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= Fedora Mobility =
'''We are looking for people to [[#Getting Involved|join the SIG]].'''


Fedora Mobility is a group of Fedora contributors that are interested in Fedora on small devices. Initially aimed at supporting NetBooks, Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) and tablets, it could over time be expanded to also cover things such as Set Top Boxes (STBs), connected TVs and other devices. The SIG became mostly inactive until 2020, when it was resurrected to work on software for the [https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Architectures/ARM/PinePhone Pine64 Pinephone].
Fedora Mobility SIG is a group of contributors that are interested in running Fedora on portable devices such as phones and tablets. The revitalised SIG relaunched when open phone and tablet devices started to become available such as the [https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Architectures/ARM/PinePhone Pine64 Pinephone].  


== Mission ==
Fedora Mobility is aiming to eventually create an official Fedora spin to run on mobile phones, tablets and other similar portable battery powered devices. Initial focus is on the PinePhone, but we hope to support other smartphones such as the Librem 5. The aim is to get a stable, open source phone platform that can be used as a daily driver, with full upstream software.


Fedora Mobility is a group of Fedora contributors that are interested in Fedora on small devices. Initially aimed at ensuring that the hardware used in devices such as Netbooks and Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) work out of the box with Fedora. It could also be used to produce various spins for Librem5 phosh, KDE Plasma Mobile, etc.
== Communication ==


== Getting help and getting involved ==
We communicate in the usual [[Communicate| Fedora channels]].
* [https://matrix.to/#/#mobility:fedoraproject.org Matrix] is the preferred channel currently.
* {{fpchat|#fedora-mobility}} on Libera.chat
* [https://t.me/fedoraphone Telegram]
* We use the arm mailing list [https://admin.fedoraproject.org/mailman/listinfo/arm subscribe to here].


At the moment Fedora Mobility is primarily maintained by two people. They are [[User:Pbrobinson|Peter Robinson]] and [[User:Sdz|Sebastian Dziallas]]. We need more help!
There currently is no bridge set up between matrix and the other channels.


We have a couple of communications channels as well as the usual [[Communicate| Fedora channels]]. We have a mailing list which you can [https://admin.fedoraproject.org/mailman/listinfo/mobility subscribe to here] and there's a dedicated IRC channel on Freenode: [irc://chat.freenode.net/#fedora-mobility #fedora-mobility].
== Getting help ==


If you have no idea how to help us, here are some proposals where we need help:
In case you are having trouble running Fedora on a mobile device. Join one of the communication channels to see if anyone can help.
* '''Packagers:''' There are so many interesting packages that are not yet packaged for Fedora. Package it to improve the user experience.
 
* '''Reviewers:''' Only a few people are doing reviews. [[Packaging/ReviewGuidelines| Help us with reviews]] so that more packages can be included.
== Getting Involved ==
* '''Testers:''' If you have a small device and use Fedora on it, file bugs and add them as a blocker for the Fedora Mobility [https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1817424 Tracker Bug]
 
