Using the Steam Deck as a Phone?

Submitted ⁨⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago⁩ by ⁨okbuddyretard@kbin.social⁩ to ⁨steamdeck@sopuli.xyz⁩

https://kbin.social/m/steamdeck@sopuli.xyz/t/217351

I personally don't have a Steam Deck, but imo I think it can easily replace my phone (in my case) with just Windows 11 Subsystem for Android and a PowerBank. Also, I'm pretty retarded regarding this topic, so I answers for this. Thanks in advance!

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r333n@blob.cat ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
installing windows on the steam deck is kinda pointless
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- PeachMan@lemmy.one ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  You wouldn’t necessarily have to install windows, it might work through Proton. But this still doesn’t seem like a good idea…
  
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PeachMan@lemmy.one ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
It might technically work, but it would be difficult to set up and the experience would be poor. The Steam Deck is HUGE, and its touchscreen is not very sensitive or accurate compared to a modern smartphone. Plus, using it to emulate Android would be very janky, and it doesn’t have 4G/5G radios so you’d need to stay connected to Wifi.

If you’re just looking for voice calls, a simpler solution might be to use a VoIP service that you could access in the built-in browser, no weird installs required. But then you’d have to leave it on in Desktop Mode all the time to receive calls reliably, so it’s not a great experience. If you’re looking for a full replacement for a smartphone…no.

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- RedstoneValley@lemmy.fmhy.ml ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  It’s possible to run a browser from the Steam UI. As far as I recall it even works in parallel to a game. You could also run Signal or Discord and use that for voice calls while playing a game. It’s a bit clunky though, wouldn’t recommend it.
  
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warmaster@lemmy.world ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
You don’t even need Windows. You can run Android apps on Linux using Waydroid.

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qazwsxedcrfv000@lemmy.unknownsys.com ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
Unless what you need is an IP phone, you also need a cellular modem that supports voice calls… You also need an interface for it.

Windows 11 Subsystem for Android can’t help as passing through hardware and having the right Android kernel that has the right driver can be a nightmare.

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jordanlund@lemmy.one ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
It doesn’t have the hardware required for cell use, so you’d be limited to IP phone apps like Google Voice. Seems kind of pointless.

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Moxvallix@sopuli.xyz ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
Hi, can you please edit the r-slur out of your post. Thank you.

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- elmodelm@lemmy.sdf.org ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  One thing he wont be able to redact is his username though.
  
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JonnyJest@lemmy.world ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
I was under the impression Microsoft or Valve said that Windows 11 on the deck would never support Android apps. If that’s not true I might boot up a windows SSD 👀

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vpzom ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
The two things I care about a phone for are that it's small enough to fit in my pocket and can get an internet connection from the cell network, neither of which are true for the Deck.

But if you just care about apps, then I guess? Has anyone tried running Waydroid on it yet?