Ubuntu Touch: 1"$%^"!! The Revolutionary OS You Didn't Expect!
right let's cut the crap and dive into some seriously geeky today I'm talking about mobile operating systems and no I'm not talking about that boring iPhone versus Android we're going way off the beaten path today okay into the land of the weird and the wonderful most people are stuck in that Apple Google Loop completely oblivious to the wild stuff out there but trust me there are mobile OBS out there oh really that are so up so different okay they make Android look like a godamn cave painting okay you've got my attention let's talk about one of these up mobile OC's yeah what have we got on the docket today we're diving into Ubuntu touch Ubuntu touch it's an operating system that's the hell is that a total mind in a good way of course sounds like some kind of hippie yoga app not even close Okay Ubuntu is a flavor of Linux you're the open source operating system beloved by nerds everywhere okay so it's a phone for the penguin loving pocket protector crowd what makes it so up wellu touch had this insanely ambitious goal they wanted to create this convergence thing where One OS could run on all your devices phones tablets even desktops imagine your phone transforming into a full-blown computer just by plugging it into a monitor M pretty wild right convergence huh that sounds like some serious did they actually pull it off let's just say the reality was a little less magical than the vision okay they managed to get it working on a handful of devices right but the grand plan never quite materialized really and to make matters worse canonical the company behind Ubuntu right bailed on the whole project back in 2017 they basically said see you later nerds so they just abandoned it what a bunch of dicks what happened canonical claimed they lost faith in the market oh didn't think they could make money off it right but here's where it gets interesting the story didn't end there the community these dieh hard Ubuntu touch fans refused to let it die they formed this group called ubports okay picked up the pieces and kept the dream alive so a bunch of tech zombies resurrected a dead OS had some serious dedication yeah they must really love the subun to touch thing yeah tell me what makes it so special what sets it apart from the usual smartphone crap the first thing you'll notice is the user interface right it's completely different from anything you've ever seen there are no buttons no menus just pure unadulterated swiping you control everything by swiping in from the edges of the screen it's like conducting a digital Orchestra with your thumbs swiping for everything sounds like a recipe for disaster I can just imagine myself accidentally deleting all my with a stray swipe it's not as chaotic as it sounds it's actually quite intuitive once you get the hang of it and instead of the usual app grid they have these things called scopes imagine Dynamic dashboards that pull information from different sources based on what you're doing it's like having a personal assistant built into your phone Scopes huh that's a new one give me an example how does the scope thing actually work let's say you're into music okay the music scope Aggregates tracks from your local storage and any streaming services you use right it's all there in one place ready to go no more jumping between different apps okay that actually sounds pretty cool no more app grid cluster I might be able to get behind that what else you got then there side stage it's their take on multitasking you can run phone apps and tablet apps side by side imagine browsing the web while taking notes all on your phone it's a clever way to maximize your screen real estate all right this auntu touch thing is starting to sound a little less like a fever dream and a little more like an actual usable phone but let's cut the crap and talk about the elephant in the room apps okay does this Fring us even have any apps worth of damn that's the million dollar question right and to be honest the app selection is a bit limited it's the classic chicken and egg problem right developers don't want to make apps for a platform with few users and users don't want to use a platform with few apps so it's basically a phone for checking email yeah and that's about it not quite they do have a decent Suite of core apps yeah a browser email client calendar yeah even a terminal emulator for the real hardcore Linux ner out there terminal emulator Jesus Christ you weren't kidding about catering to the Nerds okay but seriously is it even usable without all the popular apps right what about the UB ports crew do they even know what they're doing keeping this Frankenstein OS alive they're a dedicated Bunch UB ports releases regular updates and is constantly working on new features they're even porting auntu touch to new devices wow Community Development has its challenges sure but they're making it work so what about this whole convergence pipe dream did that ever actually amount to anything did anyone actually ship a phone with a buntu touch on it there were a few brave souls who dared okay there were the BQ Aquarius phones Q Aquarius and a Mau tablet they were decent devices but they never really gained much traction never heard of them sounds like a couple of knockoff Brands you'd find on wish.com yeah mainstream adoption was always a long shot right but that doesn't mean auntu touch is a complete failure so who the hell is actually using this thing who's buying these obscure phones it appeals to a specific type of person someone who values privacy open source software and having control over their technology people who are a little different different you mean like the tinfoil hat wearing government tracking obsessed types hey not all of them all right but yeah there are definitely some privacy conscious users who are drawn to a burn to touch because it's