Hope you are having a great end of your weekend. I wanted to add a short thought about the performance of the Mudita Kompakt and sideloaded apks after a day or so of testing. Essentially, I support what Mudita has already said about the device. If you intend to use sideloaded apps, the performance will be sub-par. Yes, it is possible to sideload applications like Signal, WhatsApp, and podcasts. However, due to these apps not being optimized, they will not work well.
I have tested a few apps (WhatsApp, 2FA, Antennapod, Einkbro Browser, Organic Maps, Olaunhcer, and Discreet Launcher). Most apps perform decently, but their layout of animations profile is not smooth. Therefore, there is a significant amount of ghosting. The DPI of the screen is well optimized with Mudita applications. It is not, however, for other apps. Even Olauncher was a bit fuzzy on the E-ink screen. Einkbro loaded, but crashed often. I believe it is because of RAM consumption and how the system handles opened apps. 2FA, podcasts, communication apps were all fine. Again, just not a pleasant UI for e-ink.
Just a few thoughts so far. I highly recommend the device so far based on the performance of what it was intended to do. Be a simple phone with tools. I am eager to see the improvements that Mudita will continue to bring with their suite of apps for the Kompakt. I cannot recommend this device as an Android e-ink phone with the intention of being a smartphone or running a lot of apps in the background. There are better options out there for those that need a powerful processor, multiple open apps, etc.
Once Mudita continues to ship upgrades and the system is more stable, I will try to do a video and showcase these findings with the new updates. I believe the mapping update once I receive it will highlight the difference between a non-optimized app and an optimized app.
@Jose_Briones Thank you for taking the time to test all of these out & post your review. I’m sure this info will be very useful to individuals considering Mudita Kompakt.
Thanks @Jose_Briones
It’s good to know the phone works flawlessly in the manner it was originally intended. As you say, if anyone wants more, there are other devices out there.
@Jose_Briones: Thank you very much for reporting about what you have tested so far. If you are taking any suggestions for apps to try, then could you please try Audible, Session, and Sipnetic?
Meanwhile, I plan to keep my Kickstarter pledge in place, as I have a usually-SIM-less, CalyxOS-deGoogled Google Pixel 6 that I use for Audible, AntennaPod, etc. – with downloads made via an Ethernet-to-USB-C dongle.
For reference, my cellular carrier can use in the USA (where I live):
sixteen 4G/LTE bands on the Pixel 6;
eight 4G/LTE bands on the “North-American optimized” Kompakt that I ordered;
five 4G/LTE bands on the Sunbeam Wireless F1 Orchid that I will use until the Kompakt arrives.
I can use the Pixel 6 when I am traveling internationally and (a) I need better 4G/LTE support than what the “North-American optimized” Kompakt can provide or (b) I want access to a browser, etc.
Otherwise, I believe that the “North-American optimized” Kompakt will be a wonderful improvement over my F1 Orchid, which is handy with Sunbeam’s Premium Service but has super-limited compatibility with non-USA carriers and lacks the screen size and sunlight-usability that I want from the Kompakt.
Take it slow, it will NOT be same smooth exp, but with patience and knowledge, scrolling and ghosting
it has all the functions. Can slower refresh, higher contrast aid experience?
I already altered all the parameters on developer options to optimize for lack of animations, reduce ghosting, and have a smoother experience. The issue is not the software, but the hardware. The hardware is not designed for the artifacts smart apps aim for. You can notice a few things that probably won’t be optimized further than what I have done so far.
This is not Mudita’s problem. It is a end user problem if they decide to use the Kompakt as a smart device instead of a simple phone. You can definitely load these apps as “only when necessary,” but it will be hard to daily drive this on Android mode with the Hisense A9, A5, Bigme HiBreak, and other actual e-ink smartphones out there.
I am glad that this is not a full smartphone tbh, but I know some will be a bit frustrated. To those who were aspiring for this to be a smartphone, I recommend looking elsewhere. Just my thoughts of course.
Problem is HW, problem is end users, thats contradictio
OK can these developer settings be enabled if user somewhere confirms “I wish to sideload APKs” ?
Note that lot more will want since its Android phone then not,
If it was previous phone (that also had HW issues that were end users problems) this line of thinking would be OK, plus impossible.
What I meant is that the hardware expectations from end users are the mismatch for the Kompakt to be considered a “full smartphone” versus a phone with tools and 1-2 apps outside of the Mudita ecosystem.
Expectations need to be adjusted to what e-ink is, Eink NEEDS optimized apps for res, refresh etc.
a) Some basic apps are and will be made by Mudita KOS team and included
b) I advised LONG LONG ago that pact is made with some good app makers few selected
e,g, Total Commander-RAR for file managment, Signal for communicator, Dub for mp3 player
PHONES sent (as well as SDK, docs etc.) and profit shared so its official Kompakt app, updated and maintained by original makers with near quality, but upgraded and fixed via MOS K updates
c) Leaving users to sideload APKs and they can never lobby-pay for eink versions, even united with Yota, HiSense users since market share of eink phones is still marginal
Why picking c?
Out of e,g. 300k KS 10k could and should be invested in a) or b) where shared profit b) model is way way better
P.S. if b succeeds lobby for old KOS demakes of dub, notes, calendar, dark theme and Signal and maps :DDDD That would overcook the sw and make old phone great again, plus satisfy those who paid hefty summ and hang to it now (call it moral debt to customers
You think that 10K will be able to convince Signal or other companies to create a profit share for Mudita OS apps? I doubt it. Let’s try 100K and we are beginning to talk. I don’t think option B is realistic with the market share and lack of monetization from these FOSS apps.
I think it’s ok that the Kompakt will operate on option A until someone actually wants to partner. Until then, Mudita is best using their resources on developing in-house apps.
10k plus share of each sold phone (lets say 2 USD per phone). Bill gets got rich that way by buying Dirty DOS and NT kernel Users would donate to some liked apps (I would for dub and writerP) through bounty, PP donation or KS, patreon …
Signal has lowest userbase in tough competition, even Telegram fairs better., At same time its open protocol is so secure its used by almost all.
Kompakt is now on C and we dont know which 2 apps will be picked, likely one is Signal
and other can be some really unnecessary, Mudita philosophy would fit real improved Nice Up U Medi app.
Signal is free protocol and there are FLOSS implementations.
100K then, if its worthy, team claims to have millionaire in PZL behind plus KS.
Dub and WriterP are great apps that are free, so you dont know until you ask. and send phones and tools. (till you try hardest and cooperate to mutual benefit true and honest)
Previous attempt to do on their own failed miserably, by your review. Lets hope we all learn from mistakes.
Hardware is good, even eink screen is better then previous model and comparable to HiSense at cheaper price.
Its lack of ideas how and what to optimize, and small development team that is the problem,
not the expectations of this time real smartphone.
Early next year I will make video review of now cheap and affordable HiSense A5 that has sideloaded PlayStore
and has optimised UI
Informing users of what works and how (start of thread) is good, shifting blame instead of looking for solutions possible is politricks (how it developed further)
I bet users would donate independently for certain apps IF target goal is known.,
That is how floss operates
Small scale AROS example https://power2people.org
Fantastic! I love that this phone is basically still a dumbphone. Simple and to the point, very excited for it to get in my hands in May, till then I will be using the light phone 2 and Mudita pure together
What about Spotify? During the livestream they said it worked well. I don’t have a spotify paid account I just listen to the podcasts would be nice if it worked on the Kompakt but not a deal breaker for me
