I have been looking at Fairphone and Volla, and it feels like the Smartphone scene for Linux is going very strong right now.

Think of it like this: We got 3-4 end-user ready Ubports smartphones, made by IN Europe(Volla/Gigaset is), with recent hardware, swappable battery, very good service and repairability in various formats. You can even purchase Gigaset phones (commercial equivalents of Volla) in stores/Amazon for a very good price.

The immediate orbiters of Linux smartphones like Fxtec, Planet Computers and Jolla are also based here.

I think we reached the year of the Linux phones. Atleast it is not the niche it was in 2020. I wonder how usable ubports is. If you got any experience with these phpnes on ubports, feel free to share.

  • Ew0English
    1•1 year ago

    Whoosh, forgot about that :)

    • smplEnglish
      1•1 year ago

      I honestly don’t know how well it works though, because sadly my N900 has a broken screen I can’t remove because of screws with broken heads. Any tips on how to remove those tiny tiny screws are most welcome! :)

      • Ew0English
        3•1 year ago

        If it’s stripped screws then maybe try different screw bits? One might get some traction. or maybe try unscrewing it with an elastic band in between that might help.

        If that doesn’t work you could try some screw-extracting pliers.

        If that really doesn’t work you could also try putting a small dot of superglue on the screw, let the screwdriver head dry in it then try turning it.

        If that really, really doesn’t work you could try using a rotary tool/dremel/knife to cut a small line that you could use a flathead to unscrew it with.

        Or do you mean like the actual head has come off? :o

        • smplEnglish
          1•1 year ago

          No no, the head is just stripped. I’ll try with something to give traction (even though I think I already did), but your idea with some superglue is something I hadn’t considered. Cutting the screw head seems risky, but if everything else fails I guess it’s better to REALLY break the phone than it is to have it boxed away unused. Thanks for giving me hope. Next problem is where to find a replacement screw, but I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it ;)

          • Ew0English
            1•1 year ago

            Fair, yep I’ve tried a few of those methods in the past, if you’re really worried maybe take it to a specialist? I doubt it would cost much for a quick job. Good luck!