not tied to Google or Apple right the data hungry behemoths of the tech World okay I'm starting to see the appeal so what kind of phones are we talking about here what can you actually run this AB into touch thing on there's the libram 5 a phone designed with privacy in mind lib Room 5 and the pine phone a super Tinker friendly device popular with the open source crowd both offer a BTU touch support so basically we're talking about phones for the paranoid and the techsavvy niche devices for Niche users pretty much okay but that doesn't mean it's a bad thing it just means auntu touch has found its own little corner of the market right and is catering to a specific audience all right so let me get this straight auntu touch is basically this weird Niche mobile OS for privacy Freaks and Linux nerds that's a pretty accurate summary it's definitely not for everyone well at least it's not another boring ass iPhone that's one way to put it so we've talked about the history the features the pros and the cons of aun to touch but what does it actually feel like to use this thing is it any good well good is subjective okay it depends on what you're looking for in a mobile OS oh but I can give you my personal take on it all right hit me with your expert opinion what's the abun to touch experience really like the first thing you'll notice is that it's different okay really different the UI is unique and takes some getting used to but once you get the hang of it it's quite refreshing it's very gesture-based and there's a real sense of fluidity to the way you navigate around the OS so it's not just a reskinned version of Android it actually has its own own distinct personality exactly it feels like a but if you're willing to make some compromises you could still have a perfectly functional and enjoyable experience exactly and for some people the trade-offs are worth it they're willing to sacrifice some app availability in exchange for the privacy and control that a burn to touch offers so who do you think a burn to touch is really for is it just for hardcore Linux enthusiasts or is there a broader appeal I think it definitely appeals to people who are techsavvy okay and who value open source software and privacy but I also think it can be a good option for people who are just looking for something different from the mainstream something that gives them more control over their device and their data so it's not just about being a techie it's also about having a certain mindset a desire to break away from the norm exactly and that's what I find so intriguing about auntu touch yeah it's a reminder that there are alternatives out there it's a reminder that we don't have to settle for the status quo all right so we've covered a lot of ground here we've talked about The Good the Bad and the Ugly of auntu touch but I'm still curious about one thing what's the future hold for this little Underdog of an OS that's a great question yeah and to be honest it's hard to say for sure the future of any mobile OS is uncertain right especially one that's as niche as Ubuntu touch but one thing's for sure the community behind it is incredibly passionate and dedicated and they're not going down down with how to fight they're constantly working on improving the OS porting it to New devices and expanding the app ecosystem so there's still hope for a buntu touch yeah it might not ever become the next Android or iOS but it could carve at a nice little niche for itself absolutely and who knows maybe one day it'll even surprise us and make a real dent in the mainstream market well one thing's for sure it's been a wild ride learning about this weird and wonderful mobile OS so let's raise a glass to to touch the underdog the the OS that dared to be different cheers to all right folks that's it for part one of our Deep dive into the Wacky World of auntu touch we'll be back in part two to explore some of the more technical aspects of this unconventional OS so grab a beer take a piss and we'll see you on the other side see you welcome back to the Deep dive where we're dissecting this fascinatingly weird mobile OS known as Ubuntu touch okay last time we talked about its history the interface the overall Vibe now let's get a bit more Technical and see what makes this thing tick all right Professor let's pop the hood and get our hands dirty yeah what's going on under the surface of this abun touch thing is it just Android with a new paint job not even close Okay at its core aunti touch is built on the same Foundation as regular Ubuntu Linux based operating system so it's the real deal OG Linux not some watered down Google fight version that means it inherits the stability the security and the open-source nature of Linux okay all good things if you ask me what else makes it different from the Android masses well unlike Android which is heavily reliant on Java Uber to touch uses a different programming language called qti CTI huh it's known for its performance flexibility and its ability to create beautiful responsive interfaces sounds like some kind of futuristic sex toy maybe in another dimension okay but in this one it's a powerful tool kit for developers creating apps for auntu touch so there's hope for a brighter future app app wise could this be the thing that saves Ubuntu touch from App Oblivion and because it's crossplatform apps can be more easily ported to other operating systems definitely a possibility right but remember the app situation is a chicken and egg scenario we've got to get more users on board to attract more developers but let's not dwell on that we're here for the Cool Tech right yeah right so hit me with the professor what makes a boom 2 touch so special from a tech perspective what kind of geeky goodness are we talking about here one of the most intriguing aspects is their approach to convergence remember how they wanted to create One OS to rule