If I need to choose, I'll go with Android but to be quite frank, I would really prefer to have a "real" computer operating system on those devices. For 10+ years I've been waiting for a device that I can put in my pocket, use it on the go, with a data connection, and have the possibility to dock it and continue using it as a full fledged computer, with Linux if possible.

I know some high end Android devices can be "docked" and connected to a monitor, but they are far too expensive and/or too rare. Also, you still have to use apps instead of proper computer software. I don't like the "everything is an app" model, where they all have to have ads and/or paid versions. Android and "mobile" operating systems are a pain to use. I want to have control over my device.

And I also know there are some devices that can to this, but with the level of technology that we have, a device like this should be easy to find. Yet, it's all niche stuff that isn't really polished nor working really well. It's all damn phones and tablets with "mobile" operating systems that locks users. I wonder if phone/tablet manufacturers keep it that way because there's no demand for this, or if they simply want to continue the milking of the mobile users.

[–] darkphotonstudio@beehaw.org 8 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

This! Mobile operating systems are trash, and there's no good reason for it. I always see people parroting the same nonsense, "you have the power of a super computer in your pocket". Okay, then why can't I use it like a supercomputer? It's all crippled toy versions of the desktop applications, social media garbage, or microtransaction stuffed toilet games.

[–] KLISHDFSDF@lemmy.ml 1 points 7 months ago (1 children)

genuine question, what do you expect out of a mobile OS that you can't do now?

[–] darkphotonstudio@beehaw.org 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I should be able to use it like a proper computer that can run full-fat applications, with a monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc. Everyone loves to go on about how powerful phones are, so then why can’t I use that power?

[–] KLISHDFSDF@lemmy.ml 2 points 7 months ago

100% agree. Would be nice to be able to just "dock" into a USB-C cable and have a working "PC" at my disposal. Appreciate the response.

[–] Dyskolos@lemmy.zip 4 points 8 months ago

Absolutely this. I, too, go for android (pixel even, sigh) but would prefer a real os. android was aweful when it came out, grew much better, then declined again. And with each update they kill so many apps due to "security"-changes.

And what's worst of all, is the constant struggle to actually own your own device (=root). Noone would ever have bought a pc with no admin-pwd where you can only "refresh" your current windows-version and nothing more. You can't buy anything else than pixels (and even with those you need at least minimum tech-knowledge and are dependent on the continuing development of ONE app). Having any other brand makes it near impossible without luck, time and frustration-tolerance.

The coming generations will just pay 1000 for a phone they are allowed to use, not own, and think that is how it is and ever has been.

[–] Rikolan@lemm.ee 3 points 8 months ago (1 children)

I still am grumpy about Microsoft killing their windows phone line. Not the regular ones, but rather the ones that allowed you to dock it to a display and use a slightly stripped down Windows OS on a full screen. It could've actually changed how we use phones/ computers, but instead we have to have a separate device for everything we do.

Phones are already powerful enough to run desktop apps, but I guess it's down to profits why we still don't have a "swiss army knife" of a device for everything.

[–] Dyskolos@lemmy.zip 1 points 8 months ago

Indeed. They were on the way to a unified os. Still kinda are. And people totally hate them for it. At least you could use the (nearly) same win on your Touch-pad and desktop. And i actually liked their phones. Just could never really keep it without telegram. And that (the lack of apps) was their downfall.