what is the best cell phone for a linux user

[Arthur Millar]

i was just curious to hear what ubuntu/linux users prefer as far as their cellular phones are concerned
i just have a simple cellphone that can call and text people
nothing expensive compared to my computer.
if i was to buy an expensive phone i would take the same kind of consideration as i did with my hardware and OS
ubuntu no doubt

[Ace1989]

The iPhone because the Pre is a cheap piece of crap.

[schauerlich]

Where does the "For a linux user" figure into the decision making process? Unless you plan on getting some sort of multimedia/smartphone that only interacts with certain software.

[Arup]

I use Moto Ming, the only reason is that it uses Linux as OS and therefore its quite snappy and till now non virus infection, its build quality is quite tacky sadly.

[hetx]

Maybe that it takes a special kind of person to go Linux?

iPhone here too

[amitabhishek]

its build quality is quite tacky sadly.

I don't think so. One of the few phones from Motorola which were elegant and sturdy at the same time.

@OP I have just ordered a OpenMOKO's (http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/Neo_FreeRunner) FreeRunner (http://www.openmoko.com/product.html). I am planning to review it on my blog. If you like tweaking and modding then this phone should fit your bill.

[bossyandrew]

Maybe that it takes a special kind of person to go Linux?

iPhone here too

Yuup, that's right

[wersdaluv]

I don't think so. One of the few phones from Motorola which were elegant and sturdy at the same time.

@OP I have just ordered a OpenMOKO's (http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/Neo_FreeRunner) FreeRunner (http://www.openmoko.com/product.html). I am planning to review it on my blog. If you like tweaking and modding then this phone should fit your bill.
Didn't know that OpenMoko is still alive. hehe

[amitabhishek]

Didn't know that OpenMoko is still alive. hehe

OpenMoko will not release any new phones. But they continue to sell and support the existing ones. Besides I got a real deal from an Indian reseller ($335)!

[Arup]

I don't think so. One of the few phones from Motorola which were elegant and sturdy at the same time.

@OP I have just ordered a OpenMOKO's (http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/Neo_FreeRunner) FreeRunner (http://www.openmoko.com/product.html). I am planning to review it on my blog. If you like tweaking and modding then this phone should fit your bill.

Have replaced the cheap plastic lid three times, twice under warranty and one out of warranty, its my love for Linux that I keep this phone with me.

[amitabhishek]

Have replaced the cheap plastic lid three times, twice under warranty and one out of warranty, its my love for Linux that I keep this phone with me.

May be your tough luck. Am a very careless user and I keep dropping phones all the time but I found that fragile looking lid sturdy.

[Arup]

May be your tough luck. Am a very careless user and I keep dropping phones all the time but I found that fragile looking lid sturdy.

Could be, in contrast my SE 550i has lasted way better for a flip phone, same goes for my non flip W800i which is truly ancient by any standards.

[mmix]

google phone vs iphone, imho.

[cocopuffz]

Well, I went from an iPhone 3g to a HTC Magic running Android cupcake. Hands down for me... the Android wins in the Linux environment. I barely boot up my XP vm anymore because the only reason I use it is for itunes and 1 other app.

Life is much easier. Just with podcasts alone. OVER WIFI In the iPhone you have to open up the itunes store too look for your podcast. One at a time. On my android I just set up my subscriptions in BeyondPod and I'm always up to date.

The android just shows up as a drive when you attach by USB. Upload your music or pdf.. whatever you want. No need to boot up iTunes to sync.

The Android is sooo customizable. It's like all our Ubuntu desktops... non are the same. Can't say that about the iPhone. My 3G looked pretty much like all my other friend 3g's... just diff icons.

I can have background app.. that's self explanatory.

The only thing that the iPhone has on the Android handsets is time. They have a larger app store, but I've managed to replace 99% of the apps I used on the iPhone with Android equivalents.

Heck, Check out gmote & OnAir. Control your PC, play, manage & launch apps from your android and sync/file transfer over wifi...

I love this thing.

[amitabhishek]

Well, I went from an iPhone 3g to a HTC Magic running Android cupcake. Hands down for me... the Android wins in the Linux environment. I barely boot up my XP vm anymore because the only reason I use it is for itunes and 1 other app.

