/srv/irclogs.ubuntu.com/2008/11/17/#ubuntu-mobile.txt

koolkatanyone here?03:26
persiaHeaps of people.03:30
koolkatcool03:31
koolkatCould i run ubuntu mid in a vm?03:32
koolkatvmware 03:32
persiaIt should work in a VM.03:32
persiaI'm not sure how the image format works with vmware.  Most of the discussion I've seen about using MID in a VM has been for virtualbox, kvm, or qemu.03:33
koolkatwhat image should i download?03:33
koolkatthere is a lpia and some other one03:33
koolkatumpc03:34
persiaIt depends on whether you want MID or UMPC.03:34
koolkatthere is a difference?03:34
persiaVery much so.03:34
koolkatlike...03:34
persiaWell, they represent two different strategies to create a perfect mobile computing experience.03:35
persiaUMPC is a specially themed desktop with adjustments for smaller screens, etc.03:35
koolkatok03:36
persiaMID is a replacement framework with adjustments to use desktop apps.03:36
koolkatok03:36
koolkatso if i wanted to run a desktop app on umpc would it work?03:37
persiaYes.03:37
persiaWell, constrained by the application type, some of the hints make things odd.03:38
persiaAlso, some apps presume a higher resolution that is available on some UMPCs.03:38
koolkatok..so if i wanted to run ubunt on a 5 inch scpreen what would be best?03:39
koolkatpersia03:40
persiaHard to day.  I've used both MID and Mobile on a 5" screen.  They feel rather different, but I'm not sure either is better.03:40
persias/day/day/03:40
persias/day/say/  !!03:40
koolkatwhat moble device do you have?03:42
koolkat(i dont know the right name for it_03:42
koolkat)03:42
koolkatpersia: what processor architecture is required? 03:43
koolkatintel?03:43
koolkatperia03:50
koolkatpersia: you there/03:51
persiaI'm here, just distracted by several things, and so not immediately responsive.03:51
persiaI have a Kohjinsha SR-series, and a Sharp D4.03:51
persiaFor MID, you want an lpia processor, although it might work on similar things (try it and see).  For UMPC, you want an i586 or better.03:52
koolkatso will my laptop run umpc?03:53
koolkatperisa03:54
koolkatpersia03:54
persiaIt's likely.  Depends on your laptop.  (And no need to use my name every time: it has almost no effect on my response time)03:55
koolkatok03:59
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loolFolks, the evince hildon patch is being removed from the evince package; it was disabled for a long while already (since hildon-fm broke)14:30
persiaExcellent.  I'll take it off my list of packages to de-lpia-ify.14:30
persialool, Any word on status of the pkg-maemo team?  Is there good stuff there, or is it stuck waiting for squeeze to open?14:31
loolpersia: pkg-maemo is mostly quiet because we lack upstream stuff to package14:32
loolIt's kind of chicken and egg to some level: would get more traction if we had kernel, and hildon-desktop based images14:32
persiaSo pkg-maemo is stuck on Debian not having such images?  Should we be pulling directly from upstream upstream?14:34
ograupstream upstream upstream :)14:34
persiaWell, that's not typically helpful, as I want the hildonisations from upstream upstream.14:34
ograthe thing is that you rarely have a clean upstream tgz ... they use to directly do native packages14:35
persiaThat's just surgery though.14:35
* ogra would love to have maemo-mapper bt the package is a massive pain14:35
ograi looked at it already 14:35
ograno fun14:35
persiaPulling from pkg-maemo would have been easier, but I can understand if they are stuck.14:35
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s0u][ightdavidm, my connection is fixed: the samsung omnia has a 624MHz Marvell PXA312 processor15:45
davidmOK that is an ARM processor so the UMPC and MID images currently would  not do you any good15:47
persias0u][ight, What's the resolution on that device?15:47
s0u][ighthttp://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_i900_omnia-2422.php these are the specifications15:48
ograthe linux-omap tree has an option for that CPU 15:49
davidmWe have just started working on an ARM port so in the future we could possibly have an image that could work.15:49
persias0u][ight, Even MID won't probably render acceptably at 240x400.  The lowest I've heard anyone testing is 640x480.15:50
ogranot sure how many peripherials that would support though15:50
persias0u][ight, If you wanted to install Ubuntu, you'd want to have a very specialised custom installation, although 16GB is plenty of space (some people run in 2).15:50
s0u][ightwell i'm sick of windows15:51
ograyou could run gpe on top of an ubuntu but thats indeed quite an old UI15:51
ograor OPIE 15:51
persias0u][ight, The other interesting question is: do you want to use that as a phone?  I don't think there's good phone software at this point.15:51
ograbut i'm not surea about the upstream development status of either ... meight be dead15:51
s0u][ightso it ubuntu mid doesn't have baseband drivers?15:52
ogradrivers dont give you a phone ui :)15:53
ograthere is no UI sofware at all yet15:53
