Sailfish 3 Android compatibility layer update

asked 2018-11-01 15:25:20 +0200

traysh
320 ●8 ●10 ●16

updated 2018-12-18 16:03:25 +0200

From https://blog.jolla.com/sailfish-x-whats-next

Other important areas that we’ll be working during 2018 are updating the Android runtime compatibility to a newer Android version

This was not released on 3.0.0.5 and not mentioned to be released on 3.0.1 in early December.

I do understand the focus on corporate users as that's probably where the money is coming from, but please don't turn away from us users, Jolla. We did our best to support you until now.

So the question is: when will this be released?

Update: early December is gone, 3.0.1 and Android update not released yet.

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I'm also quite interested about a Timeframe for the Update (for the Xperia X), since I encounter more and more Android Apps that need a newer API-Version than SFOS provides at the moment.

seiichiro0185 ( 2018-11-01 15:42:52 +0200 )edit

android phones are pretty cheap nowadays

cpb ( 2018-11-01 16:07:34 +0200 )edit

The lack of any official information about this topic is bad. Even if Jolla is unable to tell us a hard release date, or the exact version of Android compatibility, they should provide some facts. We know that with the current Alien Dalvik implementation, it is not even possible to reach Android 5 level. So if Jolla promised to increase the version, how would they achieve it? What technology will be used? Which devices will it be available for? Since none of these questions has been answered, I have the feeling they have no idea at all.

ziellos ( 2018-11-01 20:31:04 +0200 )edit

This is a very important point for me too. True tha more and more app refuse to work. And Xperia X is only a year old... so Android 4.4 support is too low for it. I hope this will upgraded. As non corporate user, it was my first priority. My second is that now, android apps cant reach sd card without tricks a don't want to apply. And it was a step back because in previous versions this problem didn't exist. Thanks for you work. Please, don't let us, xperia x users, behind.

campeon ( 2018-11-02 00:16:19 +0200 )edit

Android 8 support is planned to arrive for the XA2. (Confirmed via Mer Meeting)

This can't land on the Xperia X yet as the kernel seems to be too old. Though in theory Android 7.x should be possible with the base.

First Android 8 Alien Dalvik will land on XA2. Later the Xperia X work for an upgraded Alien Dalvik will start. Jolla 1 and Jolla C should be able to at least get Android 5 Alien Dalvik support. But we will see.

leszek ( 2018-11-02 10:56:05 +0200 )edit

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answered 2018-12-18 21:42:37 +0200

rozgwi
4618 ●49 ●77 ●79

updated 2018-12-18 21:45:00 +0200

Quoting James from one of his comments on Jolla's blog post about the XA2:

When the commertial image [for the XA2] is available for purchase, it is going to come with the Android 8.1. As for Xperia X, we will have to evaluate the feasability of it before making a decision.

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Thus, we are not getting even support for Android 5, at all? Thus we are getting foolish totally. What a fuck...g good christmas present. Merry Christmas, not a happy new year with Sailfish X anymore. It's clear.

N9Sailfish ( 2018-12-18 22:04:24 +0200 )edit

Not to put too fine a point on it, but an ability to run googledroid apps removes any incentive to write native SFOS apps. So: we run a googledroid layer because of a lack of native apps that will never be written because we have a googledroid layer. Ask IBM how running Windows applications worked out for OS/2.

depscribe ( 2018-12-19 06:53:35 +0200 )edit

@depscribe: don't mix android compatibility with google services. While I don't need Google services, I couldn't do without android apps. Native apps are fine, but let's face it: there are many important services that will never offer Sailfish apps. Just the opposite: many services refuse to work with third party apps made by some community.

I still hope Xperia X gets the same compatibility level as its native android firmware. However, James' wording "we will have to evaluate" doesn't sound as if Jolla could release such update anytime soon...

ziellos ( 2018-12-19 08:53:11 +0200 )edit

@depscribe no, I myself developed apps and there are 2 reasons far more important: 1) can't sell on jolla store, and no support for in-app purchases. Develop takes time and not everyone is willing to work for free 2) poor support for native apps in sailfish. Native apps can't even start on boot, for example. Android apps can.

traysh ( 2018-12-19 13:07:26 +0200 )edit

Ugly information policy of (Nokia heritage) Jolla has to change in the next coming year of 2019 at the latest.

Otherwise I can imagine the two old guys, who are sitting in the loge of the theater, of the Muppet show as shouting and shaking their hands: " Sailfish? It sounds like selfish. Ho ho hoo heg heh heh ..."

Let's hope the improvements in both these technical issues like this Android support for Sony Xperia X and in the other things and matters shall be seen.

N9Sailfish ( 2018-12-19 14:29:15 +0200 )edit

answered 2018-12-12 13:13:56 +0200

Gatze
126 ●2 ●5 ●7

updated 2018-12-12 13:16:18 +0200

I was wondering: Is this development inhouse ? In that way you are not dependent on a external company with their license options and then the updated Android layer would be available for community builds. That would be nice.

But in the end, I'm already very pleased that it is updated, although the Xperia X will probably not or later (which I have)

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It was not in house, but I read somewhere Jolla bought the produduct or rights and now is developing in house.

As the compatibility layer is an expensive part of the OS and one of the most useful, don't expect it to be free, as the community builds. It will probably aways be premium $$

traysh ( 2018-12-12 13:27:51 +0200 )edit

It was not in house, but I read somewhere Jolla bought the produduct or rights and now is developing in house.

@traysh Yes, that was also the message I got when talking to Jolla people on a meetup earlier this year.

luen ( 2018-12-12 20:00:23 +0200 )edit

No one would naturally think all Jolla's work to make the compatibility layer of Android available to more community builds to come free, I think they might end up making more profit with such projects compare to Sailfish X, considering people obsession with Android

DameCENO ( 2018-12-13 15:42:24 +0200 )edit

@DameCENO - There's no "obsession" with Android it's simply the lack of SFOS apps that asks for it. And this will never be fixed as no big player will start writing apps for SFOS which has probably under 100k users altogether. So the only way in which SOFS will gain wider adoption is to provide Android support.

lhorga ( 2018-12-18 11:20:06 +0200 )edit

@Ihorga +1 Yes , indeed. Also we have to buy smartwatches like Samsung Galaxy Watch etc due to lack of SFOS own watches. Therefore we need to support for these watches, too

N9Sailfish ( 2018-12-18 16:26:06 +0200 )edit

Sailfish 3 Android compatibility layer update

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