Htc Universal, ... running Debian EABI Options

[datathief]

I've been using an HTC Universal for a month now, and I've all but forgotten about my poor Zaurus.

Pros:

• Runs Debian EABI, including X.
• About the same size as a clamshell Zaurus.
• 640x480 screen.
• I get about 9 hours life with the extended battery.
• Was sold in Europe, and it's still easy to get accessories.
• No touchscreen jitter.
• Backlit keyboard.
• Built-in Wifi, Bluetooth and GPRS/UMTS for internet access almost anywhere.

Cons:

• Stuck at 2.6.21 (not a major problem).
• Wifi driver is unstable.
• Running from an SD card is slow.
• No USB Host, CF or SD (SD socket is occupied because you can't install on the internal flash).
• Takes some hacking to get everything working.

Does anyone else here have one of these? Would there be any interest in creating a Debian "distro" for it?

Update: See here for progress so far.

Update 2: I've uploaded a Debian package to install the keymap, power management, sound and phone functions here.

[ZDevil]

Wow. That's sounds really cool. Any pointer to setting it up?
Can you get phone functionality when running Debian?

[datathief]

Wow. That's sounds really cool. Any pointer to setting it up?
Can you get phone functionality when running Debian?

For a basic install:

• Get a kernel and modules here (untar the rootfs, look in /boot for the kernel and /lib/modules for the modules).
• Format an SD card (I think the above kernel supports ext2 and ext3) and put the Debian rootfs on it (I used debootstrap from my Zaurus), and copy in the modules.
• Get a copy of HaRET.
• Put HaRET (haret.exe), the kernel (zImage), and a config file (default.txt; see below) on the Universal. Insert the SD card, and run haret.exe.

The HaRET config file, default.txt:

CODE

set kernel "zImage"
set mtype "855"
set cmdline "root=/dev/mmcblk0p1 rw console=tty0 rootdelay=5 fbcon=rotate:1"
boot2

This was enough to get Debian to boot. USB networking works. Wifi works best if you set the speed to 1Mbps using iwconfig (I have to do this after associating with the AP). The keyboard goes a bit weird after suspending (there's a fix here).

The modem accepts AT commands over one serial port and exchanges data with pppd over a different serial port, so GPRS is tricky. I've written a daemon to handle this. In theory, it should be easy to add the ability to make and receive voice calls and SMS, but the interface needs some thought. Probably best to keep it simple - a command-line tool to dial, pick up, hang up and send SMS, and an interface like /etc/apm/ to handle events (incoming call, SMS). That should be enough for me to use it as my only phone.

[ShiroiKuma]

The modem accepts AT commands over one serial port and exchanges data with pppd over a different serial port, so GPRS is tricky. I've written a daemon to handle this. In theory, it should be easy to add the ability to make and receive voice calls and SMS, but the interface needs some thought. Probably best to keep it simple - a command-line tool to dial, pick up, hang up and send SMS, and an interface like /etc/apm/ to handle events (incoming call, SMS). That should be enough for me to use it as my only phone.

So, if I understand it correctly, you cannot use it currently as a normal phone? I.e. accept and make calls and send/receive SMS/MMS?

BTW the Universal has UMTS, as you mention in your fist post?

Can you workingly use GPRS, i.e. connect to the web easily?

[datathief]

So, if I understand it correctly, you cannot use it currently as a normal phone? I.e. accept and make calls and send/receive SMS/MMS?

Not yet. I almost have basic SMS send/receive working. Once I can make and receive calls too, the Universal will be my primary phone.

BTW the Universal has UMTS, as you mention in your fist post?

Yes. I'm getting 384kbit/s in good conditions.

Can you workingly use GPRS, i.e. connect to the web easily?

Yes. I'll publish my daemon that handles this soon.

[ShiroiKuma]

Wow, I think I'm gonna go buy this phone...

Do you have any sources of info, or is your main one http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread...178#post1680178

So, if I understand it correctly, you cannot use it currently as a normal phone? I.e. accept and make calls and send/receive SMS/MMS?

Not yet. I almost have basic SMS send/receive working. Once I can make and receive calls too, the Universal will be my primary phone.

Checking at http://www.handhelds.org/moin/moin.cgi/UniversalStatus specifically with GPE/x11 it says phone calls are working. Yet it says SMS isn't. Can you give any pointers on what you've done to get SMS functionality, and what "almost" means in terms of SMS functionality?

Can you workingly use GPRS, i.e. connect to the web easily?

Yes. I'll publish my daemon that handles this soon.

Great, how soon do you expect to be able to publish this?