The New postmarketOS 23.12 Release: Empowering Mobile Devices with a True Linux Distribution

Unlocking the Potential of Mobile Devices Beyond Android and iOS

In a world dominated by Android and iOS, where updates often seem like a distant dream and walled gardens limit our control, a group of developers has taken a stand. The postmarketOS project, an Alpine-based Linux distribution designed for mobile devices, is spearheading a revolution by offering a true Linux experience on phones and other portable gadgets.

Empowering Users with Choice: Four Interfaces, 45 Supported Devices

One of the core principles of postmarketOS is breaking free from the limitations imposed by traditional mobile operating systems. The project provides users with the freedom to choose from four distinct user interfaces – GNOME, Plasma, Phosh, and Sxmo. What sets postmarketOS apart is its compatibility across an impressive array of 45 supported devices, offering a diverse range of options for users seeking an alternative to mainstream mobile platforms.

Highlights of postmarketOS 23.12 Release: Expanding Device Support and Enhancements

The recent postmarketOS 23.12 release marks a significant milestone in the project’s journey. Introducing support for 14 new devices, the distribution now extends its reach to a broader user base, making the total count an impressive 45 supported devices. This expansion aligns with the project’s commitment to bringing the benefits of a true Linux distribution to a growing number of mobile users.

Key updates in the postmarketOS 23.12 release include:

1. Unlocking Encrypted Installations: The distribution now utilizes unl0kr, the successor to osk-sdl, as the default tool for unlocking encrypted installations. This enhances security and simplifies the process for users.
2. USB Networking Gadget Change: The default USB networking gadget has been switched from RNDIS to NCM, providing improved connectivity options for users.
3. Image Viewer Update: The default image viewer in Phosh and GNOME is now Loupe, replacing the previous Eye of GNOME (EoG). This change enhances the user experience when viewing images on mobile devices.
4. Robust Release Upgrade Process: The release upgrade process has been fortified to ensure a smoother transition for users. Additional safety checks have been introduced, including checks for a too-small boot partition and hardcoded versions or packages installed via mrtest.
5. Bug Fixes: A bug related to Alpine mirrors without “/alpine/” in the URL not being properly replaced during the upgrade has been addressed and fixed.

postmarketOS Architecture: A Paradigm Shift in Mobile OS Development

postmarketOS challenges the traditional approach of mobile operating systems by avoiding Android’s monolithic system image build system. Instead, the OS is divided into small packages, allowing the same binaries to be installed on devices that share the same CPU architecture. This architectural decision streamlines development, making the system more efficient and democratic.

The project is built on Alpine Linux, a lightweight distribution that enables rapid development on any Linux distribution. postmarketOS leverages pmbootstrap, a lightweight Python program, to facilitate cross-compilation, package building, flashing, and interactive porting of new hardware. The use of Alpine in multiple chroots ensures that development can occur without installing anything on the host system, making it a hassle-free experience.

postmarketOS’s commitment to free software principles empowers users to modify almost everything. The absence of a requirement for proprietary Android userspace drivers means users have full control over their devices. This includes the ability to exclude all proprietary components, such as WLAN, cellular modem, and Bluetooth firmware, when building a custom image using pmbootstrap.

A Linux Future for Mobile Devices

postmarketOS, with its 23.12 release, continues to redefine the landscape of mobile operating systems. By providing a genuine Linux experience, supporting an extensive range of devices, and empowering users with customization options, postmarketOS paves the way for a future where mobile devices are not bound by the constraints of mainstream platforms. As the project progresses, it holds the promise of keeping our devices useful and secure until they physically break, ushering in an era of true freedom and control in the world of mobile computing.