In my review of Jolla and Sailfish, one of my biggest issues was the rather lacklustre browser, which didn’t support landscape mode. Yesterday, Jolla released the January update for their operating system, version 1.0.3.8, which includes many small new features, bug fixes, and performance improvements, but most of all, it has vastly improved landscape support.
Half of the screen no longer turns blank when opening the keyboard in landscape mode, and support for it has been added to the default browser – which suddenly becomes a whole lot more useful, since browsing the web without landscape mode was a major pain in the butt. Jolla has also implemented full gesture support in landscape mode; before this update, gestures would not rotate with the screen orientation, but now they do.
The update contains a lot more improvements, and as promised, it was delivered in January. In addition, The New York Times has an article about Jolla as well. Not a lot of new information for those of us keeping up with all this stuff, but it’s interesting to see major news outlets talking about Jolla.
Do Android applications have a first class support? Does Skype or games work for example? Can you install Google Play on it? (against the license I guess)
I havent tried this, but it is posible to install Google Play. See http://www.jollatides.com/2013/11/29/jolla-how-to-access-google-pla…
I havent tried skype either, compatibility is being improved but ymmv…
Android apps work, can access hardware, sensors, send sms, etc. etc. Still they feel alien, Alien Dalvik.
Skype for Android works. Games I not use so do not know. Google Play works according to the post above. I did not try that too.
Android Apps usually run very good.
I don’t have problems playing games.
Interestingly the browser is Gecko-based and pretty recent too, it looks like version 26.0 which matches the current version used in Firefox. It’s a bit of a departure from most other integrated mobile browsers which are often based on older version of WebKit (especially the one shipping by default on Samsung devices).
It’s nice to see Gecko getting some non-Mozilla love.
Ex-Nokians are not new to working with Gecko. For example MicroB was also Gecko based: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MicroB
Current Jolla browser is using the IPCLite API: https://wiki.mozilla.org/Embedding/IPCLiteAPI
But Mozilla still didn’t officially integrate it.
Edited 2014-02-02 00:42 UTC
Shouldn’t there be a disclaimer that you work on Fx? ;p
Does it work with gamepads like Moga’s or PS3’s.
It’s kind sad that Jolla Sailfish is being updated and developed at a faster pace then Microsoft’s Windows Phone. Considering Microsoft is a huge company with thousands of employees and billions in cash. Not to mention that Jolla has to work with upstream projects that they have little control over while Windows Phone is developed entirely in house.
Why sad? It’s great.
Jolla is barely at version 1.0 stage. That is why it needs to be constantly upgraded.
WP8 is already a highly polished OS.
Yeah, their one device on one carrier world wide got an update adding landscape support to a browser.
Golfclap.
That one phone has had more updates than most Windows Phones have had in their lifetimes.
False. Lumia 520 which is the most used Windows Phone worldwide received:
Portico (GDR1), Lumia Amber, GDR2, GDR3, and Lumia Black.
Five updates, without counting the smaller firmware updates and bundled app updates from Nokia which happen pretty much daily.
You were saying?
Let’s not twist the facts. You can’t just count updates to Nokia’s own suite of applications as operating system updates. Lumia Amber, for instance, is GDR2 with additional Nokia applications. You’re counting it twice.
WP7 has had three updates (since 2010). WP8 has had three updates (since 2012).
Sailfish has had three major updates since December 2013.
You were saying?
But you’re willing to count an update for Jolla which updates…the browser? You’re being selective here in what you consider an update.
http://conversations.nokia.com/2013/08/15/green-light-for-lumia-amb…
“The update brings significantly improved algorithms that offer better noise reduction, colour reproduction, exposure control and autofocus to every phone across the Lumia range.”
and
“Perhaps one of the features that has been most requested on Nokia Lumia smartphones. Nokia Glance Screen brings a clock to your screen when the phone is inactive, along with indicators to show the battery level when running on a low battery or the phone is charging, and whether your phone is set to ^aEUR~silent^aEURTM”
which is ported from the N9, and is an OS level feature.
“Two favourite features from older Nokia phones that users have asked for. Flipping the phone over is a great and easy way to mute an incoming call. Double tapping the screen is something many people prefer to using the unlock key.”
again, OS level changes.
Amber had more packed into it than all of Jolla’s updates combined.
