Ask HN: Where are all the mobile Linux distros?
We have seen enormous proliferation of community-driven Linux distributions for desktop systems and servers, but almost none for mobile systems (phones/tablets). Why?
I've been considering starting a project to get Arch Linux working on my Nexus 7 so I can play around with these ideas. If anybody is interested in helping out, please let me know.
There are a million desktop distributions driven purely by community efforts. Why is it so much harder to do it for mobile? Is the hardware just too difficult to work with? Too much variety? Is there no interest from the community? Are mobile interfaces too hard for hackers to do right?
What's the reason?
I'm sure this makes it more difficult. Most mobile devices are locked and require some significant hacks to makes them boot an alternative OS. On top of that, each one requires a completely different kernel. There's currently no mainline support for most ARM SoC's, although I know that is being worked on.
> Is there no interest in the community?
I think this might be it. Most hackers are happy with Android. It's 'open-source' and they can run community-driven custom ROMs. Most Linux desktop environments suck on a touch screen anyway so there's not much incentive to install a linux distro.
Also, take a look at Arch Linux ARM if you haven't heard of it. It runs on a lot of ARM boards very similar to what's inside smartphones and tablets. It really should be only a minor effort to get that on phones and tablets but few are bothering to do it.