Comment on I Bought a Linux Phone in 2026
linule@lemmy.world 1 day agoVery interesting and informative, thanks for explaining. My understanding was that UT just conveniently copied/reused some hardware interfacing components from Android, since Android uses also a Linux kernel too and why reinvent the wheel, especially with the plethora of phone manufacturers available, which you really don’t really want to do again. But I didn’t know about it using Android kernel, or needing an existing Android install, which sound indeed like deal breakers. There might be a good reason, relating the reuse of components, but clearly out of my depth here.
I still think that it is important to standarize a canonical Linux core, or something like that, that can unify more development efforts, or if not needed, at least a marketing presence to raise funds. E.g politicians usually don’t understand a word of tech, and you’d need something like “The open source interoperable alternative to Android and iOS” to be appealing instead of coming with Alpine, Debian, etc. which will sound just like geeky and fringe and subsequently not get substantial funding.
ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net 1 day ago
If you’re not aware, Ubuntu Touch is no longer operated or developed by Canonical, they abandoned the project in 2017. UT was then picked up by UBPorts, a community effort to keep alive what Canonical left behind.
Personally, I don’t have a very high opinion of Canonical due to their use of CLAs, which also appear to be present in some fashion with UT and UBPorts as well:
Image
I agree that some standardization would likely be beneficial in some areas (such as focusing on a single Phone UI and polishing it up). PostmarketOS is making the most progress on getting real Linux on mobile, so if I had to pick one project to support monetarily, and one that could become mainstream, or partner with a manufacturer like GrapheneOS, I think that would be the project to back, IMHO.
linule@lemmy.world 1 day ago
I mean canonical the word, not company? name.
And ok, interesting to know that PostmarketOS might be what’s closest to that.
ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net 1 day ago
Oh, right. Sorry, easy to confuse the meaning in this case 😅
linule@lemmy.world 1 day ago
No problem 😊 thanks again for explaining.