Cellphones working in Linux

M

MyWorld

Executive Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2004
Messages
5,001
I'm due for an upgrade and/or new contract so I'm looking into which phones (or rather phone OS) are out there that is easily configured with Linux.

Choices:
Blackberry
Symbian
Windows Mobile
Android

Technically Android should be fully functional, but I have done very little research on the matter so far.
Basically, it should do what you can on Windows, install apps, synchronize contacts, calendar, etc.

Anyone know of such a phone?
 
M

MyWorld

Executive Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2004
Messages
5,001
Thanks for the reply.

I'm genuinely leaning towards Android, just reading up on ROM updating.
 
K

kingrob

Guest
MyWorld said:
Thanks for the reply.

I'm genuinely leaning towards Android, just reading up on ROM updating.
Click to expand...

What I like most about Android is the rapid pace at which it is developing.

Honeycomb (Android 3.0) looks extremely advanced & the manufacturers are having a great time with new releases. (Search for the Motorola Atrix on YouTube)

This is a cool video to watch if you want to know what's coming for Android : http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/07/exclusive-interview-googles-matias-duarte-talks-honeycomb-tab/
 
M

MyWorld

Executive Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2004
Messages
5,001
Another stupid question, can you upgrade any Android phone to the latest release?

What are the pitfalls on selecting a phone then and what should I avoid?
 
K

kingrob

Guest
MyWorld said:
Another stupid question, can you upgrade any Android phone to the latest release?

What are the pitfalls on selecting a phone then and what should I avoid?
Click to expand...

In theory you should be able to upgrade any Android phone as you wish, but because manufacturers "skin" Android with their own UI, you must wait for the manufacturers to make the changes to their UI and then push out the update.

There are "pure" Android phones that will always get the Android updates first, the two phones being the Nexus One and Nexus S.

*You can also root your phone and load any custom roms on it, if you're not willing to wait.
 
M

MyWorld

Executive Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2004
Messages
5,001
After reading a lot it seems there are only a handful of manufactures that make full use of the Android features and strengths.

The two companies who shine is HTC and Motorola.
HTC however are not quick to release ROM updates, but if what I have read is anything to go by, Motorola is Johnny on the spot with their updates.
I looks like this will be the next phone, I have had some nasty experiences with Motorola some 6 years back, lets hope they cleaned up their phones...
http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_milestone-3001.php

Any ideas, suggestions?
 
M

milomak

Honorary Master
Joined
May 23, 2007
Messages
12,571
what do you want your phone to do when it interacts with Linux?
 
M

MyWorld

Executive Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2004
Messages
5,001
Most important is to sync contacts, mail, etc. and not needing any Windows machine to update a ROM or anything else (like is not the case with LG and Sony Ericsson - you cannot update a ROM over wifi with them so you need their software that only works on Windows).
 
M

milomak

Honorary Master
Joined
May 23, 2007
Messages
12,571
An Android phone seems to be what will work for you. Depending on how you like Google. If you have no problem with Google having your information, then I think what you want is a bit easier.

What phone do you currently have?

edit - or how do you see your contacts being transferred to your new phone?

how does your current phone handle exporting contacts?
 
Last edited:
M

MyWorld

Executive Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2004
Messages
5,001
The current phone is a HTC Diamond, so it runs Windows Mobile 6.1. Transferring contacts I will need to have a Windows PC for that, or I'll have to look into syncing with Google. I heard you can do that, just have not tried it out yet. This is not a mayor concern right now.

This one of the reasons I want something that works with Linux, this hunting down a Windows PC to do the simplest thing with the HTC Diamond is just plain silly and stupid. ATM my wifes PC has a VM Windows, so every time I need to sync or something I need to go over to her PC, start the VM, do my thing, etc. It is getting bothersome to put it lightly.
 
vinodh

vinodh

Expert Member
Joined
Jan 11, 2009
Messages
2,978
I use the Microsoft MyPhone service for backing up contacts, mails, sms's, files and photos etc. Free and works perfectly. Whenever I do a ROM update on my phone, I first sync everything on myphone and then re-sync after the update. Restores everything in a couple of minutes.
 
M

milomak

Honorary Master
Joined
May 23, 2007
Messages
12,571
since i bought an android phone i decided i would put my faith in google.

so what i do is my contacts are in gmail. i sync them that way. i then have a TB extension that syncs my contacts with gmail.

so i don't need linux per se to sync. don't know if that answers your questions.
 
K

kingrob

Guest
MyWorld said:
After reading a lot it seems there are only a handful of manufactures that make full use of the Android features and strengths.

The two companies who shine is HTC and Motorola.
HTC however are not quick to release ROM updates, but if what I have read is anything to go by, Motorola is Johnny on the spot with their updates.
I looks like this will be the next phone, I have had some nasty experiences with Motorola some 6 years back, lets hope they cleaned up their phones...
http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_milestone-3001.php

Any ideas, suggestions?
Click to expand...

The Milestone has been out since 2009, so not sure if you'll still find stock?

I would rather go for an Android phone that is running Android 2.2 out of the box.
 
M

MyWorld

Executive Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2004
Messages
5,001
I would have loved to get my hands on the Openmoko, but there are no providers in SA that give them out on contracts that I know of.
:(
 
Rocket-Boy

Rocket-Boy

Honorary Master
Joined
Jul 31, 2007
Messages
10,199
MyWorld said:
Another stupid question, can you upgrade any Android phone to the latest release?

What are the pitfalls on selecting a phone then and what should I avoid?
Click to expand...

High end HTC's are your best bet as most of the other phones stop support after 1 update. The HTC phones seem to have the most support for custom roms too.
 
Rinkhals

Rinkhals

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 10, 2006
Messages
514
MyWorld said:
I would have loved to get my hands on the Openmoko, but there are no providers in SA that give them out on contracts that I know of.
:(
Click to expand...

No.

From that website, they cost about 2-and-a-half grand, but it would appear you're pretty much on your own with them.
 
M

milomak

Honorary Master
Joined
May 23, 2007
Messages
12,571
as much as i love Linux, I figure the best route to go with a phone is one that is OS agnostic. Which is why I believe you have to choose a 3rd party provider (or providers you trust) that develop apps for more than one brand of phone.

I think back to when I had my HTC TyTN. I eventually got it to sync with Linux (which leads me to believe that with Android there must be a number of solutions out there). But I have to say I feel so much more at ease using Google to sync. It's a major player that I can be sure that my Windows, Mac and Linux machines will talk to.

Until of course the day they decide to screw us over. But I'll cross that bridge on that day.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top