DEVICETYPE-DETECT(1) General Commands Manual DEVICETYPE-DETECT(1)

devicetype-detect - attempt to detect the type of the current device

devicetype-detect [-h|--help|-v|--verbose|-V| --version|--compat]

devicetype-detect attempts to determine device class of the running system based on the display size, display resolution, and presence or absence of a battery. Depending on the detected device, one of "phone", "desktop", "netbook", or "laptop" will be printed to STDOUT.

display a usage message and exit
print extra information to STDERR during detection
output version information and exit
Attempt to mimic the return codes for laptop-detect(1)

0
Detection was successfully attempted
1
Detection was successfully attempted, and device is a desktop (has no battery) [only in --compat mode]
2
Invalid Options
Errors in the detection process (please report a bug)

The device type detection is necessarily crude, and would benefit hugely from clearer product differentiation. With "phones" having resolutions of 1280x720 or greater, "laptops" available down to 3.7" diagonal, "desktops" with internal batteries for "power conditioning", and an increasing presence of modems, both AT and 3G in devices of all classes, device class is often determined by the usage model of specific individuals, rather than objective measurements of the device.

It would be a great boon to be able to detect tablets by determining if there is a physical keyboard available.

laptop-detect(1)

Written by Emmet Hikory