The Verge,Engadget, Gizmodo and practically all of the internet have called this an update. Its delivered OTA via Windows Update, and requires a backup+migration of data. It is not simply updated applications.
It updates much, much more than just the browser. You didn’t read, did you?
I did, it also updates the Camera, People (nice name), and Calendar app along with misc changes elsewhere. Its relatively minor stuff, and Nokia updates more of their stock apps in a week than what the changes here amount to.
So while Jolla is rapidly iterating and adding trivial things like MMS (what is this, the original iPhone?) and landscape support, Nokia has released numerous updates to both their stock apps and the OS proper.
That, and, like I mention they’re one device on one carrier worldwide. Not impressed.
also noting you completely ignored the rest of my post, not willing to admit you were wrong?
Edited 2014-02-03 20:01 UTC
So, Sailfish, by a 100-person company, has had three big updates and a small hotfix update in the two months since it’s been available. Application updates arrive daily.
By comparison, WP7 has had three big updates in 4 years, and WP8 has had three big updates since 2012. Both of these operating systems are developed by one of the largest companies in the world, with near-infinite funds (and backed by Nokia). Application updates on my WP devices came sparingly during the time I used them – and I used them right after the two platforms were released.
On top of that, WP updates have been plagued by delays, and promises have not been kept. Jolla, on the other hand, has not yet broken a single promise. They promised an update by {date}, it has arrived at {date}.
So, you praise the Microsoft, but lambast Jolla. I’m not sure if that’s hilarious, or sad. Heck – even Nokia itself was dissatisfied with Microsoft’s development pace, and yet you praise them! WP really needs vicious platform evangelists like you, since it clearly can’t make it on its own merits.
I have proven there were more than three WP8 updates, until you acknowledge the basic facts this discussion will go nowhere.
You have proven nothing. Go to Wikipedia, and you’ll see I’m right: three updates for each. That’s it. I’m sorry these facts are inconvenient to your party line.
Ah, the infallible Wikipedia.
We’ve reached an impasse, you’re inconsistent in what you characterize as an update.
Apparently an OS altering change delivered through the OS’ update mechanism, for which a restart and data migration is required doesn’t constitute an update in your book.
Ha, ha, ho, ho
You’re saying that because a Windows based OS requires a restart it must be a real OS update?
Oh, stop it, no, ha, ha.
Windows the most notorious of “let’s just restart everything” systems, ever. What a joke.
Moron.
There’s no impasse – you’re counting updates twice to pad Windows Phone’s horribly slow development progress.
But, we’ll call it an impasse if you so desire. You Windows platform evangelists deserve a break.
Right, and the fact remains that if, and its a huge if given how Jolla sales apparently dropped off the charts once the early adopter MeeGo hardon fanboys bought up the initial shipment, but nonetheless, if Jolla ever expands in a meaningful way beyond Finland they’re going to run into the same type of problems the big players run in to.
Mainly that getting the mechanics of an update through carriers, various QA processes, and pushed to a few million customers (being extremely charitable here, probably won’t ever achieve this volume) is hard work, and the oversimplified narrative you apply to this situation is just a fantasy.
So if it’ll help justify your purchase, you can pontificate on about how Jolla’s updates are real updates, and how Nokia’s updates (which I’ll stress again add new functionality and have OS level changes, are delivered via the update mechanism, change the OS version, have to go through carrier approval, is regionally rolled out, and everyone else except you is willing to call them OS updates) aren’t up to par.
I think the fact that you’re fighting tooth and nail to play a semantics game in order to handicap Windows Phone doesn’t bode well for your positions.
but then again, you refusing to admit you were wrong in light of a mountain of evidence isn’t surprising, given your past, incorrect smears.
They might. That’s not (yet) for us to know, though.
Actually, I have never argued that WP updates aren’t real updates. As usual, you are putting words in my mouth after you’ve been found to be wrong – but I’m used to that by now from platform advocates such as yourself.
I’m not the one who is counting updates twice just to pad the numbers. The cold and harsh truth is that Sailfish has had three major updates in two months – just as much as Windows Phones have gotten *in their entire lifetime* (let’s not even begin talking about Android). The numbers are hard, and despite your overtly transparant attempts at counting the same updates twice, are not exactly open for interpretation.
Even your beloved Nokia stated that they were frustrated with Windows Phone’s slow development pace – so it’s mildly entertaining to see the platform evangelists covering their ears shouting ‘la la la!’. Reminds me of those company representatives on e.g. the CES showroom floor rattling off talking points about some crappy, uninspired ^a'not299 laptop.
