There’s been a lot of talk about sideloading apps to Mudita Kompakt. Perhaps, things were not very clear in the beginning- so we want to make sure people are on the same page:
Mudita is responsible for the software and hardware of the Mudita Kompakt as installed by us (MuditaOS K package), and, at the moment, there is no app store available on the device. While it’s technically possible to install Android APK files manually, due to MuditaOS K being based on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP 12), we do advise caution. Users with the necessary technical skills may choose to sideload third-party apps but should be aware that doing so may impact the device’s performance.
Apps that are not specifically designed for our E Ink screen may be inconvenient to use.
Additionally, sideloaded apps could occasionally display errors due to limited integration with MuditaOS K.
Since MuditaOS K does not include an APK loader, sideloading requires a computer with appropriate software connected to Mudita Kompakt via a USB-C cable. Additionally, MuditaOS K is designed to run without Google Services, which may also affect some sideloaded apps that require those services.
While sideloading will not harm the device and any resulting issues can be resolved by restoring factory settings, it is not covered by the warranty. For example, if a sideloaded app causes unexpected battery drain or other performance issues, these would not qualify for warranty claims.
TL;DR sideloading does not void the warranty, just reset the phone. But rooting does void warranty
@kirkmahoneyphd I’ll probably try & see how it works out. The only thing I would sideload is Signal, and maybe Audible( you know I’m a fan) but that’s about it.
Please develop just APK loader. Thats all
Its best to pack and try all apps for testing and then clean up whats not working, then go one by one.
Rooting gives a lot of solution (basically granting Linux admin access) but should not automatically null warranty. Only if user modify phone to be bricked. Meanwhile, it can be nulled again by factory reset.
I respect you for what you want to do with a great device such as the Kompakt, however for me, I don’t want a smartphone, I don’t want to be able to download apps, I probably won’t even download Signal. I just want to aim at switching off. Greatest respect to everyone and their own use0cases though. We’re all minimalistic family.
This is not a Boox device, which I came to realize after spending some time here.
The Kompakt doesn’t seem to use e-ink optimizations like Boox does, with variable refresh rates and app optimizations like app bleaching and contrast corrections. You might be surprised how badly apps will work, in the end. E.g. Spotify works on Boox because of app bleaching (background turns white).
The maps app doesn’t look like it’s much adapted to e-ink either. Legibility remains to be seen, but it’s the reason Lightphone switched to OLED.
Apps which are absolutely relying on Google Play obviously won’t work, but there are not that many (banking apps come to mind). WhatsApp and Signal should work without Google Play, but remains to be seen how well they run on the phone. The Kompakt doesn’t support video (I guess the codecs aren’t included) so things relying on video playback (YouTube podcasts?) won’t work. If you buy this device, don’t count on the sideloading. Buy it for what it is.
I do still try to use my Pure whenever I feel like giving it another whirl. I do love it but when I miss calls and texts etc it just makes me sad and I end-up putting the sim into the MP02. Incidentally, the MP02 buttons are somewhat unresponsive from time to time which is super annoying.
Like you, I would use Pure if it worked. Since it failed on many levels, I had to refund it (ongoing).
If Pure worked I would not buy Kompakt, I have smartie.
To @urszula and CEO it should be clear that dumbies are back in a segment, and Pure 2 improved, bigger screen, no bugs, better SAR antenna, more keys, better audio etc. should be done Its more to Mudita philosophy and niche market would pay for super dumbie. Pure 1 just didnt do what it was said it can.
Would sideloading something like signal be as simple as loading the apk file into the file manager and selecting it like you would do on any other phone?
Thanks for the clarifications and more importantly thanks for not closing the door on extensibility by users.
Because everyone may understand minimalism by their own definition, and achieve it in a different way, I believe that leaving side-loading enabled in Kompakt has the chance to satisfy a much broader userbase than Pure’s – by giving everyone an excellent baseline for minimalist phone that is still open to fine-tuning to every user’s lifestyle.
And let’s just hope that more developers design their Android apps with an e-ink-optimized theme in mind.