persiaIt uses the same drivers as other flavours.  There's certainly support for some 3G devices, but only for data I think.15:53
ograafaik even the openmoko needs to do dialing from console 15:53
s0u][ightthis project is too new i assume15:54
ograand not really targetig phones (yet)15:54
persiaThere's a couple tools that generate DTMF, and the sl-modem source can generate a sound device if the modem supports it (some have native sound).15:54
ogra-mid is for "mobile inernet devices" ... they're slightly bigger things 15:55
s0u][ighti know15:55
persias0u][ight, No, it's not age, it's target.  The target is for adjuncts to the phone.  Much higher resolution, often with accessible keyboards.15:55
persiaSuch a device goes in your other pocket.15:55
s0u][ightbut everything that can run windows should be able to run linux (with better performance)15:55
persiaOh, it can run linux.  It's just not a MID.15:55
ograpersia, or your backpack :P15:55
persiaThere are linux phone distros, but Ubuntu doesn't currently have a phone flavour.15:56
persiaogra, I left the backpack age at the turn of the century.  Catch up!15:56
ogralol15:56
ograbut you are also living in a japanese breadbox :)15:56
persiaWell, that's not strictly accurate.  I think I still used a slab about the size of the Q1U until mid-2002.15:56
s0u][ightno linux on my samsung omnia yet :(15:57
persia(of course, that was a 486DX/100, with a PCMCIA type III hard drive)15:57
s0u][ightand no way i'm going to buy a mid too expensive and big for pocket size15:58
* persia recommends sport jackets15:58
ograyou can definately compile something yourself15:59
ograthere is a kernel ... so there is an opportunity15:59
s0u][ighthehe a working kernel shouldn't be too hard but a ui writing myself :|15:59
persiaMain issue is UI.  Not a lot designed for those few pixels.  There's some QVGA stuff that might be adaptable though.15:59
ogragpe, opie15:59
ograas i said above15:59
ograhttp://opie.handhelds.org/gallery/main.php/v/opie12/16:00
persias0u][ight, Take a look at OPIE or GPE or Qtopia.  All are aging, and there are newer alternatives, but those were designed for lower pixel counts.  These days most people are hildon or QT Extended, but that usually presumes at least 640x480.16:01
s0u][ighti'm looking at them16:01
ograseems the gpe screenshot site is broken :/16:01
ograhttp://www.handhelds.org/geeklog/article.php?story=20060119163110621 there is at least one 16:02
s0u][ightyeah i was looking at that one16:02
s0u][ightand even let's forget about the ui how can i install linux on the device?16:04
ograwell, you need to have a kernel, know where it has to go so a bootloader picks it up ... create a rootfs, then install 16:06
ograform there on you can start working on the device directly16:06
ograand build what you need16:06
s0u][ightstarting with the blackbox theory lol16:06
s0u][ightthis would be nothing better than the iphone linux project :D16:07
ograto create a rootfs you can start with queu-arm 16:07
ograyeah, its a lot of work16:07
ograand really only something you shoud do if you dont want to actually use the device for a while 16:07
persias0u][ight, Yeah.  The first part is making sure you can image it, and what not.  Decidedly non-trivial.16:07
persiaWhere "a while" is perhaps several months.16:08
ograyeah16:09
s0u][ighti  would have to live with windows mobile16:09
ograor get a second device :)16:09
persias0u][ight, Generally Ubuntu works best for devices that can boot off an external device (e.g. CD, USB drive, etc.).  This lets you test for HW support pre-install, or use a regular installer.  Without that, it's just painful.16:09
s0u][ighthehe i don't throw with money you know16:09
s0u][ightthen there is the question about firmware/ sign check16:10
persias0u][ight, Oh, if you have a firmware signature check, you'd need to control that.  Otherwise, you've little chance.16:12
s0u][ightdamn my connection starts again :|16:12
s0u][ightthis is the second device i posses where i can't install linux on16:13
s0u][ightmy ipod doesn't work aswell :(16:13
s0u][ightbrb going to try something with my connection16:15
* ogra has a fine working ipod16:17
ograwith familiar on it 16:17
* persia wishes someone would put the iPod classic HD in something with a keyboard and at least VGA resolution, still under 250 grams.16:21
* ogra wants a pocket projector16:21
persiaogra, See, the difference is that your desire can be satisfied by just going to a shop.16:23
persiaMine is *finally* getting close to being realised, but it's still not there.16:23
ogranot at the size i want it (yet)16:23
persiaAh.16:23
ograit shouldnt be bigger than my BT GPS reciever16:24
ograand indeed work at daylight 16:24
persiaYeah, well, I can't get 120GB + VGA in anything smaller than 10", so I think you're closer in size.16:24
persiaWell, there's the Archos, but that lacks the keyboard.16:25
persia(plus I can't find the Archos in shops :( )16:25
ograis there a BT version ? 16:26
ograyou can use the freedom keyboard with it if there is 16:26
* persia looks16:26
ograand they seel them at amazon ... no need for a shop 16:27
