Very true. I just installed LineageOS 22 on a Pixel 2 XL, and on top of being significantly more performant and efficient (as well as app compatibility going up from being on a newer Android version), I have more refined options for features such as the “squeeze for assistant” (I can change more of those settings, as well as even make it not bring up an assistant at all but do something else) and notification light. That much is very cool to see.

And yes, I’d also love to see Linux phones take off, and worst-case scenario, this might end up being the big push for that. After all, Linux on ARM saw a very similar push with Asahi Linux after Apple switched to ARM processors, then the Steam Deck arrived and changed much of the PC gaming landscape. Both of these factors, as well as how Android phones have gotten increasingly capable, point towards Linux phones potentially being the answer in ways even peak Android might’ve been unable to achieve.

A sad thing to be sure, though installing custom operating systems is reducing in popularity. I’m all for options, but as newer versions of Android get programs and functions that were previously only available via rooting and custom ROMs, hopefully it won’t be too bad…? I am sad about the potential loss of sideloading though, especially as even iOS now supports it to an extent in certain regions.

There really aren’t a ton of truly “small” phones these days… a Samsung S-series base model is about as compact as these phones are at this point unless you’re in more Eastern markets, in which case there might be a few more options. You likely won’t get the same level of Android software updates though, that being another reason I’d been looking at Samsung again.

Think about the current dual-screen laptops. That would be cool, but I’m not sure how usable a keyboard of those dimensions would be. Not discrediting the idea, though; I’d love to see it too.

Side note – imagine a fold-out accessory like the Mcon controller but thinner and lighter. That could make for a cool keyboard, no?

Valid arguments. Laptops are not ideal for everyone, and even the “best” ones are hardly “one-size-fits-all.” Still, considering the percentage of the world that does rely on them over bringing around a mechanical keyboard and bunch of other accessories, laptops aren’t necessarily the BEST computers – they’re the “go” computers. I’m just suggesting that with future tech, folding phones and proper accessories could also begin to fill that gap. Think of Android’s desktop mode and the lapdock – the phones are getting powerful enough to do “real work” for a lot of people, had their phones just had the same screen sizes and proper keyboards.

That’s why I mentioned the keyboard accessory, be it some advanced folding keyboard with iPad Magic Keyboard-like tech or something of the sort. Sure, it’s not replacing laptops anytime soon, but again… think of the iPhone. “An iPod, a phone, and an internet communicator.”

I’m surprised Jobs didn’t add “a camera” considering how for most people, smartphones have now encapsulated all four of those already. Sure, if you REALLY want the best out of each of those categories, you’ll almost always be better off carrying each individual item, but in terms of ease of use and convenience, smartphones win just about every time for those categories. In the future, I could see devices like these becoming the next “mini laptops” for most people, assuming we get to a point of comfortable prices and well-made accessories.

Meanwhile sometime in 2007: ”Dude, have you seen that new iPhone thing? So cool; imagine being able to have one device that could do it all! Even if it’s not the absolute best at all of those, it’s only a matter of time before it progresses! What do you think?”

Other dude: “Bro just use an iPod, a phone, and an internet dommubicator”

Exactly. Think the iPad Smart Connector, and even better with a Magic Keyboard-type hinge that could hold the device up when you didn’t need a folio-type stand.

Honestly, if I could get a phone that unfolds to a tablet size like that + Desktop Mode, I’d combine it with a portable keyboard and trackpad combo and be perfectly happy using that as my laptop solution. One cellular plan, large screen, and super portable too, not to mention phone controllers like the GameSir and Backbone for when I want something more gaming handheld-esque, Linux ARM64 virtual machines, and more!

Speaking from macOS and iOS use, Orion’s great in terms of performance and efficiency in my testing, and I’m excited to see what all can be done on Linux.

Hey, there you go. I’ve yet to encounter one myself, but the Fairphone 6 seems to finally be “viable” for most people. Battery’s still on the weaker side and performance is a bit behind most comparable phones, but in terms of ethics and sustainability, they’re unmatched.

I’d love to check out a budget flagship-killer like the Nothing or CMF Phones, but software update support was crucial enough to have kept me from fully switching to Android for years. I happen to be partial to Samsung after having their tablets for so long, but other brands (so long as they offer comparable update support) have stepped up significantly. Since Fairphone does have that much down though, go for it.

