?

OMG, I am using Ubuntu Touch for many years and didn't notice this feature. Thanks for pointing to it. This in fact is already much better than the scope ever was.

@UBportsNews

1// I would be interested to know your advice on how and when to transition to Focal for ordinary users. For example, I use a Volla22 as daily driver and would like to know when it is safe to update to Focal.

2// Thanks for giving some insight into VoLTE progress in the last Q&A. I would be interested to know whether Sysmocom and Volla are still working on it or whether VoLTE support solely relies on the UB Ports core team.