It's no exaggeration to say that open source operating systems rule the world of mobile devices. Android is even so an open up-source project, afterwards all. Merely, due to the packet of proprietary software that comes along with Android on consumer devices, many people don't consider it an open source operating system.
Then, what are the alternatives to Android? iOS? Maybe, only I am primarily interested in open up-source alternatives to Android.
I am going to list not one, not two, but several alternatives, Linux-based mobile OSes.
Elevation Open Source alternatives to Android (and iOS)
Let's meet what open source mobile operating systems are bachelor. Merely to mention, the list is not in whatsoever hierarchical or chronological order .
one. Plasma Mobile
A few years back, KDE announced its open source mobile OS, Plasma Mobile. Plasma Mobile is the mobile version of the desktop Plasma user interface, and aims to provide convergence for KDE users.
It is being actively developed, and you can even find PinePhone running on Manjaro ARM while using KDE Plasma Mobile UI if you desire to get your hands on a smartphone.
two. postmarketOS
PostmarketOS (pmOS for short) is a affect-optimized, pre-configured Alpine Linux with its ain packages, which can be installed on smartphones.
The thought is to enable a 10-yr life bike for smartphones. You probably already know that, after a few years, Android and iOS stop providing updates for older smartphones. At the same time, yous tin run Linux on older computers easily. PostmarketOS wants to accomplish the same on the mobile platform, past tweaking Linux into a touch on-optimized platform.
Don't get likewise excited. PostmarketOS is in very early phases of development, and it is most probable that you won't be able to employ information technology like a regular smartphone withal. However, you may proceed an heart on the postmarketOS community edition of the PinePhone if you want to buy a smartphone that runs it.
3. PureOS/Librem
Ubuntu's convergence efforts did not materialize, just this has non deterred others from their convergence dreams.
Convergence, in unproblematic terms, is having the aforementioned operating system running on desktops, tablets, and smartphones. Ubuntu tried information technology and abandoned the project. Windows too failed at it.
The security and privacy-focused company Purism has its own PureOS Linux distribution. They are also working on a Linux-based, secure smartphone called Librem 5. Purism claims that PureOS is convergent, and Librem smartphones will run it. Apart from PureOS, it tin run GNOME and KDE, with Debian, Ubuntu, SUSE, Fedora, and even Arch Linux.
The motto of the Librem is to be a "phone that focuses on security past blueprint and privacy protection by default. Running Free/Libre and Open Source software and a GNU+Linux Operating Organization designed to create an open development utopia, rather than the walled gardens from all other telephone providers".
It'south more of a Linux-based smartphone rather than a Linux-based smartphone Bone, but I believe that the convergent PureOS should exist able to run on other devices with some tweaks.
Interested in information technology? Check out Librem 5 specifications and availability.
4. Ubuntu Touch by UBports
The king of desktop Linux world, Ubuntu decided to expand its territory with its open source mobile operating organisation, Ubuntu Bear upon. Keeping convergence in listen, Canonical (the parent company of Ubuntu) ambitiously launched a $32 meg crowdfunding campaign to build the start Ubuntu Phone, Edge. Though it failed to get the desired amount, it still set a new tape, with over $12 million pledged to the campaign.
After the failed crowdfunding entrada, Approved teamed up with some device manufacturers to launch Ubuntu Phone. Spanish manufacturer BQ became the makers of the first device running Ubuntu Touch in February 2015. It was soon followed by Chinese manufacturer Meizu. Those first few devices were aimed at developers, which is the reason I brash people not to buy the BQ Ubuntu Phone at the fourth dimension.
Two years and a few Ubuntu-based phones subsequently, Canonical finally decided to call it quits on their mobile OS. Nevertheless, UBports is still trying to go on Ubuntu Touch alive.
With UBports' efforts, Ubuntu Touch on gets some updates. In that location are a handful of devices that are supported by Ubuntu Touch on. You can encounter the list hither.
v. LuneOS (No Longer Maintained)
LuneOS is an open-source mobile Bone based on Linux kernel. It may not be a characteristic-rich alternative to Android (of course!). However, it is the successor to Palm/WebOS.
The last release was at the end of 2018. Since so, in that location take been no updates to the project so far.
The good thing about LuneOS is – if your device is compatible with CyanogenMod, information technology will most probably work on LuneOS. It is being maintained past WebOS Ports with no recent updates to information technology since October 2019.
vi. Tizen
Tizen is an open source, Linux-based mobile operating arrangement. Information technology is often dubbed an official Linux mobile OS, every bit the project is supported by the Linux Foundation.
Apart from the Linux Foundation, the Tizen projection is supported by tech giants Samsung and Intel. Initially slotted for belatedly 2013 release, information technology was only in January 2015 that the beginning Tizen telephone, the Samsung Z, was released in the South Asian marketplace. Unfortunately, the Samsung Z failed to go much attention in a competitive Indian market.
Despite beingness based on Linux, Tizen OS has been marred by security issues. Quite frankly, I don't meet a bright future for Tizen OS. It is simply a matter of time earlier the plug is pulled from this project but for the time being, it is active and as well offers studio suite for developers.
7. Mobian Os (Debian for mobile devices)
Mobian is an open-source projection with the aim to bring Debian GNU/Linux to mobile devices. The project is in initial phase right now, and it only supports PinePhone at the moment.
