Remove Ubuntu Touch from the recommendations (at least for now)

[TommyTran732]

While I certainly appreciate the existence of GNU/Linux phone, I do not think Ubuntu Touch is good enough to be recommended yet.

On top of the flaws that Linux phones have at the moment compared to Android (lack of an effective MAC/permission system, lack of verified boot, etc), Ubuntu Touch does not support drive encryption at all. This is quite bad, as literally anyone could steal the phone and extract data from it. Even on old devices like the Nexus series, DivestOS, or even LineageOS would make more sense from both the usability and security point of view than Ubuntu Touch. The same story is true for modern phones like the Volla Phone - the user is much better off sticking with the Stock VollaOS than opting in for Ubuntu Touch.

https://ubports.com/blog/ubports-news-1/post/ubuntu-touch-safety-architecture-25

Drive encryption is the bare minimum for any sort of privacy/security, and if an OS does not support it, it should not be recommended imo.

[SkewedZeppelin]

They also use ancient kernels.
Take for example hammerhead, scroll a little and you're in 2015:
https://github.com/ubports/android_kernel_lge_hammerhead/commits/ubp-5.1

See also:
ubports/ubuntu-touch#1566
HelloVolla/android_kernel_volla_mt6763#8
https://gist.github.com/SkewedZeppelin/ad292d9e7dd3cd873805d2587670717a
^edit: just refreshed the gist, numbers have doubled.

Noting my extreme bias.

[dngray]

I've always wondered whether or not Ubuntu Touch was ever ready for prime-time usage... to me it always felt a bit alpha.

[TommyTran732]

No I don't think it was ever fully ready.

[TommyTran732]

Should I just make a PR to remove it?

[dngray]

I think so, because I honestly wouldn't recommend it to anyone.....