-10

Make SailfishOS 2.0 a first class Android citizen [off-topic]

asked 2014-11-19 15:14:32 +0200

t-lo

4384 ●51 ●61 ●63

http://www.thilo-fromm.de...

updated 2015-01-28 16:06:35 +0200

jiit

2678 ●32 ●58 ●59

admin

As it says on the tin my request is to make Sailfish OS 2.0 a first class Android citizen, all with (optional) Google Play store and the other "default" Google apps. I think those apps offer a lot of very useful functionality (let alone access to one of the largest app stores in existence). Having the option to (officially) run these on Sailfish would not only work around current shortcomings of the Jolla store but also make Sailfish more interesting for a much wider community of phone/tablet users.

Caveat: I don't really know whether this is even possible since I don't know Google's certification requirements for Google Play devices. I really hope it is possible, though.

edit retag flag offensive reopen delete

The question has been closed for the following reason "question is off-topic or not relevant" by molan
close date 2015-06-16 22:54:02.251510

Comments

17

If we can get things for free, sure. If the price is openess and freedom, no way.

evk ( 2014-11-19 15:19:42 +0200 )edit

I agree, any unhacker wo't be able to easily install the Google Play Services, it should be a standard for the OS to have Play.

FinnishSushi ( 2014-11-19 15:19:59 +0200 )edit

10

i'd hate that option. it should be a free os and not depending on google. if android is that important for you just buy one

NuklearFart ( 2014-12-27 10:39:11 +0200 )edit

In regards to the content and future perspectives hinted in this "idea" for #SailfishOS to become just another droid-ecosystem enabler and player, could we just close this question as counter-productive? Judging by the votes there isn't any support for this full droid-citizenship proposal to be found in the TJC-community,

foss4ever ( 2014-12-28 03:55:20 +0200 )edit

55

answered 2014-11-19 16:16:00 +0200

MiLano
738 ●5 ●11 ●12

I think it's more important to develop Jolla native applications. Native applications which makes possible to use popular services.

If Android is so importand, why don't you just buy one?

edit flag offensive delete publish link

Comments

2

I agree with you and I also think that is one of the reasons why Jolla is pushing a new platform (tablets): Gain funding money to further develop Sailfish OS (tablets, phones) and spread device popularity thru diversity in markets. Also more devices should increase the interest of developers to develop native apps. If you fully integrate Android, one could just buy an android phone. The beauty of sailfish lies in the OS itself :)

Let's keep it different. (Even though I agree that crucial apps are still missing natively!)

cma ( 2014-11-19 16:43:58 +0200 )edit

Give me Wechat in Sailfish, then I won't need to use Android. There will always be some must have apps that are not ported on Sailfish, therefore Android support is a must.

chinauser ( 2014-11-19 17:33:38 +0200 )edit

Because it takes years - and unparalleled success - to build developer relations which fill a store with more than 1,400,000 apps. Jolla won't be there for years, if at all. Something is required to bridge that gap if Jolla wants to appeal to the majority of smart phone / tablet users.

t-lo ( 2014-11-19 18:10:49 +0200 )edit

1

Don't get me wrong. Android functionality is ok. What I try to say is that it's not supposed to be nr.1 most important feature. If choice is between expanding functionality of SailFish OS or tweeking Android part, I will choose SailFish development. And, sorry, 1'400'000 apps is a wrong target. Quantity doesn't mean quality. As for example, I wish Younited was native and not just an Android app that works.

