Hi all
Does anyone know if I can run kde-based software on the developer alpha of Ubuntu for tablets yet please? Not expecting reliability, just want to do some child user testing of the edubuntu suite on tablets.
Thanks
Chris
Currently you can't and probably neither in the near futur 'cause you need an X Server for that.
And there is no X server on ubuntu touch.
Huge thanks, that is really useful
Hempe said:
Currently you can't and probably neither in the near futur 'cause you need an X Server for that.
And there is no X server on ubuntu touch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After some research on your reply I've a couple questions. Does it mean the Unity interface doesn't need X-server? Or are they just using a temporary workaround until X-server is implemented?
And does this apply to both Ubuntu for Android, and Ubuntu for tablets?
Huge thanks
Having done some further research I've made my decision - thanks hugely for providing the missing link in my knowledge. What follows is my best interpretation of the rumours.
Currently in place of X-server is SurfaceFlinger, ("because X-server uses 30 yr old code" - Canonical). Canonical publicly dabbled with using Wayland until mid-Feb, then decided to create their own revamped display server from scratch, called Mir, which they seem to have been working on since mid last year, and are trying to get GPU vendors to support, written to run across all devices and to meet the needs of the Unity interface, and written in Qt/QML which is what they want native apps written in.
Bottom line for me, is that the technology is still right up there in the clouds and nowhere near decided enough to base my business strategy on. Also, Ubuntu for tablets seems a pretty thin version of Ubuntu anyway, so Edubuntu was never an option and I'm unlikely to be able to leverage much from Ubuntu's Open Source libraries anyway.
Like others, (see the comment on jonobacon.org below), I find it frustrating that the wealth of code written for Ubuntu is no longer usable, but I reckon this is probably necessary to squeeze the most out of every single CPU cycle and milliamp. Ubuntu for tablet is dead in the water if it kills the battery and performs worse than the established competitors.
Therefore all indications are I need to write for Android, keeping my options as open as possible to migrate. So it is now Titanium/UnityIDE versus HTML5, particularly assessing relative performance.
http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2013/03/canonical-announce-custom-display-server-mir-not-wayland-not-x
http://www.jonobacon.org/2013/02/21/five-ubuntu-touch-facts/ -- not the article but the comment starting "In that case, wouldn't it be better to port existing apps instead of...."
http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2013/02/canonical-working-on-new-display-server
http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=MTMwOTM
Just to clarify.
1. There are plans to make a X-Mir compatibility layer that will allow you to run programs that require an X-Server to work with mir.
2. Not all is lost at the moment it just looks that way.
Only Graphical Userinterfaces are affected. Your commandline tools and libraries don't need to be changed.
3. If you are looking for platform to write apps for, well there is worke being done to let you run your QML apps (intended for ubuntu touch) on android.
So if you choose to make QML apps they can be or will be able to run on linux, mac, windows and android
Wow, huge thanks, I missed that.
Does this mean EVERYTHING Ubuntu without a GUI will work? I want to run a NodeJS server. How likely is it that it will work perfectly now? How likely is it that it will work perfectly in the (nominally October 2013) release? (Sorry, just give me a keyword and I'll go off and do my research.)
Is Canonical planning to get X-Mir into the next ~Oct release?
My other query was whether QML on Android would perform as well. For others interested, it looks like it works directly with the Android SurfaceFlinger, bypassing the Dalvik VM, so performance should compare with native Java code.
Huge thanks once again
Chris
Sources:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEkubKZaUt8
http://victorpalau.net/2013/01/25/ubuntu-qml-todo-android-vs-ubuntu/
After combing the internet for a couple weeks, since installing Ubuntu Touch on my Nexus 7 2013, I have yet to find an up to date video, review, or usable bug report for the layperson as an end user. This is desperately needed and would lead to speeding up developing apps and abilities of the OS and its application on various devices.
