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Comment by rcleveng | Hacker News Reader

I'd love to stop carrying my chromebook to work along with my andoid phone, and just plug the phone into a docking station to use ssh/chrome browser/remote desktop which is really all I used daily.

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Sounds like you could try a Samsung S phone with Dex and a lapdock?

yea but look at any long term review of these systems. There are always subtle UX issues that kill your productivity

It is possible to run a Linux distro through Termux afaik. For example: https://github.com/phoenixbyrd/Termux_XFCE

There are also tools available like Andronix.

I personally haven't tried them, just figured I'd leave the information here for people interested in it who want to explore the options.

The problem I generally run into those with is they have trouble getting root or simulating root. Particularly on Samsung. That limit's running things in containers on the phone as well. But last time I looked at it it did look like there were some promising projects. I forget what.

Possibly, I don't want the lapdock, really just plug usb-c into a docking station and have enough usable tools to do work. I think this one is more about execution than concept

This is possible with pixel 8+ running grapheneos.

The ux is kind of junky, but if you're mostly using the browser or some remote desktop / ssh it's feasible at least.

but then you have to carry another phone for your bank app...

I do this today with my Asus Zenfone. Works great.

You can do it with a GNU/Linux phone (Librem 5 or Pinephone). They run desktop GNU/Linux.

...if you are willing to sacrifice the "phone" part of it.

It works fine for me.

Fine if you don't need to use it for online banking on your phone, that's my main blocker.

I choose banks which do not require mobile banking, including virtual credit cards. You can also try Waydroid to run Android apps. I heard it worked for some banks.

My bank sends an SMS for OTP.

I know it isn't very secure. But certainly better than having a seed locally stored.

I'd rather a seed on a device I own rather than being able to be smished.

I wouldn't call an Android device "a device you own".

Why don't I own it, explain.

If I can't see the seed and I have no way of exporting it. What do I have?

If I can't see the person in the telco being paid off to have my IMEI reattached arbitrarily, what do I have? A person who can MITM the SMS codes.

Calls and SMS work fine on pinephone.

Battery life not so much.

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