Life is much easier. Just with podcasts alone. OVER WIFI In the iPhone you have to open up the itunes store too look for your podcast. One at a time. On my android I just set up my subscriptions in BeyondPod and I'm always up to date.

The android just shows up as a drive when you attach by USB. Upload your music or pdf.. whatever you want. No need to boot up iTunes to sync.

The Android is sooo customizable. It's like all our Ubuntu desktops... non are the same. Can't say that about the iPhone. My 3G looked pretty much like all my other friend 3g's... just diff icons.

I can have background app.. that's self explanatory.

The only thing that the iPhone has on the Android handsets is time. They have a larger app store, but I've managed to replace 99% of the apps I used on the iPhone with Android equivalents.

Heck, Check out gmote & OnAir. Control your PC, play, manage & launch apps from your android and sync/file transfer over wifi...

I love this thing.

+1

Great review in few lines:guitar:

[ssam]

OpenMoko will not release any new phones. But they continue to sell and support the existing ones. Besides I got a real deal from an Indian reseller ($335)!

the uni of São Paulo is going to be join the Openmoko development community
http://lwn.net/Articles/341063/

also the software is still being improved, check out how active the mailing list is http://news.gmane.org/gmane.comp.handhelds.openmoko.community or read the community updates http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/Community_Updates

though if you just want to phone and text then you can't beat a nokia 3330

[amitabhishek]

the uni of São Paulo is going to be join the Openmoko development community
http://lwn.net/Articles/341063/

also the software is still being improved, check out how active the mailing list is http://news.gmane.org/gmane.comp.handhelds.openmoko.community or read the community updates http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/Community_Updates

though if you just want to phone and text then you can't beat a nokia 3330

Thanks for that info.

[rannable]

nokia e71 for me

[chucky chuckaluck]

Well, I went from an iPhone 3g to a HTC Magic running Android cupcake. Hands down for me... the Android wins in the Linux environment. I barely boot up my XP vm anymore because the only reason I use it is for itunes and 1 other app.

Life is much easier. Just with podcasts alone. OVER WIFI In the iPhone you have to open up the itunes store too look for your podcast. One at a time. On my android I just set up my subscriptions in BeyondPod and I'm always up to date.

The android just shows up as a drive when you attach by USB. Upload your music or pdf.. whatever you want. No need to boot up iTunes to sync.

The Android is sooo customizable. It's like all our Ubuntu desktops... non are the same. Can't say that about the iPhone. My 3G looked pretty much like all my other friend 3g's... just diff icons.

I can have background app.. that's self explanatory.

The only thing that the iPhone has on the Android handsets is time. They have a larger app store, but I've managed to replace 99% of the apps I used on the iPhone with Android equivalents.

Heck, Check out gmote & OnAir. Control your PC, play, manage & launch apps from your android and sync/file transfer over wifi...

I love this thing.

if i didn't hate phones so much, you would have made a sale here.

[Tristam Green]

I use an LG Incite. Good solid smartphone, not made by Apple or Google, and it has built-in wifi.

[wersdaluv]

Well, I went from an iPhone 3g to a HTC Magic running Android cupcake. Hands down for me... the Android wins in the Linux environment. I barely boot up my XP vm anymore because the only reason I use it is for itunes and 1 other app.

Life is much easier. Just with podcasts alone. OVER WIFI In the iPhone you have to open up the itunes store too look for your podcast. One at a time. On my android I just set up my subscriptions in BeyondPod and I'm always up to date.

The android just shows up as a drive when you attach by USB. Upload your music or pdf.. whatever you want. No need to boot up iTunes to sync.

The Android is sooo customizable. It's like all our Ubuntu desktops... non are the same. Can't say that about the iPhone. My 3G looked pretty much like all my other friend 3g's... just diff icons.

I can have background app.. that's self explanatory.

The only thing that the iPhone has on the Android handsets is time. They have a larger app store, but I've managed to replace 99% of the apps I used on the iPhone with Android equivalents.

Heck, Check out gmote & OnAir. Control your PC, play, manage & launch apps from your android and sync/file transfer over wifi...

