Your Guide to a Manjaro Device Without a Smartphone
Hello everyone,
Today, let’s dissect a curious case – a brave soul planning to replace their Android tablet with a Manjaro device. That’s right, folks! We’re trading in a device named after a droid for one that sounds like it’s come straight out of a sci-fi novel. Will it work? Is it even feasible? Grab your popcorn; this is going to get interesting!
Meet the StarLite 12.5-inch
Now, before we delve into the chaotic world of messaging apps, let’s talk about that shiny new StarLite. This bad boy boasts a fanless design, which means you can have an intense game of “guess the sound” while simultaneously enjoying silence. You don’t know stress until you’ve tried to find out where that weird noise is coming from in a library, am I right?
The WhatsApp Woes
But oh, the catch! Our adventurer here uses their tablet for WhatsApp – both private and business. And here’s the kicker: they don’t own a smartphone and have no plans to. A true rebel, I say! How audacious to refuse the digital leash we call a smartphone in the age of constant notifications!
WhatsApp for Linux? It seems like trying to squeeze a giraffe into a Mini Cooper. You’ve got options like WhatsApp Web and a few apps that are essentially just fancy dress-up versions of WhatsApp. Genymotion is mentioned as a potential life raft. Ah, the joys of emulation! It’s like saying, “No worries, I’ll just run a whole Android device on my laptop because picking up a $50 smartphone seems too mainstream.”
Understanding the Reality Check
Imagine this: your Manjaro device needs to be in standby while you run an emulator on it… that sounds like saving for a yacht by investing your life savings in lottery tickets! Plus, noted in the forums, the benefits of an active “always-on” setup could easily elude you. Spoiler alert – emulation is rarely as straightforward as the marketing suggests.
Suggestions That Will Make You Go “Hmm…”
So, what about alternative messengers? The popular choice that pops up is Franz, which is more of an amalgamation of messaging services than a one-stop-shop. Think of it like a buffet where you end up with a plate full of mismatched food – looks great until you realize you left the sense of functionality at the door! You can always go with Telegram, which is often touted as more noob-friendly. But will it work without a smartphone? That’s like asking if you can swim without getting wet.
Options Galore!
If you’re keen on diving into the depths of Linux madness, the threads mention Arch-Wiki, and it’s an absolute treasure trove. Topics range from core software to user-contributed goodies, promising someone might have a way to connect that’s as seamless as your Wi-Fi drops during a family Zoom call!
Conclusion
The journey to communicate via a Manjaro device instead of a smartphone is a brave one. It’s like wanting to ride a bicycle instead of taking a car – commendable, but you will face the wild winds of logistics and compatibility issues. If anyone has experience using WhatsApp (or the elusive solo version on Linux), please drop some knowledge! Let’s embrace the challenge of tech together while keeping that smartphone switch turned off. Cheers!
Thanks for sticking around for this ramble! Feel free to share experiences, tips, or just a nice ‘good luck!’ for the brave among us forging a path in the land of Manjaro while dodging smartphone temptations.
Hello everyone,
I’m excited to announce my plan to transition from my current Android tablet to a cutting-edge Manjaro device, specifically the StarLite 12.5-inch, which boasts an impressive fanless design ensuring Whisper-quiet operation.
StarLite 12.5-inch
The Mk V model supports coreboot open-source firmware, allowing users to effortlessly customize settings using the coreboot configurator, ensuring an optimal user experience tailored to individual needs.
However, there’s a significant drawback: my current tablet serves as a critical tool for my WhatsApp communications—both personal and professional. As I do not own a smartphone and have no intention of getting one, I’ve found myself reliant on standalone solutions.
In my research, I stumbled upon a forum post from 2022 suggesting the use of Genymotion, which provides an emulator solution but doesn’t operate with the same convenience of my existing device. My Android tablet remains ‘permanently on,’ delivering notifications through sound alerts for incoming messages. Emulating this functionality would require the emulator to run continuously, posing challenges for usability.
Does anyone have any insights or experiences with the standalone version of WhatsApp on Linux or specifically with the StarLite device mentioned above?
As for alternative messaging options, I’ve seen the Franz app discussion in various forums. Is it feasible to use Franz as a standalone application for receiving WhatsApp messages without needing to connect to a smartphone? Furthermore, Telegram seems the most user-friendly option, though I am unclear on its functionality without a smartphone present.
Any shared experiences regarding these topics would be greatly appreciated. My aim is to maintain my stance as a smartphone refuser while facilitating effective communication through a Manjaro device, ideally with WhatsApp integration.
The Arch-Wiki offers insights into this subject. Have you checked it out yet? Perhaps there are gems in the AUR, with Ferdium (a Franz fork) frequently mentioned as a reliable alternative.
Thanks for the rapid responses and information!
Ferdium is indeed a fantastic option, catering well to novice users. If you enable Flathub within the graphical software management, it can be easily downloaded and installed without requiring a Franz account. However, the limitation lies in its nature as a WhatsApp web-based application, which means my chats would be duplicated across both my PC and tablet.
The chat options highlighted on the Wiki page also sound promising, yet there’s ambiguity regarding whether they’re designed for standalone WhatsApp or strictly WhatsApp Web access.
@RayCell-365 If you desire a more seamless integration, I recommend testing out Waydroid:
This solution performs admirably when needed, but it’s important to note that installation can be less than user-friendly and is still in beta development.
@megavolt That looks really cool!
I intend to create a system image with Timeshift and conduct tests this week!
Thank you for the heads up!
edit: I need to revise my statement—this process may take several months. I first need to fill in my knowledge gaps regarding the kernels, as a modified kernel may be required, and the application demands substantial permissions.
