Re: What to get to replace my N900?
 

Any reason for this model in particular?

Lots of models supported under LineageOs actually... don't remember details of this Os...I guess I can trust it if you, Maemish do trust it...
I mean, privacy/usability wise.

(Again, not that I have anything special to hide. Just want to keep my "Nothing special" for me and beloved. Like if there would be cams everywhere at home... Private life would not feel the same.)

Re: What to get to replace my N900?
 

Is the Astro Slide maybe worth looking into for you?

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/a...-transformer#/

Re: What to get to replace my N900?
 

I read the dedicated Planet Astro Slide thread.
Posts about this device, even yours, are not very encouraging:
-This SOC closed source drivers question,
-the sliding mechanism,
-the fact that Linux on it is a promise with no proofs

If I'd have to bet on something, I'd surely choose an Fxtec device. There is an important and diversified feedback from users with it. This is very valuable.

But mostly, I'm afraid to wait month/a year before I get it.

Re: What to get to replace my N900?
 

Yeah, I'm doubtful whether I'd buy one myself indeed. That doesn't mean it's not for everyone though, and since I don't know your exact preferred use case I thought I'd at least mention it, since it is an interesting device none the less :)

Regarding your last point, that Linux is a promise without proof, that's not entirely accurate I think. Planet Computers' previous device, the Cosmo Communicator, is actually running Linux in the form of Debian with KDE Plasma DE. It runs on a modified kernel with closed source (Android) drivers though, so for me that's not good enough. I can imagine for most people that wouldn't be problem at all though. I think it's safe to assume the Astro will run Linux in a similar form since it's also driven by a Mediatek SoC.

If open source/mainline kernel is important to you, did you consider the Purism Librem 5 or the Pine64 PinePhone?

Re: What to get to replace my N900?
 

Hi, yes always worth to mention, you are right.
Yes, Opensource/opennness is important to me, so able guys can check a litle bit what's going on behind the scene.
About the PinePhone, I had one. Not convinced for daily use (details in post 39).
About the Librem, I read, some 1-2 years back, a whole 3 pages blog from one guy very unsatisfied and reporting a not so clear behaviour of the company and problems with device. I got convinced by the arguments at the time but I don't remember exactly now.
I closed this door too at the time. I should maybe reopen it...

Comparing first impressions (totally subjective maybe), the Pro1 (pics, enterprise communication even here) looks more solid and reliable to me than the Astro.

Re: What to get to replace my N900?
 

Seen this with so many projects.
And even if Linux works, calls probably don't, sometimes not even mobile broadband.
This is why I settled (back) on Maemo/SFOS in the end, and this is why I am so pumped about Leste being developed.

Re: What to get to replace my N900?
 

I don't remember: On what do you use SFOS?

Re: What to get to replace my N900?
 

I would say Pinephone.
You can have the hardware in your hand months ago and buy hardware upgrade boards as they arrive; the software is advancing to daily driver rapidly.
Pinephone is usable at one charge a day now with Debian Mobile if you don't overdo web surfing or video but since the focus is still at core system usability little things like lack of a good audiobook reader and getting used to a new system with frequent changes keep me using my N900 for now.
https://forum.pine64.org/forumdisplay.php?fid=120
I see old TMO and Maemo/Meego people popping up often in response to linking garage code or TMO wiki to solve issues or incorporate new function.

Re: What to get to replace my N900?
 

Hmm, I had one PinePhone , some (6/12?) month ago.
I sold it while it was not really usable as phone and came back to beloved :).
Perhaps I should have been more patient and keep it...:confused:
I don't surf much neither do lots of video/audio.
I'd just like to
-take photos
-sms
-mms with pics
-make phonecalls

Is this yet possible (and easy) with the Pinephone on one single Os?

.
EDIT: Gonna take a look to your link. Thanks

Re: What to get to replace my N900?
 

Well, I mean "just"... Technically, it is already a lot, I know that.