I love this thing.
Sounds good! How about syncing calendars, contacts, tasks, etc?

How about games? Games on iPhone pwn very much. hehe

[wersdaluv]

if i didn't hate phones so much, you would have made a sale here.
Yeah. He's so convincing. Made me a lot more excited about getting an Android phone. I'll get one on the 4th quarter or early 2010, when prices are lower and there are more Android-powered phones to choose from.

[khelben1979]

I have used Nokia phones in the past and they have always worked without major bugs.

I would go for a Nokia phone. I rather spend money on computer hardware than mobile phones, but if I would travel abroad I really would need one. If it's the best choice if one is an Linux user, that I know nothing about.

[dmizer]

Not that it would be much help, but I use a Panasonic P905i (http://www.phonemag.com/panasonic-p905i-limo-powered-cellphone-with-mobile-tv-021087.php). I can tether it (but I have to compile the USB module myself), upload music to it, upload movies to it, swap pictures, and more. It also has a nifty java development platform (which I cannot use as I am not a programmer) so you can port apps like ssh over to it.

It has a number of important features like GPS, an 800px wide screen and full Flash browser (so full browser is no problem), a 5MPx camera that takes fantastic (for a phone) pictures and videos, and even motion sensors (so turning the phone makes your car turn in the game).

It also runs limo Linux (http://www.limofoundation.org/).

It is quite outdated and a bit pricy though. But even so, it makes the iPhone look like a joke.

[Cenotaph]

Im all for Nokia, too. I understand they dont appear as dominant as they used to be a few years ago in the phone/smartphone market, but i've always gone for Nokia and it never failed me.

Always top quality phones.

[Fireangelazy]

I don't like the iPhone for a Linux user, because it's pretty hard to get it working with an Ubuntu system (as many people say). Synchronising, copying files and so on could be a waste of time..

[Vakman]

Yeah, get a HTC Magic or if you need the QWERTY keyboard then get the HTC Dream, both run Android.
-1 for iPhone.
+1 HTC Magic

[PhoHammer]

I use an LG Incite. Good solid smartphone, not made by Apple or Google, and it has built-in wifi.

I also have an Incite and it is the last phone I would ever recommend to anyone.

It has windows mobile 6.1, which is quite sluggish on it most of the time, very unfriendly
for touchscreen phones, which the Incite is.

It comes with a stylus, but it is not built-in and I don't feel like carrying around a tiny
piece of plastic and trying to get it out of my pocket every time I want to text someone.

It has wifi, but the browser is horrible (I have an ipod touch as well, and the browsing
experiences are of different worlds-- the Incite's browsing is hell...)

Bottome line: Listen to online reviews when the vast majority of them say the
Incite is a lackluster smartphone.

[PhoHammer]

Yeah. He's so convincing. Made me a lot more excited about getting an Android phone. I'll get one on the 4th quarter or early 2010, when prices are lower and there are more Android-powered phones to choose from.

I want one...:( but I just got an Incite (see my previous post). They say there will definitely
be cheaper ones out soon!: http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/23/android-powered-htc-click-rumored-to-be-crazy-cheap-unlocked/

[szadek_]

Nokia 5800 =) ... but , when android phones support video call ... maybe i could give a try , until then ...

[Swagman]

Half the keys are missing off my K750i so I'll probably change to an Android.

But really... My works phone is a Nokia and it pisses me off no end.

When will manufacturers get it through their stupid skulls that predictive texting should be OFF by default ?

They all do it.. But its relatively easy to work out how to SWITCH THE USELESS THING OFF on most phones.

With Nokias it's......... somewhere (gave up searching)

[Arthur Millar]

htc magic fits the description
+1 htc

[lisati]

This one (http://www.zte.co.nz/main/R6.htm) is what I have, it appears to be a localised version of this one (http://www.zte.com.au/main/T6.htm). It can be used as a modem with Ubuntu, but I haven't figured out accessing the internal storage via Ubuntu yet (low priority, and I've got Windows round to use the supplied software)

[HappinessNow]

The iPhone because the Pre is a cheap piece of crap.