them all yeah well they actually made some pretty damn impressive progress wait are you telling me this little phone OS can power an actual desktop computer get the out of here it might sound like science fiction but it's closer to reality than you think okay they developed this technology called Mir right a display server that allows a buntu touch to adapt to different screen sizes and input methods a display server sounds like something out of Star Trek can you break it down for a simple tense what does this mirror thing actually do think of it as the bridge between your phone and whatever screen you plug it into okay it allows a buntu touch to shapeshift its interface going from a phone layout to a tablet layout to a full-blown desktop experience so you're telling me I can plug my auntu touch phone into a monitor hook up a keyboard and mouse and boom instant desktop PC all on the same device that's pretty cool that's the general idea it's not perfect there are still some wrinkles to iron out but the potential is definitely there they were pretty close to achieving their convergence dream then what a shame that canonical choked and abandoned it agreed it was a bold Vision yeah but as we've discussed the community swooped in to save the day right ubports has been doing some incredible work to keep abun to touch Alive and Kicking so they're doing a good job it's a testament to the power of Open Source really the little OS they could e yeah okay we talked about conversions Q this this mirr thing what else is there to know about obonu touch from a technical standpoint well one thing that really sets it apart is their approach to security security huh they've Incorporated a bunch of features that make auntu touch one of the most secure mobile operating systems on the market so this thing is like Fort Knox for my phone tell me more Professor I'm all ears well maybe not Fort Knox but it's a damn site more secure than your average Android device all right one of the key features is something called o Parmer a Parmer a mandatory access control system basically it means apps are only allowed to access the specific resources they need to function and nothing more it's like each app is locked in its own little cell even if one goes Rogue can't up the whole system right exactly it's an incredibly effective way to minimize security risks okay and to add another layer protection Uber to touch also has a built-in firewall to guard against Network attacks wait a firewall on a phone I've never even heard of that is that even a thing it's not common but it shows you how seriously the Ubuntu touch developers take security and to top it all off they use full dis encryption okay which protects your data even if your device gets lost or storin so basically this thing is a digital Fortress I'm starting to feel safer just talking about it it's definitely a step in the right direction for mobile security for privacy conscious folks that's a huge selling point okay the tech is impressive the security is tight but what about the human element you mentioned the community earlier what's the deal with these auntu touch folks what makes them tick the community is what truly makes this project special really these are some of the most passionate dedicated people I've ever met in the tech World wow they believe in the vision of a truly open and free mobile operating system and they're willing to put in The Blood Sweat and Tears to make it a reality so they're not just your typical techies who like to Tinker with Gadgets in their spare time they're on a mission they're on a Crusade my friend they see Ubuntu touch as more than just a phone OS yeah it's a way to challenge the status quo to create a more democratic and ethical Tech landscape all right so they're passionate idealistic but can they actually walk the walk are they any good at what they do oh absolutely okay they're some of the most talented dedicated developers I've ever come across they're constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible with the buntu touch so they're not just sitting around stroking their beards and dreaming about a better world they're actually getting done you got it okay and they're doing it all in their spare time mind you wow this is a community-driven project no big corporations funding this thing it's all fueled by the passion and dedication of volunteers that's pretty inspiring it takes a special kind of person person to dedicate so much time and energy to a project like this okay Professor we've got to talk about the elephant in the room again those damn apps yeah how are they planning to fix this app drought are they just crossing their fingers and hoping developers will magically appear hope is a good thing yeah but they're not just sitting around waiting for a miracle okay they're actively trying to make Ubuntu touch more appealing to developers so what's the plan are they bribing them with pizza and beer maybe a little okay but they're also taking a more strategic approach they're creating a solid foundation for app development making it as painless as possible for developers to Port their existing apps to auntu touch so they're making the platform more developer friendly smart move yes but what about Native apps right the kind of apps that are specifically designed for auntu TCH they're working on that too they've already got a decent set of core apps a browser email client calendar file manager yeah even that terminal emulator we talked about yeah they love their terminal emulators down here but I guess that's a good sign right shows are committed to the Linux core so what else is on the menu what kind of native apps are they cooking up they're developing more specialized apps okay things like a music player a video player I been a notetaking app right trying to cover all the bases and provide users with a well-rounded experience good to hear