Shame… that stinks. Well, if it’s any consolation, Samsung phones are finally at the 7 years of software update promise, so you might be able to get an S24 or A34 (or higher, of course, just two options), load it up with Material-style launchers and icon packs, even maybe the open Pixel Camera app from that one website, and turn it into your new “Pixel” until the battery FULLY dies. That, or you can embrace ONE UI or another Android skin entirely, up to you.

Okay. You’re now the second person I’ve seen to have Linux issues. It sounds like it’s much more optimized for macOS and Windows for now, as everything worked well with macOS and Windows 11 (the latter in a virtual machine via VMware Fusion) on a 16 GB M4 MacBook Air. You might just want to submit an issue for optimized Linux support. The developer’s still focusing on building out core functionality, but optimization is definitely key.

It might be worth trying one or two other launchers (Nova and Microsoft, perhaps?) and checking OS versions to see if it’s possibly a Pixel issue, an OS issue, or something else entirely. I think recall vaguely hearing about Google discouraging third-party launchers, but I don’t know that they actually did anything to make them worse.

Oh yeah, I literally just mean in terms of power and use case. I’m 100% for Darktable and have been loving it since version 3.0. I recognize Lightroom and LrC’s purposes though, and (at least for the tech support and recommendations I do for others) believe it important to keep these things in mind for anyone else looking to switch.

Understandable – and that’s not what this is trying to be. Just as Lightroom ≠ Lightroom Classic, RapidRAW ≠ Darktable. Dt is much more suited to be a LrC competitor, and RR is much more of a Lr competitor in terms of features and usability.

Most WIP projects are missing things that might prevent some people from making the full switch just yet. That’s why they’re works-in-progress. Catch bugs, implement placeholders, flesh things out, and improve the product (and your knowledge along with it).

Again, something being vibe coded doesn’t have to mean a bad thing – no one else built it, so they did. You’re 100% allowed to question their means of getting there, and you don’t have to use it in the end, but the fact of the matter is… some things DO work and the basis has been laid out, it’s FOSS so anyone can take a look at things themselves, and the program exists when it did not before.

Could someone test this with programs like GIMP, Darktable, and Inkscape? I’m curious about the potential of the Android phone as PC, particularly with the merging of Android and Chrome OS. If Android’s desktop mode progresses enough to a level of maturity to run Linux programs sufficiently, this combined with the general Linux on ARM efforts of Asahi and others could prove to be THE solution. Just imagine one of those tri-folding phones unfold to a tablet size with a folio-style keyboard and trackpad, then plugging the tablet-phone into a monitor and desktop setup to “get real work done.”

In all fairness, RapidRAW still wouldn’t solve this person’s needs (a mobile editor with desktop sync) even if it didn’t flag their suspicion, and vibe-coded programs rightfully should warrant a bit more investigation. They are still a relatively new phenomenon and malicious programs DO exist. From my (admittedly somewhat brief) research, RapidRAW’s developer seems to be credible, though I understand caution.

On iOS and iPadOS, I usually resort to Snapseed, though that is also where one of Adobe’s few free editors exist in the form of Lightroom mobile. I’d love it if Darktable or RapidRAW got a mobile port, but at least here in the US where sideloading is still not the most accessible and the alternative is a paid developer account to be available in the App Store, I can understand where they’re coming from.

Fair point on the AI caution. The author actually shares a similarity to myself with my own “LaunchBack” Launchpad revival app which was also a good amount vibe-coded in the initial version. To quote the developer’s ReadMe,

I developed this project as a personal challenge at the age of 18. My goal was to create a high-performance tool for my own photography workflow while deepening my understanding of both React and Rust, with the support from Google Gemini.

The thing is, “vibe-coded” doesn’t always have to mean some terrible project stealing data with a million backdoors. From the looks of his GitHub page, he’s made a fair share of programs and contributions already, and he’s done a good amount of improvement and updates since the first release. Utilizing AI in development isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Now, as far as programs that sync between mobile AND desktop in this category, I’m afraid those are more sparse outside of Adobe’s offerings, and credit where due – Adobe does a good job of that.

I only dislike Adobe because it can be SO inaccessible for people just wanting to learn some photography, forcing them to think “I have to dedicate ##% of my salary to this program, even if I’m just learning things as a beginner.” That’s the primary reason I stand with FOSS and all, as any option that allows people to work without needing to subscribe to closed-source companies (that are most likely using your data ALSO to train AI models and whatnot) is a win, and you seem to understand that. I’m just suggesting that this app being largely vibe-coded doesn’t have to be a bad thing, y’know?