MiLano ( 2014-11-19 22:36:05 +0200 )edit

24

answered 2014-11-19 15:56:08 +0200

smoku

3056 ●40 ●59 ●64

http://xiaoka.com/

updated 2014-11-19 15:56:34 +0200

Google makes a lot of effort to make it impossible to legally put Google Play services on non-Android devices. http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/02/new-android-oem-licensing-terms-leak-open-comes-with-restrictions/

Also, an interesting follow-up reading: http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/10/googles-iron-grip-on-android-controlling-open-source-by-any-means-necessary/

edit flag offensive delete publish link

Comments

totally clear, they then just have their eyes anywhere

NuklearFart ( 2014-12-27 10:42:58 +0200 )edit

19

answered 2014-12-27 06:48:29 +0200

foss4ever
13056 ●97 ●134 ●141

updated 2014-12-27 06:51:50 +0200

This proposal is a complete opposite of what SailfishOS and Jolla is all about and in no circumstances should full Google compatibility or "first class citizenship" in Android ecosystem become a goal or even sub-target of future SailfishOS versions. There is nothing #unlike to be just like all the rest of the peers in the already all-too-powerfull, closed, proprietary and control-driven company biz model, ecosystem and tech. platform as Google/Android.

edit flag offensive delete publish link

Comments

6

Exactly! The point of Sailfish (and other initiatives like Firefox OS) is to break the current situation where the almost all mobile data is controlled by just two (Apple and Google) US companies with increasingly monopolistic behaviour. As a Jolla user, that's why I support them a First One and Tablet purchase.

The availabilty of Android apps fulfils the gap in the current native app offering. I don't even mind if some services will always rely on the Android runtime. E.g. the banking apps would be fine, as long as I can get them through an official appstore (not being Play). There's nothing that stops ING Netherlands from publishing their Android app in the Jolla store!

What needs to happen is that more developers offer their apps in other stores than Play. And why wouldn't they? It doesn't cost anything, you just publish the same file in some more locations.

There is of course little chance that Google will publish Maps and YouTube in the Sailfish Store, but that's on them. Let's not reward them for monopolistic behaviour by moving towards them. As it is, I'm rather keen on 'Un-Googling' my life...

bilgy_no1 ( 2014-12-27 10:46:21 +0200 )edit

3

answered 2014-11-19 15:18:54 +0200

Armadillo

1965 ●16 ●28 ●31

https://github.com/Armadi...

updated 2014-11-19 15:19:44 +0200

It is already possible to use the Play Store: https://together.jolla.com/question/30926/howto-install-google-play/

It's a bit hacky to install paid apps and some apps may cause problems with the emulated environment. but all of my Android apps are working well.

edit flag offensive delete publish link

Comments

I know (and I do that on my Jolla phone :) ). However as you mention it's rather hacky (especially installing paid apps - it works, but it's quite a hazzle), so I wish there was official support. Like, I want to recommend Jolla devices to family and friends (which need Android apps from the Play store), and I don't want them to be forced to hack their devices.

t-lo ( 2014-11-19 15:21:40 +0200 )edit

1

Well at first Jolla should concentrate on the enhancement of their own store first, which is highly needed and requested by many developers, also containing me.

If the native store would support paid apps, the apps could use more APIs for contacts, calendars, etc. there would be much more native apps developed and the eco system would grow better. But until this Jolla has to invest many ressources on this.

Afterwards there could be done some work on the integration of the Play Store.

Armadillo ( 2014-11-19 15:55:11 +0200 )edit

1

Google is not interested in integration of the PLay Store. Again, if Android apps are so important, why do you recomend Jolla to your family? May be Google Nexus with Jolla Launcher is a better choice?

MiLano ( 2014-11-19 22:38:53 +0200 )edit

1

As commented, installation of Play Store is 'bit hacky' question comes to mind does it make Jolla insecure in any way?

Makarand ( 2014-12-27 14:58:59 +0200 )edit

Make SailfishOS 2.0 a first class Android citizen [off-topic]

The question has been closed for the following reason "question is off-topic or not relevant" by molan
close date 2015-06-16 22:54:02.251510

Comments

4 Answers

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Question tools

Stats

Related questions

Make SailfishOS 2.0 a first class Android citizen [off-topic]

The question has been closed for the following reason "question is off-topic or not relevant" by molan close date 2015-06-16 22:54:02.251510

Comments

4 Answers

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Question tools

Public thread

Stats

Related questions

The question has been closed for the following reason "question is off-topic or not relevant" by molan
close date 2015-06-16 22:54:02.251510