Blogging Finn

What went wrong with Firefox OS compiling (and how I fixed them all)

2014-08-11T08:26:00.002+03:00

Firefox OS 2.1 pre is running on my Nexus 4 at the moment. How does that sound? I'm very pleased myself. Happy I would say. Read on and I tell you what went wrong and how I fixed them all.

Wilson Page is a Firefox OS developer at Mozilla. He has compiled Firefox OS for Nexus 4. His instructions seemed pretty straight forward. Not too many steps. So I decided to try it myself.

My Ubuntu Linux was NOT up-to-date. Apps and libraries which are needed when compiling Firefox OS were missing. So I read through these instructions from Mozilla Developer site and installed required software. For me this part of the compiling was the most challenging. So if you face problems have some more coffee and chewing gum. Don't give up. Try to make sure all necessary software is installed.

After the survival of the software installation needed I started to type in commands. The next command copies Boot2Gecko-files from server to a local directory:

git clone https://github.com/mozilla-b2g/B2G.git

Then I moved to directory B2G:

cd B2G

The next part took long time. Before the actual compilation some configuration is needed. In my case for Nexus 4:

./config.sh nexus-4

Building also took long time. Once again I was desperate. All kind of messages were showing up on screen. I wasn't sure if I was going to succeed:

./build.sh

No errors showed up after building (which *did* many times before when compilation process failed!). As a *root* I gave the next command and saved a prayer:

./flash.sh

Nexus 4 booted and after a while Firefox OS 2.1 pre was up and runnning.

I hate compiling. Nothing works. Errors here and there. Maybe compiling a whole operating system is just too much for me. Too technical. That's why I'm so pleased I finally succeeded with Firefox OS 2.1. Tried many times! Couldn't be happier!

My Nexus 4 running Firefox OS 2.1 pre

Icons really are big enough!

Tespack's backbag with solar panel really makes my day!

2014-06-25T12:10:00.000+03:00

Tespack has unveiled a backbag with a solar panel (7 W) and a batterypack (12 000 mAh). Off I went and purchased one for myself.

The idea is to take batterypack where there is no electricity available. With the help from solar panel one can charge the battery on the go. In addition, when hiking at winter time battery can be charged at home. So no need to wait until sun starts to shine ;D.

I really look forward to see more from Tespack!

Perfect bag when bicycling or hiking!

Batterypack is seated inside the bag.

It also has a 2 A plug for quick charging!

Sailfish OS now available for Nexus 4

2014-03-28T17:01:00.001+02:00

Jolla has made Sailfish OS available for Nexus 4 smart phone. In case you want to give it a shot take a look at this site: http://jollasuomi.fi/sailfish-nyt-asennettavissa-android-laitteille/ . Scroll down and you'll find some english as well. Please keep in mind that Sailfish OS for Nexus 4 in NOT fully working yet. There are issues you should take into consideration!

The first european euros2bitcoins -cashpoint has been opened - and tested to work!

2013-12-16T13:13:00.003+02:00

A local record store called levykauppa Äx opened the first european euros2bitcoins cashpoint in Helsinki Finland. It's tested to work and now I have some bitcoins in my wallet. As Windows Phone is very popular in Finland (39 %) this test was done using Lumia 920 -smartphone. So this is what actually happened:

First off I had to open "a bank account" at blockchain.info. Password was needed and a working email as well. After that I saw my account was ok and alive. This all was done with Lumia 920.
There was a QR-code on screen of my phone. This code was generated by account. I showed QR-code to the cashpoint which read my code.
So now the line was open. All I had to do was to insert some money (in my case 5 €).
After only a couple of seconds a transaction happened and my euros appeared as bitcoins on my wallet.
I got an email which tells me all important information about my wallet.
It was as easy as that!

Some good and bad things came to my mind.

Good: I can enter my wallet anytime with a normal web browser. Smart phone is not needed.
Bad: My 5 euros are out there. God only knows where. Someone might steal them anytime.

A local record store, cashpoint inside

You can use the cashpoint

either in finnish or english

I've got some bitcoins in my wallet

Almost there - some lucky ones get the new Jolla phone

2013-11-27T18:10:00.002+02:00

After so much waiting Jolla Sailfish OS phones will be available In Helsinki Finland. Microsoft Windows Phone - go away! MeeGo and Sailfish OS - stay with us! See the video below. I took it this afternoon (11/27/2013) at ~ 4 PM. Those who made pre-order are standing in the queue and waiting for their phones.

Local operator DNA's popup store will sell the first Jolla-phones on Wednesday in Finland

2013-11-25T21:33:00.000+02:00

Local operator called Jolla will sell the absolutely first Jolla-phones on Wednesday in Helsinki Finland. They are already building a popup store (tent) where selling is taking place. Actually dream will come true for only a few. Those who made pre-order earlier this year will receive this magical new phone with Sailfish OS.

If I have some spare time i'll pop up and take some pictures or video. Maybe someone wants to show how Jolla-phone looks like. You never know. Nevertheless, later this year anyone can walk to a store at least here in Helsinki and buy an own Jolla-phone.

Google in Finland is so cool!

