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Can't we do anything as google is killing AOSP and custom ROMS
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this post was submitted on 14 Aug 2025
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Privacy
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Actively developed sure but Linux phones are a solution looking for a problem. Who wants to run scaled down desktop apps on their phone and who wants a terminal on a phone either? I may be a Linux enthusiast but I want a phone that simply works.
A Linux phone doesn't need to be, and definitely shouldn't be, a scaled down desktop. There would obviously need to be some purpose built phone apps made, but I am pretty sure the existing Linux phones already do these, they aren't really breaking new ground here. The whole point would be to have a workable modern phone that isn't under Google or Apple's greedy untrustworthy thumbs.
Have you acturally tried Postmarketos or any mobile Linux interface? I have and its just a scaled down Linux desktop.
I have used postmarketOS, and I thought the interface (Plasma Mobile) was OK, but could use some improvements. How long ago did you use it?
Edit: Now that I think about it, I think the last time I tried the Pinephone it was using Manjaro, not postmarketOS. I have used that before though, but you may want to give it another try as it is vastly improved IMO. That being said, the Pinephone itself still kinda sucks from a hardware perspective.
I'll eventually try it on a pixel 3a
the problem is that google is capable of slurping all of your data and your phone becomes an enhanced avenue for access; the linux phones are the solution to this.
i'm convinced that the "it just works" mantra is the reason why google or apple or microsoft is able to do this sort of asshattery and i can understand why people would want something that simply works.
however, the trade off for this mantra is that you're giving yourself over to a corporation that not only doesn' t have your best interest at heart but has proven will happily sell your control for a penny.
i can also understand why someone wouldn't think that any of this matters and; if you're lucky; it won't matter all, but for the rest of us unlucky sob's (and the people who don't want to put their faith in luck), linux phones matter.
I use GraphineOS, it already does that but more secure and with apps
I also run GrapheneOS, but I'd love to have a decent true Linux alternative that wasn't tied to Pixel phones. Maybe I can even get my headphone jack back.
i was going to do this too, but none of my functioning androids are supported and i expect google to take another step in disabling alternatives.
I believe the UI of most apps could be made to work well with phone display sizes and resolutions.
Well, I do! It's great when you want to connect, do or automate something there isn't an app for. For now I sometimes run Termux on Android. Among smartphone users in general I'm probably an edge case, but among Linux users, I must say, using a terminal on the phone doesn't seem that crazy to me.
It doesn't matter if they look ok (they still look out of place and feel wrong), the fact is they're built with keyboards in mind. Hell even on phosh you'll see keyboard shortcut indicators.
What stops anyone from making new GUIs, maybe even a new framework for doing that, optimised for touchscreens rather than keyboard and mouse?
Maybe I'm just unknowledgeable, but to me that idea doesn't sound very far-fetched.
Because people keep defending the keyboard and mouse based mobile interfaces and as long as people and devs say its ok there will be no incentive to make proper mobile interfaces.
A single app can have separate interfaces for mobile and desktop. Mobile/Touch interfaces are uncommon right now because linux on mobile isn't ready, and it is extra work to make a separate GUI.
They're actively trying to solve:
I'm baffled that they even bother, given how much people complain about it not being good enough. But I'm glad they do, and I think it's awesome.
Because they've yet to implement basic security features android had a decade ago and the interfaces are clunky, also once again who thought putting desktop apps on Mobile is a good idea?
They're not a multi-billion dollar company. If you don't like it, then don't use it. That's your choice.
But please stop talking nonsense about them not addressing real problems. Because they are. And they deserve credit for that. Not whining about the imperfections of a work in progress.
You dont have to be a multi billion dollar company to implement security features that exist in aosp, open source features based on freely available software that simply isnt implemented.
No, but it is going to take a considerable amount of time as they don't have the manpower and resources of a multi billion dollar company.