Yes, but I want to emphasize that it’s not a lack of skill or focus of the Linux phone developers. Calling is exceptionally complex to implement if you have to reverse engineer all drivers and the used hardware is closed. Most of the other stuff on the software level such as menus, apps, browsing etc. is “basic computer stuff”.
It’s a scam, by being called a phone it implies that it can call people or receive calls.
It also could become quite detrimental to Linux phones in general if the idea that some of these phones can’t call reaches the public eye. Because you just know that the stigma against Linux phones will be that they can’t call anyone. Which like how bad Linux used to be for general users has left it with the stigma that it’s just not functional.
Can you imagine explaining to a normie that you can’t make phone calls on your phone because you’re running an operating system they’ve never heard of?
They’d think you’re the dumbest person they’ve ever met.
They don’t “call” in the normal sense, even with tablets with Sim slots it’s for data and you can do voip or use voice/video platforms, not sure that’s what they mean by phone calls don’t work on linux phones tho
@Ilovethebomb@Fizz Depends on your circle but in my experience, these are the same people who completely locked into WhatsApp, Facebook, Gmail, etc and only use SMS/calls when you don’t answer their WA messages : )
I think its not hard to explain that I just use whatsapp for calls(I dont use whatsapp but you get rhe point). Most Normies stop using SMS and cell calling a long time ago.
If I really cared I could just say that I had no phone credit and they would accept that.
Out of credit doesn’t explain why they can’t call you. Imagine trying to explain this to someone like my mum without them coming to the conclusion you’ve broken your phone.
@Fizz@oxysis Agreed, after #SaltTyphoon, no one should be using legacy unencrypted calls and SMS for personal communication. A data-only SIM with instant messaging apps for calls and messages can work in 2025.
Yes, but I want to emphasize that it’s not a lack of skill or focus of the Linux phone developers. Calling is exceptionally complex to implement if you have to reverse engineer all drivers and the used hardware is closed. Most of the other stuff on the software level such as menus, apps, browsing etc. is “basic computer stuff”.
I get that it’s hard to make, but it is the bare minimum anyone expects from a phone. Not having it is a bad look.
If I bought a phone that was literally incapable of calling people I don’t know a way to describe that other than fraud.
It’s a scam, by being called a phone it implies that it can call people or receive calls.
It also could become quite detrimental to Linux phones in general if the idea that some of these phones can’t call reaches the public eye. Because you just know that the stigma against Linux phones will be that they can’t call anyone. Which like how bad Linux used to be for general users has left it with the stigma that it’s just not functional.
Calling is being used less and less. I think the main feature required is to run apps and connect to the internet.
Can you imagine explaining to a normie that you can’t make phone calls on your phone because you’re running an operating system they’ve never heard of?
They’d think you’re the dumbest person they’ve ever met.
Basically just a tablet lmao
Pretty much, you’ve turned your phone into a tablet with mobile data.
I don’t think you’d be able to legally call something like that a “phone”.
Hell, even some tablets have SIM slots. If I bothered to set it up I think I could call on my Galaxy Tab. Besides, iPads can call too.
So it’s still slightly worse than a phone and a tablet…
I really hope the Linux phone projects take off within the next few years.
They don’t “call” in the normal sense, even with tablets with Sim slots it’s for data and you can do voip or use voice/video platforms, not sure that’s what they mean by phone calls don’t work on linux phones tho
@Ilovethebomb @Fizz Depends on your circle but in my experience, these are the same people who completely locked into WhatsApp, Facebook, Gmail, etc and only use SMS/calls when you don’t answer their WA messages : )
I think its not hard to explain that I just use whatsapp for calls(I dont use whatsapp but you get rhe point). Most Normies stop using SMS and cell calling a long time ago.
If I really cared I could just say that I had no phone credit and they would accept that.
Out of credit doesn’t explain why they can’t call you. Imagine trying to explain this to someone like my mum without them coming to the conclusion you’ve broken your phone.
They could call me it would just get dropped and go to voicemail
That’s just not how most people use words. To “call someone” usually means to actually speak to them. Leaving a voicemail doesn’t count.
No matter how you spin it, a “phone” that doesn’t have the ability to make a traditional phone call is a joke.
Nah I think sms and calling are dead and not worth the effort to get working. It only exists in new phones as a legacy system.
@Fizz @oxysis Agreed, after #SaltTyphoon, no one should be using legacy unencrypted calls and SMS for personal communication. A data-only SIM with instant messaging apps for calls and messages can work in 2025.