2013-11-04T11:20:00.002+02:00

Cool news from Finland! Google is investing in Finland. A lot! A little town named Hamina near russian border will receive another investment from Google which is expanding it's server farm. Why Hamina, Finland? Partly because of the cool weather. It takes a lot of energy to cool server farms... but not over here. Just open the window and you'll freeze to death ;P . Another part of the story is, in my opinion, the location of Hamina. Russia and it's second biggest town St. Petersburg is next door. So russian and asian clients can be served this way. Also, finnish stable infrastructure goes to show that nothing much changes here. That's a benefit. And only 50 km west from Hamina there is a nuclear power plant offering cheap energy. Keep in mind that a russian search engine Yandex is also staying in Finland mainly because of the same reasons as Google.

Get your own virtual Sailfish-phone

2013-11-04T09:39:00.000+02:00

In case your want a Sailfish-phone of your own go and install Sailfish SDK which is available for Windows, Mac and Linux. You'll get an entire environment for developing software for Sailfish and in addition - a virtual phone which can run your test apps. Try this simple app first! Sailfish SDK requires that you have VirtualBox pre-installed.

Sailfish emulator up and running!

CyanogenMod as the next mobile OS for my Nexus 4?

2013-11-03T08:29:00.001+02:00

My Nexus 4 will receive Android 4.4 in just a couple of weeks. How nice! There are a lot of new and exiting features for me to explore. Hard- and software live in perfect harmony? I guess so but what happens when the next Android (Android 5?) will be available? Is it possible to install it on my Nexus 4. I doubt.

What can I do (but wait)? Well, I can download and install *a real Open Source* OS called CyanogenMod! It's based on Android source code. So I'm betting on CyanogenMod. You see, CyanogenMod aims to build OS for those phones which Google abandons. I'm hoping to continue with Nexus 4 and CyanogenMod in the future.

Valkee bright light headset saves my day!

2013-11-01T21:15:00.001+02:00

It's that time of the year again! Days are getting shorter and shorter. You feel sad and sleepy. Is there anything anybody can do about it? First of all, one can take care of life as a whole; sleep, nutrition, motion. In addition, Valkee bright light headset might come to help. The idea is to deliver light through ears to your brain. 10 min per day is enough to keep you going.

Valkee charges via computer USB. Using smartphone charger is not allowed. That's all there is you need to know. I can tell it's kind of hard to eat at the same time as using Valkee. So you'd better stay in bed with Valkee for another 10 minutes and then get up - hopefully refreshed!

I guess one can use Valkee while driving ;D.

Run Android 4.3 on PC

2013-10-26T18:03:00.000+03:00

Did you know it's possible to run Android 4.3 on PC? I've done it many times. It's legal - and a lot of fun!

First of all, download ISO-image form this web address: http://android-x86.googlecode.com/files/android-x86-4.3-20130725.iso . If in doubt you can visit homepage first: http://www.android-x86.org/ .
Now that you have image burn it on USB-stick. You'll find a lot of instructions on the net how to do it.
Boot your PC using your USB-stick! Or install Android on VirtualBox. That'll make a perfect sandbox!

OS X Mavericks will be available with no charge!

2013-10-22T20:42:00.001+03:00

According to Apple OS X Mavericks will be available for free. So you don't need to pay anything! Now what, Microsoft? What's best, Mavericks runs on fairly old Macs as well!

Microsoft, why do you let me down at a critical moment?

2013-10-19T11:54:00.000+03:00

My Nokia Lumia 920 with Windows Phone 8 installed lets me down when not expected:

When trying to open Facebook-conversations. Meanwhile Twitter works just fine.
When opening a website. Internet Explorer keeps loading and loading. Nothing on screen. Please allow other browsers on WP8!

It's so annoying! Every time I really want to make sure work is done I have my LG Nexus 4 with me with Android 4.3 which does what I want. Period.

That's in finnish. It says there is

a problem gathering the information.

Windows 8.1 Customer Preview will work until January 2014

2013-10-19T10:47:00.003+03:00

I installed Windows 8.1 Customer Preview as soon as it came available on summer 2013. Never faced any serious problems with it. I was very satisfied with it.

Now the time has come to get rid of Windows 8.1 Customer Preview. It will work until January 2014. That's what Microsoft says. So why not just install Windows 8.1 RTM? As far as I recall there was an ISO-image available. Because I Installed Windows 8.1 Consumer Preview using ISO-image I'm not allowed to update my Preview to RTM according to Microsoft. My bad :P!

Now what? Well, I have plenty of time to backup all important files before deleting the whole hardddisk. Besides there are many rumors around telling what is going happen after Windows 8.1 RTM. Windows 8.2 or 9 in 2015? Heaven (or Microsoft) knows.

The next Ubuntu is 14.04 LTS Trusty Tahr

2013-10-18T19:33:00.002+03:00

Now that Ubuntu 13.10 is out the next version development is already starting. Ubuntu 14.04 LTS Trusty Tahr will be released in April 2014 and will offer Long Term Support (=LTS). Usually this means 18 months.

