Whereas the conflict between Android and iPhone for market dominance rages on, there’s nonetheless growth on options to each platforms. Finland-based tech firm Jolla has launched model 5.0 of Sailfish OS, its Linux-based working system for cellular units.

This replace, nicknamed “Tampella” after a well-known Finnish sauna, appears largely centered on compatibility. Its Gecko internet engine has been up to date to Gecko ESR91. It additionally now has Wireguard assist if you happen to favor to run VPNs with that protocol, and is made to raised deal with notches and rounded corners in your telephone’s bezel. In step with the lengthy historical past of Linux telephones’ battle to assist primary telephone performance, Sailfish OS 5.0 introduces assist for blocking undesirable calls as properly. It is transport with model 0.3.6 of microG too, which supplies your apps entry to Google Play Companies if you would like it. I do know from expertise utilizing Android options like Graphene OS that you’re going to most likely need it if you happen to’re planning to run many conventional Android apps.

Talking of, Sailfish OS comes with middleware for operating Android apps known as AppSupport, which has been upgraded to run a model of Android 13. AppSupport operates equally to how Waydroid operates, which runs a modified version Android inside an LXC container whereas integrating with the remainder of the working system. In principle, apps that run on Android 13 may also run on Sailfish OS 5.0. Meaning extra and newer Android apps, and compatibility is all the pieces if you wish to every day drive a telephone like this.

A part of this replace entails making assist for Jolla’s at present accessible {hardware}, the Jolla C2 Community Phone and the Mind2 AI assistant, “constructed into the system.” It appears Jolla actually needs to showcase what Sailfish OS can do within the type of these units particularly.

If you wish to use Sailfish OS, perhaps the best route is to get that Group Telephone—assuming you reside in Europe. Jolla may be very upfront that this telephone is for fanatics, not the on a regular basis one that may be cautious of Android and iPhone’s dominance. Should you aren’t snug with the telephone’s mere one 12 months of assured updates, you may also test the list of devices officially supported by Sailfish OS. You will discover a couple of extra telephones listed within the “community hardware adaptations” list, however at that time, you are wading into lots of {hardware} flashing and potential bricking you might not need to danger.

Linux-based smartphones, retail ones particularly, have traditionally been arduous to search out and use within the US. In Europe, the dream of not having to decide on between iPhone and Android appears extra alive. Jolla (pronounced “yolla”) has been round since 2011 when former engineers from Nokia struck out on their very own to hold on the struggling cellular firm’s broader smartphone growth plans. Jolla is maybe greatest recognized for its first smartphone, merely named the Jolla Telephone, launched again in 2013. Apparently, Jolla filed for bankruptcy final 12 months, and the group has since been operated by the identical individuals beneath the identify Jollyboys.

Jolla is now additionally promoting the aforementioned AI assistant gadget, the Jolla Mind2, which makes use of a model of Sailfish OS known as Sailfish Core. The Mind2 runs an area LLM known as Venho.ai and payments itself as a privacy-first AI assistant. It additionally claims to have the ability to join remotely to your smartphone so you do not have to make use of the likes of ChatGPT or Google Gemini to get your AI chatbot repair. This replace applies to the Mind2’s Sailfish Core as properly.

All in all, Jolla counts a complete of 300 “enhancements” and 200 bug fixes on this launch. If you wish to see what else Jolla has in retailer, learn extra from the official 5.0 release notes on the Sailfish OS boards.

Supply: Jolla