this post was submitted on 09 Oct 2025
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Linux

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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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[–] Pondis@lemmy.world 56 points 1 day ago (3 children)

The sooner there is a rom compatible with most android devices, the better.

I'd be off Android so fast.

[–] black_flag@lemmy.dbzer0.com 28 points 1 day ago (1 children)
[–] curbstickle@anarchist.nexus 17 points 1 day ago (3 children)

They already have a Linux app, I can't see them not making UI adjustments for Linux phones.

I'm also personally fine just using matrix but thats just me.

[–] bjoern_tantau@swg-empire.de 17 points 1 day ago (1 children)

The Signal lead has been vocally against doing a fully fledged version for Linux for a while now. He really likes his closed ecosystems. "for security"

Desktop Linux is soooo insecure because users can access their own data.

[–] curbstickle@anarchist.nexus 5 points 1 day ago

Ah, good to know. I don't really use it (just have previously) so didnt know that.

I'd be curious how that would swing with a heavy number of users switching to a linux phone.

[–] black_flag@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Wait...signal has a linux-native standalone app that doesn't depend on android or iPhone? Since when??

Edit: looks like no

[–] Qkall@lemmy.ml 5 points 1 day ago (2 children)
[–] curbstickle@anarchist.nexus 5 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Agreed, just not the statement I was responding to, which I took as Signal - the company - getting on board with Linux mobile. But maybe I misinterpreted.

[–] black_flag@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 1 day ago

That was indeed what I meant

[–] carotte@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Project status: archived

oof

i know Flare is another client for Linux, which does adapt itself to window size so it should work on mobile

tho it can’t be used as a primary device easily (so you’ll need signal on another phone) and from past experience, the linking can be pretty iffy

[–] black_flag@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 1 day ago

It's also that any 3rd party apps violate the TOS and if they discover that you're using it they'll boot you from the service

[–] Qkall@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 day ago

...i saw that... curious. #linuxphoneapps had a few options tho... but i, sadly, don't use signal... so not sure.

[–] boonhet@sopuli.xyz 10 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Like 90% of the blame here goes to Qualcomm AFAIK :/

[–] cdzero@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Why is that? (Genuine curiosity)

[–] aaravchen@lemmy.zip 12 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Most of the chips in a smartphone are made by Qualcomm, both processors and peripheral chips like 5G modem, LTE modem, WiFi, and Bluetooth. Qualcomm chips require proprietary binary blobs to function, and usually only have a support lifetime of about 2 years. They also only supply those blobs to the manufacturer of the device.

[–] eldebryn@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Now I wish we had riscV mobile phones too...

[–] boonhet@sopuli.xyz 2 points 1 day ago

Pine64 I think said they're making the next Pinephone when they can make it RISC-V.

Which either means they're enthusiastic about the pace of RISC-V development, or they don't want to make a new phone anytime soon.

[–] cdzero@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)
[–] boonhet@sopuli.xyz 2 points 1 day ago

Qualcomm being what they are is the reason Apple was able to provide a better lifespan for their phones for like a decade (you'd get 5-6 years of iOS major version upgrades compared to 0-2 on Android phones).

Google actually pushed the Android ecosystem to do better by creating its' own Tensor SoCs which they support for longer... But they don't really make the drivers for those open source either. So we're still not doing better in that regard.

[–] immobile7801@piefed.social 2 points 1 day ago

I hope there's a good alternative soon. I'd love a Linux variant phone that is usable.