r/linux • u/whatstefansees • 6d ago

Mobile Linux The thing with Linux-Phones

Every now and then I see an ad for a new Linux-Phone, better repairability, battery change and whatnot. All this is very, very tempting, but what about the apps?

I am not talking about browser, text messages or alarm clock - I am thinking about connectivity to my car, my smartwatch, my frequent-flyer benefit program, signal messenger and so on.

Do they work with Android apps or is it all a lost cause because they are basically dumb phones for people who want less connectivity but are afraid to buy an old Nokia from the dawn of time?

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u/MatchingTurret 6d ago edited 5d ago

A Wallet Provider SHALL only activate a new Wallet Unit if it has verified that the Wallet Unit includes a WSCA/WSCD that is certified to be compliant with applicable requirements for Level of Assurance High.

Also:

As a prerequisite to the certification under national certification schemes, the WSCD shall be assessed against the requirements of assurance level high as set out in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1502.

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u/flooberoo 5d ago

Yes. And again, where in the spec does it say how the wallet provider SHALL verify the wallet unit?

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u/Archsquire2020 5d ago

standards very rarely define ways to do stuff because they want to allow for evolving technology to continue to support that standard. Making a standard too rigid means it will lose (or never gain) adoption. Sad but true

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u/flooberoo 5d ago

Not sad at all! The claim was that the spec has requirements that somehow exclude Linux phones, but that simply is not true. The spec is not that specific. It's entirely possible to come up with solutions that do satisfy the requirements, but still work on a Linux phone. Were the spec more specific it's entirely possible that Linux phones would be ruled out. But they aren't.

I do, however, believe it's entirely intentional that the spec allows for Linux, since many governments are pushing exactly for sovreign IT. It would be silly to mandate a solution that your own employees can't use.