On January 17, the delivery of a limited batch of the PinePhone smartphone started. This is not the first device of its kind on the operating system Linux, but it still seems unusual against the background of modern Android and iOS devices. It should be understood that this project was not developed by any company. It was created by a community of programmers who, in their free time from their main work, invest in its development.
PinePhone is not a phone for everyone
The project itself is not intended for the average user. It is designed for developers who are also willing to invest in the development of operating systems based on Linux and applications for them. Also, the idea of developing a community of mobile versions Linux doesn't seem like a bad idea. The more alternatives offered to users, the better.
The operating system Linux is distributed according to this principle. Everyone can contribute to the development of the system. However, Android works by the same principle. Perhaps many did not know, but Android is an Open Source project developed by the community. Yes, the system belongs to Google, but everyone can fix any bug in the code or add a new function, which in the future may become part of the new version Android.
PinePhone comes without an installed operating system, the user will have to carry out the installation process on their own by downloading the latest build through the official website. In addition, while all assemblies are in alpha status, some functions may simply not work. According to the official review of the new item, the most stable is Ubuntu Touch , but even it does not yet allow the camera module to be launched.
There are 6 systems in total:
- postmarketOS
- Ubuntu Touch
- Sailfish OS
- Maemo leste
- LuneOS
- Manjaro
For example, the Ububtu Touch install image is about 1 GB in size. The phone is equipped with a 5.95-inch LCD display, 4-core Allwiner processor with 1.2 GHz Cortex A53 cores, 16 GB of internal and 2 GB of RAM, 5-megapixel main and 2- MP front camera, 3000 mAh battery, and fast charging with Type-C connector. For some, the ability to remove the battery from the device may be a nice bonus. In addition, by opening the case, you can easily disconnect LTE, GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, microphone and camera directly from the motherboard.
Does mobile have a future Linux
How does Linux continue to exist? It's all the fault of the developers who use this system as a server, as well as an environment for developing various products, including websites.
Will consumers and developers be attracted to smartphones on Linux? The question is dubious, it seems to me that no. Simply because so much work and money has been invested in Android and in iOS that it is unlikely that the Open Source project will be able to offer anything worthy in this matter. In addition, the target audience of the mobile version Linux is not entirely clear. What is it for? Ubuntu Touch, for example, does not offer any unique interface with revolutionary controls, and software developers will not waste time optimizing the system so that no one can use it later.
There is one 'but'
The project can become popular in the event that the device will be used instead of Linux – a computer, connecting it to a monitor, but so far the community has not announced this possibility. Indeed, it would be nice to have a full-fledged Linux smartphone in your pocket so that you can then connect it to your PC to get a full-fledged operating system for entertainment and work.
What is Linux?
It is a family of Unix-like kernel-based operating systems Linux. Finnish student Linus Torvalds took over the development of this kernel in 1991. It is on the core Linux that the operating system Android runs. In the future, we will definitely tell you more about how the kernel was created, because it will undoubtedly be of interest to all fans Android.
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