janvlug

I think that it is very important that there are native Linux phone manufacturers, totally independent on Google, and thus also independent on Android and Android Open Source Project (AOSP), or Android kernels in any way.

A cash flow is essential to sustain a Linux mobile ecosystem. And in the Linux world the sell goes often once. Just when selling the device itself. But software has to be maintained, and people have to be paid. Therefore, I highly recommend to buy a native Linux hardware device, independent on Android, if you want to support mobile Linux, and have the financial means.

There are options to donate to different mobile Linux projects as well though. Only a small donation can already make a difference, especially if many people are providing such support.

It is hopeful to see how different Linux phone software projects, and Linux phone competitors in a way are all working together to further a truly free operating system. The phone market is large enough for native Linux phones to exist next to each other. So not Linux as an aftermarket, but Linux native phones that support the whole mobile Linux world. And yes, also there is place for aftermarket Linux support, but I doubt if this would be enough in the long run.

I have been using the Librem 5 as my daily phone since 1 May 2022 (https://janvlug.org/blog/one-week-librem-5-field-trial-day-1...). And the Librem 5 is getting better and better, and its PureOS Linux operating system is actively maintained, and patches are still upstreamed (https://puri.sm/posts/tag/pureos/).

I really enjoy having a phone that gives me full root control, and that is very similar to the Fedora (GNOME) distribution that I have on my desktop and laptop.

Buying a Linux phone from a pure Linux hardware vendor like Purism helps sustaining the mobile Linux ecosystem.

Yes, the Librem 5 is a bit older phone with some rough edges, but for me it is a really good phone. It gives freedom in the free software sense, and consistency with my Linux computers. I gladly accept some minor inconvenience to have a phone that respects my freedom and privacy.

I cannot foresee the future, but for me the experience on a Linux phone that I control is far more superior than any phone that spies on me and takes away my freedom, like Android or iOS, basically any phone from any manufacturer that disrespects me.

I oppose appdwang (although that can be hard, but until now I managed). Learn more about appdwang at https://appdwang.nl/ (in Dutch).

I'm using a Librem 5 as my daily phone. PureOS is actively developed and based on Debian. Monthly development updates are published here: https://puri.sm/posts/tag/advanced-readers/

Personally, I do not use Android apps on the Librem 5, but Waydroid is available in the PureOS repository. Waydroid is a container-based approach to boot a full Android system on regular GNU/Linux systems running Wayland based desktop environments (like PureOS).

PureOS also provides convergence via Phosh. Convergence means here that the same app can be used on a phone and on a big screen, the GUI adjusts to the available screen size.

Phosh aims to provide a daily-usable, robust and easy to use graphical user environment for mobile devices running mainline Linux. Phosh was originally initiated by developers from Purism for the Librem 5 phone but is nowadays used on many different devices covering smartphones, tablets and convertibles. It has even been seen on laptops.

I use a Librem5 Linux phone. With the default PureOS operating system.

Enjoy your freedom, break free from Google and Apple.

Have a full Linux computer in your pocket that you can also use for calling.

See also the discussion on this post: https://mastodon.social/@janvlug/116504044251287290

Better totally leave Android.

It will be a long tough uphill battle, but digital freedom is possible.

Purism is for example providing the Librem 5 phone with PureOS. Closing the app gap is big challenge, but I use the Librem 5 as my daily phone. Yes, I may have some inconvenience, but I have freedom, and the software is getting better and better.

For more info see also:

* https://puri.sm/posts/googles-new-sideloading-restrictions-w...

* https://puri.sm/posts/closing-the-app-gap-momentum-and-time/