Then, answering to myself after having looked at the forum:
These "simple" things are not yet easy easy. It is progressing but I understand better that the PinePhone is not yet ready for a worry less daily use. (Or people like me are to worried for being ready...or not ready to be worried...anyway...)

Re: What to get to replace my N900?
 

Curious on what you decided:
Website or IndieGogo?

Re: What to get to replace my N900?
 

Just today I saw that postmarketos have a new release, and the pinephone is one of 2 fully supported devices, quote wiki:

Re: What to get to replace my N900?
 

Well said but not really true for one who whishes to send a pic via mms without using the command line. (not that I don't like it but sometimes, there are term-less moments in my actual life)

Re: What to get to replace my N900?
 

Definitely not ready in that respect, it might take a year though I doubt it. I am keeping my N900 charged until the day that I finally remove the battery. I am waiting for some of these lists to be finished
https://wiki.mobian-project.org/doku...ystem-features
and
https://wiki.mobian-project.org/doku.php?id=wishlist
I hope Maemo Leste works toward a downstream from Mobian experience so I can have Maemo feel but function like mobian.

Re: What to get to replace my N900?
 

https://leste.maemo.org/images/thumb...much_leste.jpg
Everyone has different mixes of priorities leading to different opportunity costs when selecting such do-everything computers.

For me the answer remains Droid4 + Maemo-Leste (or sailfish as alternate boot)

Alien Dalvik happens to run under Sailfish on Droid4, I've been told.

Re: What to get to replace my N900?
 

Still found nothing to dive into the future...at least into the present.

This Droid4 with Leste looks tempting!
Working good for daily use?
Not able to find such a phone though.
If you have too much of them, let me know! ;)

Re: What to get to replace my N900?
 

I have been playing with Anbox both on my desktop and on the Pinephone(Mobian) it is sort of nice to be able to get some androd stuff running but it is really unstable and input is tricky, the gestures dont even really work right(think swipe down for refresh) even if I can get an app running.
Native is the way to go but unless flatpak is the answer getting a nice unified community contrib repo like Maemo will take a while; especially with all of the pinephone OS options doing their own thing.
I respect Mobian for their discipline but it is still moving slow when I already want my ultimate N900 replacement.
FOr now my experience is that I have better than an OpenMoko GTA2(though they are still working on a standardized non-hack GPS) but also not a N900 yet, even if I can still also say that for LineageOS phones. Maemo and the available apps that are still functional are still the most satisfying in UI style and function.

Re: What to get to replace my N900?
 

Thanks,
Happy to read I seem not to be on the wrong way (only N900, daily)
Disappointed to read There Is No Alternative...yet!

Re: What to get to replace my N900?
 

Best method is probably save a search term on ebay (' xt894' should do the trick)
Used to have plenty available via ebay (mainly from US) but the stock seems to have dried up.

Re: What to get to replace my N900?
 

Ho, thanks, didn't know that model number. Will do.

Re: What to get to replace my N900?
 

Not sure if you are still interested. Noticed 8 droid4's were posted today on ebay from the same seller from Italy. Price is not too bad and ships worldwide. Of course shipping can be expensive based on location.

One example:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/31376179805...temCondition=4

[edit] updated link with fully working phone - he also sells Droids with USB issues for slightly lower price.

Re: What to get to replace my N900?
 

Wow, thanks!
I just both one!
I'll be back when I will have it... :--)

Re: What to get to replace my N900?
 

Well, well well...
I got that other (than N900, Pro1) jewel: Motorola Droid xt894. Very cute.
And then, I explored Leste deeper to see what I could/couldn't do with it.
Is that clever: buy, then think? Ahem...

I realised I couldn't do what I need (basic usage + mms with pics, receive ALL sms, sometimes web on the way) at the present development state of Leste.

Once again I fell back to N900 (where I really feel cosy and comfortable with all my kb, scripts and tweaks plus its openness and flexibility).
But still, I need a daily working alternative!

