Early 2025: Sailfish OS 5.0 is out and the true Jolla C2 launch!

The new Sailfish OS 5.0 “Tampella” is finally out for all the new devices!

As mentioned by the official blog post (https://blog.jolla.com/sailfish-os-5-0-tampella-is-here/) the latest update – which was actually ready on the repos for some time – is officially rolled out, with images available: the new code brings more than 300 improvements, and over 200 bug fixes, and also prepare the support for new Jolla Mind2, along with many other features listed below.

What’s New? The official list

• Sailfish Browser engine updated to Gecko ESR91, with work ongoing towards ESR102.
• Android AppSupport upgraded to Android 13 (API level 33) for better app compatibility – first made available in C2 and later to other devices with migration from AppSupport 11 targeted for a future release.
• MicroG 0.3.6 enablers added and fixed, improving opt-in support for Android apps dependent on Google services. Compatible with both AppSupport 11 and 13. MicroG instructions 5.
• WireGuard VPN support added — can be manually installed on 5.0.0. Wireguard instructions 4.
• New landscape mode for home view, events view, alarm view, and lock screen, with better support for notches and rounded corners.
• Call blocking capability added, allowing selected incoming calls to be blocked.
• Support for Jolla C2 and Jolla Mind2 built into the system, shaping the roadmap for future Sailfish development.
  (source: https://forum.sailfishos.org/t/release-notes-tampella-5-0-0-62/22378)

My Features Picks

UI improvements

My preferred changes are the one about the Landscape mode for “home view, events view, alarm view, and lock screen”: finally an UI feature that was reserved to the Tablet and the Gemini, is available by default for all the 5.0 devices.

Idem now you can rotate your locked phone in order to get the two column Lock Screen, and I think a lot of Landscape view for many app will come soon. You can control the new landscape feature inside the Setting / Display menu.

Lastly, there should be refinements for all the phones with a notch or with wide rounded corners.
(In the past I wrote a small patch for the Volla Phone 1,  the code pushed aside the central clock, curious to see the new solution in action!)

More security with Sailjail

Although not enough emphasized, Sailjail, the naming for the Sailfish OS App Sandboxing, that ensures that each app only has access to the minimum data and it’s separated from the other opened apps. This adds an extra layer of security, keeping your device safe even if an app is compromised.
A security note: the app Sandboxing was a feature introduced in Graphene OS some time ago, and this is definitely good news on the topic of the Device security.

The Jolla C2 true launch… is now!

In case you missed the sponsored posts on Instagram and Facebook, the Jolla C2 is back on sale: it may be a bigger second batch or the full, definitive production batch, but this is the moment to purchase it! Now it’s available.
Jolla may be pushing a bit too much on the retargeting budget (lol) but it’s a sign that the season launch is here, during early 2025.

Unboxing the JC2

The JC2  was unboxed and by the J-D channel on late 2024. It was the first batch, and there may be some minor software of hardware difference but you can get virtually in your hand with the vid.

Also, check the video review by Bohdan HI-TECH. This new channel is creating good Tech Reach video for the newcomers, explaining from zero every time all the information about Sailfish OS.

Buying the JC2

The JC2 is available at the Official Jolla Shop: https://commerce.jolla.com/products/jolla-community-phone

At the moment it’s not featured at our “J-D and Alternative Phones Store”, but it’s not said that some unit will appear again for special needs.

Conclusion

Sailfish OS 5.0 “Tampella” represents a significant advancement in the mobile OS landscape. With its strong emphasis on security, seamless Android app compatibility, and user-friendly design, Sailfish OS stands out as a compelling alternative to traditional mobile operating systems.

With this release Jolla is showing that’s Still Alive and also continues to innovate and collaborate with the help of the Sailfish OS Community.  Let’s see the next moves that will follow this Spring 2025.