Why do they keep making them BIGGER and BIGGER? Our hands don't grow that fast, most adult males have been struggling using their phone with one hand. Only the vocal minority prefers to oversized phone-computer, most of us just want to use it briefly on the go before tucking it back into the pocket, without it tearing a hole in it (which my last two phones have done).
If anyone is listening -- can you put a cap on the dimensions? 5.5" screen is plenty, if I want the cinema experience I will either a) go to cinema or b) use some VR/AR device, for the rest of use cases, like watching a movie on a bus/plane/train, it doesn't weigh up against carrying a brick with you.
I had a phone where the top half of the touch screen broke, so I installed "quick cursor" to be able to access it. I still use it on my new phone since it enables me to control everything using only about 1/3 of the touch screen. This should really come built in to the OS, especially since the app requires some pretty aggressive permissions to work.
I have to say reading the statement "requires some pretty aggressive permissions to work" sounds like there's a problem with Android permissions model. I mean, if the app needs permissions, one should normally assume it needs these permissions in order to, well, be permitted to do its work? In other words, a "good-natured" app should not need more permissions than it needs to work, and the last part is kind of a tautology. Either that, or Android has broken permissions model, which may apparently be too coarse -- as in you need "access to Internet" for auto-update to work, despite auto-update normally being done by Google (when a Google-forked Android) over a secure channel etc.
I agree about the principle of least privilege, but the problem is that almost any accessibility app must basically be able to simulate user input to function, i.e. for a cursor app to actually provide a cursor, it must have the permission to activate any UI element on the screen.
I trust Quick Cursor, but I shouldn't have to - since basically every smartphone now is too big to use with one hand without having to shuffle it around and risk dropping it, I think the cursor feature should be built into the OS.
You're partially correct. Ubuntu Touch was discontinued by Canonical (the company behind Ubuntu) in April 2017.
However, Ubuntu Touch was picked up by the UBports project (that by now has their own foundation) and has been continued to this day. Currently they are preparing a Ubuntu Touch release based on Ubuntu 24.04 (moving on from Ubuntu 20.04). See https://www.ubuntu-touch.io/ for more.
Regarding the FLX1(s): FuriLabs worked on a way to support Ubuntu Touch apps (that can be found at https://open-store.io/) natively on FuriOS. It's also possible to boot Ubuntu Touch on their FLX1 hardware.
Why do none of the modern phones have a flat back? It's crazy to me that seemingly everyone is jumping on the train to have the camera stick out from the back. I guess the camera lens needs more space, but why not then add some additional material so it's still even? I feel like I'm missing something obvious, do people not put down their phone on flat surfaces or something?
Or make it in a wedge shape? This may sound crazy, but in 2012, I had a Samsung phone (maybe a Galaxy Nexus -- can't remember exacly). It had different thicknesses at the bottom and the top, and a smooth curvature in between that was pleasing to the hand. The display too, was ever so slightly curved, not enough to fit the contours of a human cheek as you held it up, but just enough to not feel like you're pressing a glass slab to your face.
While your comment makes sense if you were commenting on an Apple or Samsung phone, but this is a Linux phone. We should be glad there are Linux phones being made available at all and the smallest problem is if there is a camera bump or not.
I hope one day comes when the biggest issue with a Linux phone is a camera bump or some other mechanical detail.
I actually find a bump better for putting your phone down on a flat surface, and my logic is this:
If your camera lens is flat to the body of the phone, it's more prone to being scratched on a table. With a bump, the lens becomes slightly elevated as the phone balances between the bottom of the case and the edge of the bottom of the camera bump, giving the lens(es) a tiny clearance
Pixel phones have a bump that stretches from left to right, so it leans on a flat surface slightly tilted up, but still stable. Unlike phone that have the bump on a corner only and will move if you tap it.
If Apple with their trillions of dollars decided that their new phone should be a thinner one, it tells us that the general public for some reason likes it.
As much as I'm interested in running Linux on my next mobile device, I'm not inclined to trust a single company to provide both the device and the OS. I have no reason to distrust Furi Labs, but trust is earned, not granted.
First of all, why is there so little documentation about "FuriOS"? What exactly has Furi Labs changed from the base Debian system to warrant a rebadging? Why can't I know which software it's using? Why are there so few screenshots and videos of the device (besides from the "volunteered" reviews)?
I understand that selling hardware is how they recoup their development costs, and focusing on a single device allows them to deliver a better user experience. But I would still like to try their OS on a device I may already have, before I decide to shell out $550 for, frankly, pretty lackluster hardware.
