Another operating system for older smartphones
Another operating system for older smartphones
Looking for simple OS options and Android apps that work well on older phones for vehicle use.
Based on their popularity, you might encounter Lineage OS, which performs reasonably well, assuming I'm not very familiar with building custom operating systems. It functioned on my Galaxy Tab 2.
I aim for reduced power consumption. It's possible I'll never rely on cellular Bluetooth or Wi-Fi—it's slow and takes too long to switch songs or perform tasks. @Dukesilver27 Thanks for the tip! One of my old Samsung devices should work with Lineage. I also own a waterproof Kyocera TANK from school, approved by the military, with a removable battery, which is why I keep it.
Depends heavily on the device and its brand. No single operating system works for all smartphones since each model uses unique parts and manufacturers keep their specifications private. You must locate a particular ROM tailored for your phone. Generally, if your car has Bluetooth or USB connectivity, you can connect your phone as a media player. For tablet-like devices, consider a refurbished surface tablet with x86 components. Running a minimal Linux distribution or similar on it is possible.
I've tried mobile rooting and switching OSes; usually they're phone-focused but more options appear. Lineage OS seems to fit here. My main goals are low power usage or reliable alternatives. The car has USB, that's fine. The van only has an audio jack, which is okay. For the JDM import I'm looking for something plug-and-play for a 9mm jack. An x86 Linux setup would work well as a media hub—perfect for future upgrades. I also want mounting spots for a surface tab. Edit* Also unsure if a tablet or large screen would be better if I add a TV later.
For extended operation on limited power, consider using a Raspberry Pi. It supports Linux and consumes only 10 to 15 watts when active. You can also use specialized touch screens or connect displays via HDMI.
Unintentionally the Pi/surface tab resembles my final device build for the van—it includes solar power. I aim to avoid constantly charging my audio device and prefer a setup using older phones from the tech drawer. This is the current generation’s power usage of one of the devices I might use; the previous model drew less (0.2 watts in standby, up to 1.9 watts idle). The highest recorded draw was 6 watts around 2018, but it was under $20 on eBay. I already own an older unit. A Galaxy Note 4 offers a different operating system and costs about 1.75 watts. My goal is to pick up an old Samsung from Goodwill for very low power consumption, staying under $25, while utilizing devices I already possess.
The XDA developers forums offer extensive details about roots, software, and support for various phone models. I even discovered individuals customizing rare devices like Kyocera and Honor phones for their own use.
Check if it appears in the list. Devices - postmarketOS otherwise yes XDA dev forums but without mainline kernel support your device is vulnerable to exploits over a network. postmarketOS mainly builds images for ARM-based embedded devices like phones and tablets, requiring some technical skills.