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155

Jolla + Sony Xperia Q&A

asked 2017-02-27 17:10:55 +0300

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updated 2017-10-04 19:15:58 +0300

olf gravatar image

This is the big news. HUUUUUGE news in fact. Every Jolla user expected exactly that. Quality HW and SFOS officially supported by Jolla. But we have questions.

Post questions as separate answers and hopefully @veskuh or @james or anyone else at jolla will answer. In case this doesn't work on TJC we can take the questions to one of the community meetings.

Fire away.

Edit 2017.03.02 by c.la: I suggeted to discuss the Q&A in the upcoming Jolla community meeting, feel free to add yourself as substitute as likely I won't attend.

Edit chemist: if you start a specific Q&A you might also have it as wiki so teh actual Q&A can be added to the op. Please, do not put your questions into answers.

Answers: The answers to most of the questions can be summed in section 3. of This page

Edit 2017.06.29 by William: the blog post

Edit 2017-06-30 by Direc: The blog post now contains an FAQ section as an update.

Edit 2017-07-13 by h.berd: Look at the recent comments of the blog post about the 20MP AOSP driver blog post and maemo

Edit 2017-08-01 by ghling: The blog post was updated to announce the first images are available to the cbeta group.

Edit 2017-09-27 by ghling: According to a new blog post, the sale for Sailfish X now should start October 4th with the first relase still be available October 11th. To flash the images, you will need to use Sony's Emma Tool for Windows. See my recent answer for more details.

Edit 2017-10-04 by olf: From Jolla's shop, "As of October 4 only Jolla Tablet refund voucher customers can use the sales site. The wider sales opening will happen at the same time with the software delivery start.", which is still supposed to happen October 11.

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Comments

32

1) The slides stated that SFOS will be supported on a range of devices. Will those devices be available from the jolla store or a user can buy (from any ventor) and then install SFOS on one.?

2) Will sony give jolla access to the SW that powers its really good cameras so SFOS can fully exploit them?

3) Can we have a compact X on the store tomorrow :P

PS. I am so excited about this :D :D

ApB ( 2017-02-27 17:16:51 +0300 )edit
2

Mee too...almost nose-bleeding like hyped... posting here for later reads hope we will get here more details.

PatsJolla ( 2017-02-27 17:21:42 +0300 )edit
13

4) will it support Android as previous "official" devices?

pemek ( 2017-02-27 17:22:23 +0300 )edit
12

@pemek that would be a must...alien-dalvik is unfortunately too much needed on everyday basis.

PatsJolla ( 2017-02-27 17:24:37 +0300 )edit
11

1.) Will the Dual Sim models be supported if the single sim devices are going to receive SFOS?

2.) When can we expect the first Xperias with SFOS?

Armadillo ( 2017-02-27 17:29:28 +0300 )edit

28 Answers

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55

answered 2017-02-28 15:25:11 +0300

cg gravatar image

I've just been at the Jolla MWC booth and was told that alien dalvik will be included.

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30

answered 2017-02-27 20:37:33 +0300

sifartech gravatar image

updated 2017-02-27 20:37:47 +0300

List of supported devices in Sony's Open Devices Program.

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Comments

So can we expect to have a full sailfish os for Xperia XZ ?

Usegui ( 2017-03-24 20:47:59 +0300 )edit
1

Just making a small announcement here that there's at least one (me) who's hoping a port for Xperia X Performance.

Ingvix ( 2017-06-30 17:52:10 +0300 )edit
25

answered 2017-05-31 12:51:37 +0300

ghling gravatar image

I'll post the answers from today's community meeting in here to (hopefully) provide a little more news about SFOS and Sony Devices:

Jaymzz: We are progressing with the Sony program. It is happening! We will have an announcement for you soon enough.

Jaymzz: At this moment it is still unknown when exactly it will be available for testing. However, I know that it will be within this summer ;) (Not too distance future)

(regarding Sonys announcement of discontinuing their mid-range devices, including the X): Jaymzz: Yes the work is currently progressing on the X. It won't affect us yet since there still are a lot of devices out there. Although it may motivate us to move up to higher end devices sooner than expected. It isn't confirmed yet though.

