Big news for fans of privacy-friendly YouTube experiences! NewPipe, the popular Android app, has been ported to Linux desktops using a special technology called the Android Translation Layer (ATL). This means you can now enjoy NewPipe's clean interface and powerful features on your computer, just like you do on your phone.
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What is NewPipe?
NewPipe is a free and open-source app that lets you watch YouTube videos without relying on Google's services or the official YouTube API. It works by directly parsing the YouTube website to get the information it needs, so you can enjoy videos without ads or tracking.
Here are some of NewPipe's key features:
- Lightweight and fast: NewPipe is designed to be resource-efficient, so it runs smoothly even on older devices.
- Background playback: Listen to music from YouTube while using other apps.
- Download videos and audio: Save videos for offline viewing in various formats and resolutions.
- Subscriptions and playlists: Stay up-to-date with your favorite channels and create custom playlists.
- Popup player: Watch videos in a resizable window that floats above other apps.
How Does It Work on Linux?
The magic behind this port is Android Translation Layer (ATL), a project that acts like a bridge between Android apps and Linux.
ATL is a compatibility layer enabling Android apps to run on Linux without a full Android system, similar to Wine for Windows applications. It essentially translates the instructions from an Android app so that it can run on a Linux system.
The NewPipe Linux port is still experimental, so you might encounter some glitches. However, it's a promising development that could pave the way for more Android apps to become available on Linux desktops.
Why Choose NewPipe on Linux?
You might be wondering why you'd want to use NewPipe on Linux when there are already other YouTube alternatives like FreeTube.
Here are a few reasons why NewPipe on Linux is worth considering:
- Privacy: NewPipe is built with privacy in mind and avoids using any of Google's tracking mechanisms.
- Feature parity with the Android app: Enjoy the same features you love from NewPipe on your phone, now on your computer.
- Support for YouTube Music: NewPipe offers better support for YouTube Music than some other desktop alternatives.
How to Install NewPipe in Linux
The NewPipe port for Linux is currently available as a Flatpak package. This makes it easy to install and run on most Linux distributions.
To install NewPipe in any Linux distribution, make sure you have installed Flatpak and enabled the Flathub repository.
And then, run the following command to install NewPipe on your Linux system:
flatpak install flathub net.newpipe.NewPipe
Once installed, start NewPipe using the Application launcher or from the Menu. This is how NewPipe youtube client app looks like in my Debian desktop system:
Please keep in mind that it is an unofficial build, meaning it's not directly supported by the NewPipe developers. If you encounter any issues, you should report them to the ATL bug tracker.
Current Status and User Feedback
Initial reports from users testing the Linux port highlight both its potential and current limitations:
- Functionality: While basic browsing generally works, some users report issues with audio and video playback, and frequent ATL-related crashes.
- User Interface: The UI, based on Gtk, seems functional but shows some glitches, especially with button placement and sizing.
- Performance: Users generally praise the app's snappy performance compared to resource-intensive alternatives like Freetube (based on Electron).
- Size: Concerns were raised regarding the Flatpak package's large size (3.6 GB installed), primarily due to the inclusion of dependencies like org.freedesktop.Platform and org.gnome.Platform. However, it's important to note that these dependencies are shared between different Flatpak applications, mitigating the overall impact on disk space.
Alternatives to NewPipe on Linux
Several alternative YouTube clients exist for Linux, each with its pros and cons:
- Freetube: A popular Electron-based client offering a sleek UI but criticised for being resource-heavy.
- Parabolic: Described as a tool for downloading videos, potentially lacking NewPipe's focus on browsing and watching.
- Materialious: Mentioned as a potential alternative, but details regarding its features and comparison to NewPipe are missing from the provided sources.
The Future of Android Apps on Linux
The arrival of NewPipe on Linux desktops is an exciting step towards a future where Android apps can run seamlessly on various operating systems. With projects like ATL continuously evolving, we may soon see more of our favourite mobile apps making their way to the Linux desktop.
The availability of NewPipe on Linux is exciting news for users who value its privacy-focused, lightweight approach to consuming YouTube content. Give it a try and tell us how it works for you!
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