5 ways Librem 5 phones affect Linux desktop

The Purism Librem 5 phone has been around for a long time and the impact of this device is visible on the Linux desktop.

This effect is most noticeable if you use the GNOME desktop environment, found on the default versions of Ubuntu or Fedora. GNOME is also the notebook-based interface from Purism, System76 and Dell. Here are 5 ways Librem 5 phones affect Linux desktops.

1. The GNOME application is more responsive

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GNOME 3 designers want to create an interface that can be used on touch screens. Application windows and Activities Overview are designed for finger use just as much as using a mouse pointer. This has always been part of the vision for applications to adjust to many different form factors, but there is still no small touchscreen device that comes with GNOME.

Librem 5 runs most of the same GNOME version on Purism laptops. To do this, the Purism team, and upstream developers worked to make different GNOME applications work on screens smaller than 6 inches.

The most prominent example is GNOME Web , the project's default web browser. If you install the latest Web version on the desktop and minimize the window, you will see the navigation buttons and menu 'jump' to the bottom of the window.

2. Desktop-compatible mobile applications have appeared

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The applications that have begun to appear on Flathub are clearly designed for mobile devices. Use GNOME Authenticator , a two-factor authentication application. It will run on the desktop, but the default window is the size of the phone application.

GNOME Podcasts will allow you to bring your audio source with you when you leave home, but you can use it as the podcast client on your desktop today.

GNOME Feeds is an RSS reader with a narrow interface that will expand if you increase the window size. The same thing happens with GNOME Password Safe , a password manager. If you visit the GNL Password page of GNOME , you can see the application running inside the mockup of Librem 5.

Some of these apps only appeared one or two years ago and each is a gift to people who like the GNOME design language and use well-integrated apps.

1. Download GNOME Authenticator (Free)
2. Download GNOME Podcasts (Free)
3. Download GNOME Feeds (Free)
4. Download GNOME Password Safe (Free)

3. Improvements are posted to upstream projects

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Purism is sending patches to various GNOME projects to make components more adaptable to different screen sizes. This includes core system components such as GNOME Settings, GNOME Help and file opening dialog. Then there is something else to do with GNOME Contacts and GNOME Clocks . You can find such details in the company's Librem 5 status update (link: https://puri.sm/posts/librem-5-august-update/ ). A number of changes have also been made to the Linux kernel.

In short, much of the work Purism has done for Librem 5 makes it easy to carry out future projects, aiming to bring Linux phones to market. In the process, there are a few adjustments going towards the desktop.

The emphasis on this point is important. The majority of Librem 5's expenses are for research and development, including software development. The company's philosophy is to send upstream changes when possible, instead of maintaining separate patches.

As an upstream company, when Purism hired a new employee to work on interface design, it affected everyone using GNOME software. Purism works in conjunction with other companies such as System76 and Elementary, which are invested directly to improve the Linux user interface experience and send their changes upstream.

4. Add options for personal communication

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Purism doesn't think it's enough to give everyone a smartphone with privacy-oriented software. The company knows that what many people are interested in today are not applications, but services that a device can support. That's why before the launch of Librem 5, Purism launched the Librem One.

Librem One includes private chat, mail, social networks and VPNs. Although these services are aimed at Android and iOS for the first time, you can run many of these options on the Linux desktop. Librem Mail works with Thunderbird. Librem Tunnel runs fine after you set it up in the command line. Librem Social, offering versions of Mastodon that you can feel relatively safe, will continue to work.

As TipsMake.com discussed previously, Librem One does not offer groundbreaking new functionality. This package provides an easier way to use existing technology. But many people who never own Librem 5 can still get some benefits from that.

5. Kill hardware switches are becoming more popular

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A big part of the appeal of Purism devices is that they include hardware kill switches. If you're worried that someone will connect to your device via WiFi or Bluetooth, you can activate the switch to make sure no one can do this. Instead of covering the camera with a piece of tape, a switch on the device disables the camera and blocks the microphone.

The Librem 5 phone continues only the tradition that Librem 13 and 15 initiated. But now when the standard is set, this function is spreading to other laptops. Pine Microsystems has brought similar functionality into Pinebook Pro, which comes with Linux desktop preinstalled.

Although this laptop doesn't include actual switches, it still disconnects at the hardware level instead of the software, via function keys on the keyboard.

Librem 5 is not the only GNU-enabled smartphone on the market. Many Linux users on the desktop are excited about PinePhone, a smartphone from Pine Microsystems that costs less than 1/4 Librem 5 (and also includes hardware kill switches). However, it remains to be seen which interface has the most functionality.

Meanwhile, Purism invests heavily in Librem 5's software experience, using GNOME. It contributes to GNOME and the various parts of the GNOME community can provide the opposite benefits. Users benefit from this relationship.

If you don't want to wait to use Librem 5 or PinePhone, there are other ways to install different Linux-based mobile operating systems on Android phones.