yeah it's got to be tough though building an app ecosystem from scratch what about the bigger picture where do they go from here what's the future of auntu touch that's the million dooll question isn't it yeah the mobile OS landscape is constantly changing it's hard to predict what the future holds so it's a gamble a leap of faith you could say that okay but I'm optimistic right the Ubuntu touch Community is fiercely passionate and unbelievably dedicated yeah they're not going down without a fight oh so they're in it for the Long Haul absolutely okay and that's what makes this project so damn inspiring right it's proof that open source has power and that a better world is possible well said Professor we've talked about the tech the community the future of auntu touch yeah but there's still one burning question we need to address and what is that is this thing actually any good is it worth ditching your a phone or Android phone for this weird little Underdog OS ah the age-old question is the juice worth the squeeze exactly let's get down to Brass tags Professor is a buntu touch worth making the switch the answer as always is it depends on what it depends on what you value in a mobile OS okay your priorities your level of tech savviness so there's no easy answer no on siiz fits-all solution sadly no okay but I can give you my personal perspective all right lay it on me Professor is a buntu touch worth the plunge if privacy and security are your top priorities okay then to touch is definitely worth considering right it's one of the most secure mobile operating systems out there and it's not beholden to any of the big tech companies that are constantly sucking up your data so this is the phone for the paranoid the Privacy Obsessed the tin foil haer hey no judgment here okay but yes if you're concerned about your digital privacy auntu touch is a great option okay privacy is a big plus right but what else is there to love about this weird little OS what's the actual user experience like personally I love the interface it's so different from anything else on the market yeah and it's surprisingly intuitive once you get the hang of it so it's not just an Android clone with a different skin it actually feels like a totally different animal it's all about those gestures remember there's a real flow to the way you navigate it's quite elegant really okay privacy unique interface what else what are the other selling points exactly well I'm also a big fan of the open source nature of the project okay it's reassuring to know that the code is publicly available right and that anyone can contribute to its development so you're not just a user you're a potential contributor you can help shape the future of the OS exactly it makes you feel like you're part of something bigger something meaningful all right privacy unique interface open source this thing is starting to sound pretty damn temping but let's not forget about the elephant in the room those damn apps or lack thereof how much of a deal breaker is this app situation really ah yes the eternal struggle of any Niche operating system so how bad is it really it all comes down to your usage habits if you're addicted to Instagram Snapchat Tik Tok all those mainstream apps where you're going to be disappointed but if you mainly use your phone for basic stuff like browsing email taking notes then you can totally get by with what's available so it's all about setting realistic expectations right you're not going to get the same apps morgas board as you would with the big guys right you have to be willing to make some compromises right but for some people the trade-offs are worth it yeah they're willing to sacrifice some app convenience in exchange for the Privacy security and freedom that obuntu touch offers so it's a trade-off a balancing act yeah you got to weigh the pros and cons and see what works for you precisely okay the decision to switch to auntu touch is a personal one mhm there's no right or wrong answer all right Professor you've given us a lot to chew on but let's wrap things up with a final thought what's the one thing you want our listeners to take away from this deep dive into the world of auntu touch the most important thing to remember is that there are alternatives out there we don't have to settle for the status quo right we don't have to let the big tech companies dictate our choices so it's about breaking free from The Matrix taking control of our digital lives you got it right and auntu touch is a shining example of that okay it reminds us that a better world is possible a world where we have more control over technology and our data well said Professor all right folks that's it for part two of our Deep dive into the fascinating world of auntu touch we'll be back in part three to explore some real world use cases for this unconventional OS so stay tuned grab another beer and we'll catch you on the flip side all right folks welcome back to the final chapter of our Deep dive into the weird and wonderful world of auntu touch it is pretty weird we've talked about the history the tech the community the whole nine yards the whole shebang but now let's get down to Brass tax who the hell is actually using this thing in the real world are we talking about a bunch of neck beards living in their mom's basement uh not exactly you'd probably find a few in the auntu forums I'm sure yeah but the Ubuntu touch Community is surprisingly diverse okay so Spill the Beans Professor who are these mysterious Ubuntu touch users well first and foremost you've got your hardcore Linux enthusiasts these are the folks who lead open source software live and breed the command line dream and code they're the purists the Pioneers the digital revolutionaries the penguin loving Commandos I get it but surely it's not just a bunch of techy weirdos who else is drawn to this Fringe OS you've also got your