Planet Computer has finally fulfilled its promise to its experienced users. Now its Cosmo Communicator smartphone is capable of running Android, but also Debian Linux.
A multi-boot smartphone to enjoy Android and Linux
The users of the Cosmo Communicator smartphone that looks a lot like a mini portable PC with its physical keyboard, are generally people with advanced computer knowledge. And the manufacturer has finally answered one of the main requests: the possibility of running several OSes on the smartphone.
Thus, Planet Computers has just made available to its users a free firmware, and the instructions for installing a multi-boot on the Cosmo Communicator. After splitting the storage space of the smartphone, users will be able to run Android, native on the smartphone, in parallel with Debian Linux.
Planet Computers is already reassuring its users that the addition of this feature will not prevent the device from receiving updates from Android.
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Planet Computerās Cosmo Communicator specifications:
- 6-inch primary display (2160 x 1080 pixels)
- 2-inch secondary display (570 x 240 pixels)
- MediaTek P70octa-core processor (4 x 2 GHz ARM Cortex A73 & 4 x 2 GHz ARM Cortex-A53)
- 800 MHz ARM Mali-G72 MP3 graphics
- 6GB RAM
- 128GB storage
- microSD card reader
- 5MP internal camera + 24MP external camera
- Dual USB-C ports for charging + data + HDMI (with adapter)
- Stereo speakers
- 3.5mm audio jack
- 802.11ac WiFi
- Bluetooth 4.2
- FM Radio
- 4G LTE Cat.7 DL /Ā Cat.13Ā UL
- Dual SIM (and eSIM) support
- 4,220 mAh battery
The Cosmo Communicator is a pocket-sized device that has a clamshell-style design that lets you use it like a tiny laptop. Flip open the lid and youāve got a 6-inch touchscreen display and a QWERTY keyboard, but the Cosmo Communicator is also a smartphone, you can close the lid and you can hold it to your ear to make phone calls.
What do you think about this new feature? Do you want to try a smartphone that has this ability?
I have had great success with inexpensive Chinese phones; but I have had it with Android. Why can't the many Chinese phone/tablet manufactures make Android devises I can load Linux on to. (they could load it, but don't need to; Just make the hardware !) Seems to me it should be cheaper. 'Ubuntu for Devices' has a short list of expensive name-brand devices that work ? There is nothing in these expensive phones that is needed to make Linux work any better than the $100 Chinese phone !
The new 'Pinetab' tablet couldn't even meet pre-orders They could have sold Ten million of them by now. There are probably Chinese Phones and tablets that are similar to the phones on the expensive name-brand list; and could run Linux. (With little to no code changes.)
But only that Chinese Manufacturer would know ?
Do you know of any Chinese Tablets (or phones) that the Linux developer community might be interested in ? I would be willing to promote such a product.
Remember; know-one in this market cares about bleeding edge phone/tablet technology. E-mailing (texting) and surfing. 4k gamers need not apply.
Thanks
Terry