It's probably usable, but dips down below what even extra-cheap Xiaomis and such offer. I really want to see a Linux phone's specsheet that's even a little competitive.
The comments here are awful. What happened to “Hacker” news?
This is a Linux phone that actually works, running Debian. It has a battery that competes with the runtime of any modern phone. It has a snappy UI and can reliably make calls. Already it’s the best Linux phone in the world, just on that basis.
They’re selling it for the same price as the outgoing model despite tons of bullshit tariffs being levied against them. What an achievement!
I want a Linux phone that works, and I want to support a world where Linux phones exist and are financially viable to make, therefore I will buy this as my next phone.
It doesn't run Debian, it runs (a fork of) Droidian which relies on Android layer underneath. There are other Linux phones that do actually run Debian and don't rely on Android.
> The comments here are awful. What happened to “Hacker” news?
It’s funny because excessive negativity is peak HN (see: Dropbox post) but yeah, it’s amazing how many people are focused on how this couldn’t/doesn’t work than got it could/does.
I bought 4 Firefox phones, am itching for hardware that I truly own in the age of AI, and I’m ready to be hurt again.
> This is a Linux phone that actually works, running Debian. It has a battery that competes with the runtime of any modern phone. It has a snappy UI and can reliably make calls. Already it’s the best Linux phone in the world, just on that basis.
"Shut up and take my mo... 170mm x 76 mm, 201g? Sigh - never mind!"
Sorry for adding one more awful comment. If they make a mini version, I will absolutely put my money where my mouth is.
Then why do all photos of this phone show the logo, not the actual OS it’s running? If it’s running something that is not Android, I would expect a page how the OS actually looks and works before considering it a serious, working alternative to Android.
I'm glad for this release but I think users are cynical because of the state of things since the Pinephone and Purism releases. There had been what felt like very little progress towards a "daily driver" device. Mind you I think Sailfish has shown it's doable a long time, but this is cast aside for being paid.
With a de-Googled Android device you get lots more apps, but it's still Android.
This is Debian atop an Android kernel, with Android in a container. The native OS is a desktop Linux. You can upgrade your OS with `apt update ; apt-get full-upgrade -y`.
If you want a pocket Linux phone, I think it's about the best.
Does this support connection to a docking station so it can be used like a desktop?
If so, I'm very interested.
Edited to add: some reviews say it supports mouse and keyboard via dock, The Register says it didn't support an external USB-C display (that was from March this year, so the earlier version), but then another review said that used it as an Ethernet router, so Ethernet via dock must work.
It does mot support display output via USB C, and I'm guessing Ethernet will also be very limited because the usb is 2.0, which is very sad to see on a Linux phone.
I tested with 2 different USB-C docks and a USB-C to HDMI monitor cable. They're the only ones I have.
One is from a Gemini PDA and has USB-A, USB-C and Ethernet. I think I did not test Ethernet but I can do that. The dock contains an Ethernet controller: it's a USB-attached Ethernet card, effectively. It works on Android, macOS, Windows, Linux, etc.
As far as I recall the FLX1 detected the Ethernet port but I didn't test it.
The other dock has audio, various sizes of USB, and HDMI out. All the ports worked except display. You can drive the phone with a full sized keyboard and mouse, which is amusing but useless. You can power the phone from the dock while in use.
But it can't drive a display, which is a damned shame and a deal-breaker for the form-factor. Otherwise this could be a real PC in your pocket.
The company told me it was working on wireless display support but I do not own any wireless displays to test with.
Omfg ! The phone I didn't know I wanted. I've grown so sick of Google's BS with android and their policies.
I want a phone that I own and I can hack a little bit.
This is going to be my next phone !
I'm very curious about the Android app support and if by any magic it can do payment. But even if it doesn't it's still going to be an improvement over my pixel
I wish someone with with money would just make a deal with a niche Chinese company like blackview or oukitel to allow making a Linux for their hardware. Not trying to make the same stuff as everyone does as it will be niche for quite a while.
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[ 3.4 ms ] story [ 68.6 ms ] threadprevious discussion https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41839326
Looks inside
Still the good old A76 and A55 cores (they're 8 years old at this point)
Anyone here can share their experience with the phone?
If anyone is listening -- can you put a cap on the dimensions? 5.5" screen is plenty, if I want the cinema experience I will either a) go to cinema or b) use some VR/AR device, for the rest of use cases, like watching a movie on a bus/plane/train, it doesn't weigh up against carrying a brick with you.
