HACKER Q&A
📣 p2hari

Why are there not a lot of hobby/professional Linux phones?


I have no much knowledge about hardware and hence this question.

Even after so many iterations of Raspberry Pi and other SBCs, why is it hard to have a hobby/proffesional linux phone.

There is so much innovation on Mechanical Keyboards with 3d printing and stuff and I know there are not same, but why cannot we just add one interactive screen, power supply and bluetooth module and make some phones. What are the limitations here? Why cannot companies build something interesting when we are sure there is market and interest?

Does software also play a role? But Linux eco-system is much larger and there are so many supporting software.


  👤 timonoko Accepted Answer ✓
In sane world (ie outside of USA) it is just "apt install ofono - Mobile telephony stack".

Never tried, but I assume if your Laptop has a SIM-slot it just works.


👤 t-3
Money. Linux allows the user to control their device - not great for companies that make megabucks selling telemetry.

👤 PaulHoule
Carriers have a lot of say over what they let attach to their network. I head that Windows Phone was discontinued because US carriers said No to it.

👤 bjourne
Nokia tried with Maemo but the product kind of sucked.

👤 b20000
because people want apps and app stores