Mobile Linux (Phosh)
The issues with Linux on Mobile devices
[nixos
mobile-linux
] 3 min read UI/UX Issues
Below we’ll most often see issues:
- FilePicker
- New windows for certain sections of applications like Settings
Application Issues
As we enter into the new year I’d like to document issues that are still present on this platform (screenshots will be from NixOS on a PinePhone). In this list will be pretty standard applications that most folks use on their mobile devices like below:
- Browser
- Calculator
- Music
- Podcasts
- Text Editor
- Books
- News Feeds
- Social Media
Browser
GNOME Web
For some reason the cursor or something like that is over the address which made it difficult to type:
Address bar |
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google.com | wsj.com |
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Calculator
GNOME Calculator
For some reason it brings up the keyboard which isn’t needed for this application as it already has those buttons:
Main Window |
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Music
In this example we’ll be using Lollypop and Spot (Spotify client):
Lollypop
First we’ll start with the great and the good in that order:
Settings | Albums |
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Now the not so good, this repeats in this post and I think it has to do with the FilePicker itself not the application in question. Another issue which seems common is the fact that opening Settings or other features which you would expect be in the same application window creates a new window for itself.
Collection change | Different Window |
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Spot
Everything looks good and behaves like one would expect other then the Settings like other application as you have a whole new window. The application also doesn’t seemt to save Spotify login though not sure if that is the application, Phosh or Mobile NixOS:
Login | Default View |
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Album views:
List | Cover |
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Podcasts
GNOME Podcasts
This works really well until you try to import a file for your podcasts that you bring from another device.
Importing |
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Text Editor
Marker
While it looks great at the start it also has the same failing as the Podcast application when you try to open a file with it:
Main Window | FilePicker |
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Books
Foliate
The main application seems good until you look to the right where content is off screen a bit.
Main Window | Catalog |
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This continues to the download window and import which are not scaled and go off the screen.
Download | Import |
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News Feeds
GNOME Feeds
This starts out looking great and continues until you hit the FilePicker diaglog window, the Settings also creates a new window.
Main Window | Settings |
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Add Feed | Import File |
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Social Media
Tootle/Tooth
This application is no longer maintained but there is a new one that hasn’t been packaged yet but it looks like it will be better! Here is a link to it.