Mobian has a list of applications bachelor on its platform and it recommends using apt parcel management system for these applications.
Obviously, this is experimental and intended for DIY tinkerers.
Open up source projects based on Android merely gratis from Google
Near of the above open up source mobile operating systems y'all saw and so far are nether development and not bachelor for a broad range of mobile hardware.
Don't despair. In that location are a few projects that are based on Android but customized to remove Google services from it. These Android distributions are open source and you can customize them to your liking.
If yous are looking for an open source alternative to mainstream Android, these projects could be a proficient selection.
8. LineageOS and Replicant (open source Android distributions)
Both LineageOS and Replicant are open up-source Android distributions. In other words, you can call them custom ROMs.
LineageOS was created afterward the much more successful Android distribution CyanogenMod was discontinued. LineageOS is a fork of CyanogenMod.
Though Replicant was founded back in 2010 by a couple of Free Software groups, it now uses the source code of LineageOS as the base. You tin can run into the list of devices supported by Replicant here.
ix. /eastward/ (previously known as eelo)
Previously known as eelo, /east/ is a non-profit project started by the developer of Mandrake Linux. It is an Android distribution, and the idea is to have an open up source mobile operating system complimentary from Google.
/east/ replaces Google services with its own services, with the promise to not rails yous or sell your information to advertisers like Google. /e/ volition also utilise open source alternatives as much every bit possible.
/eastward/ is in active evolution and yous can try to install it on a range of devices already. You can even buy refurbished devices preinstalled with /e/. That is one of the several ways of supporting the /e/ project.
10. GrapheneOS
GrapheneOS in an open source privacy-focused mobile operating system. It is focused on the research and development of privacy and security technology.
GrapheneOS offers Android app compatibility. It besides develops diverse apps and services with a focus on privacy and security.
Basically, you can call up of GrapheneOS as a hardened version of Android without Google services.
GrapheneOS has official production support for the Pixel 2 (legacy), Pixel 2 XL (legacy), Pixel 3, Pixel iii XL, Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a Forty, Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 Xl at the fourth dimension of writing this article. Installation instructions can be found here.
11. CalyxOS
CalyxOS is even so another Android-based OS that focuses heavily on privacy and security. Fifty-fifty though it supports a few devices at the time of updating this commodity, it is one of the best options as a Google-costless operating organization while having regular system updates.
There'due south cypher striking about it except its Android without Google to start with. However, it is interesting that even Lineage utilizes some of CalyxOS apps for certain functions like backup. So, it's definitely worth taking a look.
Partial open up source mobile Os
I think it's worth mentioning a few projects that are non fully open source but they are challenging the duopoly of Android and iOS.
12. Kai Bone (partially open source)
Kai Bone is probably the world'due south third most popular mobile operating organisation. Chances are, you haven't heard of it.
Not your error actually. KaiOS was but released in 2017, and yet it is powering a huge number of mobile phones in just under two years.
And then, what's the cloak-and-dagger here? Different other mobile operating system, Kai Os doesn't target the high-end, touch phones. Instead, it provides smartphone-like functionality to feature phones.
Feature phones, or basic phones, are cheap, and having smartphone-like functionality makes them an bonny and affordable device.
Kai OS is based on Linux, every bit information technology is a fork of a fork of now defunct Firefox Bone (mentioned later on). Kai Bone is not completely open up source. Only the Linux Kernel modifications are open sourced, rest is airtight source.
You can estimate the potential of Kai OS from the fact that it runs on over 100 million devices and Google has invested $22 meg in it.
13. Sailfish OS (partially open up source)
When Nokia decided to ditch the MeeGo mobile OS project, few unsatisfied Nokia employees decided to go on MeeGo live in the form of Sailfish Bone. Their flagship production Jolla has met with moderate success, and has a dedicated fan post-obit. MeeGo was supposed to be connected by Linux Foundation in the grade of Tizen, but over the time Tizen evolved on its own and cannot exist termed a MeeGo derivative anymore. The same is truthful for Sailfish Os, the core OS of which is based on the Mer project, which itself is based on the piece of work from MeeGo.
While Sailfish Bone created some buzz among early adopters thanks to the Jolla devices, the company seems to exist struggling.
Sailfish OS is not entirely open source but focuses on privacy. Notwithstanding, you could consider it equally an selection when you are looking for a mobile OS other than Android and iOS.
Honorable Mention: Firefox Os [Discontinued]
Firefox Bone was an open source project from Mozilla Firefox, the parent company of the famous open source web browser. It created quite some ripples with the announcement of Firefox O- based smartphones that cost only $25. The aim was to target emerging markets such as Brasil and India.
Unfortunately, the low cost tag alone could not brand Firefox OS the Raspberry Pi of mobile devices, and, like Tizen, Firefox Os did not have whatever success with its ZTE devices. Firefox now plans to shift its focus from depression price devices to user experience with Firefox Os.
What exercise you think?
When I first wrote this article a few years ago, I was hopeful for some of these alternative mobile OSes. Nevertheless, the nowadays state of affairs is gloomy, and I don't think whatsoever Os listed here is going to brand a mark. It's not like I don't want them to exist a success, I am just being honest here.
What do you think of these Android alternatives? Practice you retrieve these Linux based mobile OS will leave their mark or will they struggle for a decent market share like desktop Linux? Practice share your views.
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Posted by: angelarombeli.blogspot.com
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