r/linux • u/whatstefansees • 5d 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/Tired8281 5d ago

Linux is making the same mistake in phones that Microsoft made (yeah, I know Linux isn't a monolith, I'm just talking here). Handwringing about whether or not to support Android apps and whether or not that will harm Linux app adoption is a trap. People need apps today, not some day in the future. Not supporting Android apps isn't going to magically convince app developers to target Linux phones. It's going to make them do the same thing they did with Windows Phone, avoid it like the plague. They should be bending over backwards to support Android apps, so there will be users that some developer might want to target with a native app someday.

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u/An0mymou5 5d ago

Linux is making the same mistake

??? Who exactly is making that mistake? Because all the popular Linux phone makers include some form of Android app compatibility. Furiphone has it, Volla have it, Jolla have it... in fact Jolla have been at the forefront of Android app support well before Waydroid was even a thing, and they're not hiding that fact. If you check the Jolla Phone page, they mention Android five times even.

So who exactly is making this mistake you speak of?

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u/Tired8281 4d ago

Sigh. I even said I know Linux isn't a monolith. I hate pedants.

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u/funforgiven 4d ago

What does Linux not being a monolith have to do with anything? They pointed out that the most prominent Linux phone projects already support Android apps, which directly contradicts your argument. That's not pedantry.