…says the person who counts the same updates twice just to pad the numbers, and, when called out on this, starts putting words in my mouth that I never said (i.e., lying). Hilarious or sad, I’m still not sure.
Classic coming from the biggest platform evangelist on this forum.
Edited 2014-02-04 13:27 UTC
I’m not counting updates twice, GDR1, GDR2, and GDR3 are separate from Amber and Black.
I didn’t address your charge originally because its nonsensical, obviously. I posted the change log.
Samsung handsets for example don’t get Amber or Black features by virtue of having GDR2 or GDR3. Its a separate update delivered on a different schedule.
I got GDR3 and I just only got Black a few days ago. Two separate updates. Your “padding” charge is an outright lie.
Nokia itself seems to disagree with you:
http://conversations.nokia.com/2013/08/15/green-light-for-lumia-amb…
“Lumia Amber builds upon the latest update for Windows Phone 8 from Microsoft. In itself, this provides a number of significant additions: a new FM radio player and improvements to Xbox music and the Internet Explorer browser.”
As does, say, The Verge:
http://www.theverge.com/2013/8/15/4625000/nokia-amber-windows-phone…
“The update, that was originally due to launch in July, includes a number of Nokia specific app additions, and Microsoft’s latest Windows Phone 8 version.”
For Black and GDR3, they seem to have indeed decoupled the two, and pushed Black as a separate update. So, I’ll grant you that. Nokia WP8 devices have received 4 updates in 2 years.
Of course, I haven’t gone into the fact that Nokia’s additions – aside from perhaps the new lockscreen – are new applications, and not operating system level updates. Heck, even the new lock screen is just an application. I think you would agree with me that a new version of an Android lockscreen, or even launcher, does not constitute an operating system update, right? Because if so, my Find 5 got operating system updates essentially daily.
But – I’ll grant you all those things, because you’re clearly in need for some positive reinforcement that Windows Phone has a rapid update pace and a healthy development process. You’re one of the few who thinks so – not even Nokia agrees with you – but that’s fine!
Amber wasn’t rolled into GDR2, it was rolled out at the same time so most handsets rolled out both updates at once but it builds on GDR2, they’re not one update together.
Again, HTC and Samsung devices got GDR2 but didn’t get Amber and Amber had OS level changes.
The Glance screen is more than an app in that first party or third party apps can’t replicate the functionality. It required firmware level changes on Nokia’s part.
Otherwise itd be just an app that can be sideloaded on Samsung interop unlocked devices like the Ativ S. But its not the case.
So you now admit there were at least four updates. You’re so close Thom.
Once you finally admit to there being five updates, I can break down the changes and compare them to the changes in Jolla’s updates (hint: not many).
Its sad that I’ve had to hold your hand through this realization you’re having, but whatever.
Even if we were to count in your way (which I don’t) and there were 5 updates. That’s 5 updates in 2 years, one every 5 months.
And we’ve had 3 updates in 2 months for Jolla. I think we can accept on basic maths that Jolla is getting more frequent updates.
Now regarding the contents: an update which takes 5 months to produce by my reckoning contain a lot more than an update which has taken 3 weeks.
Which would I rather have?
Frequent small upgrades rolled out in an Agile style?
Or big bang major updates a couple of times a year?
Me, I want the former.
I do wonder, Nelson, who you’re trying to convince? Because it’s clear not many people are listening to your flawed arguments.
And nice comeback with that “Moron” comment. Very witty.
I don’t expect you to be able to keep up, but there are two separate arguments here. One, that Thom already conceded was that Sailfish is afforded this agility because they’re small, on likely less than a million devices, and are on one carrier in Finland.
They have less units in the wild than BB10 for crying out loud. This means they have less QA and logistical work when rolling out an update. With robust growth and device variety you understandably lose that agility.
For Windows Phone, updates roll out regionally pending carrier approval. So an update could launch on one day and roll out over three months to the over 50 million install base across over 20 carriers and almost two dozen devices. Quite the difference.
P.S WP8 launched Nobember 2012, so its been a little over a year. And WP 8.1 is launching in April.
Keeping up so far? Now, the second, separate argument is that WP only had three updates over an 18 month period. This is provably false, though ill leave it to you and Thom to play semantics games.
