Smartphones compatibility

Kwktz · 2011-03-19 12:28:46

Hi!

I've been using arch for a few years now, and everything works perfectly. However, I plan to get a new phone in a few days, so I've started looking for informations about their compatibility with linux (and more precisely, with arch).
Currently two phones have my attention, the iphone 4 and samsung/google's nexus S. There doesn't seem to be any doubt that the first one wont be recognized on any linux system. For the nexus however I thought there wouldn't be any problem (since it's running android), but that doesn't seem to be the case. I've come across a few messages from archlinux users saying their nexus wasn't recognized, these posts are a bit old though, so here I am, wondering if there's been any change to that yet?

So, is there any news?

Thanks,

litemotiv · 2011-03-19 12:38:27

I have an HTC Desire (Incredible in The States i believe), and it works fine with Arch.

Awebb · 2011-03-19 12:46:23

There is software for the iphone in the AUR, but it seems like some things can't be done without iTunes. The Samsung Galaxy (at least the 9000) seems to play well with Arch if you use the USB mode. It really depends on what you mean by "recognize".

I have a Motorola Milestone 2 (aka Droid 2). I don't use features like calendar syncing but it should be no problem with a google mail account (I know...). I also don't care about organizing multimedia files manually, it has been my way to go for many years.

Kwktz · 2011-03-19 12:58:16

By "recognize" I just meant pluging it (with usb) and uploading my music on it.

For the iphone, I've read that with the last one you can mount it without a problem, upload your music' files but they won't appear from the iphone (it seems that the db isn't synced).

Thank you for your answers ! I would love to have feedback from an owner of one of these two devices though.

swanson · 2011-03-19 13:07:22

HTC Gratia works fine in USB-mode. (Android 2.2)

l'pc · 2011-03-19 14:19:45

My experience with an ipod touch :
Without jailbreaking :
- Gtkpod is theroretically capable of copying music and updating the ipod's db.
But it does not work well. (actually it is quite bad for what I've tried - I still use itunes for music)
- It is possible to have acces to the filesystem by usb with libimobiledevice (actually only to the user's home) but it does not make any sense since no app store program is able to access the filesystem directly (!).
You cannot even see your notes or anything since they aren't plain text.

I haven't tried contact/calendar/mail sync since I also use gmail.
As far as I can see, it could work with libimobiledevice.

With jailbreking :
Now it becomes a little bit more interessant. You finally have root acces on *your* device (/ included).
- You can ssh(fs) to it to sync for example notes and use some cydia program to edit them (very usefull)
- Sadly they aren't any good music players to read music from filesystem (meanig that it should be compatible with apple's double-click on the home button to change music, not be too buggy, etc.)
There used to be one (pwnplayer) but it has been abandoned and apparentely does not work at all on iOS>4 (no, it is impossible to downgrade your firmware, too)

-- Rant --
I just don't understand why all manufacturers spend that effory into making it very difficult for users simply to install what they want on the device they bought.
I thought it was only Apple, but apparently every mobile device is likewise limited.
-- Rant --

alez · 2011-03-19 16:38:29

The problem with Nexus S is that it's done without sdcard to prove it was possible to make an android phone work that way. Any other android phone will allow you to use the sdcard (then it's up to you to buy the one you want, class and size will follow your pocket) as a regular usb pendrive. As long as you will update the udev rules you will be even able to flash the mobile with fastboot (android rules) and use different roms (cyanogenmod comes to mind ) and push files. It seems however it is nevertheless possible and that also banshee will support the phone. How? I don't know, we have 3 android phones at home and all of them have sdcard so i can't tell how it works without one. I saw somewhere that google was adding music sync capabilities. In any case, having the Nexus S you will have certainly the newest features as the system is built on that phone and then adapted for the rest. I personally would prefer another mobile having a sdcard slot and a double heart proc, with a few ones very powerful getting out recently. I am maybe biased, but i think for someone using ArchLinux an android phone is best suited.

Kwktz · 2011-03-20 17:29:13

Thank you for the answers.

r0b0t · 2012-12-21 22:07:59

Sony Xperia.. (not at all)
Are you (if for any works) using any 'special' software for this?

SolarBoyMatt · 2012-12-21 22:42:00

For my Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 10, I use jmtpfs since google decided to use MTP instead of the standard USB protocol. It works alright, but it's been kinda slow and unreliable most of the times I've used it.

Edit: Didn't realize this was a necro-bump, at first. Please don't do that in the future.

Last edited by SolarBoyMatt (2012-12-21 22:46:25)

Arch Linux

#1 2011-03-19 12:28:46

Smartphones compatibility

#2 2011-03-19 12:38:27

Re: Smartphones compatibility

#3 2011-03-19 12:46:23

Re: Smartphones compatibility

#4 2011-03-19 12:58:16

Re: Smartphones compatibility

#5 2011-03-19 13:07:22

Re: Smartphones compatibility

#6 2011-03-19 14:19:45

Re: Smartphones compatibility

#7 2011-03-19 16:38:29

Re: Smartphones compatibility

#8 2011-03-20 17:29:13

Re: Smartphones compatibility

#9 2012-12-21 22:07:59

Re: Smartphones compatibility

#10 2012-12-21 22:42:00

Re: Smartphones compatibility

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