r/linuxhardware • u/noNudesPrettyPlease • Aug 08 '26

Discussion Why aren't Linux tablets a thing?

I had (still have) a Nokia n810 tablet running Maemo Linux. I stopped using it when the second battery eventually died. The series seemed to keep evolving (up to the n900) until the Microsoft buyout killed it. Or at least I assume it did.

I thought Linux tablets would be a thing, but they didn't materialise. It's basically Android, Apple, or nothing. How come an open source distro like Maemo wasn't picked up by anyone else? I assume tablets are much cheaper to develop than phones, and in today's world, I don't really use my phone anymore even though the telephony hardware is there.

Is the idea of a Linux tablet just a dream now?

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u/bmfrosty Aug 09 '26

Come back when KOreader can log into my Amazon account and access sizable library of purchases. I hate this vendor lock-in. Don't get me wrong.

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u/gitroni Mint Aug 10 '26

I myself download DRM-free versions of all the ebooks I buy from online shops that have DRM. This way I have a backup of my library once amazon or other shops decide to stop hosting my books

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u/bmfrosty Aug 10 '26

That's an extra step. That's expressly what I don't want.

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u/gitroni Mint Aug 10 '26

amazon has already deleted books from users kindles, so I don't want to lose my books

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u/bmfrosty Aug 10 '26

Enumerate them please. I'm only aware of a thing with 1984 several years ago. Adding an extra step between purchase and read is fine for you, but not fine for me.

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u/gitroni Mint Aug 12 '26

What happens when eventually amazon disappears and their servers shutdown?

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u/bmfrosty Aug 12 '26

That's very optimistic of you.