Phosh 0.56.0

The Phosh project released version 0.56.0, an incremental update to its graphical shell for Linux mobile devices. This release brings various improvements across core components, a new mobile settings panel, and updated libraries. Hacker News users eagerly discuss the perennial dream of a viable open-source mobile Linux, weighing its progress against challenges like app compatibility and resource consumption.

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Jul 5, 2:00 PM

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Jul 5, 5:00 PM

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The Lowdown

Phosh, the graphical shell powering Linux-based mobile devices, has unveiled its 0.56.0 release, bringing a host of enhancements and bug fixes across its ecosystem. This update reinforces Phosh's commitment to building a robust, open-source alternative to proprietary mobile operating systems, with a particular focus on improving user experience and system stability.

Key highlights of the 0.56.0 release include:

Phosh Core: Introduces a new load meter plugin, allows hiding applications from the app grid, and fixes issues related to slow app startup and Bluetooth settings. It also includes lock screen style improvements and various crash fixes.
Phoc (Wayland compositor): Updated to wlroots 0.20.1 and includes new protocol support (xdg-toplevel-tag-v1) for better window management.
Stevia (on-screen keyboard): Now supports specifying default layouts per application (e.g., terminal layout for Emacs), enables key repeat for non-modifier keys, and adds cursor keys to the shortcuts bar by default.
Phosh Mobile Settings: Features a new 'os-updates' panel for atomic OS updates on immutable distros, improved sidebar navigation, and better display of image version information.
XDG Desktop Portal Phosh: Implements bookmark handling bugfixes and ensures dialogs are maximized on mobile displays.
New Components: Includes phosh-session-services (0.2.0) for Rust-based session services and phosh-first-boot (0.1.0) for locale-based OSK layout selection.

This release demonstrates continued development in critical areas like user interface responsiveness, customization, and system integration, aiming to make Linux mobile a more practical daily driver.

The Gossip

Linux Mobile's Long Road Ahead

Commenters extensively debate the realistic prospects of Linux ever competing with established mobile operating systems like Android and iOS. Skeptics highlight persistent challenges such as limited app availability, lack of crucial features like tap-to-pay, camera quality discrepancies, and general ecosystem immaturity. Enthusiasts, however, maintain hope for an open-source alternative and point to the ongoing progress of projects like Phosh as vital steps.

GNOME's Footprint & Phosh's Performance

A significant thread of discussion revolves around Phosh's integration with GNOME components. Critics express concern about the perceived memory hunger and resource demands of GNOME, questioning its suitability for power-constrained mobile devices and potential battery drain. Others clarify that Phosh is not running a full GNOME Shell but rather leverages specific GNOME services and libraries, arguing that this reuse avoids reinvention and that modern phones can handle the overhead.

Naming Quandaries

Several commenters offered lighthearted, yet critical, remarks about the name "Phosh." They suggested it sounded awkward, like someone driving by at high speed, or just generally unappealing. This highlights how even minor branding elements can influence initial perceptions of a project.