Linux
While Android is open-source and uses the Linux kernel at it's core, it is not a full "GNU/Linux" operating system, opting to replace the GNU userland with it's own Java-based ecosystem.
This makes Android incompatible with actual Linux applications, and vice versa (though it is possible to port the Dalvik Machine there...)
Therefore, some developers are taking up the effort to bring true GNU/Linux distros to certain Android devices.
The ideal system for a Linux Pocket PC should have a hardware keyboard. This is essential to running commands in the terminal (touch keyboards really suck at this).
- TI-Nspire - Believe it or not, but the TI-Nspire has better native Linux support than most Androids. And a full keyboard and touchpad. Though it is a buildroot version.
- WING Linux - Linux for early HTC Windows Mobile 6 devices. XDA
- ASUS Nexus 7 - This was the first tablet to run full blown Linux. Unfortunately, Ubuntu abandoned the concept.
- Transformer TF700 - A Native Linux build for this tablet. Unfortunately, it was abandoned.
- Eee Pad - Gives a very interesting insight into how the process of installing a Linux image works.
- Arch Linux LXDE on the Nook Color - A very unique method of running Linux. This uses a framebuffer exploit to hijack control of the screen from Android, so an X Display Server can run natively. The same exploit can be used in almost any Android device from that time period.
- HTC Dream/T-Mobile G1 - The very first Android device released, and the last to be released with a complete keyboard with number keys. The keyboard, the low price, and an obsolete build of Android 1.6, all make the G1 a tantalizing target for porting Linux.
- Motorola Droid - A port was made, but the procedure was not really well described. But it is a tantalizing platform, at least as an N900 alternative.
- SPH-D900 - Galaxy S with a keyboard. This is a really good candidate, as many of the drivers are supported by Replicant.
- Motorola Photon Q 4G LTE - The last competent Android phone with a full keyboard.
All rooted Android devices can run full GNU/Linux in a chroot. This is best if you only need Linux command line apps, or have s powerful phone.
Since Android does not use the X Server, chrooted Linux applications can only be used through a VNC app. This increases overhead, with Android and a VNC server running in the background and restricts Linux's full power.
This is a unique chroot method that transforms Debian into the host, and Android as the client. Very weird, and don't expect to be able to update your Android phone easily after this. But it's pretty cool.
- Whiteboard.ping.se - Matrix Method of Debian Integration
- XDA-Developers - Matrix Method of Debian Integration
A uniquely light edition of Linux for embedded devices Link
On some devices, there are efforts to run Linux natively, without the overhead of an Android chroot.
(not released yet)
Ubuntu Phone is currently using the Nexus 4 and the Galaxy Nexus as official developer reference devices.
Canonical has chosen the Google/ASUS Nexus 7 as their official ARM tablet reference device, currently testing a one-click installer on it.
This hack runs an X display server safely and natively from a chroot, reducing overhead. Only proven to work on the Nook Color, though an unknown amount of phones support it. Link
The desktop ecosystem has proven a hard sell on mobile touchscreen devices, and attempts to adapt the full power of GNU/Linux to the phone space has often met with failure.
Here is a project that attempts to find and fix those pressing issues.
The Desktop Environment is the face of an operating system, and for most users, it is the operating system; defining the look, the feel, the experience of an OS.
Ubuntu currently uses the controversial Unity DE as the default on the Nexus 7. But somehow, even with the most powerful quad-core processor around, Unity does slow down the experience quite a bit.
But with Linux, multiple desktopsHowever, the traditional, lighter desktop DEs (XFCE and LXDE) simply don't translate well to a tablet methodlogy.
Here we will explore some candidates for a decent DE for mobile devices.
What a surprise; KDE works extremely well on the Nexus 7, blowing Unity out of the water in performance and usability.
KDE's powerful customization options allow users to enlarge buttons and fonts to a decent size, sidestepping the issues of mouse-based design.
KDE also has a Netbook edition that gives a home screen and a single window interface; definitely a godsend on a tablet.
GNOME 3 has been immensely controversial for it's tablet inspired design, which does not always work well on the desktop. Yet ironically, even after losing so much in pursuit of that ideal, GNOME 3 has never made a serious focus on getting onto tablets.
GNOME 3 still beats out Unity on customization and extensions (which ends up being it's saving grace), and as such is definitely worth checking out.
Perhaps GNOME 3 might actually work quite well on a true tablet rather than the computer screen.
If you want to tread some real crazy oceans, you can try out the experimental Plasma Active interface for Kubuntu.
For once, there is a Linux DE that is actually pretty nice to use on a mobile device.\
Hildon is the mobile interface for Nokia's Maemo operating system, famously used in the Nokia N900, and as such the only one that succeeded in practice.
It might have the solution to all the issues that Linux faces in portable devices; as a tried and true mobile interface, it's extremely light, fast, and fun to use. But Hildon still uses the X Window Server, multitasks with WebOS style cards, and runs traditional Linux apps quite nicely. Hard to say that about any of the other DEs.
Unfortunately, with Maemo defunct, Hildon is just barely maintained by a select few from the Cordia Project. But hopefully, we can revive this good ol' interface as the mobile DE to conquer all. That is, if Plasma Active doesn't beat it first.
Around February 2012, Canonical showcased their experimental "Ubuntu on Android" system, which merged the power of Ubuntu Linux with the mobile interface of Android. It seemed to have been based on Motorola's Webtop, which worked exactly the same way, albeit with a neutered version of Ubuntu.
Unfortunately, manufacturers were unamused, Motorola's Webtop was a flop, and the system seems to have disappeared into development hell.
Hopefully Canonical might release the sources for it, being an open, Linux based company and all that. Hopefully.
Note: All non-Android projects have moved to the BASLQC Wiki.
- Introduction - A quick intro to the rationale and ideals of this guide, and smartphone modding in general.
- General Setup - Learn how to install and run the tools you need to succeed.
- Device Guides - Customized, fully decked out guides for rooting each and every device we could find.
- General OS Customizations - General customizations that work on all devices of a specific OS.
- General Guidelines - The ideals that you should uphold while working with and editing this guide.
- Device Guide Templates - Templates and general guidelines for creating customized guides for a device.
- Linux - Run a full desktop OS on your little mobile device; research is being made to make it comfortable to use in the mobile space.
- Glossary - Contains all the crazy acronyms and word soup that you'll need to wade through when using this guide.
- Android Buying Guide for Modders - While modding can fix up an outdated device, it will make your life easier to buy the right device from the start.