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    Recent Best Controversial
    • RE: Ubuntu UI Toolkit - who would join me if I tried to move it to QQC?

      I think @sverzegnassi has been working on the Suru style for QQC for some time. Would you share some information on what the status is and if anything has been done not only to style, but also SDK components (bottom edge, headers, swipeable list items etc.)?

      I decided not to take up any work in it currently and focus on an idea that might someday evolve into a decent app. I'll not shere more information though, as there is still a long way ahead and the entire thing is uncertain.

      But if the app will approach to materialization, I'll definitely consider implementing in QQC2 (if Suru style and component set is in good shape enough by this time), and maybe help out with the SDK in that time.

      posted in OS
      M
      Mitu
    • RE: A buzzword someday to pave Ubports the way

      I've skimmed through now.

      My view is that actually convergence is the only thing that may become the selling point someday. Of course there is a number of obstacles which I also listed in my post.

      Why? Well, without convergence how does Ubuntu differ from Android or iOS?

      • It's free, open source, privacy focused. But Sailfish is too, Firefox OS was as well. None of them succeeded as well. Given the Android and iOS have so many users, unfortunately few people care about those.
      • It more tweakable and less locked. Well, hardly a good selling point as well, unless its target are developers only.
      • It has different UI, navigation patterns. Again, it depends on individual preferences. Existing Android and iOS users may be very hard to move away from OSes they are used to.

      The entirely new thing you can do with your phone

      I believe that mobile market is a very hard one and the only way to jump in and get a significant share is to find a niche where noone is present yet - and to show people that with Ubuntu Touch they can do things which they cannot do neither with Android, nor with iOS etc. I don't mean things that they cannot do this way or that good, that fast, etc. I mean a quality change - things that they cannot do at all. I see convergence and an option to ditch laptop for some people such a thing.

      Relased before it was ready

      Also please note the other reasons that are mentioned in the post you linked: convergence was marketed as it was actually done and ready, but in fact it was far from it. Unity 8's functionality is far from finished for desktops, UITK as well, many desktop apps looked bad or didn't run properly when M10 tablet went on sale. I think that was a huge mistake to try selling convergent devices without having delivered the minimum viable product in terms of convergence.

      Hardware

      And again, the hardware. As Miracast has failed as an alternative to HDMI and few phones provide the MHL, the convergence usability is limited with what we currently have. No to mention the problem of convergent mode with charger cable plugged in. This is why I said that we are not there yet and the correct way is to sell the convergence is to make it work flawlessly first, then create the device that allow users to use the full potential of convergence and then market it and show off the value that convergent phoneputer adds to their lives.

      Ubuntu Edge

      On the other hand - Ubuntu Edge didn't get funded, but it has actually broken croudfunding record gathering more then 12 million dollars. I believe that the goal was set extremely high (and probably needed to be in order to make it happen), but still the traction it gained hints that there might be a future for converget devices or phoneputers.

      posted in Off topic
      M
      Mitu
    • A buzzword someday to pave Ubports the way

      Hello,

      I'll throw in the little idea I've thought of recently.

      More then the phone

      I mean buzzwords. It all started with a phone - but once the phones became more advanced, a few buzzwords appeared to indicate that the emerging devices became more then just a phone. I mean words like smartphone and phablet.

      They are definitely more friendly then palmtop or PDA, and currently from being just a portmanteau they entered our everyday languages.

      Even more then the smartphone: convervence

      What Canonical had tried, and Ubports is still trying to do, is to start another revolution. From typical phones, we have currently moved to the point where we perform some of the tasks, which had required us to use a computer before, on our phone. We have phones that are smart, but are not yet our computers (of course in some ways they are, but we still use the laptops to perform most of tasks while we are not on the go).

      Ubports is trying to push this further. Once convergence is funcionally finished, seamless and fully ready for everyday use also for non-power users, it will allow a number of groups of people to actually not have the computer at all - in a number of everyday tasks a convergent phone will be able to fully replace the computer.

      And that is the game changer, which, in my opinion, deserves a new buzzword: a phoneputer.

      What the heck is a phoneputer?