Jaymzz: We are doing our best to bring a proper update/announcement to this project by the end of June.

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Comments

5

A month away. Please make it happen, my J1 is struggling.

magullo ( 2017-05-31 15:34:04 +0300 )edit
2

"higher end devices" means XZ or XZs ???

condo4 ( 2017-05-31 18:41:57 +0300 )edit
1

Very much looking forward to a proper announcement as it looks like I might need to replace my J1 sooner than I wanted and really want to stick to SailfishOS on a somewhat supported device.

FrederikF ( 2017-06-01 02:30:04 +0300 )edit
3

You say available for testing within summer. In "jolla language" that means late September. As we know, even the simple OS version update betas take up to two months. So don't wait for a commercially available Sailfish Xperia X until Q1 2019! Sad, but the gap between Jolla announcements and actual realisation in the recent years points in that direction.

edit: That's not meant as critics on jolla's work itself, but on their annoucement policy.

Spark ( 2017-06-06 12:37:47 +0300 )edit

The year is more than half way done, how i hate third quarter product releases, it will be burried in iphone anniversary chatter, Jolla needs to get outfront.

DarkTuring ( 2017-06-27 23:36:01 +0300 )edit
21

answered 2017-02-28 13:59:21 +0300

tvicol gravatar image

Impressive documentation on Sony developer site https://developer.sonymobile.com/open-devices/ Looks like a wide range of devices can be ported and all software binaries are available. Very smart move from Jolla. SailfishOS future looks bright.

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19

answered 2017-06-17 13:01:03 +0300

lupastro gravatar image

So, I know that the release of SFOS in Xperia X devices has been widely discussed and an announcement from Jolla is being expected by the end of June (13 days to go).

The point is....Yesterday, my Jolla C was incredibly thirsty and thought it would be a good idea to have a beer. Result of this: I can only run my Jolla C without battery and without SIM cards in it. My Jolla 1 does not work since a while, therefore I am detached from the mobile world.

Since I will have to buy a new mobile phone, I would like to ask -if someone from Jolla reads this between the lines- (that's the reason of putting this as an answer and not as a comment), if buying an Xperia X would be a good idea, or if maybe I should seek a cheap solution until the end of the month..............

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Comments

1

This is very good question specially when the X model was discontinued by Sony. Sadly I don't think we can get any answer here...

sepuka ( 2017-06-19 12:21:57 +0300 )edit
2

@sepuka. X model is not discontinued. Basically Sony just does not release an X 2017 or 2018 model. Xperia Xs are still produced and you can buy them.

In general yes. I have seen several people asking the same questions even a month ago and the inofficial answer is YES buy yourself an Xperia X F5121

leszek ( 2017-06-21 11:13:22 +0300 )edit

@leszek Thanks Leszek, I missed that one. I was hoping that Jolla will sell them like JP1 and Jolla C but better this than nothing I guess.

sepuka ( 2017-06-21 14:13:39 +0300 )edit
15

answered 2017-06-29 09:48:45 +0300

ghling gravatar image

The MER meeting yesterday did not gave us much more news. Basically it just gave us the confirmation that there will be a new blog post this week addressing the status of SFOS on the Xpedia X device. Here are all relevant posts from the meeting:

08:29:47 Jaymzz_ #info a blog post is scheduled to be published this week addressing the situation of Xperia X. Until then I can't share more than what we already have shared till now.

08:30:38 Jaymzz_ About the X compact: First of all let us be done with the normal X, any other device could be considered afterwards. kro

08:31:28 Jaymzz_ kro: We have already said that we are not going to stop at Xperia X. But we need to get that done first before thinking about other projects. Think about the limited resources ;)

08:31:38 lupastro i am without a mobile phone now. and i am waiting the announcement to buy the X, X Compact, or wait... 08:32:05 Jaymzz_ lupastro: Your answer will be on the blg post!

08:32:58 Jaymzz_ I'm pushing to get the post out ASAP, but since it's a rather sensitive matter, it needs many extra eyes to read it and approve it first.