Using the OS on a daily basis I have seen sporadic new apps showing up in the "Available" section of the APPS Scope, mostly non-US types in some other language. I ave no idea where they come from nor who is submitting them, but evidently, folks in Germany and other Euro countries have the ear of the devs developement. Up until now, There's no porting of regular .deb applications such as Pidgin or even open source versions of Flash for video viewing. Yes, I can't even watch the nonexistent Youtube videos about my OS on the OS, itself.
Someone pick up the ball on this blazing hot mobile OS, please?! We could use some content about it and its developement!
There are some resources out there. The following is a list of the links I use most:
Build test results: http://ci.ubuntu.com/smokeng/utopic/touch/
Changelogs: http://people.canonical.com/~ogra/touch-image-stats/
Development info: http://developer.ubuntu.com/apps/
Bug reports are handled via launchpad: https://launchpad.net/
If you're unsure which package to report it against, maybe use this one: https://launchpad.net/ubuntu-touch-preview
Oh, and some porting is actually done: Trojita and Cantata
Hi friends,
I need advice on a pressing issue I am facing right now about an android app I got developed through a freelancer.
I am webmaster of a website for numerology enthusiasts. On this website, we were offering a numerology calculator (basically a combination of html pages with some javascript embeded - all compiled in an .exe format) Later, on some suggestions, we decided to prepare an Android version of this tiny program by hiring a programmer of South India. It was 2011 and the Gingerbread was the prevalent Android platform. The programmer created the App and we published it on Android Market where it is still available on playstore (search for com.namecalculator.lite on playstore and the first result 'Your Lucky Name' is the app in question.)
The problem is that this was an app which was not compatible with the later version of Android. As such, after sometimes, when the ICS version of Android was launched, the app stopped working for ICS devices. As of now, except for some old Android devices, this App is useless.
When I contacted the guy who originally developed this App, he told that the source file of the Apps were not saved by him and as such, he expressed his inability to do anything about it. He told me that if I again wanted him to develop the app for later versions of Android (like ICS, Jellybean etc), I will have to pay him the full development fee as he will have to start again from scratch.
Since my website is only a hobbyist website with negligible revenue, it was not possible for me to again hire this programmer just to develop an upgraded version of the app.
As of now, a very popular part of my website (the app) has become unavailable for its intended users. In this background, I want guidance on the following:-
(1) If an App is already built for an earlier Android version, does making it compatible with future/latest version of Android require the same amount of energy and effort which was needed when the app was developed the first time?
(2) Since the App in question is basically a compilation of html files with some javascript embeded in some pages, will it be really difficult to reconstruct the app if the source file of earlier app has been lost ?(I still have the raw html pages with me)
(3) I am not a programmer but have experience of web-designing, creating blogs etc. Can I self taught myself to create the above mentioned app by reading and following the online tutorials ? If yes, what in your opinion is the expected time an average learner (with no programming background) can do it? Also kindly point me to some good tutorials.
(4) Any other advice on the above issue some of you might be having ?
Regards
Eklavya
Not so good...
Android apps on Chrome OS: hands-on and initial thoughts
http://www.androidpolice.com/2016/06/17/android-apps-on-chrome-os-hands-on-and-initial-thoughts/
As expected.....
lollyjay said:
Not so good...
Android apps on Chrome OS: hands-on and initial thoughts
http://www.androidpolice.com/2016/06/17/android-apps-on-chrome-os-hands-on-and-initial-thoughts/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay but you do realize it's on an unstable dev build on a Chromebook with one of the lowest-end processors in a Chromebook (ARM Rockchip)? Until it gets in the stable build and is also tested on other hardware (like the x86 Pixel), I wouldn't judge it too much.
Also, the privacy issues with ChromiumOS(not just ChromeOS), prevent it from being a real threat.
moriel5 said:
Also, the privacy issues with ChromiumOS(not just ChromeOS), prevent it from being a real threat.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not about the "threat" (let's not be religious here) - it's about the options.