privacy conscious folks okay the ones who are sick and tired of big Tech's constant surveillance right they're the ones who tape over their webcams and use vpns like it's going out of style yeah they their digital freedom and they're not afraid to fight for it the digital Hermits seeking refuge in the open source Wilderness got it so we've got the hardore Takis and the Privacy zealots who else is hopping on the Ubuntu touch train then you've got the Curious ones the adventurers okay the folks who are just plain bored with the same old Android and iOS right they're looking for something different something exciting something that challenges the status quo the Rebels the non-conformists m digital Mavericks I like it mhm so Ubuntu touch is like a magnet for the Misfits of the mobile world you could say that it's a Haven for those who dare to be different right and what's fascinating is that all these different groups find something to love about a bunto touch it's like a digital Melting Pot of techsavvy individuals United by their shared desire for something better a digital Utopia powered by swipes and Scopes sounds pretty damn idealistic oh but let's get real for a second where is a buntu touch actually making a difference in the real world well believe it or not it's starting to make waves in some unexpected places like the education sector educa you mean like schools and yeah you tell me kids are using auntu touch instead of those overpriced iPads hold your horses okay it's not quite a mass Exodus from Apple just yet but auntu touch is starting to gain Traction in schools and universities that are looking for a more affordable and Custom iable alternative to traditional tablets so it's like the Robin Hood of mobile OC's yeah stealing from the rich Tech Giants and giving to the cash strapped schools exactly and because it's open source schools can tailor the OS to their specific needs wow they can create their own educational apps and they don't have to worry about getting nickel and dimed by proprietary software licenses that's pretty am cool so auntu touch is all about empowering the next generation of techa kids it's about giving them the tools they need to succeed without breaking the bank all right so we've got the education angle what other unexpected places is auntu touch popping up it's also gaining Traction in the developing world the developing world that's interesting tell me more well in many parts of the world smartphones are the primary means of accessing the internet right but traditional smartphones can be prohibitively expensive for a lot of people yeah that makes sense a brand new iPhone can cost a fortune especially in countries where the average income is a fraction of what we're used to here in the west exactly that's where auntu touch comes in because it runs on relatively low powerered Hardware it can be used on more affordable devices making smartphones accessible to a wider range of people so it's like a digital equalizer bringing the power of the internet to those who might not otherwise be able to afford it that's a great way to put it it's about democratizing technology and making sure that everyone has access to the information and opportunities that the digital world has to offer all right I'm sold a to touch is officially a Force for good in the world but before we wrap things up I want to hear your personal take on it okay why are you such a big fan of this little OS for me it boils down to a few key things okay first and foremost I love the philosophy behind it the idea of a truly open and free mobile operating system it's a powerful concept and one that I wholeheartedly believe in so it's not just about the tech itself it's about the values the principles exactly it's about taking a stand against the walled Gardens of Apple and Google and creating a more open and Equitable digital landscape the digital Revolution fought with swipes and Scopes I like it yeah what else keeps you coming back to auntu touch I'm also a huge believer in the power of community the auntu touch Community is one of the most passionate and dedicated groups I've ever encountered they're the ones who keep this project alive they're the ones who push the boundaries of what's possible and they do it all out of the goodness of their hearts the true labor of love so it's the community the open source spirit that really sets a bunto touch apart it's the driving force behind everything and lastly I just love the fact that it's different it's not afraid to challenge the status quo it's not afraid to be weird uhhuh it's a breath of fresh air in a world of increasingly homogeneous smartphones A Beautiful Freak Flag Flying high in the face of Conformity I dig it all right Professor we've covered a lot of ground here but before we let you go I want to give you one last chance to make your pitch why should our listeners give Ubuntu touch a shot if you're tired of the same old smartphone experience if you value privacy and freedom if you're looking for something truly different then give Wun two touch a try all right it might not be perfect it might not have all the bells and whistles of the big boys but it's a damn good OS with a heart of gold okay and who knows it might just surprise you all right folks there you have it mhm the case for a bonto touch the quirk the unconventional the OS that dares to be different we've explored its history its Tech its Community its impact on the world and we've learned that sometimes the best things come in small packages so if you're feeling adventurous if you're ready to break free from the shackles of the mainstream give a bunto touch a spin you might just find yourself pleasantly surprised that's it for this episode of The Deep dive we'll be back next time with another Deep dive into the fascinating world of tech until then stay curious stay skeptical and stay tuned e
2025-02-22 20:06