If you are interested in this SIG and want to help out, join one of the communication channels and express your interest. Some examples of ways you can help out:
* '''Packagers:''' There are so many interesting packages that are not yet packaged for Fedora. You can find a list of things we need to package on [https://pagure.io/fedora-mobility/issues Fedora Mobility issue tracker]. Or of course you can contribute by packaging them yourself.
* '''Reviewers:''' People able to do [[Packaging/ReviewGuidelines| package reviews]] can find a list of packages currently needing review in the [https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1817424 Tracker Bug].
* '''Testers:''' If you have a small device and use Fedora on it, file bugs and add them as a blocker for the Fedora Mobility [https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1817424 Tracker Bug].
* '''Bugs:''' Become a [[BugZappers| BugZapper]] and help us with Fedora Mobility related bugs.
* '''Bugs:''' Become a [[BugZappers| BugZapper]] and help us with Fedora Mobility related bugs.
* '''Hardware Enablement:''' If you have the skills to work with low level early firmware, kernel and related components there's a need for assistance for device bring up, kernel development, debug and fixes to get support upstream and fix issues with hardware.
* '''Software Develment:''' Fixes, features, mobile applications, improvement to existing Fedora applications to better run on phones and tablets.
* '''Documentation:''' Keeping Wiki pages and documentation up to date.
There are no skill requirements to join the SIG, interest is the most important.
== Getting started ==
=== Supported devices ===
The following devices are supported:
* [https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Architectures/ARM/PinePhone Pine64 Pinephone]
* [https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Architectures/ARM/PinePhonePro Pine64 PinePhone Pro]
* [https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Architectures/ARM/PineTab Pine64 Pinetab (1 and 2)]
The following devices are partially supported (ask in the channels for info):
* [https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Architectures/ARM/Librem5 Purism Librem 5]
* [https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Architectures/ARM/Oneplus6 Oneplus 6]
If you are capable and interested in adding support for other devices, reach out in one of the communication channels.
=== Where to get Images ===
Nightly builds can be found on [ftp://pine.warpspeed.dk/nightly/pinephone FTP] which are released and rebuilt every night. These are currently based on latest stable release of Fedora and/or next release beta .
Due to the nature of the nightly builds, there is no guarantee about expected system stability.
There are images for both Phosh and Plasma-Mobile in the Nightlies repo.
=== Current Status ===
Fedora Mobility has a reasonable amount of mobile focused packages available in Fedora Rawhide. Packages groups include:
* A functional touch desktop environment, Phosh.
* A compatible touchscreen keyboard, squeekboard.
* A Calling application for making/receiving phone calls, [https://source.puri.sm/Librem5/calls Calls]
* Numerous other Fedora applications such as Calendar, Maps, Contacts etc
Plasma-Mobile is now also available for the PinePhone, with all Gear apps ported.
Fedora recently added support for building aarch64 FlatPaks so we will be looking at what applications can be packaged as FlatPaks to make them easily consumable.
As of currently, some core packages are maintained in [https://copr.fedorainfracloud.org/coprs/njha/mobile/ Copr]. Work is done to get all patches upstreamed. You can find an overview of packages that use downstream patches (and what they patch) [[Mobility/patched_applications|here]].
=== Reporting Bugs ===
We have a few different places to report bugs and request features:
* For bugs in packages we use the [https://bugzilla.redhat.com/enter_bug.cgi?classification=Fedora Fedora package bugzilla]. Please add the [https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1817424 Tracker Bug] as a blocking bug to the bug report so we're aware the issue relates to Mobility.
* For issues with the images, new package requests or RFEs we use the [https://pagure.io/fedora-mobility/issues Fedora Mobility issue tracker].
== Desktop environments ==
Several option are available for mobile capable desktop environments. Phosh is the default environment for and most well supported. Plasma mobile images are also available on the FTP server. For Gnome-mobile-shell there is a copr repository included but is currently out dated.
=== Phosh Environment DNF Group ===
Just like there are [https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/fedora/f40/system-administrators-guide/package-management/DNF/#sec-Packages_and_Package_Groups Package Groups] for *Workstation*, *KDE* or *Development Tools* that pull in bundles of packages related to each other, a Package Group for Phosh is required.
[https://developer.puri.sm/Librem5/Software_Reference/Environments/Phosh.html Phosh] is a '''Pho'''ne '''Sh'''ell developed by [https://puri.sm/ Purism]. It is based on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNOME GNOME] and currently provides the default desktop for all Mobility images based on Fedora. Phosh is required because the default GNOME doesn't work well on devices with form factors as small as Smartphones and isn't optimized for touch inputs.
=== Plasma mobile ===


== Current Status ==
Plasma mobile 6 is available as a package in the main Fedora repository. This can be readily installed and used by selecting Plasma mobile in the `lightdm` greeter.


Fedora Mobility is moving forward. A decent mobile software experience is now available in Fedora 33.
There are some Plasma mobile images available. However these are generally not as up to date as the Phosh images. For the current status, ask in one of the communication channels.
* The main desktop environment, phosh, is packaged and functional
* A few mobile-ready apps are also packaged


== To the future and beyond ==
=== Gnome mobile Shell ===


Moving forward Fedora Mobility will continue to support and run the latest Sugar interface. We have some OLPC XO-1s and XO-1.5s and are working to see what is required to get the XO-1 and the XO 1.5 fully supported in vanilla Fedora.
There are some Gnome mobile Shell packages, but these may not be up to date either. For the current status, ask in one of the communication channels.