The HTC Hero because the iPhone is a cheap piece of crap.


http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=123063&d=1249038136http://www.auroracell.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/h/e/hero_br_1.jpg

[.Maleficus.]

The HTC Hero because the iPhone is a cheap piece of crap.
The iPhone because the only thing Engadget liked about the Hero was the skinned UI (which isn't saying much).

http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/23/htc-hero-review/

[HappinessNow]

The iPhone because the only thing Engadget liked about the Hero was the skinned UI (which isn't saying much).

Engadget is lame, thus your reason is lame.

[.Maleficus.]

Engadget is great, thus your reason is great.
Fixed for ya.

[HappinessNow]

fixed for ya.lol :p

[.Maleficus.]

lol :p
;)

Though I have to say, I do think the Hero is the best of the Android phones. My contract is coming to an end soon so hopefully AT&T will get a couple so I can get a good price when I renew it. Unless something super spectacular comes out, it won't replace my iPhone but it'll be fun to develop for and be a handy backup phone.

[HappinessNow]

;)

Though I have to say, I do think the Hero is the best of the Android phones. My contract is coming to an end soon so hopefully AT&T will get a couple so I can get a good price when I renew it. Unless something super spectacular comes out, it won't replace my iPhone but it'll be fun to develop for and be a handy backup phone.

I currently have AT&T also and the only two phones I found interesting that they offer are:

Sony Ericsson C905 with an 8 megapixel camera
http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=123068&d=1249042509

and the

Nokia E71x
http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=123069&d=1249042709
http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=123070&d=1249042852
I think I will try to make my old motorola last until they offer the HTC Hero or just buy one unlocked but the 8mp camera on the Sony Ericsson looks pretty sweet, but I do like the very slim factor of the Nokia E71x

[chuckmoney]

Agreed, Android phones are awesome. I have...well...the G1, whatever the heck it is. Couldn't ask for a better phone, and I have a stack of 11 of them on the corner of my desk, ranging from a cheap Nokia to an HTC Advantage ($800+) and the G1 beats them all.

That said, I do have two more pieces of input beyond the short review posted previously.

Firstly, since Android syncs everything to the Google Cloud, your best bet is to be sure you're using Evolution and simply tell Evolution so use GMail/Google Calendar (CalDAV sync works with Evolution even though they don't have instructions up for it yet.) This will basically sync everything they share (except contacts) OTA.

Second, DON'T INSTALL CUPCAKE. I know what you're thinking and everyone's first thought when they get it home and unbox it is to immediately install cupcake. Once you install the official cupcake ROM it's going to be a total pain in the rear to root the phone later. Instead, root it first, then install something like JFv1.51 from here (http://code.google.com/p/android-roms/downloads/list). The primary reason for this is so you can run the Android Wifi Teather app, which will basically turn the phone into a mobile wifi router. It's like teathering without a cable or having to pair with bluetooth, it just creates a wifi AP and away you go!

Also, if you use SSH or VNC, android is a must. With or without the official update, it has android-vnc-viewer (which works really well) and more importantly, it has ConnectBot, a telnet/SSH client. The really cool thing about ConnectBot is you can create desktop shortcuts directly to a specific system once you have the settings saved for it, allowing you one-tap access to servers. It's a must-have capability for any server admin. Not sure if it supports keyfile auth but I'm actually going to try that later today.

Anyhow, yeah, definately an Android phone.

[Tristam Green]

I also have an Incite and it is the last phone I would ever recommend to anyone.

It has windows mobile 6.1, which is quite sluggish on it most of the time, very unfriendly
for touchscreen phones, which the Incite is.

It comes with a stylus, but it is not built-in and I don't feel like carrying around a tiny
piece of plastic and trying to get it out of my pocket every time I want to text someone.

It has wifi, but the browser is horrible (I have an ipod touch as well, and the browsing
experiences are of different worlds-- the Incite's browsing is hell...)

Bottome line: Listen to online reviews when the vast majority of them say the
Incite is a lackluster smartphone.

I won't get into an argument because opinions are just a handful of things that every person has, but the browsing on the Incite was easily fixed for me, but I will agree with you on the sluggish nature of WinMo 6.1.

