feat: add about

# Open-source philosophy

All /e/OS default applications are open source except the Magic Earth maps client. You can read the reasoning behind that choice on the [Magic Earth explanation](../eos/apps/maps/), but otherwise every other shipped app is forked from an upstream project with the source code available on our [GitLab namespace](https://gitlab.e.foundation) and references such as the Mail app repo (`/e/apps/mail`). The [Product Description Document](/what-s-e#e-default-applications) also lists each application along with its source repository.

We contribute upstream whenever it makes sense, but large pull requests are often rejected because upstream maintainers have their own focus, feature set, and UI decisions. That is why forking a project sometimes becomes the best path for us.

We still explore ways to make Magic Earth fully open source—our discussions were put on pause during the pandemic, but we hope to resume them soon. In parallel, we keep scouting other maps apps that are open source, lightweight, and do not require constant re-downloads to keep the user experience seamless.

# /e/OS roadmap highlights

### Privacy-focused partners

We have been in touch with both Purism and Pine project teams. The planned /e/OS Librem discussion did not yield a product yet, and PinePhone hardware is still slower than we require for a smooth experience, but the dialog remains open.

### Devices and hardware

Murena sells phones running /e/OS through [murena.com](https://murena.com), with hardware partners such as Fairphone and Teracube. We also support installing /e/OS on tablets and document several community builds on the [devices](../eos/devices/) section. A Murena tablet is now available for purchase.

### Desktop mode, e-ink, and new conveniences

We plan to deliver a desktop-mode experience similar to Samsung DeX on several devices in the future. The feature is requested often, and the team is working toward it. We would also like to support slower hardware such as e-ink devices once we can dedicate more engineering bandwidth.

### Configuration options

Eventually, the installer should let you uninstall default apps and expose more configuration levels (default, intermediate, expert). Adding more devices to the Easy Installer depends on the community—developers maintain the installer and continue adding devices as contributions arrive.

### Collaboration and future services

We are always open to aligning with like-minded projects—feel free to introduce your team through the [Murena contact form](https://murena.com/contact-us/). Spot (our default meta-search) currently needs performance tuning; we have other services in mind and share news through our newsletter, so subscribe for updates.

### Accessibility and network support

Check supported bands for Murena smartphones on the product pages. For other certified /e/OS phones, refer to their specifications. ASHA (hearing aid) support is not available yet, but you can follow the roadmap for future accessibility enhancements.

- 🛠️ **Advanced users**  

  Manual installation, troubleshooting, contributing to the project.

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## ⭐ Main Features

- Check the **FAQ** and **HOWTOs**

- Join the **/e/OS community** to connect with other users

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### 💡 Reading Tip

If you are new, start with **“What is /e/OS?”**, then explore **Main Features** to understand what the system offers.

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## ℹ️ About

- **Open source applications:** Learn why Magic Earth remains the only proprietary default app, where all other source repositories live, and how we choose what to ship. [Learn more →](about/open-source/)

- **Roadmap highlights:** Follow the device partners, desktop-mode plans, and future services we are working toward with Murena and the community. [Read the roadmap →](about/roadmap/)

### Why not Open source all your pre-installed apps?

With the exception of Maps app (Magic Earth) all our default system Applications are open source. You can find the explanation behind choosing Magic Earth [here](/maps)

### Where can we see the code of the open source apps that you're forking? 

You can browse through the projects on our [gitlab](https://gitlab.e.foundation) and check out the source code.

For example to find the code for the Mail app you can [look here](https://gitlab.e.foundation/e/apps/mail)

For links to the source code location of each of our default system applications check the [Product Description Document here]({% tl what-s-e %}#e-default-applications)

### Why do you not contribute upstream?

We contribute upstream 

 - when it's possible

 - when the upstream project accepts it

 - when a contribution upstream makes sense. 

However we have observed that unless the contributions are for trivial bugfixes, in 99% of the cases the merges are rejected. The reason behind the rejection is that upstream project maintainers have their own ideas about their project, its features ,UI, colors etc and are not ready to accept our suggestions or code changes. 

This is the primary reason why forking is common in open source projects.

### Are there still any efforts ongoing to get Magic Earth to open source their application? 

Our plans to discuss with Magic Earth got postponed due to the pandemic. We hope to discuss with them and make some progress on this topic this year. However we are keeping our options open. 

We are looking out for other available Maps applications which do not require the user to constantly download newer versions of the maps. This would make the user experience fluid and take up less bandwidth. Most important of all the application should be Open Source in line with our ideals.

### Do you have plans to work with other privacy focused companies like Purism or Pine?

We have been in touch with both project teams.

We were interested in creating a /e/OS Librem but nothing came out of our discussions.

On Pine, we have a post with details of how to [port /e/OS](https://edevelopers-blog.medium.com/e-os-ports-for-the-pinebook-and-pinephone-596139c76479) to the PineBook. 

Based on our test of the /e/OS on the PinePhone, we found the current hardware was too slow to offer a decent user experience.

### Any plans on building a smartphone of your own?

A range of Murena smartphones that run /e/OS is available for sale [at https://murena.com](https://murena.com)

For most of these devices, we work with hardware partners like Fairphone and Teracube to offer the smoothest possible user experience.

### Is the /e/OS compatibility with Asiapac networks in Australia or New Zealand ?

You can check supported bands on Murena smartphones product pages. For other /e/OS smartphones, please refer to their specifications.

### Is it possible to see /e/OS on tablets that you make?

It is possible to install /e/OS on tablets. You can check some of the device builds [here](/devices).

A Murena tablet is now available for sale [at https://murena.com](https://murena.com)

### Are there any plans on offering a desktop mode like Samsung Dex

That is something we have in mind since the beginning of the /e/OS story. It is also regularly requested by some users and potential business partners.

This mode will be soon available on several devices. Please check our updates.

### Will you be adding e-ink support

We would love to support "slower experience devices" with e-ink once the team has more bandwidth to handle the tasks.

### Would the installation wizard offer different levels of configurations for user like default, intermediate, expert ....?

We plan to eventually offer the ability to uninstall default apps. 

### Will there be more phone models added to the Easy Installer in the future?

The development on the /e/OS Installer is also a community effort. This means that users with development skills contribute to the code. Addition of more devices depends on efforts from the community.  

### Would you be interested in aligning with other like minded project teams

Yes we are always ready to discuss. Feel free to get in touch with them and share the details with us on this [contact form](https://murena.com/contact-us/)

### Will /e/OS project launch more web services, such as Spot?

First we have to improve Spot (our default search engine, meta-search engine forked from Searx) as it is too slow. We have other services and products in mind. You can subscribe to our newsletter to receive latest news and updates from us.

### Does /e/OS have ASHA support for hearing aids?

Not yet unfortunately