We're reviewing the MeeGo™ NetBook UX with the intention of including the MeeGo™ NetBook UX into a future release of Fedora replacing the current Moblin™ UX. This should be initially completed for Fedora 14.
== Future plans ==


The KDE team are working with Fedora Mobility to support the KDE Plasma NetBook interface for Fedora 14.
=== Roadmap to Fedora Spin ===


ARM platform support is also on the agenda but that needs more investigation. With the introduction of ARM based SmartBooks and Tablets it will become and important platform for Fedora Mobility and Fedora in general.
The group is currently working on getting an official [https://spins.fedoraproject.org/ Fedora Spin] going. There is no strict schedule at the moment, as the situation is evolving dynamically. This section tracks the progress and what needs to be done towards this goal.


Other ideas for the Fedora Mobility project include support for more embedded architectures as well as Spins or Remixes for MIDS or Set Top Boxes such as a Moovida Media Centre spin.
=== Official Kernel with Networking ===


== Related Fedora projects ==
The builds are currently reliant on a custom kernel built by [https://megous.com/git/linux/log/?h=pp-5.17 megous] that includes a variety of patches. The patches are slowly accepted by the upstream kernel devs, which is required for them to land in the official Fedora kernel.
 
The biggest missing part as of currently is a working WiFi/BT driver for the Realtek RTL8723CS chip in the Pinephone, as well as some bits regarding GPS in the ModemManager.
 
=== Official Image Infrastructure ===


* The [[Architectures/ARM|ARM]] secondary architecture project.
Images are currently generated by collections of shell scripts (see above). In order to become an official spin, the images must be generated with more official tooling. As it isn't intended for the user to boot a live .iso on the phone, [https://imgfac.org/ Image Factory] will be used to generate the PinePhone images.


== Devices ==
Currently there is no Mobility-specific kickstart file to use with Image Factory yet.


An overview of the hardware found in the various Netbook/Nettop devices can be found on the [[SIGs/FedoraMini/Hardware| Hardware]] page.
== Repositories ==


Some of the devices include:
Available code is being worked on and linked to on [https://gitlab.com/fedora/sigs/mobility/ Fedora Mobility Special Interest Group Gitlab].
* [[Netbooks]]
** [[Acer Aspire One]]
** [[Dell Inspiron Mini 9]]
** [[Eee PC]]
* [[Fit-PC]]
* [[OLPC]] XO-1 and XO-1.5


== Links ==
== Related Fedora projects ==


The upstream projects of interest to Fedora Mobility include<br>
* The [[Architectures/ARM|ARM]] architecture project.
The upstream sugar related projects:
* [http://www.sugarlabs.org/ Sugar Labs]
* [http://www.laptop.org/ One Laptop Per Child]


Netbook releated projects:
== Members ==
* [http://www.moblin.org Moblin website]
* [http://www.meego.com MeeGo website]


Other related projects:
* Leigh Griffin - @lgriffin
* [http://www.gnome.org/mobile/ GNOME Mobile]
* Eric Curtin - @ecurtin
* Justin - @Justinzobel
* Kevin Fenzi - @nirik
* Markus Rathgeb - @maggu2810
* Niko - @nikodunk
* Tor - @Torbuntu
* alho2 - @alho2
* Tomi Lähteenmäki - @lihis


[[Category:SIGs]]
[[Category:SIGs]]
[[Category:Fedora special-interest groups]]
[[Category:Fedora special-interest groups]]

Latest revision as of 19:20, 16 July 2024

We are looking for people to join the SIG.

Fedora Mobility SIG is a group of contributors that are interested in running Fedora on portable devices such as phones and tablets. The revitalised SIG relaunched when open phone and tablet devices started to become available such as the Pine64 Pinephone.

Fedora Mobility is aiming to eventually create an official Fedora spin to run on mobile phones, tablets and other similar portable battery powered devices. Initial focus is on the PinePhone, but we hope to support other smartphones such as the Librem 5. The aim is to get a stable, open source phone platform that can be used as a daily driver, with full upstream software.

Communication

We communicate in the usual Fedora channels.

There currently is no bridge set up between matrix and the other channels.

Getting help

In case you are having trouble running Fedora on a mobile device. Join one of the communication channels to see if anyone can help.