I abandoned the stylus when I got it.

[PhoHammer]

I won't get into an argument because opinions are just a handful of things that every person has, but the browsing on the Incite was easily fixed for me, but I will agree with you on the sluggish nature of WinMo 6.1.

I abandoned the stylus when I got it.

True about the opinions. At least you're enjoying your phone, that's never a bad
thing!:)

They say winmo 6.5 will be much more touch friendly... I wonder if MS would
be so kind as to let us upgrade at no cost...

[HappinessNow]

Agreed, Android phones are awesome. I have...well...the G1, whatever the heck it is. Couldn't ask for a better phone, and I have a stack of 11 of them on the corner of my desk, ranging from a cheap Nokia to an HTC Advantage ($800+) and the G1 beats them all.

That said, I do have two more pieces of input beyond the short review posted previously.

Firstly, since Android syncs everything to the Google Cloud, your best bet is to be sure you're using Evolution and simply tell Evolution so use GMail/Google Calendar (CalDAV sync works with Evolution even though they don't have instructions up for it yet.) This will basically sync everything they share (except contacts) OTA.

Second, DON'T INSTALL CUPCAKE. I know what you're thinking and everyone's first thought when they get it home and unbox it is to immediately install cupcake. Once you install the official cupcake ROM it's going to be a total pain in the rear to root the phone later. Instead, root it first, then install something like JFv1.51 from here (http://code.google.com/p/android-roms/downloads/list). The primary reason for this is so you can run the Android Wifi Teather app, which will basically turn the phone into a mobile wifi router. It's like teathering without a cable or having to pair with bluetooth, it just creates a wifi AP and away you go!

Also, if you use SSH or VNC, android is a must. With or without the official update, it has android-vnc-viewer (which works really well) and more importantly, it has ConnectBot, a telnet/SSH client. The really cool thing about ConnectBot is you can create desktop shortcuts directly to a specific system once you have the settings saved for it, allowing you one-tap access to servers. It's a must-have capability for any server admin. Not sure if it supports keyfile auth but I'm actually going to try that later today.

Anyhow, yeah, definately an Android phone.Thanks for the professional and awesome review.

[cocopuffz]

Sounds good! How about syncing calendars, contacts, tasks, etc?

How about games? Games on iPhone pwn very much. hehe


Oh that's even better. Keep in mind, I use google calendar and docs. I'm lazy... hehe. I added my contacts to google contact and they magically appeared on my phone. I update my calendar on either my phone or website, and again they magically appear, updated on both ends. If you're on Rogers in Canada you also get full exchange support and it does work. I do get and delete through my phone all my work email.

Also, take pics & video and long press or press the menu button and you can upload to youtube, picassa, twitpic... and using Qik you can stream live to facebook like a webcam. If you download a free 3rd party camera app... you get the added functions such as burst mode, night mode, etc etc. The video cam isn't as good as the 3gs.. but in good light it gets the job done. Still photos on the other hand a very good IMO.

If you download dxTop or aHome, you can even ubber customize your desktop. Android by default only has 3 screens. With dxtop you get 4, with up down left right swipe gestures. I opted for aTop so I have unlimited screens, name-able screens, a 4 mostly used icons at the bottom like the iPhone, invisiable app tab... so instead of it taking up visible space.. i just assume it's there and swipe up.. and it works the same. Transparencies for menus like in gnome. uhhh.. and best of all. It's linux lol.

Also, you wanna wait for a while before getting an Android handset keep and eye out on Phandroid.com Check out the upcoming Sony Xperia 3. It's a touch screen only handset, but comes with a 8mpx cam and a 1ghz processor + an actual 3.5 headphone jack. my htc uses the wierd usb thing.. that was the only minus for it. http://phandroid.com/sony-ericsson-xperia-x3/

For those of you who need a real keyboard, Motorola is coming out this holiday season with http://phandroid.com/2009/08/01/motorola-sholes-gets-live-cam-love/ this puppy. Pretty slick.

[lisati]

Second, DON'T INSTALL CUPCAKE. I know what you're thinking and everyone's first thought when they get it home and unbox it is to immediately install cupcake. Once you install the official cupcake ROM it's going to be a total pain in the rear to root the phone later.