08:33:53 pavi[m] Jaymzz_: Isnt the phone supposed to come out by end of the week?
08:35:26 Jaymzz_ pavi[m]: A blog post can contain many things ;) I stand by my advice, please wait until the post is published!

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Comments

So either today or tomorrow.

magullo ( 2017-06-29 10:05:33 +0300 )edit
4

Thanks for sharing these answers ghling even thought we don't now anything new ;-)

sepuka ( 2017-06-29 10:17:16 +0300 )edit

which blog do they talk about? is it http://blog.jolla.com ?

PatsJolla ( 2017-06-29 13:04:43 +0300 )edit

@PatsJolla yes, most likely

purplexed ( 2017-06-29 13:34:38 +0300 )edit
14

answered 2017-02-27 18:29:58 +0300

chemist gravatar image

updated 2017-03-22 22:04:20 +0300

Q:1) Will the devices be pure SFOS, or will they be dual boot?

2) If pure SFOS, will there be a way to install Android instead?

Android images are available on the open developer platform website of sonymobile (that is the groundwork of what devices could be getting sfos itfp)

1.) Will the Dual Sim models be supported if the single sim devices are going to receive SFOS?

2.) When can we expect the first Xperias with SFOS?

No Dual-SIM devices are supported by Sony's Open Device Platform, new devices come with Mediatek and no Kernelsources but I guess the modem firmwares for the Qualcoms are undistributable as well. First device(s) will be available in or end of Q2. As it seems to be close platform-wise, we might see X with X compact following sooner rather than later.

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13

answered 2017-06-05 17:03:32 +0300

Giacomo Di Giacomo gravatar image

Jolla, have you sorted out if we shall have to purchase the device ourselves or through your shop? There are some good offers available for the Xperia X and, if the first case is true, it would be good to get one now.

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Comments

2

Nothing yet confirmed. In the last community meeting jazzm said the announcement will be ebd of june. Also he thinks that the device will be available this summer but distribution and sone other showstoppers have still to be considered.

drummer12 ( 2017-06-05 17:20:29 +0300 )edit

Note of caution if sourcing Xperia X, remember that some carriers lock the bootloader and if I remember it correctly only Movistar in Spain will entertain it's unlock at a Service Centre and all others will tell you where to go!

aspergerguy ( 2017-06-06 16:16:53 +0300 )edit

In the blog and blog comment responses they said Jolla will not sell the devices, but downloadable OS images/installation software.

mj ( 2017-07-04 09:25:38 +0300 )edit
13

answered 2017-07-05 01:21:23 +0300

h.berd gravatar image

Many people seem to be disappointed with the latest news. Maybe they had big hope for the next sfos device, as I had.

In my opinion we will get a custom rom, which will break the warranty and will not use the full hw power. Especially camera limitation to 8MP bothers me, because I expected to get the full capability of the hardware and camera is a very important feature for me. Just look for some vids on youtube with this camera on stock rom. It will be a shame to own this phone without the amazing picture quality ...

So, recently I looked for some alternative mobile OS's - google free as far as possible, OSS and usable as a daily driver. IMO there is nothing available.

Maybe SFOS is not the best OS, but there are no real competitors using my criteria. And thats the reason why I look forward to have the Xperia X as fast as possible (my touch screen is dying) and hope Jolla will find a solution for the camera at least!!!

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Comments

4

@h.berd this also perfectly fits my sentiments as well. Although I'm stuck use Google play to support the apps I need for work. I'd love to use a spy adds company clean SFOS type OS. I'm willing to compromise to achieve at least another choice that isn't totally locked/dumbed down, telling you what to bye etc.

GD ( 2017-07-05 03:28:58 +0300 )edit
2

@hberd I understand your dissatisfaction but you have to remember 8MP is high a resolution. And pictures from this 8MP could be high quality. We have to wait for some photo samples.

atlochowski ( 2017-07-05 09:36:13 +0300 )edit
2

I agree that 8 MP alone should not be seen too negative. But probably other features like the "predictive autofocus" will not be available either. This seems to be an indication that Sony is not willing to share their drivers and raises the question how far the cooperation will go. Does Jolla need to reverse engineer the device to get SFOS running? What about the fingerprint sensor? Do we have to expect the Xperia to get crippled with SFOS?