I honestly prefer a google supported OS with google supported hardware instead of a hack like Remix OS.
Chromebooks are amazing tools. I am expecting Android apps on Chromebooks to cause a very deep disruption in the PC market.
note the asus flip is the only chromebook with arm chip in the 3 ones that get the m53 dev update.
so i assume for the moment only the arm code is ready.
from what i know google does not want to use the android x86 open source project to make their x86 compatibility layer unlike remix os
this explain why no other chromebook have the playstore for the moment.
and yes this asus is only to show the extreme lower end part of chromebooks.
wait until the x86 code they are building is coming...
it will be another story.
you want to be scared?
imagine cloudready or just chromium os for pc
with playstore inside
if it comes.
or29544 said:
It's not about the "threat" (let's not be religious here) - it's about the options.
I honestly prefer a google supported OS with google supported hardware instead of a hack like Remix OS.
Chromebooks are amazing tools. I am expecting Android apps on Chromebooks to cause a very deep disruption in the PC market.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't worry, while I am deeply against Google's behaviour in matters such as privacy, I do agree that if someone absolutely wants to use Google, he/she should be able to.
What I was referring to was being locked to sending personal data to Google, some of it unwantedly.
I think that ChromeOS, or at least ChromiumOS, should at least allow you to create a local owner account, with connecting to Google as an option, should you wish to.
Had that been an option, then I would have been of the same opinion as you.
Anyway remix for the moment make a really bad desktop.
Without a way to select sound inputs and outputs most of the time we got no sound or sound in the wrong output...
Also it need to change resolution on the fly like most os does...or just change screen scaling because remix os on some screens is not usable at all...
And what about include a desktop grade browser that support extensions.because remix browser is as useless as edge for the moment.
The things is ,chrome os have all those fixes already inside.
tailslol said:
Anyway remix for the moment make a really bad desktop.
Without a way to select sound inputs and outputs most of the time we got no sound or sound in the wrong output...
Also it need to change resolution on the fly like most os does...or just change screen scaling because remix os on some screens is not usable at all...
And what about include a desktop grade browser that support extensions.because remix browser is as useless as edge for the moment.
The things is ,chrome os have all those fixes already inside.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with about half of what you said.
However, changing the DPI on the fly may have to wait until Android N.
And while I don't think that a browser has to have addon support, I do prefer it that way.
By the way, Firefox for Android supports both addons and themes, as well as plugins and addon frameworks (e.g. Greasemonkey), so technically you could put it on RemixOS.
And I thought RemixOS doesn't have it's own browser, rather arriving with the AOSP Browser?
I personally prefer Lightning Browser on Android, it's so light without comprimising on absolute necessaties.
All the rest, you're right, there already tools to those on the fly (with root).
moriel5 said:
I agree with about half of what you said.
However, changing the DPI on the fly may have to wait until Android N.
And while I don't think that a browser has to have addon support, I do prefer it that way.
By the way, Firefox for Android supports both addons and themes, as well as plugins and addon frameworks (e.g. Greasemonkey), so technically you could put it on RemixOS.
And I thought RemixOS doesn't have it's own browser, rather arriving with the AOSP Browser?
I personally prefer Lightning Browser on Android, it's so light without comprimising on absolute necessaties.
All the rest, you're right, there already tools to those on the fly (with root).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well now it comes with chrome included.about firefox well i never used on android.
but in case of need of flash or silverlight for old sites i dont think it will handle them with addblock in same time.
root and tools in remix is another story,mostly because this is not easy,and most of those tools just not work on remix,for example on remix to be able to patch sound you need to change the kernel...
not stability or update friendly.
and not usable by everyone.
so i think google will go to the right way here.
but remix?
lets just say remix should count the month or year it have left.
tailslol said:
well now it comes with chrome included.about firefox well i never used on android.
but in case of need of flash or silverlight for old sites i dont think it will handle them with addblock in same time.
root and tools in remix is another story,mostly because this is not easy,and most of those tools just not work on remix,for example on remix to be able to patch sound you need to change the kernel...
not stability or update friendly.
and not usable by everyone.
so i think google will go to the right way here.
but remix?
lets just say remix should count the month or year it have left.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You brought some very important points, however I have to say that I disagree with you, since:
1. Jide could always update the kernel to support on the fly audio channel switching.
2. 3rd party developers could do the above.