Getting Involved

If you are interested in this SIG and want to help out, join one of the communication channels and express your interest. Some examples of ways you can help out:

  • Packagers: There are so many interesting packages that are not yet packaged for Fedora. You can find a list of things we need to package on Fedora Mobility issue tracker. Or of course you can contribute by packaging them yourself.
  • Reviewers: People able to do package reviews can find a list of packages currently needing review in the Tracker Bug.
  • Testers: If you have a small device and use Fedora on it, file bugs and add them as a blocker for the Fedora Mobility Tracker Bug.
  • Bugs: Become a BugZapper and help us with Fedora Mobility related bugs.
  • Hardware Enablement: If you have the skills to work with low level early firmware, kernel and related components there's a need for assistance for device bring up, kernel development, debug and fixes to get support upstream and fix issues with hardware.
  • Software Develment: Fixes, features, mobile applications, improvement to existing Fedora applications to better run on phones and tablets.
  • Documentation: Keeping Wiki pages and documentation up to date.

There are no skill requirements to join the SIG, interest is the most important.

Getting started

Supported devices

The following devices are supported:

The following devices are partially supported (ask in the channels for info):

If you are capable and interested in adding support for other devices, reach out in one of the communication channels.

Where to get Images

Nightly builds can be found on FTP which are released and rebuilt every night. These are currently based on latest stable release of Fedora and/or next release beta .

Due to the nature of the nightly builds, there is no guarantee about expected system stability.

There are images for both Phosh and Plasma-Mobile in the Nightlies repo.

Current Status

Fedora Mobility has a reasonable amount of mobile focused packages available in Fedora Rawhide. Packages groups include:

  • A functional touch desktop environment, Phosh.
  • A compatible touchscreen keyboard, squeekboard.
  • A Calling application for making/receiving phone calls, Calls
  • Numerous other Fedora applications such as Calendar, Maps, Contacts etc

Plasma-Mobile is now also available for the PinePhone, with all Gear apps ported.

Fedora recently added support for building aarch64 FlatPaks so we will be looking at what applications can be packaged as FlatPaks to make them easily consumable.

As of currently, some core packages are maintained in Copr. Work is done to get all patches upstreamed. You can find an overview of packages that use downstream patches (and what they patch) here.

Reporting Bugs

We have a few different places to report bugs and request features:

Desktop environments

Several option are available for mobile capable desktop environments. Phosh is the default environment for and most well supported. Plasma mobile images are also available on the FTP server. For Gnome-mobile-shell there is a copr repository included but is currently out dated.

Phosh Environment DNF Group

Just like there are Package Groups for *Workstation*, *KDE* or *Development Tools* that pull in bundles of packages related to each other, a Package Group for Phosh is required.

Phosh is a Phone Shell developed by Purism. It is based on GNOME and currently provides the default desktop for all Mobility images based on Fedora. Phosh is required because the default GNOME doesn't work well on devices with form factors as small as Smartphones and isn't optimized for touch inputs.

Plasma mobile

Plasma mobile 6 is available as a package in the main Fedora repository. This can be readily installed and used by selecting Plasma mobile in the lightdm greeter.

There are some Plasma mobile images available. However these are generally not as up to date as the Phosh images. For the current status, ask in one of the communication channels.

Gnome mobile Shell

There are some Gnome mobile Shell packages, but these may not be up to date either. For the current status, ask in one of the communication channels.

Future plans

Roadmap to Fedora Spin

The group is currently working on getting an official Fedora Spin going. There is no strict schedule at the moment, as the situation is evolving dynamically. This section tracks the progress and what needs to be done towards this goal.

Official Kernel with Networking

The builds are currently reliant on a custom kernel built by megous that includes a variety of patches. The patches are slowly accepted by the upstream kernel devs, which is required for them to land in the official Fedora kernel.

The biggest missing part as of currently is a working WiFi/BT driver for the Realtek RTL8723CS chip in the Pinephone, as well as some bits regarding GPS in the ModemManager.

Official Image Infrastructure

Images are currently generated by collections of shell scripts (see above). In order to become an official spin, the images must be generated with more official tooling. As it isn't intended for the user to boot a live .iso on the phone, Image Factory will be used to generate the PinePhone images.

Currently there is no Mobility-specific kickstart file to use with Image Factory yet.

Repositories

Available code is being worked on and linked to on Fedora Mobility Special Interest Group Gitlab.

Related Fedora projects

  • The ARM architecture project.

Members

  • Leigh Griffin - @lgriffin
  • Eric Curtin - @ecurtin
  • Justin - @Justinzobel
  • Kevin Fenzi - @nirik
  • Markus Rathgeb - @maggu2810
  • Niko - @nikodunk
  • Tor - @Torbuntu
  • alho2 - @alho2
  • Tomi Lähteenmäki - @lihis