      I believe that a phoneputer is - as the name suggest - a device that is a phone and computer at once. A device that can be used as any of them (or better - both at the same time) In my opinion to call a device a phoneputer it needs to:

      • allow to connect a monitor, keyboad, mouse
      • allow to plug in a pendrives or other types of USB devices that can be plugged to the computers
      • allow to work in a PC mode on the external power source
      • enable to install and use apps as easy and freely as on the computer
      • allow users to organize their files, content, open and save files with different apps

      Does the OS for phoneputers already exist?

      No. However I think that combined efforts of UBports and Canonical is furthest on the way to it currently. Android is not currently an OS for phoneputers, as it is completely not optimized for desktop usage - and, what is more important - it does not allow to run any kind of desktop apps. Windows seem to have come pretty close, but the problem is definitely lack of desktop apps compiled for ARM, which could be installed on the phone and run in a Continuum mode.

      Ubuntu Touch is different here: it allows to run desktop apps in convergence mode. It is not yet as polished as it should be for a phoneputer, but the main bits are already there and it the rest is under development.

      Why I stated "combined efforts of UBports and Canonical"? Not only bacause of Canonical's effort that started it all, but mainly because of the snaps. Growing number of desktop applications is being packed as snaps. Although those apps are not convergent and they do not adapt to phone form factor, they probably will be able (and definitely should be able) to be installed on Xenial even if they are only usable with a monitor plugged in.

      So in my opinion to make Ubuntu Touch an OS for phoneputers we need to:

      • have the easily installable snaps (probably via OpenStore)
      • enabled by default, polished convergence.
      • allow application to request more free access to the home folder (possible via snap slots) - in that case we could have for example the confined package with an IDE, which we could run on a phone and freely modify the projects residing in the home folder
      • allow user management
      • provide a way to use a background services (while handing the easy control of them to user) - a phoneputer should definitely be able to run for example a constant, background Dropbox syncing (I think that the app could ask user if it can run background processes and there should be an indicator listing all apps, that currently run anything in the background and allowing to kill or suspend them)
      • provide power settings to allow easily switch on/off suspending background apps (power indicator?)

      Still a way to go. But at the same time huge chunk of work is already done!

      Does the hardware for phoneputers exist?

      Unfortunalely, no. And I don't meah the power - current multicore beats present in flagships are definitely sufficients. What is lacking? Honestly, a few really simple and doable things:

      • more then one USB port. It is a must for a phoneputer, as it needs to be able to have a monitor, keyboard and mouse plugged in and charge at the same time. An alternative is the wireless charging, but this is a limitation in my opinion. So two USB ports are a must - one to plug in the charger and the other one to plug in a dock or a hub. At least until someone creates a way to charge the phone and use the devices using the same USB port, but I don't think it is possible.
      • Given the amount of software compiled for ARM this architecture is sufficient, but still I hate the fact that Intel quit their Atom for smartphones developments a few years ago. An x86 Atom would be a perfect CPU for a phoneputer - not to mention the porting related simplifications the fact that much more code could be shared between mobile and desktop flavors of the OS.

      A perfect plan?

      Well, kind of "simple", but probably very long term: nail the convergence to make it seamless, simple and powerful, allow installing snaps and take time so that OS could mature enough. Then move to a second step: find a business partner and crowdfund a first phoneputer ever - a device like nothing before: having 2 or 3 USB ports (supporting USB displays, USB Audio, fast USB 3.1 v2 etc.), allowing to connect via USB at the same time a charger, a monitor, a keyboard and a mouse. And then market and sell it as a full-fledged phoneputer to make some people never need their laptops again.

      posted in Off topic
      M
      Mitu
    • RE: Update Meizu Pro 5 Baseband
      • Wi-fi: not improved - battery still won't hold a day with both wi-fi and mobile data on.
      posted in Support
      M
      Mitu
    • RE: Update Meizu Pro 5 Baseband

      Update for my TD-LTE Pro 5 after a few days of testing:

      • Reliability: partially improved - 4G signals seems to be present more often and connection drops in the city are less frequent. However it still isn't prefect - I have just saw the "Rejected" note in the message indicator and had to turn on and off the airplane mode - sometimes I still have to do it as well to regain the Internet connection.
      • Battery life: improved - phone did manage to live for 2 days with the data connection on. It was impossible before. I think that still some significant drops exist, but they don't have to be related to the modem.

