Android-x86 developments and issues

Puppy related raves and general interest that doesn't fit anywhere else
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nubc
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#91 Post by nubc »

At the risk of sounding retro, if Android-x86 wishes to be cross-platform, and presumably more versatile and multipurpose, then perhaps developers could improve its network support, in particular, for USB-to-RJ45 adapters. There shouldn't be any limitation on connectivity, because a device without internet amounts to nothing.

While this previous post by me primarily concerned Android 4.1 standard, I was, at the time, simultaneously testing my eeePC for USB-to-RJ45 adapter connectivity in Android-x86, with similar negative results. In fact, both netbooks refused to even boot when connected this way. I just now tested the most promising adapter (ZyXEL Prestige 401a) with the eeePC, and detection lasted over 5 minutes with no success (and no boot). According to the video (see above link), there is supposed to be an entry in Settings > Network > More, named Ethernet, which I have never observed in Android 4.x.
I tested 3 different USB-to-RJ45 adapters manufactured by Linksys, as well as ZyXEL Prestige 401a and Farallon NetLINE 10/100 PN796. None worked on Android netbooks. [But hurray, while I was fumbling through my stuff, I found my SD card reader, with driver/install CD.]
Last edited by nubc on Fri 08 Nov 2013, 15:21, edited 12 times in total.

jpeps
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#92 Post by jpeps »

gcmartin wrote:
jpeps wrote: ... The current Nexus 7 ...
I probably should have said Nexus 5. In mentioning RAM, I was talking about the "processor" RAM where the OS runs....not the RAM you order the system with.
Hope this is a bit clearer.
Please clarify "processor RAM." There's CPU cache, but that's only 2M.
The Samsung Note 3 has 3 gigs of RAM. Apparently the Samsung Galaxy S5 will be moving to 4 gigs.

One limitation might be battery time, adversely affected by the more junk you have running in the background.
nubc wrote:perhaps developers could improve its network support, in particular, for USB-to-RJ45 adapters.
"External usb drive and sdcard are auto mounted to /mnt/USB on plugging"
http://www.webupd8.org/2012/02/android- ... d-ice.html

"Network Cable(Cat5): If you are connected to internet via your network port via cat5 cable, before you start your virtual Android, you need to go to Setting -> Network to Enable your network Adapter:"
http://software.intel.com/en-us/blogs/2 ... virtualbox

hardware/OS incompatibility?

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nubc
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#93 Post by nubc »

Android on Intel Architecture: Ethernet Support in Android-IA
https://01.org/android-ia/blogs/mkgumbe ... android-ia

Dive into Android networking: adding ethernet connectivity [pdf file]
http://elinux.org/images/9/98/Dive_Into ... tivity.pdf

Android Tablet PC how to connect networks, wired Internet access steps
http://www.spinchat.com/hp/ibuycheappc/blog/id/399213

USB to Ethernet dongle (from DealExtreme) - WORKS! [xda developers forum]
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthr ... ?t=1224660

USB RJ45 Wired Internet Adapter for Android Tablets, by BobjGear
https://sites.google.com/site/bobjgear/ ... et-Adapter
review: BobjGear USB-RJ45 adapter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4sCeTxcfyo

[DRIVER PACK] USB to Ethernet driver pack for Honeycomb 3.2 [xda developers forum]
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthr ... ?t=1274656

Step by step to enable LAN access for Motorola XOOM
http://discuz-android.blogspot.fr/2011/ ... s-for.html

Super-Fast Driverless Android Ethernet Adapter USB TO RJ45 FAST 125Mbps [eBay listing]
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/android_ninja/m.html
video guide
http://www.youtube.com/v/zAIE9ZSHbkQ

Better Terminal Emulator Magic (free with registration)
http://mall.soc.io/apps/Better+Terminal+Emulator+Magic

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nubc
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#94 Post by nubc »

This morning I acquired Adobe Reader for my EeePC through Android-x86 app "Play Store" and was impressed how easy it was. The Craig netbook [running Android Jelly Bean -standard, not -x86] won't download from Google Play Store, so I believe I have to root the device to do anything with it. I could root it, it would be a learning experience. Or I could take a chance and install Android-x86. Would it be just a simple matter of formatting the internal drive and installing Android-x86, or is this forbidden-root-access more persistent and/or protected? I mean, at some point, after formatting, will I gain access to BIOS, and be able to use root account and su? I know ethernet support would be better on Android-x86, although this capability is reportedly kinda hobbled and incomplete. Can someone suggest a version of Android-x86 that would be closest to the Craig CLP285 netbook, or perhaps the latest generic version would be best. Any opinions or recommendations?