You can always check repositories which are already open:

https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/trusty-changes/

And release schedule:

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/TrustyTahr/ReleaseSchedule

Windows 8.1 finally has a proper app for Facebook

2013-10-18T13:24:00.000+03:00

At the same time with Windows 8.1 a new app for Facebook came available n the Store (for free!). If you are used to iPad and Android tablets then you feel like home with this app. Although there seem to be some bugs around I'm satisfied with the application and look forward to see updates in the future.

Facebook-app is optimized for Windows 8.1

Windows 8.1 did install just fine

2013-10-18T07:35:00.001+03:00

Although the install of Windows 8.1 was slow everything else went just fine. My Acer Iconia W510 got an update and a brand new Facebook-app.

The Store (in finnish)

Start-menu looks the same

It is Windows 8.1 indeed!

When to expect Windows Phone 8 GDR3 -update to arrive

2013-10-16T08:20:00.000+03:00

Microsoft announced their third update called GDR3 for Windows Phone 8 will be available "in the coming weeks" and "will continue over several months". When will one expect to receive this update for real? Well, that depends on where you live and on your current operator. Be patient!

Windows 8.1 udate is knocking on door - are you ready?

2013-10-16T07:24:00.002+03:00

Still using Windows 7 or even XP? Now it's time to update and start using the latest software from Microsoft. Windows 8.1 will be available for free in just a couple of days.

Keep in mind that Windows 8.1 has support for example for 3D-printing and Miracast-mirroring. That goes to show how Microsoft adds new features on Windows 8.1 only. Previous versions don't get this kind of candy at all.

One more thing. The next Microsoft Office will be available only for Windows 8/8.1. There is no evidence yet though. But I think Microsoft has to move forward and force customers change to Windows 8.1. One bait is, of course, Microsoft Office.

Windows 8.1 update will be available for free in October 2013 for anyone who owns and is running Windows 8.

Finnish game company Supercell acquired by japanese

2013-10-15T12:49:00.000+03:00

Finnish game company Supercell is acquired by japanese. Finnish national broadcasting company has more: http://yle.fi/uutiset/japanese_firms_buy_majority_holding_in_supercell/6882518 .

With Raspberry Pi and Bluetooth 4 Low Energy you'll get into the iBeacon world

2013-10-15T12:06:00.000+03:00

Raspberry Pi which has it's origins in Wales, UK, is again taking one step forward. This time "Raspi" can be transformed into a low-cost iBeacon (Apple) device.

You'll also need a bluetooth 4 low energy -dongle. In my case I bought dongle from Telewell (see the picture below). Not sure if Telewell is compatible with Raspbian. I hope so.

After that you can read through the following instructions:
http://developer.radiusnetworks.com/2013/10/09/how-to-make-an-ibeacon-out-of-a-raspberry-pi.html

I haven't tried it not just yet. But I'm eager to give it a shot.

I've got BT-dongle, Raspi and iPad Mini with receiving

ibeacon software installed waiting for the test

Microsoft adds support for Miracast on Windows 8.1

2013-10-15T11:51:00.001+03:00

You all know Chromecast, a low cost dongle, which let's you mirror your Android -tablet or -phone on TV screen. But what if you are using Windows?

Try Miracast. Windows 8.1 has support for Miracast. Later this October, 2013 we will see how it works. Before that, take a look how Microsoft does it:

Mozilla Appmaker helps you to design and publish your own Firefox OS -apps

2013-10-15T07:19:00.001+03:00

Mozilla Appmaker is a pre-alpha -environment which works in your web-browser and lets you create and publish your own apps for Firefox OS. Take a look at: https://appmaker.mozillalabs.com/designer .

If you want to create a little app of your own, see first this YouTube-video, which explains what to do: http://youtu.be/RaRIdLgZTPI

As no programming skill is needed, anyone can create visible great apps. Maybe later it's possible to write and add some code to make apps do more complex tasks.

Mozilla Appmaker on my Chromebook

Firefox OS 1.2 on Peak-smartphone from Geeksphone

2013-10-04T19:56:00.001+03:00

This was already the second time my Peak-phone got an update. I'm so glad it's still supported. Let's hope Peak (which is actually a developer version) from Geeksphone will receive one or more updates in the future!

Flashing went through nicely although I did read once more this webpage before starting, you know, just in case: http://firefoxosguide.com/firefox-os/how-to-flash-new-rom-on-your-geeksphone-keon-or-peak.html/

It's too early for me to say, what changes are made in Firefox OS 1.2 since I got my peak updated only a couple of minutes ago :P! However earlier this week I noticed Sony is going to release next year a highend smartphone with Firefox OS pre-installed. They already offered FFOS1.0 for Xperia E earlier this year. This goes to show how bigger players really are interested in Firefox OS. Let's hope all the best for Firefox OS!

Peak is updating...

...and success!

Pages, Numbers and Keynote available for anyone via iCloud

2013-08-23T19:11:00.001+03:00

It's time to find your Apple ID or create a new one. Apple "Office" ie Pages, Numbers and Keynote are available for anyone via iCloud. While still in beta, service is not aimed at iPad or iPhone just yet. Later this autumn we might see new iOS 7 with integrated iCloud services - and Apple "Office" as well.

My Chromebook (series 5) and public iCloud