Android on Pre

[k3dar]

I find info on a thread about Android on Pre from chinese developer xndcn...

Port is in early stage... try it ONLY at YOUR risk !
hosted on Google Code: android-on-palm

Short info:
Curently is booted over USB from NFS share on Linux machine.
After boot, some aplications work, some not...

Short Status:
Working: Touchscreen(single-touch), Wifi(not always), Keyboard
Don't Work: Sound, Phone, BT, GPS, Sensors
Port Status with some Foto on project page: Port Status


Android buttons:
VolUp for MENU and VolDown for BACK
On Keyboard Q for BACK, W for MENU, E for HOME.
NOTE: This keys is blocked for typing character and on-screen keyboard must be used.

TODO List:
on project page google translated

Download kernel and rootfs
from project page: Download

Wiki TryAndroidNow
on project page: official english

FAQ:
Q: What version of Android is used ?
A: AOSP, build info: full-eng AOSP OPENMASTER eng.xndcn.20110301.101713

Q: Touch any file/partition on Pre ?
A: No, all files is used over USB cable from PC

Q: Is possible unplug Pre from USB cable after Android is booted ?
A: No, all files is used over USB cable from PC

Q: Will be posible dual-boot ?
A: Sure.

---------------------------------------------------
Experimental Dual-Boot on PreMinus, Please read WHOLE post #100.
NOTE: because files is stored on Pre, then 2nd and 3rd FAQ above is not right

[pcworld]

Wow, really interesting!!!
Thank you Chinese webOS community!

Does touch screen alreay work a bit?

Edit: If some test this and have success I'll try too... Waiting for some guinea pigs!

[k3dar]

I test it sure before create this thread

Also i try bypass NFS way moving all files (without one big ext image) to initrd, but i don't find way to boot initrd, and don't have now enviroment to create own kernel with initramfs.

[pcworld]

Is webOS and my hardware 100% unaffected when booting Android? I don't want to break anything...

[k3dar]

short answer: NO

long answer: theoreticaly webOS and other files is unaffected, because kernel and system for android is loaded direct into memory or used from computer over usb, but general if be broken some driver in kernel, then hw can be damaged and then webOS/files too. But in this case i think that kernel is based on source of Pre stock kernel with addons/patches for Android and theoreticaly is maybe safe

[Torakiki76]

mplayer, JVM now android on pre in dual boot chinese community is doing a perfect interesting job with webOS, what the people really want to see in a mobile OS....

[pcworld]

Originally Posted by Torakiki76

mplayer, JVM now android on pre in dual boot chinese community is doing a perfect interesting job with webOS, what the people really want to see in a mobile OS....

Yes! I wish some people from PreCentral would work together with them, especially with this Android project.

I'll try to boot Android on my Pre in a few days... (maybe today)

[pcworld]

How long should it take to boot? It started before about 10 minutes (or more) and it still shows the Android logo. The logo isn't animated anymore.

[pcworld]

I forgot a command, Android "works" now!
Some pictures

Some bugs:
Android shuts down when not pressing anything on the screen for a few minutes (see in the bug tracker).
I can't find a way similar to the back button on Android devices - so I can open apps but not close them.

Any ideas if the developers of this great port speak English?

[pcworld]

Just for those who don't look into the development section: Android on Pre

[k3dar]

for back android button - use Q on Pre keyboard

[mrtonk]

Why? I can see the value of putting webOS (a great OS) on better hardware, but why would you want Android on crappy hardware?

[pcworld]

Because it's fun to play with your device

[7 fissurez]

how well does it work?
how easy is it to install?
will it void my warranty?
does it dual boot?
which bits of the phone work/do not work?
oh, and which version of android is this?

a suggestion i have is to use the gesture bar for the android buttons
we already have 5 options at the moment -
swipe left
swipe right
swipe up
tap
and the swipe up and hold

[bevcraw]

<<merged threads>>

Let's keep this in one forum, guys. Please don't cross post.

[drahgon]

Originally Posted by mrtonk

Why? I can see the value of putting webOS (a great OS) on better hardware, but why would you want Android on crappy hardware?

The biggest reason for me would be to easily make apps for both webos and android and test them both on one device! Would be great if there was a way to hot swap between the two without having to restart

[7 fissurez]

Originally Posted by drahgon

The biggest reason for me would be to easily make apps for both webos and android and test them both on one device! Would be great if there was a way to hot swap between the two without having to restart

the reason people want to have android on webos is so the can use android BECAUSE THEY CAN. (and maybe to use the larger amount of apps) not to be able to develop apps on both platforms
also its probably a way of the droid community saying "now what else can we port android onto"

as for switching OS's without restarting... Forget that idea instantly if you are talking about a legacy device, and I wouldn't consider it for the newer devices either.

[Sonic-NKT]

Theoreticlly i could be possible to run andoird in a card, just like ubuntu or other linux distributions but i think on the current devices there wouldnt be enough ram to use both OS productivly at the same time.
Multiboot is a better solution, tho it takes it time.

I really like webos, but a full working android would be kind of cool, just for the missing apps and to show off how cool my pre still is

[innocentbystander]

Very impressive! I will be waiting for a stable release and then I will consider installing.
Does anyone know what version of Android this is?

[rsanchez1]

I would be interested in seeing it run on a Pre 2 and comparing it with the EVO.

-- Sent from my Palm Pre using Forums