[nickcw]

I think termux ( https://termux.com/ ) does most of what I need when I need a bit of emergency Linux on my phone.

Termux provides a recompiled debian distro which runs as a android App. It doesn't chroot or need root and it works amazingly well. No desktop apps though.

[digi_owl]

I do believe you can actually get a desktop going by installing https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=x.org.server and setting the display environment variable in termux.

[yjftsjthsd-h]

Yeah, but you need the actual programs, and when I last looked termux didn't build packages that use X and didn't include the libraries to compile them yourself (or at least I couldn't find them)

[tpoindex]

GNURoot Debian might be a solution for you: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gnuroot.de...

It runs X, using the XServer XDSL app previously mentioned in this thread. I found some things rather quirky, but certainly fun to play with. My older Nexus 5 could do HDMI out with a dongle, add in BT keyboard and mouse, and it's mostly usable.

Doesn't run on Android 8.0 yet, and no HDMI out on my newer Pixel, so it's Termux + keyboard for on-the-go hacking.

Linux Deploy (also on Google Play) for those who have rooted their devices looks to be another choice.

[Aissen]

You can use proot + debootstrap to install debian/ubuntu for example.

[herbst]

Some software could probably be compiled on a different ARM machine. Or would work when distributed in binary form. (Just speculation, but i dont see why not)

[samuell]

Wow, cool and really well working app! Now I only need to get me a great b/t keyboard that fits in a pocket :)

[jasonkostempski]

When I was a kid, the phones had hardware keyboards built-in!

[mrguyorama]

I miss my Motorola Droid 4. I'd probably still be attempting to use it if it hadn't started trying to cook my pants.'

Dissipating almost 4Ah in 10 minutes was genuinely terrifying

[Tepix]

The Waytools Textblade is still vaporware after 1000 days. Stay away from them until they ship a product.

[boyce]

Termux is so bloody handy. That and one of the recent Blackberry phones and you've a tool rather than a toy

[mschuster91]

...or a tablet and Hacker Keyboard (which is loads better than the Google or Samsung one, especially because it has arrow keys!). That's my setup.

[mavendependency]

Volume up button plus W A S D

[andai]

What about the recent Blackberries?

[bergie]

Blackberry KeyOne has a physical keyboard. Should make Termux much nicer.

[boyce]

Probably the classic would run termux too. No tab, ctrl or alt might be annoying

[digi_owl]

Maybe Ballmer was right after all...

[j45]

This looks awesome to try out with something like the Samsung dock or sentio's superbook. Not affiliated with either.

[bostand]

Another vote for termux!

It's specially useful on chromeos

[dreta]

It’s more useful to have standard Linux installed, unless you’re incredibly sensitive about security. I treat Chromebooks as cheap Linux machines. You can buy a brand new netbook, and you know Linux will run on it with no driver issues. It’s still chroot, but you get everything you need to do development.

[sfifs]

You can install GalliumOS distribution and get full Linux on most Chromebooks. You can flash firmware and get a proper laptop too

[rmuratov]

With it can I access camera or send SMS through command line?