      I'll try testing the wi-fi now to check whether the battery drain is acceptable.

      What is still to be tested is the radio signal at the remote areas but I haven't moved away from the city recently. So far I think this radio should definitely be included in the future Ubports updates.

      posted in Support
      M
      Mitu
    • RE: Update Meizu Pro 5 Baseband

      WOW, you're GENIUS!!! 🙂

      It changed. Let's see if it does correct anything for me unluckily having the TD-LTE device...

      Thanks!

      posted in Support
      M
      Mitu
    • RE: Scopes current and future

      It still won't solve the navigation pattern conflitcts though. I still think that even pure QML apps as scopes are an overkill for both performance and UX reasons.

      The current concept of what scopes are is not bad - they just need to be faster, more flexible and dynamic.

      posted in Design
      M
      Mitu
    • RE: Scopes current and future

      @vadrian89 said in Scopes current and future:

      any QML app can be set as scope and be at the user's fingertips
      webapps can be loaded as scopes through WebView / WebEngine to support HTML / Javascript scopes

      This is definitely not a good idea in my opinion. Apps' navigation patterns would interfere with desktop navigation, what would mean that having set unav as a scope you would not be able to swipe between desktops.

      Scopes definitely need their API standards, and some limits in the functionality, so that they could be fast, safe and not breaking the Ubuntu's UX.

      Of course what scopes are and how they work is definitely what shoud be rethought and redone, but still "whatever" is not the right answer.

      posted in Design
      M
      Mitu
    • RE: Pro 5 - basebands

      @TartanSpartan
      OK, I somehow missed your 4 points. None of them will work.
      1-3. because of no recovery could modify the LXD image and swap a file that's inside it.
      4. because baseband is in a different place for Android and Ubuntu. Even if it wasn't swapped back during flashing back tu Ubuntu (and almost sure it would be), the baseband used by Ubuntu is in a different place and another instance of it would be used.

      The only option is probably to rebuild the device image with the new baseband. However that would require a person with proper knowledge to invest his time, and I guess all of those person (probably devs) have more important work to do with pursuing Xenial...

      I'm more and more keeping my fingers crossed for Halium for unified OnePlus 5/5T to appear, and move to 5T...

      posted in OS
      M
      Mitu
    • RE: Pro 5 - basebands

      @TartanSpartan - no, it's not the case. That was one of the hypotheses that I had, but the problem turned out to be different: the baseband is inside the LXC container, so it is in a different place than in am Android phone. Because of that you cannot flash the baseband using the method meant for Android phones.

      In fact you cannot just flash the baseband alone anyhow - you probably need to prepare the system image with the new baseband.

      What renders us unable to replace the baseband at all unless we want build something similar to what a custom ROM is for Android I think...

      posted in OS
      M
      Mitu
    • RE: UI design concepts and proposals

      It seems that there is another topic with mockups. They could probably be merged:
      https://forums.ubports.com/topic/189/mockups-meeting-point

      Also, I'd suggest dividing mockups into Canonical's official ones and fan made. The first category is definitely a better value, as it is consistent with current designs (or is an advancement of the current design). The other one IMO should be rather treated as an inspiration in the farther future.

      posted in Design
      M
      Mitu
    • RE: OnePlus 5 support?

      I'd mark myself as potentially interested in that port too, especially considering the unified 5/5T build.

      I'm currently on Pro 5, but possibly OnePlus 5T might be my next phone.

      posted in Off topic
      M
      Mitu
    • RE: Pro 5 - basebands

      I have the TD-LTE version, bought as Ubuntu Edition via then-called jd.com.

      @Stefano, I'll keep my fingers crossed... if you need any logs, information or testing, please ask and I hope I will be able to help.