3. RemixOS is still in beta, and literaly is reinventing the wheel when it comes to Android, so instabilities are to be expected.
About #3, some of what RemixOS is doing is becoming redundant with the native Android APIs in MM and N, so if Jide chooses to yse the native APIs, then RemixOS will become much more stable.
FF can can handle Flash fine with an adblocker (I recommend uBlock Origin), however you need a patched version of Flash for it run at all on Android 4.4 and up.
And by the way, Silverlight is unsupported on both Android and ChromeOS.
Please don't think I'm bashing you, or being zealous.
I'm just trying to answer all the points, and I have a tendency to be formal.
I personally would love to use ChromiumOS, however the mandatory Google owned user policy (the owner account has to be connected to Google), prevents me from doing that.
I need the owner account to be strictly local, plus other reasons which will take several days or weeks to explain.
Thanks for telling me that RemixOS comes with Chrome, by the way.
moriel5 said:
You brought some very important points, however I have to say that I disagree with you, since:
1. Jide could always update the kernel to support on the fly audio channel switching.
2. 3rd party developers could do the above.
3. RemixOS is still in beta, and literaly is reinventing the wheel when it comes to Android, so instabilities are to be expected.
About #3, some of what RemixOS is doing is becoming redundant with the native Android APIs in MM and N, so if Jide chooses to yse the native APIs, then RemixOS will become much more stable.
FF can can handle Flash fine with an adblocker (I recommend uBlock Origin), however you need a patched version of Flash for it run at all on Android 4.4 and up.
And by the way, Silverlight is unsupported on both Android and ChromeOS.
Please don't think I'm bashing you, or being zealous.
I'm just trying to answer all the points, and I have a tendency to be formal.
I personally would love to use ChromiumOS, however the mandatory Google owned user policy (the owner account has to be connected to Google), prevents me from doing that.
I need the owner account to be strictly local, plus other reasons which will take several days or weeks to explain.
Thanks for telling me that RemixOS comes with Chrome, by the way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no it is ok,you made some point but for android n it is wait and see on what will be available in the final version.
remix was good to kick the bee hive i think
it kinda made move the big name os and things are starting to change,but as always in the long run it is another story.
Chrome OS isn't open source and the framework for Android apps on it isn't too; which means only Chromebooks, and always online is part of owning one.
Google is already taking Android down that same path more so on MM and up.
for example with permission controls(enforcement) I would like to use a word processor and one of the permissions is location so i block that but guess what can't use app until i enable location again. have to use google app installer instead of aosp, etc ...
Windows as a service =$hitty Windows (always on even if you use a local account only)
Ubuntu= Unity was ok for 12.04 LTS(went downhill from there)
Android can be viable without Google Apps/services(despite perception) there is Fdroid and XDA labs; Chrome and Chromium can not.
Maromi said:
Chrome OS isn't open source and the framework for Android apps on it isn't too; which means only Chromebooks, and always online is part of owning one.
Google is already taking Android down that same path more so on MM and up.
for example with permission controls(enforcement) I would like to use a word processor and one of the permissions is location so i block that but guess what can't use app until i enable location again. have to use google app installer instead of aosp, etc ...
Windows as a service =$hitty Windows (always on even if you use a local account only)
Ubuntu= Unity was ok for 12.04 LTS(went downhill from there)
Android can be viable without Google Apps/services(despite perception) there is Fdroid and XDA labs; Chrome and Chromium can not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it is true actual chrome os is closed source,but they use a open source base (chromium os)
and distro like cloudready or arnoldthebat are clearly advanced already.
i just hope someone will figure a way to port the android part on those distro.
but stock android N x86 will already be something good.
