We often hear that our smartphones now have enough computing power to define them as mini PCs inside the pocket of our pants. And on this statement the nerdiest developers have worked hard to create a port of the Ubuntu operating system from PC to Smartphone, thus adding to the current mobile operating systems such as Android, iOS and Windows Phone.
Ubuntu is an open source system based on the Linux kernel and in the past it has already been chosen by modders for its practicality of use net of unique potentials and very low energy and hardware requirements. There are also real Linux Phones, such as Librem5 or PinePhone but now their hardware configurations are dated and therefore the project to have Linux on a smartphone continues choosing the Android devices that enjoy the best quality / performance / price ratio, and guess what has the choice fallen? The developer XDA @erfanoabdi gave preference to Redmi Note 7 on which he managed to install the Ubutnu Touch OS.
#UbuntuTouch for #RedmiNote7.
Will come… when it's ready.@tuxphones @UBports pic.twitter.com/aWrlTygruF
- Danct12 (@ RealDanct12) March 17, 2020
The developer is already known for his works, such as GSI porting as well as the development of LineageOS for Motorola phones, and now for Ubuntu Touch on Redmi Note 7, although a good part of the credit also goes to another developer who in the past already had attempted this experiment (successfully) on another smartphone of the Chinese brand, namely the Redmi 4X.
Redmi Note 7 transformed into a real PC thanks to the port of Ubuntu Touch
It should be specified that at the moment, the project is in an embryonic phase, although the developer has already uploaded photos and videos to share the joy of "success". From the first results the touch, the display and the WiFI work without problems while it is necessary to deepen the rest during daily use, even if honestly we do not recommend you absolutely to go into the world of modding so driven, since in case you don't know how to act damage could be irreparable.
It's still nice to know that thanks to the Project Treble, it is possible to customize our little technological friends so much and that it is Ubuntu or other OS, the future for dated smartphones could be just that. Think of a recovery of many cell phones that we generally throw away or keep in a drawer because they are no longer worthy to be with us, because of obsolete hardwre or out-of-date software. Well, with the port of for example Ubuntu Touch, these smartphones could live a second life and be donated to the less wealthy population in the purchase of technology. In fact, the developer is already thinking about a GSI port in this sense.
A lot of tiredness and impatience when moving from Linux (Mint) to the gulag of ads and bullying that Android has become.
Beaucoup de lassitude et impatience when on passe de Linux (Mint) au goulag de pubs et de brimades coudées qu'est devenu Android.