Craig tablet CMP741e
7 Inch Digital Capacitance Touch Screen (800 x 480, 16:9)
Processing Speed 1.3 Ghz (Sun4i, Allwinner A10) Stock is clocked at 1Ghz /w Fantasy governor, you can overclock to 1.15Ghz max out the box
Android 4.0.3, Adobe flash 11.1 pre installed
Front Facing Camera (0.3 Megapixel)
1GB DDR3 Ram
802.11 b/g/n wireless connectivity
Multi Point Touch Screen
3D Gaming Accelerator (Mali 400)
USB OTG connectivity (You can use your keyboard, mouse or any compatible peripheral with the supplied dongle connected to the device)
Rechargeable Battery (6 Hours continuous use)
Built in speaker and Microphone
Micro SD Card slot ( Support up to 32GB )
Stereo Headphone Jack

Craig netbook CLP285
WONDERMEDIA WM8850 (VIA)
1.5 GHz ARM Cortex-A9 core processor
ARM Mali-400 3D graphics processor
Multi-standard 1080p video decoding engine
H.264 video encoding
4GB internal storage
1GB DDR3/LPDDR2 DRAM interface
Multiple video interface including HDMI, LVDS and DVO
Flexible networking and peripheral interface
Advanced hardware security engine
Android 4.1 Support

WM8850 Root Burner - How to root the WM8850 without firmware update
http://nanospic.ro/?p=327

Rooting the Craig 741e tablet
http://www.androidtablets.net/forum/cra ... 0-cpu.html

How to Root and Install Google Apps on the Craig CMP741D Android Tablet
http://theunlockr.com/2012/10/29/how-to ... aig-cmp741

How To Set Up ADB/USB Drivers for Android Devices (Updated 12/13/11)
http://theunlockr.com/2009/10/06/how-to ... d-devices/

Add SSH server to your Android tablet (root access not required)
http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/tablet ... id-tablet/
Last edited by nubc on Fri 15 Nov 2013, 15:44, edited 16 times in total.

gcmartin

#95 Post by gcmartin »

Here another Android implementation that I just crossed: Android Intel Architecture. It infers that it addresses wired internet. It appears to be aimed at newer systems versus older ones. Thus Android-x86 is probably the only choice for older PCs. But, I haven't tested, as of yet. But, it does suggest that it understands "wired ethernet". Not sure if this means via Motherboard or via dongle.

When I booted Android-x86 on my Lappie, I did not test either connectivity (or browser) nor Google-Play access. If it works like other Androids, when at the Google Play store the Adobe package WILL install if it sees a compatible device. Otherwise, it will NOT install.

I am not sure about the "root" concept you mentioned in Android-x86. I'm not at all understanding of what that means with this platform.

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#96 Post by nubc »

Mobile Tech News: Android Pushes Past 80% Market Share
http://www.mobiletechnews.com/info/2013 ... 03656.html

456M Phones Sold In Q3, 55% Of Them Smartphones; Android At 82% Share, Samsung A Flat Leader
http://techcrunch.com/2013/11/14/gartne ... at-leader/

CyanogenMod publishes new Installer app on Google Play
http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/11/ ... ogle-play/
"Cyanogen Inc., the newly created company that produces the popular custom Android ROM CyanogenMod, published a new app called CyanogenMod Installer which will unlock the user’s boot loader, root their device, and flash CyanogenMod to their phone with minimal extra effort. The free app is available over Google Play, and when it's paired with equally free desktop software, this can replace a phone's operating system with Cyanogen Inc.'s highly customizable version of Android."
Last edited by nubc on Fri 15 Nov 2013, 06:17, edited 2 times in total.

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#97 Post by nubc »

I can't play any YouTube videos, get an error message. One video played but there was no sound. Did Flash Player ever work in Android-x86 4.0 r1?

Here I am, a week later. This morning the audio (only) worked on streamed YouTube videos, but there was no video except for a brief flash at the beginning of one of the vids.
Last edited by nubc on Wed 20 Nov 2013, 16:20, edited 2 times in total.

gcmartin

#98 Post by gcmartin »

Advance reports says to expect a $price tumble starting yesterday thru New Year for Android devices. Anyone who wants one for test/evaluation/development should look forward to this.

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L18L
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Android-x86 developments and issues

#99 Post by L18L »

nubc wrote:... Android-x86 4.0 r1?
Sorry,
why care about 4.01 r1?
Android-x86's recent version is 4.3


----------------------
edit

And I can't play any YouTube videos, get no error message, no sound.

