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Sailfish X installation and missing features

asked 2017-12-30 17:33:40 +0200

Upp15 gravatar image

I just ordered Sony Xperia X (discount price in Verkkokauppa.com) and I have previously received Saifish X image as part of tablet refund.

However, I hesitate a little bit, whether to destroy the preinstalled Android and start the tedious installation process of Sailfish X, for two reasons:

  • the installation process is tedious, and there's no guarantee, that I will succeed
  • there are some very important features, that are still missing from Sailfish X, e.g. bluetooth as the most important

So, what is the feeling, is there any light in the tunnel ? Do we get easier installation and notable updates for Sailfish X any time soon ?

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Comments

6

Bluetooth is already supported since Sailfish X was on sale

Universebenzene_Jolla ( 2017-12-30 18:08:56 +0200 )edit
1

@Upp15 I'm not really tech savvy, but bought an Xperia about one month ago and managed to install SFOS without big problems from a Mac. Nevertheless I can perfectly understand your point of view and I agree that the installation process is rather tedious. As far as bluetooth is concerned It's say that it works more or less in my personal case. I was able to pair my head phones and the hands free, but it's all not a very satisfying experience for me, because connection isn't stable all the time and thus not very reliable. If you decide to install SFOS and already think about reinstalling Android, you might want to read this first: https://together.jolla.com/question/176175/sailfish-x-roll-back-to-android/ I will wait for 2.1.4. which should be available in the next weeks, that's at least what I've been told. Then I'll decide if I keep my Sailfish X or not. If you are not sure about what to do, you can possible wait and see, what 2.1.4. will offer.

Loenneberga ( 2017-12-31 00:53:31 +0200 )edit
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@Upp15 : the installation isn't that hard, especially if you don't use windows. The named missing features aren't that bad too, for example the bluetooth thing: you can connect to most things, but when streaming music to a bluetooth headset you will have short interrupts when WLan is active, but not connected to a network. The workaround is simple: switch WLan off.

The worst things in my opinion are not officially announced: 1.) SailfishX will turn the camera into a piece of shit. If you need the cam, you should definitely not use SailfishX. 2.) On my installation the network randomly stops working, especially after a fresh reboot. I'm never sure if the device is connected or not, so I carry my old Jolla1 with a partner-SIM with me most of the time. That makes a phone worthless in my opinion.

And that's the point where I fully agree with you: where is the light at the end of the tunnel? Where can I find informations about the progress? If there's any Jolla employee out there who confirms: "yes, I'm hunting the camera focus bug right now, try out my nightly build" I would be the happiest SailfishX-user. But instead: Zipperglobal. WTF? I still try hard to be a big sailfish fan. I have 2 Jolla 1 (in case one of them dies), I ordered the Youyota (the poor guy is sailing on rough seas, I guess), I struggle with the Xperia in everyday use, but it saddens me enormous not to see satisfying progress.

Robomike ( 2017-12-31 01:45:43 +0200 )edit
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Installation on a not native Jolla device: This will always be a procedure for people with advanced knowledge. To those who are running Linux: you are not a beginner, believe me.

Updates: I really miss a working fingerscanner, and I can't connect most of my BT devices, using their Android apps. Smart Watch, Tracker, Network Cable Analyzer. Only success with my BT hands-free because of it's native connection.

JOS itself feels slow, compared to stock Android. Comparable to my Iphone SE after getting IOS11, LOL. The point is, there are not enough apps to drive more users to SailfishOS, apart from those feeling nerdy. ATM, I hope the best for my SailfishX, wishing it will receive development for the upcoming three years.

wolden ( 2017-12-31 15:17:31 +0200 )edit

2 Answers

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4

answered 2017-12-30 23:35:13 +0200

Hakkman gravatar image

From a user who is slightly tech savvy1, but otherwise a complete noob: It was super easy to install Sailfish X - I completed the installation on my Xperia X about half an hour ago.

I admit that I, too, was a bit hesitant at the very start of the installation, mainly because I read some of the warnings that one might do irreversible damage to the phone, but once I started it was quite clear what to do and there were no problem encountered during the install. I did the flashing on Xubuntu, but read through both the windows and linux instructions, and I think that it would be equally easy on windows (if that's what you are using).

I did consider to do the TA backup (not that I'd actually would want to roll back to android, but rather for completeness and because I like keeping backups of stuff), but those instructions were too overwhelming for my limited experience, so I decided to just skip it.

It took me about 2 hours to prepare (reading through the instructions, and downloading & extracting all files required), then the actual flashing was done in less than 5 minutes. My Jolla X started nicely; I did get some errors downloading the Jolla Apps (I got a store error for Android Support and Microsoft Exchange), but that problem solved itself by simply rebooting and trying again.

Only problems I have so far is that the ringtone volume is not adjustable (I can mute it, but any other setting yields max volume) and that the double tap on the screen to wake up is disabled. I have not yet found any fix for the volume, but there are instructions for the double tap here - I think that those instrcutions would work perfectly fine, I just haven't had time to try them yet (I found this thread while looking for the double tap fix and decided to answer) so I can't verify it.

In short: don't hesitate, it was not as horrible as one first might imagine to install Sailfish X.


1: I can do some basic programming, but I wouldn't be able to write an app, let alone fix any errors I might cause if I accidentally brick my phone

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answered 2017-12-30 17:43:28 +0200

bocephus gravatar image

It's not "tedious", especially not after the original instructions were cleaned and tightened up. You'll be up and running Sailfish X in 15-30 minutes. The installation IS easy.

Also, bluetooth has been working from the start other than in rare cases, and version 2.1.4.x is just around the corner - which will hopefully bring further improvements. I don't get what you're complaining about, frankly.

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Comments

1

I'm not complaining, just hesitating ...

Upp15 ( 2017-12-30 17:51:14 +0200 )edit
1

And I will stick with my opinion, that the installation procedure looks tedious and a bit unclear.

For instance, the section 2 starts: "If your Windows finds the fastboot driver for you device automatically ...".

How do I check that ? Should I initially skip section 2, and get back to it only if the device does not connect in step 6 ?

Upp15 ( 2017-12-30 18:12:13 +0200 )edit

I just installed Sailfish OS on my Xperia X today, and it was pretty easy after I had installed all the OTA updates :D, they took a bit of time. I also was a bit concerned on the instructions, but it all went fine.

If your Windows shows the Fastboot driver in the device manager (Windows) without a warning, you'll be good. Otherwise, you have to install the Sony's fastboot drivers as the instructions say.

Sakke ( 2017-12-30 22:14:27 +0200 )edit
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Asked: 2017-12-30 17:33:40 +0200

Seen: 926 times

Last updated: Dec 30 '17