So I brought an Xperia XA2 and flashed SFOS.
All basic needed functions are there, plus terminal, filesystem access and you all, trying and achieving all sort of things on it.

I read about closed source kb some years ago, potential security concerns... Dunno if it is still the case with Jolla, but ATM this OS+potentials are charming me !

I just have to find how to migrate my things from N900 to SFOS.
Maybe a new thread...

Cheers

Re: What to get to replace my N900?
 

Too bad the phone didn't provide what you needed :(
Leste is indeed not ready for prime time yet and (depending on your needs) might never be good enough on N900/Droid4. Hardware can be the limiting factor or the lack of Android apps.

My approach is currently using a N900 as main phone and mobile emacs device and a Droid4 with LineageOS for whatsapp and some other Android apps that I am 'forced' to use. Droid4 is still working fine for that, browsing also works but sometimes some patience is required :)

Looking forward to using Leste (especially on my N900), but for that I need at least a fully working phone.

Re: What to get to replace my N900?
 

FWIW I did the same thing €30 for the droid4, €30 for shipping it from the USA, now it just sits here and waits for my leasure, and Leste getting better. I don't regret having bought it though. It must have been top notch in 2012.

...and ssh into the machine from my desktop!
And full root access!
And mount my media erver onto SFOS' filesystem!

Re: What to get to replace my N900?
 

Thanks for these feedbacks. I have chosen another path https://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?...1&postcount=12

Re: What to get to replace my N900?
 

Yes, it offers nice modern possibilities, some that N900 was not able anymore.
-sshfs the filesystem as root for backup (after modifying /etc/ssh/sshd_config) and restore /home seems to work
-fast pictures/video scroll (compared to N900)
-easy use of basic apps, contacts, messages, mail
-mms
-surfing seems to work

but I regret:
-No RAW pictures, too many sharpening in the auto JPG generation. Very regretable, N900 Fcam look or raw was better.
-cute and pretty app fence, I would prefer programs than apps
-No GPS on my 3 Xperia XA2. How comes?
-Compass is a joke
-browser can't display basic pages like i.e. auth.leboncoin.fr

more to come, I am afraid...

Re: What to get to replace my N900?
 

Well, pardon me: some pessimistic-ignorance crisis...
Just discovering patchmanager, openrepos, chum...
Very rich and active ecosystem actually!
Flat excuses...
(but still no gps):(

Re: What to get to replace my N900?
 

Yes and don't forget GPU support for video decoding, even the relatively new HEVC. I can watch everything I can watch on my desktop. Even over the sshfs connection if bandwidth allows!

Have you tried Advanced Camera from openrepos?


I usually disable GPS; once or twice a year I enable it and it takes very long to establish a connection. 5 minutes or more.


The builtin Firefox-based browser seems to lag behind current web development. Esp. javascript overlays/popups seem to be causing troubles. but it's getting better.
There's a few other browsers in openrepos, but in the end the best solution is to get Android support and use something like Bromite (privacy-focused Chromium fork).

Re: What to get to replace my N900?
 

Wow! great!
I didn't manage to have fully fluid videos I made even with 5 or 6 different encodings in Handbrake.

Yes, app starts but screen stays black.

Same for me. But sometimes, I'd like to be able to find myself if I am lost. Or in the nature with offline maps.
But no luck, no fix even with high precision option enabled. :(

Ok, I will buy a licence then. EDIT: And thanks for the Bromite trick.

Re: What to get to replace my N900?
 

Realizing I ended totally off topic here.
Just a last thing I have to correct: GPS now works on my Xperias XA2.
Reading https://forum.sailfishos.org/t/gps-stopped-working
I just realised I had to install the positioning package for my region. :o
Then I got fixes on the devices, even inside the home, wifi on or off, with personal GPS settings with every option enabled.

Re: What to get to replace my N900?
 

I used to have the same problem and reverted back to the defualt camera app, but then I sometimes (rarely) have the same problem there. Haven't investigated.