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Programming on my phone (with Termux) is the only reason I am still using an Android phone. That and a real filesystem. I actually use so many terminal tools th
by nromiun 1y ago
Programming on my phone (with Termux) is the only reason I am still using an Android phone. That and a real filesystem. I actually use so many terminal tools that I can't imagine migrating to a bunch of GUI apps. Like gopass for passwords management, git for syncing my notes, nvim for writing etc.
With Android 15 you even get a full blown Linux VM running on KVM.
I was actually tempted to switch when AAA games like AC got ported to iOS, but then I remembered I love programming more than gaming.
- znpy 1y ago> With Android 15 you even get a full blown Linux VM running on KVM. With Apple discontinuing the small iPhone se and Android being able to run on folding phones that unfold to have an 8" display... Spending money on an Android phone is interesting again.
- jl6 1y agoMy mobile OS dream has always been to have a phone that I can plug into a docking cradle (or maybe just a USB-C cable these days) to connect it to a full size monitor, keyboard and mouse, and then use it as a regular PC, and then unplug it and have the same “data state” available on the mobile OS (albeit perhaps with different apps, reflecting the different input methods and screen size). Is this any closer to becoming reality with modern Android?
- junon 1y agoA friend of mine has been doing that for several years now on his phone. He does it since he's so incredibly mobile for work. Not sure which model though. So yes, somewhere, somehow this is possible.
- nromiun 1y agoYes, this is possible with Samsung Dex. However, when I sit in front of a big screen it is just easier to connect a "real" PC to it. Syncing data between my desktop and phones are pretty fast anyway.
- TowerTall 1y agoIt was a reality back when Windows Phone was a thing. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Continuum https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Continuum
- guappa 1y agoThose things were incredibly slow.
- stackskipton 1y agoI had one and slowness was hardware related as phone would heat up. Modern iPhone or Android could easily power 4K display for most productivity work.
- fsflover 1y ago> to have a phone that I can plug into a docking cradle (or maybe just a USB-C cable these days) to connect it to a full size monitor, keyboard and mouse, and then use it as a regular PC This phone exists: https://puri.sm/products/librem-5 https://puri.sm/products/librem-5, and it's my daily driver.
- Xss3 1y agoCan we trust that this isnt a law enforcement or intelligence agency honeypot like previous such devices have been?
- rikafurude21 1y agoThank you for giving me a reason to switch away from iPhones.
- bitexploder 1y agoAren’t laptops a little more ergonomic and flexible to hack on? I am curious what environments one ends up in where a phone is the tool of choice for writing code and such.
- kreddor 1y agoFor me personally, it's just the convenience of always having my phone in my pocket. Sometimes when out and about and I have a bit of free time, but haven't brought my laptop, it's nice to be able to just pick up my phone and hack for a bit. I wouldn't do full blown project on it though. I couple of years back, I really liked replit for having probably the best integrated IDE on a phone. Everything was so smooth and well thought out.
- nromiun 1y agoSome places are too crowded for even a small laptop. Also, I have seen so many people saying wish I could do that programming thing but I am on my phone right now. Termux allows me to do all of that.
- fsflover 1y ago> Aren’t laptops a little more ergonomic and flexible to hack on? Just judging purely from the weight of devices, no.
- bitexploder 1y agoIs a 2 lb device a genuine impediment to most people?
- fsflover 1y agoDepending on circumstances, it can easily be.
- curt15 1y agoDo you bring a bluetooth keyboard with you or program with two thumbs?
- nromiun 1y agoI just do it with one finger. People are still shocked at this but remember people do a lot of texting with their thumbs too.
- Xss3 1y agoI don't understand the point youre trying to make with tge second sentence...using a single finger is far more awkward than both thumbs?
- nromiun 1y agoMy point is that people do a lot of typing on their touchscreen, with one or two thumbs. Just like most regular people don't need a bluetooth keyboard despite doing a lot of texting. Also, using two thumbs can be more awkward if you have big hands.
- Xss3 1y agoGenerally people just get larger phones instead of typing one fingered. The awkwardness of phone coding isnt the typing of text (wherein most people rely on decent prediction rather than precise typing), it's the use of symbols.
- nromiun 1y agoI have a OnePlus 13, which has a nearly 7 inch screen. My two thumbs still block most of the keyboard. Do you know anything larger? I would get a folding phone but they are too fragile. Not every programming languages require a lot of symbols. Like Python, Go, OCaml etc. For me writing many symbols is awkward even on a physical keyboard.
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- rs186 1y ago> With Android 15 you even get a full blown Linux VM running on KVM. Is there anything more than a proof of principle that people (aka anyone who owns an Android 15 device) can try out? I didn't find any instructions for actually doing that.
- nromiun 1y agoIt is very easy: https://deepakness.com/blog/android-linux-terminal/ https://deepakness.com/blog/android-linux-terminal/ Basically just go to developer options and enable Linux development environment. A Terminal app will be installed. You just need a non-Snapdragon Android phone. Because Snapdragon uses a different hypervisor than other vendors.
- swah 1y agoWhy not both?
- nromiun 1y agoYou mean using both Android and iPhone at the same time? That just adds another device you have to maintain and charge regularly. Not to mention it is not as portable as only one phone. You also can't use one SIM in two phones. It is just awkward overall.