Lovense and Linux (ubuntu 18)

[terrorbird_jones]

Hope this is in the right place - didn't see any other threads about this specific topic.

I recently got a much needed new computer (woohoo!), and I decided (for reasons) to put Linux on it. It was previously running Win 10. Anywho, I finally have everything working EXCEPT my Lovense toys. Lovense, as far as I can tell, offers 0 support for their products as far as Linux is concerned.

I've done some homework and looked into buttplug.io, which is an 'open-source standards and software project for controlling intimate hardware, including sex toys, fucking machines, electrostim hardware, and more.' ...Unfortunately, it's just a library of 'codestuffs' <-- ??? for developers. An application LIKE the Lovense Connect app could ostensibly be created by a developer, but I don't have one handy and hiring someone would be impo$$ible for me rn.

I did install Wine on my PC and set up the C: drive like it needs. The apps technically install, but when they attempt to launch I either don't see anything at all - no launch, or it gives me an error message from Wine and refers me to the list of software on the Wine site. (Lovense isn't on the list)

So, I guess I'm asking if anyone here has found a way to use the Lovense products with a Linux machine?

(lovense browser app, connect app, remote app) I use all three.

Halp.

 

[Lelo1]

I haven't tested this, but there is a real good chance it would work.

You could run lovense connect on your smartphone. To read the tips, you would need to install chrome for ubuntu. And then manually install lovense extension for chrome.

I wonder if @LOVENSE has any info on running lovense connect on ubuntu.

FYI @qDot is the person behind buttplug.io.

 

[DJ_Pioneer]

You could look into setting up a virtual machine running Windows.

 

[terrorbird_jones]

I haven't tested this, but there is a real good chance it would work.

You could run lovense connect on your smartphone. To read the tips, you would need to install chrome for ubuntu. And then manually install lovense extension for chrome.

I wonder if @LOVENSE has any info on running lovense connect on ubuntu.

FYI @qDot is the person behind buttplug.io.

interesting. i was trying to avoid using my phone, just bc it's my personal phone and i don't have any security set up on it. i'm not tech savvy, so that may not matter. i did actually manage to install chrome for linux and enable the extension before i got into all of this, so that much is working. i just can't get the connect to work on my machine. maybe i will have to use my phone... /:

 

[terrorbird_jones]

You could look into setting up a virtual machine running Windows.

i'm currently using WINE as a virtual machine. it's software that allows you to run windows programs in linux, but it doesn't work as an emulator exactly. it created a little fake c drive to install to and run from and everything. but it looks like lovense apps don't work out of the box with WINE, and i was wondering if anyone here had experience getting lovense to work in WINE.

well, i did actually get the programs to work in WINE. sort of. the exe files i downloaded from lovense installed without error via WINE. they just won't launch. i get an error. i didn't think to check and see if there was a WINE forum... i wonder if they would know? i asked on the linuxquestions.org forum, but i haven't heard much back so far. i think the sex toy topic is scaring folks away, lol.

 

[Deleted member 37064]

Wine is an emulator, not a virtual machine. It emulates running windows software. Whereas, a VM actually runs Windows natively. I think you're one of the few models to run Linux.

Either way, have you looked into the WINE logs to see what the errors actually are? It's been a long time since I've messed around with WINE. But, take a look in /var/log for a wine directory to check the logs. IIRC, there may also be some more verbose output you can enable.

 

[SMuser69]

I don't understand why it would work since connect is a chrome extension. Are you trying to use a standard bluetooth dongle or the lovense dongle? I know if you use the via compatible bluetooth drivers it can been seen by ubuntu but I don't know if that's enough for the dongle to be detected by the lovense connect extension.

 

[DJ_Pioneer]

i'm currently using WINE as a virtual machine. it's software that allows you to run windows programs in linux, but it doesn't work as an emulator exactly. it created a little fake c drive to install to and run from and everything. but it looks like lovense apps don't work out of the box with WINE, and i was wondering if anyone here had experience getting lovense to work in WINE.

well, i did actually get the programs to work in WINE. sort of. the exe files i downloaded from lovense installed without error via WINE. they just won't launch. i get an error. i didn't think to check and see if there was a WINE forum... i wonder if they would know? i asked on the linuxquestions.org forum, but i haven't heard much back so far. i think the sex toy topic is scaring folks away, lol.

You might want to look into getting Oracle VirtualBox or VMware Player, they are real virtual machines not emulators.

 

[terrorbird_jones]

You might want to look into getting Oracle VirtualBox or VMware Player, they are real virtual machines not emulators.

Well, the official Wine site says the 'Wine' was originally an acronym for "Wine Is Not an Emulator", but a compatibility layer. Not sure if OVB or VMP are any different, but I will definitely give them a try. Thanks.

