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This is closer to an existing nexus of expertise in FOSS, because it is a Linux distribution, whereas Android is something different, and has only ever been maintained by Google, more or less behind closed doors. A fork of Android would be much more likely to die a death than a functional mobile Linux OS.


> A fork of Android would be much more likely to die a death than a functional mobile Linux OS.

Why wouldn't a fork of Android be a functional mobile Linux OS?


Android is running on top of a Java VM, with completely independent UI components. It's a long way from a traditional Linux userland.


That's true, but I won't go so far and call it non-functional.

Most of Sailfish's UI components are proprietary, which is a more severe issue IMHO.


Ah, I was trying to distinguish it from Android on the basis of 'Linux', rather than on the basis of 'functional'. Functional was meant to contrast with the existing state of Linux on mobile, i.e. if we could get a full Linux userspace working well on mobile, that would be better than relying on Android.


Let's see what the Librem 5 comes up with ;)


Yes, I'm looking at supporting that. It's a bit of a pity they seem to be downplaying Android app support. I think they will need that to be functional in the short/medium term. From a user's perspective, it would be good to commit to Anbox support, but perhaps they're already biting off enough for them to chew!




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