Careful! Possible unintended double entendre here! (folks from NZ and Australia might understand)

[Irihapeti]

Careful! Possible unintended double entendre here! (folks from NZ and Australia might understand)

Yes, Lisati :):):) I wouldn't want my mother to hear me say that!

Seriously, my phone is a Nokia 6120c. I don't sync calendar etc so I can't comment on that. I can't get Bluetooth working properly in Ubuntu so I boot into NimbleX 2008 on the few occasions I need it. Most of the time I just use the usb cable.

[Dad1985]

I have a HTC Touch pro.

[insanish1]

well...I would think the best phone for a linux user is Motorola ZN5...very cheap on the t mobile network and even otherwise...5 MP camera (kodak optics)....moto rokr headphones...wifi...

to hack the moto
here are the steps

http://www.modmymoto.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-359981.html

Hope this gives you some clarity :)

Linux forever!

[lordyosch]

I got an HTC hero a couple of weeks ago and I think its awesome.

There are positive and negative reviews of it (some think it is sluggish, others haven't noticed the problem) [equally there are many posts to say iphone is sluggish]

The supplied sync software is ******* but It isn't necessary.

I use my home isp supplied email which is great over pop. Full google account access for calendar and gmail.

It integrates with Facebook updates in the address book

Love it.

+1

Jay:guitar:

[hetx]

Maaan people, you're making me regret my iPhone. And I'm stuck with it for 2 years!:(

[HappinessNow]

Maaan people, you're making me regret my iPhone. And I'm stuck with it for 2 years!:(Just break it with a sledge hammer on YouTube! :lolflag:

[t0p]

I have a Sony Ericsson K800i. Nothing really special about it: just a regular type of 3G phone. One of the things I love about it (and regular cellphones generally) is the wide array of java apps available. On my K800i I've installed Opera Mini web browser, MidpSSH telnet/ssh clent, MobiTwitter so I can tweet wherever I am, Google Maps, and a handy Compass that can tell me which way is North according to local time, local latitude/longitude, and position of sun or moon. And it has a built-in email client so I can check my mail on the move.

What makes this phone good for a Linux user is its wonderful connectivity. I can link it to a computer via bluetooth, infrared and usb datacable. And once it's linked I can transfer files to/from the phone or computer without any need for extra software. When I connect the phone and computer, Ubuntu throws up a dialogue box asking if I want F-spot to deal with image files or if I just want to open the phone and phone card in new Nautilus windows to facilitate normal drag-n-drop. Also, I can use the phone to connect my computer to the internet, as detailed in the tutorial linked to in my sig.

Oh yeah, it also has an mp3 player, fm radio and a 3.2 megapixel "Cyber-shot" camera. The quality of photos taken with the camera isn't too bad - you can see some here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/t0p/sets/72157616528299010/).

[NCLI]

Anything with Android on it.

[kyle99]

Undoubtedly, iPhone is the best choice, any against?

Yup. Check out this beast. http://maemo.nokia.com/n900/

[Crunchy the Headcrab]

Yup. Check out this beast. http://maemo.nokia.com/n900/
Want. *drool* =P~

[Nullexe]

Love the n900....Want the n900....

Now all I need is a Telco in Canada to offer 3G on the 1700 band...and a way to avoid the hefty charges of getting the phone up to Canada.

While I wait, I dumped my iPhone for a Blackberry. I originally had a BB but lost it when I moved jobs. Bought an iPhone, loved it until the wow-factor wore off.

+'s -> Apps! XBMC controller, Last.FM
-'s -> no multitasking, no backgrounding and the final nail is iTunes...WTF i hate that bloated softwae

[steveneddy]

Blackberry Curve

[Zlatan]

Motorola Droid (http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_milestone-3001.php)

[renkinjutsu]

For a linux user..
I say, go for a linux enabled phone (openmoko or any Android)

I remember having loads of fun with the G1 (before it was run over by a car) .. i was able to connect to my desktop through ssh and everything! But all that's gone now.

[lionshining]

I have been using Nokia 5800 for 3 months, and it's really convenient, I think I will keep using it in the near future.