ogra*sell16:27
persiaOf course it's blocky.  I *know* apple could produce a device with HD, WiFi, BT, and support for common HMDs at around 215 grams, which is the annoying bit.16:27
persiaI like to use things before I buy them.  Make sure they fit in my pocket right.  Make sure I can type on them reasonably.16:28
ograthe archos 7 seems to have a standard usb port16:29
ografor kbd etc16:29
persiaYeah, but that's too big.16:30
persiaArchos 5 is 300g, but no bluetooth.16:30
persiaI'd prefer about 4".16:30
persiaThe other advantage of the iPod over the Archos is that it supports HMDs better.16:31
playyawhat about a nokia n810?16:32
playyait has a small key board an a usb port16:32
ograto proprietary ? 16:32
playyaor you can use a bluetooth keyboard.16:32
persiaplayya, Tiny storage.16:32
playyahow much do you need?16:33
ograhe said 120G above :)16:33
playyaogra, which parts of the n810 are properietary?16:33
persiaI'd like 250GB.  I'd put up with 120GB.  I have 40GB in my 1024x600 pocket device today.16:33
ograplayya, wlan at least16:33
ogranot sure about the other HW 16:33
playyai thought they released the driver16:33
ograits supposed to be more open in the successore device i heard though16:34
persiaI just don't like it being 500g, and it's 4.8", which is a little large.16:34
playyaimho n8[10] needs a gsm chip16:35
persiaWell, maybe.  I like to keep my pocket computer and phone separate.16:35
playyai'm dreaming of a all in one device for my pocket with wimax16:38
playyawimax flat of course16:38
s0u][ighthi again16:39
persiaplayya, I have an "all-in-one" device.  130g.  4G.  852x480.  BT, 3G, qwerty, etc.  It's generally sub-par for nearly everything, although it's not so big I mind using it for phone calls (but prefer with a headset).16:40
persiaplayya, I find that I have two use cases for stuff in my pockets.  The stuff I want to happen on a notify basis, and the stuff I want to happen on a demand basis.16:41
persiaFor things like phone calls, or maybe email, or possibly IM, it's nice to have a device that never gets shut off.16:41
persiaFor things like browsing, gaming, book reading, note taking, music/video playing, running spreadsheets, etc., it's nice to have a device with more power (even if that only means an 8-10 hour battery life.16:42
s0u][ightpersia, are there any linux drivers for multitouch screens?16:45
playyahas anyone started to bring the openmoko stuff to ubuntu?16:46
persias0u][ight, I don't know anything about the status of multitouch.16:46
ograplayya, unlikely to happen i think16:46
ograunless openmoko switches to a different cpu 16:46
playyaogra, the freesmartphone.org stuff might be useful on some devices16:47
persiaDoes openmoko have interesting applications?16:47
persiaI thought it was semi-monolithic.16:47
playyathe gesture recognition maybe16:47
playyabut now they use enlightenment16:47
playyaand maybe gypsy, frameworkd,...16:48
persiaplayya, If you think it's worth it, feel free to try to create relevant debian-format packages.16:50
persiaIt's not likely the UI is suitable for any of the default installs, but it might be fun to play.16:50
playyamost of the stuff has depencies to the latest enlightement16:52
persiaThere was someone who wanted to get e17 packaged, although I forget whom.  Problem is lack of releases for some components.16:52
playyai use the reasy script to install e on my laptops16:53
persiaUpstream behaves like many other upstreams, except that they claim all the software isn't useful to anyone except hackers, and that the tarballs that appear are snapshorts, rather than releases.16:53
ograpersia, i was told next year raster wants to make an actual release16:58
ograseems he finally gets that he needs to make one :)16:58
ograafaik its planned for jan/feb16:59
playyado you believe it?16:59
persiaHmmm...  That would be interesting.16:59
playyahe just started a new project ...16:59
persiaOf course, whether the general behaviour changes is the more interesting question.17:00
ograplayya, well, i truest the guy i talked to that he belives it :)17:00
ogra*trust17:00
persiaI'd like to see the "snapshots" be called "releases", and that's about it.17:00
ograandhe is an active contributor and promoter 17:00
ograthough he was a little upset when i called e17 the hurd of desktops :P17:01
persiaThe main driver has is sufficiently concerned about the meaning of "production-ready" that I'd fear a release was likely to start a new direction, and mean little more work on the existing effort.17:01
playyamaybe. but raster often changes his priorities17:02
playyaatm it is: see e on mobile devices instead of a stable release for pcs17:03
ograwell, thats where the requests come from17:05
ograthe guy i tlked to at CELF is a mobile dev who has customer requests for stable E 17:06
ograthats why he pushes raster towards it 17:06
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playyaogra, http://lwn.net/Articles/299694/ there will be a open driver soon21:11
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