Kaios Review · The Kernal
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When you think of mobile Linux, most people would think of Android, followed by something like a PinePhone or Librem5. But, there is another mobile Linux distro that is often neglected. KaiOS is a fork of the old Firefox OS, and it is one of the only non-Android Linux distros that actually has commercial steam. I myself have recently switched to a KaiOS flip phone, and I am going give my honest review of this unusual operating system.
  • TheKernalBlogOP
    3·
    3 years ago

    I agree. If you are looking for a “Linux phone”, the Pinephone or a regular phone with Ubuntu Touch are great. KaiOS’s only real use is filling the niche of people like me who would prefer to have a flip phone. I don’t know if you’ve tried a Android flip phone in a while, but they are utter shit. KaiOS makes the experience a lot better.

    But yeah, I really think that Mozilla should have used GPL. I’m not a big fan of the MPL.

    • beansniffer
      2·
      3 years ago

      What is the appeal of a flip phone? Is it specifically the physical form factor or is there something else I’m missing?

      • TheKernalBlogOP
        3·
        3 years ago

        It’s a mix of many different things. I do like the form factor, but the main appeal for me is that I can use it as just a phone, and nothing more. With a Smartphone I will be tempted to browse social media & play games, but I found that with my Flip Phone I am much more focused and don’t waste as much time.

        • beansniffer
          3·
          3 years ago

          With a Smartphone I will be tempted to browse social media & play games

          If you ever have to switch to using a smart phone again, one thing that might help is making the screen monochrome in the android developer options. Removing the colors from the screen makes our ape brains not get as excited and more focused on tasks. It also works on desktops.

          Edit for additional thoughts: One downside of using a flip phone compared to a smartphone is the lack of security based applications like encrypted messaging for example.

          • TheKernalBlogOP
            12·
            3 years ago

            Yeah, I tried that, but my brain seems more like a Fish than an Ape. It didn’t really work. While the lack of security based applications may seem like an issue, I am able to use all of my encrypted messaging services on my Laptop & Desktop, so I don’t really feel like I’m missing anything.