 

[DJ_Pioneer]

Well, the official Wine site says the 'Wine' was originally an acronym for "Wine Is Not an Emulator", but a compatibility layer. Not sure if OVB or VMP are any different, but I will definitely give them a try. Thanks.

Before the acronym actually meant Windows Emulator but they changed it.

 

[terrorbird_jones]

I don't understand why it would work since connect is a chrome extension. Are you trying to use a standard bluetooth dongle or the lovense dongle? I know if you use the via compatible bluetooth drivers it can been seen by ubuntu but I don't know if that's enough for the dongle to be detected by the lovense connect extension.

I have the Lovense dongle, but it requires the Connect app to communicate with the toy. Unfortunately just plugging in the dongle doesn't tell the computer about the toy or anything. On my Windows laptop I would plug it in (the Lovense dongle), then run the Connect app to connect the toy to the dongle, with a little control panel to turn tethering off and on. The browser and extension just communicates to my browser and the online toy settings page, telling my chat room that the toy is present and active.

I have already successfully installed the browser and extension in Linux. I am assuming that since my PC's BT works, that I just need to get my Connect app to work so that my dongle can communicate with my toy.

This is the part I am stuck on. After using Wine to successfully install the applications (at least there were no error messages that came up), they won't actually launch. When I attempt to launch the supposedly successfully installed Connect app I get: 2018-12-28 14:22:56,433 INFO IsUserLoggedIn = false

 

[terrorbird_jones]

Before the acronym actually meant Windows Emulator but they changed it.

lol, I don't know. I'm new to all of it. It doesn't matter to me if it is or isn't an emulator. I'm just going by what the developers say about it at present. I assume if it used to be called an emulator they wouldn't change the name to say that it isn't one unless it wasn't. but maybe it is? *shrug I'll try the others.

 

[SMuser69]

I have the Lovense dongle, but it requires the Connect app to communicate with the toy. Unfortunately just plugging in the dongle doesn't tell the computer about the toy or anything. On my Windows laptop I would plug it in (the Lovense dongle), then run the Connect app to connect the toy to the dongle, with a little control panel to turn tethering off and on. The browser and extension just communicates to my browser and the online toy settings page, telling my chat room that the toy is present and active.

I have already successfully installed the browser and extension in Linux. I am assuming that since my PC's BT works, that I just need to get my Connect app to work so that my dongle can communicate with my toy.

This is the part I am stuck on. After using Wine to successfully install the applications (at least there were no error messages that came up), they won't actually launch. When I attempt to launch the supposedly successfully installed Connect app I get: 2018-12-28 14:22:56,433 INFO IsUserLoggedIn = false

But why are you using WINE at all? Chrome is native on ubuntu and chrome extension will work natively on any version of chrome and you can make the dongle detect natively with the VIA bluetooth driver. One thing I know is the lovense dongle hates when the motherboard bluetooth is enabled.

 

[QuinnLane]

This could be a shot in the dark because there are probably way more members that are more savvy with this kinda thing here on the forum, BUT https://twitter.com/tech__daddy runs a sex worker tech help Discord channel!

 

[terrorbird_jones]

But why are you using WINE at all? Chrome is native on ubuntu and chrome extension will work natively on any version of chrome and you can make the dongle detect natively with the VIA bluetooth driver. One thing I know is the lovense dongle hates when the motherboard bluetooth is enabled.

Well, remember I have already successfully installed the browser and extension in Linux. It is the Connect app that I need to communicate with the browser and its extension. I didn't use Wine to install the browser.

 

[terrorbird_jones]

This could be a shot in the dark because there are probably way more members that are more savvy with this kinda thing here on the forum, BUT https://twitter.com/tech__daddy runs a sex worker tech help Discord channel!

Hey, thanks! New resources are always welcome!

 

[terrorbird_jones]

Before the acronym actually meant Windows Emulator but they changed it.

Btdubbs, I have gotten the same thing from a few friends I talked to yesterday. So, perhaps Wine is the problem after all. Haven't had time to try out your other suggestions yet, but I'll keep this thread posted on whether Oracle VirtualBox or VMware Player work out better.

One of my friends is really encouraging the idea of just setting up dual boot. What do you guys think?

 

[DJ_Pioneer]

Btdubbs, I have gotten the same thing from a few friends I talked to yesterday. So, perhaps Wine is the problem after all. Haven't had time to try out your other suggestions yet, but I'll keep this thread posted on whether Oracle VirtualBox or VMware Player work out better.

One of my friends is really encouraging the idea of just setting up dual boot. What do you guys think?

Yeah dual boot is probably going to be easier.

 

[terrorbird_jones]

Yeah dual boot is probably going to be easier.

I'm starting to think so too. And it would potentially eliminate me going through this with any Windows/Mac exclusive products I use in the future, whatever those may be...

 

[Lelo1]

That or pick up a cheap smartphone.