      EDIT: According to voice calls, they are OK in 4G for me... at least when there are no problems with the entire signal.

      posted in OS
      M
      Mitu
    • RE: Pro 5 - basebands

      @Stefano, a lot:

      1. Frequent drops of carrier signal. On the remote areas I mostly have no connection at all, but even in the city centre network often drops entirely (no carrier at all, I can neither call nor use internet then)
      2. Frequent drops of data connection, while carrier signal retained. Network indicator shows different things - sometimes it notices that the data connection has droppedd and it shows no internet, but often it also shows an icon exactly as the connection was in place.
      3. I think (but I'm not sure if this is an issue or natural behavior) that phone slightly too often switches back and forth between 4G, H and 3G, sometimes going down to E. This can happen sometimes even outdoors in the center of on of the Poland's biggest cities, so I don't think it is related to poor signal quality and 4G network not being available there.
      4. Sometimes I expect stronger battery drains (for example 20% overnight, when the phone is idle), I think it also can be related.
      5. In general I turn on Wi-Fi only if I need it, as leaving Wi-Fi on may cause a random battery drain as well and make lose 40% in a few hours.
      6. I also think I sometimes expect a dead Wi-Fi connection - phone is connected, but internet does not work (and I am sure this is not my wi-fi network problem).
      7. Not to mention that sub-par call quality or killing calls from time to time due to the above.
      posted in OS
      M
      Mitu
    • RE: Pro 5 - basebands

      @Stefano Yes, I guess with Flyme it is possible to flash it that way (never had Flyme and never tested though).

      I think baseband version can be checked by:

      /usr/share/ofono/scripts/list-modems
      

      My revision seems to be from 2015-10-02.

      In the RILs that can be downloaded from what you have linked there are more files - also a few .so files. I won't take the risk to flash it, as I expect that the libs will install, but the modem.bin will not.

      posted in OS
      M
      Mitu
    • RE: Pro 5 - basebands

      I've investigated the topic more.

      The problem is as follows:

      1. The /system/vendor points to /android/system/vendor in recovery. However, the /android directory seems not to exist in when in recovery.
      2. It seems that /dev/block/loop0 should be mounted in /android/system. It also seems that it is not possible to mount this read-write. It seems like just it is not possible to swap only baseband in Ubuntu without modifying and reflashing the entire system image...

      Or I am wrong. I hope so. 😞

      posted in OS
      M
      Mitu
    • RE: Pro 5 - basebands

      OK, I was entirely wrong. After some time I realized nothing got better at all.

      Even more, TWRP didn't even flash the zip.

      posted in OS
      M
      Mitu
    • RE: Pro 5 - basebands

      OK, baseband changed. I've actually changed recovery to TWRP. Here is what I have done:

      1. Install TWRP - tutorial and download link here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/meizu-mx/general/tutorial-install-twrp-pro-5-t3348845
      2. Grab this: https://forum.xda-developers.com/meizu-pro-5/development/meizu-pro5-baseband-25-10-2017-t3699239 and flash via TWRP.

      In the sibling topics there are a few other baseband - I've tried the latest one.

      So far it seems much better, but I've just installed it, so I don't want to judge too quickly.

      For the next couple of days I'll test the battery life and the connection's reliability. If the issues are fixed indeed, I'll suggest changing in the bug tracker the baseband to the one I linked. If this succeeds or I find another baseband that will do well, would you, dear Devs, update it in future OTA-s or in 16.04 images for Pro5?

      posted in OS
      M
      Mitu
    • RE: Pro 5 - basebands

      All basebands on XDA are published as .zips, which are to be flashed in TWRP, as it is written in the topic by the people who are uploading them. That's why I guess it is intented to be flashed in recovery.

      Is it possible to install a .zip via Ubuntu's recovery? I see only Ubuntu logo and it seems that nothing else happens.

      posted in OS
      M
      Mitu
    • Pro 5 - basebands

      Hello.

      I have permanent problems with mobile network and data on my pro5. Recently I have found out, that there are newer basebands available. I would like to try installing them.

      However, making image read-write does not allow me to write to /system. I cannot remount it as rw as well, because it is write-protected.

      Recovery mode shows me Ubuntu logo and nothing else, and I don't know if fastboot allows me to flash only modem.bin file (if I correctly recall its name).

      How can I replace the baseband and check ouf if it works better for me?

      posted in OS
      M
      Mitu