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nubc
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Re: Android-x86 developments and issues

#100 Post by nubc »

L18L wrote:
nubc wrote:... Android-x86 4.0 r1?
Sorry,
why care about 4.01 r1?
Android-x86's recent version is 4.3
.
Because "su" is allowed in version 4.0, but not allowed in 4.3.

gcmartin

Re: Android-x86 developments and issues

#101 Post by gcmartin »

I think what @L18L is highlighting is that -x86 is a root system to allow us to get some familiarity with Android as a platform using technology that's on your desk. Android, even rooted Android, is not like traditional OSes. Yes, it has a Linux base, but, it sharply departs to deliver UI responsiveness at fingertips/gestures in a very different way than used traditionally.

And, assuming development may be one's plan, 4.3 and kitkat most nearly match where Android is now going (very obvious in KitKat). It was not so obvious in prior releases.

Hope this helps

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Re: Android-x86 developments and issues

#102 Post by L18L »

gcmartin wrote:...system to allow us to get some familiarity with Android as a platform using technology that's on your desk.
Exactly.
... mouse and keyboard can be plugged in via USB on any recent tablet.
There is no need to use touch and gesture I think.

Another feature I have detected for me:
Speaking messages enabled in somewhere in preferences.
though there is no sound to hear but the text of the spoken words appear on red background at the bottom of the screen.
Really very useful.

jpeps
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Re: Android-x86 developments and issues

#103 Post by jpeps »

L18L wrote: Exactly.
... mouse and keyboard can be plugged in via USB on any recent tablet.
There is no need to use touch and gesture I think.
Also, working in reverse, it's easy to use remote desktop apps (Gmote, Splashtop, etc) on your tablet to run your PC using touch and gesture.

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Re: Android-x86 developments and issues

#104 Post by nubc »

gcmartin wrote:And, assuming development may be one's plan, 4.3 and kitkat most nearly match where Android is now going (very obvious in KitKat). It was not so obvious in prior releases.
It's going where every other Google division is going:
1. More insistent, intrusive involvement with your wallet and personal info
2. Compulsory integration with the widely spurned Google+
3. Simplifying the interface (at the expense of functionality) by adding layers of hidden control buttons on top of each other. Just keep piling on the bling until everything comes to a freezing halt. (That last pop-up doesn't close.)
4. Deprecating customizability in favor of standardization, indirectly creating another revenue stream to restore lost customizability.
5. Toolbars in ubiquity: Google coders love toolbars. Toolbars everywhere.
6. Carpal tunnel scrolling: Scroll into a void from which you never return (just close session and go someplace else)
http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/11/ ... -reviewed/

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#105 Post by nubc »

I took a look at Dyle TV, and concluded that it only works with wireless on specific hardware, even when it promises a USB-enabled app in the near future. Does anyone know of an app to show broadcast TV on a wired-connected Android device?
https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... client.mcv

gcmartin

#106 Post by gcmartin »

Question
ARe you asking if there is a way to connect a DTV antenna-tuner to display content on an Android?

The offering you show is an app which will use one of these 2 receivers
  • Audiovox MobileTV Receiver
  • Elgato EyeTV Mobile TV Tuner
to flow some content to the smart device.

But, if I understand the implementation, those are using a specifically tuned antenna to allow display of whatever the broadcasting location is licensed for. This is why you will only see a few of the local programming (TV stations) that the receivers get. The technology is seen in the 1st paragraph, here.

I did see another broadcast option about another US venture to broadcast to mobiles. In fact, as I remember, recently some broadcast content providers had tried to use the court system to shut them down.
Edited: added the Company which is sued for making broadcast content available

Which technology approach are you after?

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#107 Post by nubc »

The second option is more interesting to me, essentially, streaming broadcast TV on computers, tablets and smartphones. I can see how this technology would irk broadcasters and traditional television vendors.
https://www.aereo.com/

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#108 Post by nubc »

Android-x86 4.4 review – first Release Candidate
http://www.linuxbsdos.com/2014/02/17/an ... candidate/
Known issues
- Suspend and resume may not work on some systems.
- The installer can't format ext3 filesystem.
Replicant (Android fork, a free software project)
http://www.replicant.us/

Fairphone: "A seriously cool smartphone that puts social values first"
http://www.fairphone.com/

CyanogenMod: an aftermarket firmware for a number of cell phones based on the open-source Android operating system. It offers features not found in the official Android-based firmwares of vendors.
http://www.cyanogenmod.org/
Last edited by nubc on Tue 18 Feb 2014, 15:50, edited 1 time in total.

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L18L
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#109 Post by L18L »

nubc wrote:Android-x86 4.4 review – first Release Candidate
http://www.linuxbsdos.com/2014/02/17/an ... candidate/
A really worth to read article
Thank you, nubc

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nubc
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#110 Post by nubc »

Development Release: Android-x86 4.4 RC2
http://www.android-x86.org/releases/releasenote-4-4-rc2

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