Stefanix ( 2017-07-05 10:16:59 +0300 )edit

Where is it stated that the camera will be limited to 8mp when using SFOS?

Rem ( 2017-07-05 11:58:11 +0300 )edit
2

In a community meeting in March. Of course it was never completely clearly stated, but that's nothing surprising from Jolla. In practice they are working with what is available in the sony open device program (AOSP camera).

William ( 2017-07-05 14:21:26 +0300 )edit
12

answered 2017-08-23 12:21:05 +0300

ghling gravatar image

updated 2017-08-24 11:15:50 +0300

Some more information from the last community meeting:

TL;DR: There will be a new announcement soon (tm) from Jolla. The port is progressing well and veskuh (Vesa-Matti Hartikainen, the Project Manager) is using it as daily device. They currently developing only for the F5121 model, but still suggest to wait with a purchase until the announcement. The Xperia X port will run Alien Dalvik based on Android 4.4.4

Full extract:

veskuh: Thanks :) So we are getting closer to announcing the details

veskuh: I think we are getting good progress with the issues we’ve had and I’m using the device happily as my daily device already :)

jenix: can you already estimate a release date or month?
veskuh: jenix: I can’t announce it here. We should be ready to announce the details quite soon.

jenix: veskuh: any news regarding device models? You're still on F5121 or did you expand to other models as well?
veskuh: jenix: Still only supported model is F5121

jenix: veskuh: thanks, so it's feasible to buy a F5121 (like many already did) by now?
veskuh: jenix: My advice is still wait to hear the details first before going to shop.

jenix: veskuh: (...) Can you already say which Android Version the Alien Dalvik on the Xperia X will run on?
veskuh: jenix: Alien Dalvik will be based on the 4.4.4.
Coolgeek: 4.4 for android support ? why can't it be more recent ?
veskuh: Coolgeek: Porting newer Android version is a major effort

Sailor5811_: is sfos without android support ready for X ?
veskuh: Sailor5811_: There are still some missing features and few bugs, but most stuff is working quite nicely.

The full log can be found here: http://merproject.org/meetings/mer-meeting/2017/mer-meeting.2017-08-23-08.03.log.html

Edit 2017-08-24: Added additional info regarding AlienDalvik.

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Comments

2

Thanks for sharing this

NuklearFart ( 2017-08-23 13:13:36 +0300 )edit
5

Thanks for sharing this information. Maybe it's a bit pity, that Alien Dalvik stays on 4.4.4. Unfortunately I had to learn that one of the very very few Android apps which I really need doesn't work anymore since it requires 5.0 and doesn't allow to keep or start the previous version anymore. In this case fortunately a browser based version of this tool more or less solved this issue.

I assume that sooner or later more apps will quit 4.4.4. support and I am wondering if there are any plans to bring Alien Dalvik on a higher level in future? Not for me.. but maybe other Jolla users might need it more urgent than I do it.

Anyway I am still very happy with the Jolla C which doesn't have any remarkable or any not solvable issues which can't be solved by asking or searching in TJC.

vision ( 2017-08-23 14:51:12 +0300 )edit
1

4.4.4 is ancient!!!

Kollin ( 2017-08-23 18:07:58 +0300 )edit
1

Thank you for collecting this here!

What does it imply when veskuh says people should wait with purchasing a F5121? I can guess a few things, but I grew a bit tired of dreaming.

saylorz ( 2017-08-23 20:40:13 +0300 )edit
4

My guess is that they will release for F5121 but currently can't promise that all issues will be ironed out. If they would say "run away and buy an Xperia X, we will make SFOS work for it", people will take that as a promise that everything will work and get disappointed when Jolla release and says "here is the image, but this and this won't work on this model". They probably don't wish for more pressure than there already is.

luen ( 2017-08-24 00:42:54 +0300 )edit
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Asked: 2017-02-27 17:10:55 +0300

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Last updated: Oct 04 '17