Android smartphones not compatible with Linux?

[chis@]

I thought it was a given that Android would be fully compatible with Linux!

About Sony Xperia: "it's ironic that a phone built using Android, which itself is a Linux derivative, cannot connect effectively to a Linux system."
http://talk.sonymobile.com/message/37923

Same thing for Samsung galaxy nexus.

I don't intend to replace my 6 years old Nokia N95 yet, but it's a pain to have to sync with Nokia Suite (Windows only) for updating everything from maps to firmware.

The only phones that have GPS and WiFi that run some version of Linux are Nokia n900 and Garmin Asus nuvifone, as far as I know.

Is there any Android device fully compatible with Linux? Only the Android devices have the offline Google maps available.

This is kinda important to be left out of the full specs of a device when you shop for one - you have to dig deep into the manufacturer's web site to find out what desktop OS you need to install/download drivers for firmware updates and such

[Whoopie]

My HTC Desire works flawlessly together with 12.04. I can use wifi hotspot and bluetooth tethering, connect via OBEX, use the GPS receiver as a GPS mouse, ...

Please be more specific, thanks!

[mastablasta]

It seems nexus connects with 12.04

[cortman]

What on earth do you mean by "fully compatible"?

[Fincer]

What on earth do you mean by "fully compatible"?

By saying it in that way, I think he means an Android phone fully supported on Linux, like on Windows: with all features like software updating possibilities and such matters.

The idea of full support to Linux computers is based on the fact that several phones are all running Linux as well (Android). So, if these computers and phones are like a same family by their OS's, why aren't the devices fully supporting each other in software level? Why there is no full Linux support for Android phones? Instead, they can be connected flawlessly to Windows PC's which makes the ironic situation: Android Linux supports Windows but not its' closest relative - another Linux, like Ubuntu.

I have Sony Xperia. The latest update needed to be installed in a virtual machine (VirtualBox) running Windows 7 Ultimate.

[cortman]

I have a Samsung Galaxy S2.
I can use it as mass storage (both internal storage and external automatically mounts when I connect it)
I can USB tether with it, using either the built in tethering app, or my EasyTether app.
I can use the portable wifi hotspot.
I can transfer files via Bluetooth with it.
AND I've never had a single problem with any of the above processes.
What more do you propose to do with it? That seems pretty compatible to me.

[chis@]

At least Fincer got my point. Sorry if my message was not clear enough. But I know just what examples I need to mention to get my opinion understood.

My Nokia N95 (Symbian) also connects to Ubuntu and is seen as storage and I can exchange files both ways. But it also has "PC Suite" type of connection (USB connect) that only runs on Windows. This piece of software is important and you cannot ignore it at all, for it's the only way you can upgrade the cell phone firmware - something that can improve speed, connectivity, etc. Including the all formidable Nokia Maps that can only be updated and installed with Nokia Suite.

The equivalent of Nokia Suite:

For the Samsung Galaxy S2 is Kies. At the bottom of the following web site, you'll see that it only runs on Windows or Mac.
http://www.samsung.com/us/kies/

For HTC Desire it is HTC Sync (only Windows):
http://www.htc.com/uk/help/htc-desire-s/#overview
Have yet to confirm, but I think firmware upgrade is independent from HTC Sync.

Nokia N900 (Maemo OS, derived from Linux) is also dependent on Nokia Suite for firmware upgrade and such.

I just found out Galaxy Nexus can upgrade firmware without desktop pc, but it can be a bit tricky, it's a third party solution and is not for all models:
http://androidadvices.com/how-to-upd...rmware-update/

For Motorola Android devices, it's Motocast (Windows and Mac):
http://www.mymotocast.com/

My HTC Desire works flawlessly together with 12.04. I can use wifi hotspot and bluetooth tethering, connect via OBEX, use the GPS receiver as a GPS mouse, ...

Please be more specific, thanks!

[cortman]

At least Fincer got my point. Sorry if my message was not clear enough. But I know just what examples I need to mention to get my opinion understood.

My Nokia N95 (Symbian) also connects to Ubuntu and is seen as storage and I can exchange files both ways. But it also has "PC Suite" type of connection (USB connect) that only runs on Windows. This piece of software is important and you cannot ignore it at all, for it's the only way you can upgrade the cell phone firmware - something that can improve speed, connectivity, etc. Including the all formidable Nokia Maps that can only be updated and installed with Nokia Suite.

The equivalent of Nokia Suite:

For the Samsung Galaxy S2 is Kies. At the bottom of the following web site, you'll see that it only runs on Windows or Mac.
http://www.samsung.com/us/kies/

For HTC Desire it is HTC Sync (only Windows):
http://www.htc.com/uk/help/htc-desire-s/#overview
Have yet to confirm, but I think firmware upgrade is independent from HTC Sync.

Nokia N900 (Maemo OS, derived from Linux) is also dependent on Nokia Suite for firmware upgrade and such.

I just found out Galaxy Nexus can upgrade firmware without desktop pc, but it can be a bit tricky, it's a third party solution and is not for all models:
http://androidadvices.com/how-to-upd...rmware-update/

For Motorola Android devices, it's Motocast (Windows and Mac):
http://www.mymotocast.com/

That makes more sense. As far as upgrading firmware, I'm pretty sure I can do that over the air, no need to tether. Kies is rather poorly designed, IMO.
But I can see it is different in your case. And in answer to your initial question, the reason it's not integrating is the same as why drivers for Linux are hard to come by sometimes: big company reluctance to support Linux. Windows represents a far larger marketshare.

[archithcr]

Hi

I have a Galaxy S2 and I can kind of understand where you're coming from. However, it's wrong to lay the blame at the Linux Community's door, because it's the manufacturer's prerogative to develop software for different platforms.

Samsung, in my case, doesn't want to divert software resources into platforms other than Windows/Mac which cover 90% of the PC base.

But since most android phones do support updates over the air, this is a non-issue for most phone owners.

[chis@]

Hi
it's wrong to lay the blame at the Linux Community's door, because it's the manufacturer's prerogative to develop software for different platforms.

I'm not laying any blame on anyone In my first post, there is a link where Android phone users are complaining in Sony's forum:
"it's ironic that a phone built using Android, which itself is a Linux derivative, cannot connect effectively to a Linux system."
http://talk.sonymobile.com/message/37923

I guess this shows that I'm not the only one baffled at the idea that an Android device is not out-of-the box fully compatible with Linux.

But since most android phones do support updates over the air, this is a non-issue for most phone owners.

Please list the phones you know for certain, update over the air - that kind of info is not readily available when you shop for a phone, which most upsets me about all this - at least we should know what kind of desktop OS phones require for important updates if any.