So I don’t dispute that its nice that Sailfish gets updates, I just add context by pointing to both the size of their ecosystem and the content of said updates. Something apparently you both took issue with, which I find amusing.
and lastly, yes, if you respond with moronic statements you will get called a moron. Instead of blaming me, why don’t you try self moderating the bullshit you post?
What’s sad is that Jolla is no longer a top seller for DNA in Finland. But two Windows Phones are.
I’ve installed playstore for waze, bank application. and fdroid for osmand and navit.
The only thing that is really missing is mms. Not that I send a lot of, but sometimes I received some….
And for my taste, a way to force 3g network. As of now, 4g is not implemented, and you only can force 2g network.
By the way, Android app are ok, but frankly, it’s more of a band aid. But that doesn’t bother me. In fact, it makes my jolla more useful at day one that my n9 and my ex n900.
The pace of new native app is truly impressive!!!
As a conclusion, if you don’t want android or ios (like myself ), and you are ok with living in the edge, just get a jolla. At this time, there is a discount codes to get 40e reduce. But, if you want something that really works NOW, bug proof, get a blackberry 10 device.
My n9 is helping myself to wait until jolla is rock solid, even if it can be used every day. Sometimes I pop my sim card in my n9, sometimes in my jolla, too bad these two devices can’t merge
Something that I really really missed, is the low power mode of the oled n9: without touching the device, i can tell if someone is chatting with me (Facebook, sms, messenger, skype ) or if someone had send me mail, twitter, missed call, the weather, my ip address if i want to ssh/FTP/whatever, the time, what music is playing, next event in my calendar, etc etc….
It really put the device in a higher state of usefulness. You can’t trully imagine how much time you gain by having the choice of NOT picking up your device to answer any notification…..
AFAIK it should be possible to make an Other Half for the Jolla with an e-Ink display on it and some small controller and have the contents updated via I2C. Either leave the display on the backside of the device as-is, or make it a flip-cover.
That would be awesome, maybe with slide out physical keyboard as well.
For the best of both worlds, with the physical keyboard attached there could still be
a narrow band at the edge of the screen used for spell check/word completion.
Edited 2014-02-01 22:40 UTC
No word there about any plans for North American market though.
If I wanted a free *nix with a proprietary user facing layer I’d get a Mac.
Nowhere near the same thing and you know it. Jolla have committed* to releasing the source for the UI so that all aspects of the OS will be open source. When did Apple ever commit to doing the same with Aqua? That’s right, never.
* https://twitter.com/JollaHQ/status/271936651494825984
So in other words just a lot of hot air. I’ll wait until I can clone the repo before I believe it.
Fair enough, but your Mac comment still makes zero sense. Apple has never even hinted that they would open source a single line of Aqua code. Perhaps you should have used Android as a comparison instead? You know, broken promises about open source and all that?
Too bad, mac does not fit in my pocket, and cannot make call……
Now Jolla’s browser is supporting landscape mode. In a few months, it might even support tabs.
What exciting times are we living in!
If you don’t care about alternative operating systems – why are you here?
Genuine question.
I do care about alternative operating systems. I do not care about small changes in random apps running on these alternative operating systems.
Random apps? I think the default browser these days should be considered a bit more important than “random apps”
And landscape browsing has been one of the most requested features on this new OS on the first new phone platform for a long time.
So I hate to call it trolling, but I don’t see what else could explain such an attitude.
Maybe in a decade or two, Android, ios and windows phone will not force-close background app, leaving all you’ve already done vanishing in the dust….
Hi Thom, there’s a minor typo in the last sentence of your blurb – “major new soutlets”
Edited 2014-02-02 16:36 UTC
After yesterday’s Facebook api change, that broken my Facebook PlayBook and n9 apps, I have to say that my jolla feels already more useful than my PlayBook.
Goddamn! The amount of free apps that already exists compared to the PlayBook is truly impressive. Shame on you blackberry, for making people spend dozen of euro in apps for a device that exist since several years, just to make it works like a two month device with a bunch of free apps…..
The sad thing is, there is even no paid Facebook apps for blackberry, browsers don’t works with touch.Facebook.com, and the android virtual machine is so slow you want to throw the device through the windows …
If I had know, I’ve had buy a win rt device instead. Because drinking pee is less painful than eating poo.
Edited 2014-02-05 16:20 UTC