Maromi said:
Chrome OS isn't open source and the framework for Android apps on it isn't too; which means only Chromebooks, and always online is part of owning one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, Chromium OS is open, however your're locked to Google there.
Maromi said:
Windows as a service =$hitty Windows (always on even if you use a local account only)
Ubuntu= Unity was ok for 12.04 LTS(went downhill from there)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Using the Enterprise edition allows you more freedom, however, I still can't disable Cortana.
I like Unity 8, however Canonical is right now at crossroads, and they seem to be edging the same path as Google, Microsoft, and others.
By the way, I mainly use Gnome 3.20 as well as Budgie, since I mainly use Antergos (as well as Solus OS).
Maromi said:
Android can be viable without Google Apps/services(despite perception) there is Fdroid and XDA labs; Chrome and Chromium can not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't use most of the GApps, however Chromium does run without GApps, you just can't connect it to Google without GApps.
And I don't always use F-Droid, however this post is through XDA Labs.
And I have nothing against closed-source and/or paid software, while at the same time supporting FOSS.
moriel5 said:
Actually, Chromium OS is open, however your're locled to Google there
I don't use most of the GApps, however Chromium does run without GApps, you just can't connect it to Google without GApps.
And I don't always use F-Droid, however this post is through XDA Labs.
And I have nothing against closed-source and/or paid software, while at the same time supporting FOSS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I said chrome and chromium i was talking about OS's not the browsers
I'm not against closed source. Remix OS is one.
Maromi said:
When I said chrome and chromium i was talking about OS's not the browsers
I'm not against closed source. Remix OS is one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know, I was just pointing out that there is an open-source version of Chrome OS.
And thanks, I didn't notice I had made a spelling mistake until I saw it in your quote of my previous post.
It should be "locked", not "locled".
I guess we all reach one point in life sooner or later when we stop being ideologists and start being consumers. I used to care and tinker with all my software and all my devices, tuning and optimizing, caring for a device like it was a pet. I was switching linux distros like clothes, writing my DOS drivers and optimizing memory usage in config.sys - nowadays I don't care. I want Android on my system just to stick to the same UI as my tablet and phone. I want Android for the apps, not for the ideology. I couldn't care less if my user is "owned" by Google - I can handle my own privacy.
Having said that, if Google or Jide will be the first to offer Android on desktop for me - I will use it. If Chromebooks will - I will use them. I am too lazy to think about open source. Just give me something that works and it's fine for me. No matter how much we delude ourselves, RemixOS doesn't work for now. I can't be expected to throw my nVidia card just because nVidia is closed source and gives no **** about the community.
or29544 said:
I guess we all reach one point in life sooner or later when we stop being ideologists and start being consumers. I used to care and tinker with all my software and all my devices, tuning and optimizing, caring for a device like it was a pet. I was switching linux distros like clothes, writing my DOS drivers and optimizing memory usage in config.sys - nowadays I don't care. I want Android on my system just to stick to the same UI as my tablet and phone. I want Android for the apps, not for the ideology. I couldn't care less if my user is "owned" by Google - I can handle my own privacy.
Having said that, if Google or Jide will be the first to offer Android on desktop for me - I will use it. If Chromebooks will - I will use them. I am too lazy to think about open source. Just give me something that works and it's fine for me. No matter how much we delude ourselves, RemixOS doesn't work for now. I can't be expected to throw my nVidia card just because nVidia is closed source and gives no **** about the community.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm something in the middle, and I hope it will stay like that.
Ideology and practicality/consumerism.
Android and open Source Chromium
I read that GOOGLE will never release Chromium OS with android support. What I am saying is unless someone hacks the Chrome os and pulls the OS apart to get the required files and what not to make a hacked copy of chromium with android it is NEVER going to happen.