I trust Quick Cursor, but I shouldn't have to - since basically every smartphone now is too big to use with one hand without having to shuffle it around and risk dropping it, I think the cursor feature should be built into the OS.
However, Ubuntu Touch was picked up by the UBports project (that by now has their own foundation) and has been continued to this day. Currently they are preparing a Ubuntu Touch release based on Ubuntu 24.04 (moving on from Ubuntu 20.04). See https://www.ubuntu-touch.io/ for more.
Regarding the FLX1(s): FuriLabs worked on a way to support Ubuntu Touch apps (that can be found at https://open-store.io/) natively on FuriOS. It's also possible to boot Ubuntu Touch on their FLX1 hardware.
I hope one day comes when the biggest issue with a Linux phone is a camera bump or some other mechanical detail.
If your camera lens is flat to the body of the phone, it's more prone to being scratched on a table. With a bump, the lens becomes slightly elevated as the phone balances between the bottom of the case and the edge of the bottom of the camera bump, giving the lens(es) a tiny clearance
1/3 to 1/2 of the performance of an Apple A18.
First of all, why is there so little documentation about "FuriOS"? What exactly has Furi Labs changed from the base Debian system to warrant a rebadging? Why can't I know which software it's using? Why are there so few screenshots and videos of the device (besides from the "volunteered" reviews)?
I understand that selling hardware is how they recoup their development costs, and focusing on a single device allows them to deliver a better user experience. But I would still like to try their OS on a device I may already have, before I decide to shell out $550 for, frankly, pretty lackluster hardware.
Also - not so sold on the privacy switches…
It's probably usable, but dips down below what even extra-cheap Xiaomis and such offer. I really want to see a Linux phone's specsheet that's even a little competitive.
This is a Linux phone that actually works, running Debian. It has a battery that competes with the runtime of any modern phone. It has a snappy UI and can reliably make calls. Already it’s the best Linux phone in the world, just on that basis.
They’re selling it for the same price as the outgoing model despite tons of bullshit tariffs being levied against them. What an achievement!
I want a Linux phone that works, and I want to support a world where Linux phones exist and are financially viable to make, therefore I will buy this as my next phone.
It’s funny because excessive negativity is peak HN (see: Dropbox post) but yeah, it’s amazing how many people are focused on how this couldn’t/doesn’t work than got it could/does.
I bought 4 Firefox phones, am itching for hardware that I truly own in the age of AI, and I’m ready to be hurt again.
"Shut up and take my mo... 170mm x 76 mm, 201g? Sigh - never mind!"
Sorry for adding one more awful comment. If they make a mini version, I will absolutely put my money where my mouth is.
Then why do all photos of this phone show the logo, not the actual OS it’s running? If it’s running something that is not Android, I would expect a page how the OS actually looks and works before considering it a serious, working alternative to Android.
With a de-Googled Android device you get lots more apps, but it's still Android.
This is Debian atop an Android kernel, with Android in a container. The native OS is a desktop Linux. You can upgrade your OS with `apt update ; apt-get full-upgrade -y`.
If you want a pocket Linux phone, I think it's about the best.
If so, I'm very interested.
Edited to add: some reviews say it supports mouse and keyboard via dock, The Register says it didn't support an external USB-C display (that was from March this year, so the earlier version), but then another review said that used it as an Ethernet router, so Ethernet via dock must work.
I tested with 2 different USB-C docks and a USB-C to HDMI monitor cable. They're the only ones I have.
One is from a Gemini PDA and has USB-A, USB-C and Ethernet. I think I did not test Ethernet but I can do that. The dock contains an Ethernet controller: it's a USB-attached Ethernet card, effectively. It works on Android, macOS, Windows, Linux, etc.
As far as I recall the FLX1 detected the Ethernet port but I didn't test it.
The other dock has audio, various sizes of USB, and HDMI out. All the ports worked except display. You can drive the phone with a full sized keyboard and mouse, which is amusing but useless. You can power the phone from the dock while in use.
But it can't drive a display, which is a damned shame and a deal-breaker for the form-factor. Otherwise this could be a real PC in your pocket.
The company told me it was working on wireless display support but I do not own any wireless displays to test with.
This is going to be my next phone !
I'm very curious about the Android app support and if by any magic it can do payment. But even if it doesn't it's still going to be an improvement over my pixel
(I've been waiting for something like this for perhaps a decade. Now it's here and I don't have enough work to afford it. :-/)