[RockerC]

Any thoughts on distibuting Kodi as a Flatpak application via Flathub to distribute as the main distro-agnostic Linux desktop app?

"Flatpak is the next-generation technology for building and installing desktop applications" (meant for Linux desktop ecosystem).

http://flatpak.org


I read that Team-Kodi been working on Kodi as a Ubuntu Snap package which is similar to Flatpak but for Ubuntu-based system

https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=315213

Here is another argument why use Flatpak instead of Snap => http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=ne...ux-Distros



Flatpak apps also runs in a more isolated/sandboxed environment and Flathub is the build, repository, and distribution service for it.

From the point-of-view of Team-Kodi you woulkd create only one app bundle and distribute that to the entire Linux desktop market.

https://flathub.org


The main benifit for developers is that you will "develop and test your application in an environment that's identical to the one users have".

Flatpaks have or can have much more limited / restricted access to your operating system than traditional apps, similar to iOS or Android.


Some people like to describe Flatpaks (just like Ubuntu Snaps) packages as more or less the desktop versions of Docker containers.

Good summery here => https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/04/28...top_linux/


PS: Even a few major applications are already offered as Flatpaks, inc. Steam, Spotify, Skype, Telegram, LibreOffice, and Discord.

[qp9013625]

Maybe re-post that thread in the Linux forum instead of the feature request forum:

https://forum.kodi.tv/forumdisplay.php?fid=52

?

[bam80]

Still nothing on it?

[marko10_000]

Hi @RockerC

I have successfully created an runable Flatpak for Kodi. Unfortunately it's only a subset of Kodi (read the repo readme), e.g. missing support for devices and disks, especially DVD/Blu-ray and I haven't tested if the Kodi web interface is accessible over the network (or does Flatpak block it?). And of course the SMB support is not added, so the current state should not be used too much in public, because otherwise people might be disappointed in Kodi, because there are missing features that the Flatpak simply does not ship. I use the Flatpak active and it works fine (for my local library). I hope you take a look at it and give me feedback on the current state (and tell me what needs to be added most urgently to make it available to the masses).

Greetings from Germany

Links:
Flatpak-Builder file: https://git.marko10000.tk/flatpaks/flatp....kodi.Kodi (Mirror: https://github.com/Marko10-000/flatpaks/....kodi.Kodi )
Readme file: https://git.marko10000.tk/flatpaks/flatp.../README.md (Mirror: https://github.com/Marko10-000/flatpaks/.../README.md )

PS: @RockerC it's your fault that I finally created an account in Kodi's Forum. I've seen your post and because I know how hard it is to create a runnable Kodi Flatpak, I hope the Git Repo will help you.

[comparascope]

what a coincedence

I have been working on a flatpak for flathub. maybe you want to work together on this with me? I have smb support working and plan to make most of the kodi features work in the flatpak.

https://github.com/flathub/flathub/pull/673

[comparascope]

Work on this flatpak version of kodi is progressing. It is already quite feature rich. Please help if you can!