Republic Wireless customers running Linux can now text any of their contacts from their desktop, without needing to take their phone out of their pocket.
‘Republic Wireless is hybrid mobile network that places voice calls and sends text messages over Wi-Fi by default’
The ‘Republic Anywhere‘ was announced by the mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) last month, with builds for Windows, macOS and Android mobile users made available for download.
Now the company has announced that a beta version of its free texting Anywhere app is available for Linux customers to use and test.
Republic Wireless is a Hybrid Mobile Network
Republic Wireless is an innovative, hybrid mobile network. By default it places all voice calls and sends text messages over a Wi-Fi connection. When a wireless network connection isn’t available, or the customer moves out of range, the service seamlessly switches back to a traditional cellular networks, specifically those provided by Sprint and T-Mobile.
Although I’m a Brit and can’t attest to the network’s appeal I do know that a small number of American readers use Republic Wireless as their carrier — and those users will be pleased to know that Republic Wireless Anywhere is now available on Linux as a beta.
Republic Anywhere for Linux
When set-up and configured on both desktop and mobile devices the Anywhere app keeps contacts and messages in sync across devices, automatically.
‘I was pleasantly surprised when they announced that Anywhere would have a Linux client’
Anywhere is available to all Republic Wireless customers for free (nope, there’s no additional charge for using it).
If you happen to me among those who use this MVNO on your Android device you’ll be pleased to know that Anywhere uses the same phone number as your phone, so you can text all of your contacts and they can text you back. Texts you get on your phone can be read on the desktop, even if your phone is off.
Reader Brandon is one of Republic Wireless’ Linux-toting customer. He mailed in to tell us that the Linux app is now ready for testing, writing:
“I’ve been a user of Republic Wireless for 3 years and I was very exited when I heard that their new Anywhere texting app would be coming to Linux and now it’s finally here! Republic Wireless is a relatively small community oriented company so I was pleasantly surprised when they announced that Anywhere would have a Linux client”.
Install Republic Anywhere (beta) on Ubuntu
To install the Republic Anywhere Linux app you need to be running a Linux distribution based on Ubuntu 15.04 or later. You also need to leave your issues with Electron at the door, as this is an Electron app.
1. Open a new Terminal window and run the following command to add the Republic Wireless repository:
sudo sh -c 'echo "deb [arch=amd64] https://s3.amazonaws.com/files.republicwireless.com/public/apps/anywhere/debian main main" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/republicanywhere.list'
2. Add the security key for the repo to authenticate packages that you download from it:
wget -O - https://s3.amazonaws.com/files.republicwireless.com/public/apps/anywhere/debian/key/public | sudo apt-key add -
3. Install the Republic Anywhere Linux app by running:
sudo apt update && sudo apt install republicanywhere
Once the app downloads and installs you’ll be able to launch it from the Unity Dash (and other app menus/launchers). You’ll be prompted to log in with your Republic Wireless account details. Once signed you can follow the walkthrough to install the companion app on your phone, sync your data, and then text away.
Thanks Brandon