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Android-x86

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Android-x86
File:Android x86 Screenshot.jpg
Screenshot of Android-x86
(4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich)
OS familyAndroid
Working stateActive
Source modelOpen source
Latest release5.1[1] / October 9, 2015 (2015-10-09)[1]
Latest preview6.0[1] / May 20, 2014 (2014-05-20)[1]
Kernel typeMonolithic (modified Linux kernel)
LicenseApache License 2.0
Official websitewww.android-x86.org
Android x86 on EeePC 701 4G

Android-x86 is an unofficial initiative to port Google's Android mobile operating system to run on devices powered by AMD and Intel x86 processors, rather than RISC-based ARM chips.

The project began as a series of patches to the Android source code to enable Android to run on various netbooks, tablets and ultra-mobile PC.

Chih-Wei Huang and Yi Sun originated the project in 2009. Yi Sun then quit due to personal affairs. Chih-Wei Huang is the current project maintainer.

Overview

The OS is based on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) with some modifications and improvements. Some components are developed by the project which allow it to run on PC architecture. For instance, some low-level components are replaced to better suit the platform, such as the kernel and HALs. The OS enables Open GL ES hardware acceleration if supported GPUs are detected, including Intel GMA, AMD's Radeon and Nvidia's chipsets (Nouveau). Without supported GPUs the OS can also run in non-accelerated mode via software rendering.

Like a normal Linux distribution, the project releases prebuilt ISO images which can run under live mode or install to the harddisks of the target devices. Since the 4.4-r2 the project also releases efi_img [2] which could be used to create a live USB which is bootable from UEFI devices.

The following components are developed from scratch or derived from other open source projects:

Android-IA

A related project, Android-IA[3] has been produced by Intel that will run on newer UEFI devices. The Android-IA project states that its intention is to drive Android support and innovation on Intel Architecture in addition to providing a venue for collaboration.[3] Android-IA re-used the drm_gralloc graphics HAL module from Android-x86 in order to support Intel HD Graphics hardware. The Android-IA project provides a FAQ[4] with more detailed information. The project has since been discontinued.

Remix OS

Jide Technologies announced Remix OS, an open-source operating system based on Android-x86 designed for use on conventional PCs, is partnering with Chih-Wei Huang, the main developer of Android-x86. Remix OS's beta was made available on March 1, 2016.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Porting Android to x86". Android-x86. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  2. ^ "Android-x86 Release 4.4". android-x86@sourceforge. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  3. ^ a b "Home". Android on Intel Architecture. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
  4. ^ "FAQ". Android on Intel Architecture. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
  5. ^ http://forum.xda-developers.com/remix/remix-os/announcement-release-remix-os-pc-beta-t3326362
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