/archphone

A project what aims to get GNOME Shell, Arch Linux and Wayland working on Android tablets/phones

MIT LicenseMIT

ArchPhone

A project what aims to get GNOME Shell, Arch Linux and Wayland working on Android tablets/phones natively (no chroot)

Why? There is Ubuntu Touch already!

Actually, Ubuntu Touch gave me an idea for this.

I would like to run normal desktop apps with my phone, but that seems impossible on Ubuntu Touch.

Initial project goals

  • Research how does Android boot. DONE
  • Do some research at Google Nexus 5 drivers and kernel. Everything else except Wifi seems tricky
  • Build serial debug cable
  • Get Arch Linux installed on Google Nexus 5 and get display working
  • Run Weston with freedreno driver
  • Usable GNOME DE (with keyboard and mouse at first place)
  • Patch kernel for Chromium. See this
  • Install Chromium and things I normally use
  • 3G Networking

Ideas for later

  • Touchscreen here I come
  • Get camera and bluetooth working (libhybris??)
  • Make kernel only to boot into Arch Linux (Android features removed)
  • Get 4G and SMS working (but no calling)
  • On-screen keyboard maybe?
  • Release images (fastboot packages)

Things that could stop or slow down this project:

  • Binary wifi/BT/camera drivers
  • Audio (audio didn't work on Ubuntu, so it's very unlikely I get it working)
  • systemd wants pretty new kernel (I don't remember from head, but 3.4.x is too old) (I can set pacman to hold systemd package)
  • Freedreno driver, which maybe doesn't work with Nexus 5 GPU (not sure)

Things what are bad, but won't slow down this project:

  • Desktop apps are bit big for phones.
  • I don't know how libhybris actually works!

Useful things: