Database Users

Linux Bounty

I'm really excited by the possibility of running linux on my x7501. While WM6 is fine in its own right, I'm a linux/bsd guy at heart (I'm even a Zaurus defector). I don't think I'm the only one interested in getting a usable Linux or BSD port.
In any case, there doesn't seem to be any/much progress being made on Athena's linux port, so I'm willing to go out and recruit an opensource bounty hunter. I hope we can find someone who already has an Athena, but this community has raised enough to buy a couple devices for windows mobile developers so maybe we could do it again for a linux dev. I'm willing to put some money in the pot and do the organizational leg work if there is any interest.
Let me know what you think... Go or No GO?
Thanks
,Cal
Edit: I'm afraid I gave up on my Athena. Sold it today. I've gone back to my Zaurus, window mobile doesn't work for me, and I found myself not using the phone because of it. Good luck to everyone.

linux port
BTW, I have my own ideas, of which I'll list a few below, but I'm willing to get behind any community effort that puts linux on Athenas
My wish list
Linux
X11
Debian (http://wiki.debian.org/ArmEabiPort)
fluxbox for geeks like me(comes with debian)
GPE / QPE for linux newbies
Custom Setup / PDA tools (ie Touch Screen calibration)
Personally I would like to see a BSD ported. I tried it on my Zaurus C1000, and I really liked it. There is already an arm port of OpenBSD for Zaurus that works well, and NetBSD is known for porting the OS to everything.

the problem is, that for a lot of us, the ameo is a device used for productivity (probably entertainment,too)
i'd also prefer linux to wm6, but really need navigation and working gsm,wlan,bt,umts, fast standby ....
so only if _all_ of these things work i'm able to install linux there.
(i do have installed slackware and ubuntu on my home comuters)

mojo2000 said:
the problem is, that for a lot of us, the ameo is a device used for productivity (probably entertainment,too)
i'd also prefer linux to wm6, but really need navigation and working gsm,wlan,bt,umts, fast standby ....
so only if _all_ of these things work i'm able to install linux there.
(i do have installed slackware and ubuntu on my home comuters)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To have a good kernel running and KDE would be pretty damn good (obviously im a linux n00b big time.....but in my defence ive been running suse since version 7.1 )
It wont be as big-of a pain in the ass as the hermes etc... since its pretty close to the other devies which have linux ported to them (uni...etc..)

mojo2000 said:
need navigation and working gsm,wlan,bt,umts, fast standby ....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't see any of that as impossible, but some items will take more work then others. Its a matter of will and resources. Most of it already exists and works on the Zaurus and other HTC devices for that matter.
Either way linux isn't a solution for everyone, it especially won't be at first. Maybe a dual boot solution is needed.

I have taken the switch to linux on my home desktop and laptop and absolutely love it. There would be nothing better than to get a working linux on my athena. I'm in for donating and support.

Count me in on this, too....
would be great to have linux option....

mee too
me too will love. I use mine at uni and could need a lot of linux software on mine

Nexus One (Android) Development Questions

Hey everyone,
I'm relatively new to participating in this forum. I've been lurking for some time playing around with my rooted G1, cliq, and now my Nexus one.
While it's been fun toying with other people's work, I'd like to get serious about development again so I have something to contribute. Android really interests me and I'd like to learn the ropes. I haven't done anything with software development in years. At one point in time I was relatively competent with *nix based operating systems, scripting, and coding in C (never liked C++ or OOP in general, so I stuck with straight C, but I guess I'll have to stop being stubborn and realize that OOP is here to stay). This, however, was years ago. At the time I was running FreeBSD 2.2.6 and occasionally Slackware (forget the version) to give you an idea of how much I have to catch up on
My questions:
1) Does anyone have a recommendation for a Linux distribution that's conducive to Android development? I'm sure you can develop software in any distribution and everyone has their own personal preference for a distribution. My question is are any superior specifically for the purpose of Android development? (note: I'm trying my best not to phrase this as an uninformed newb question, as I know the eternal distro debate is quite futile and annoying. I'm just looking for a bit of insight to get me started specifially with Android development).
2) Could anyone point me in the right direction for where I can begin to learn about Android development as a whole? I'd like to develop a solid foundation in whatever aspects are most crucial. I would assume this includes basic linux proficiency (which I'm sure will come back like muscle memory), knowledge of C/C++, and Java. But I'd like to hear any input from those with experience so I don't waste my time reading material that may not be helpful.
Ideally I'd like to have enough of a basic knowledge of Android so by the end of the week I can write a basic "Hello World" Android app and continue learning from there.
One last thing. Yes, I do plan on googling it. And then googling it again. And I absolutely love the search function. The point of this post is to get a bit more insight about what to Google and search for

I dont know if you want to develop apps or work on ROMs and such. Apps are written in Java, and Im fairly sure alot of the lower level stuff is written in C.
The AndroidSDK is out for windows so you dont really need to have linux.
As for a Hello World app, read this http://developer.android.com/guide/tutorials/hello-world.html
thats what I followed to learn the basics, granted so far I only know enough to make a simple WebViewing application
EDIT: just a tip, when constructing the UI, read the part about constructing using XML, this is the ideal way to go, and you should get used to this instead of the traditional Java way.

1. The most condusive environment will be Ubuntu 8.04 (which I believe is referenced a couple of times on the SDK pages). Glad to have you here with us. : )
2. Here is a pdf on beginning with android, this is mainly geared toward application development though.
Have fun! : )

wow this is just the kind of material ive been looking for! Thanks!

Also, I've put together 2 or 3 of my own applications on Windows 7 (32bit), with no issues at all.
Just saying, if you have a windeers machine, it aint bad for building apps.

Thanks for the positive response everyone. That gives me a lot of helpful info to get started. After I get my bearings I'll post a thread to help other developers get their start.
Here are a few other decent links I've found so far:
http://developer.android.com/guide/basics/what-is-android.html
http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/opensource/library/os-android-devel/
http://www.devx.com/wireless/Article/39101

No Turning Back
Well I just too the plunge I told my boss I want to go part time next summer so I get get back into software development. You have to follow your passion, and and I'm giving up a full time salaried management position with my company in order to do so.
I've gotten a good start. I bought a new laptop and gave it a nice fresh install of Windows 7 Ultimate. Installed JDK, Android SDK, Eclipse, Eclipse ADT plugin, etc.
Then took my old laptop and I'm in the process of getting rid of Fedora and putting Ubuntu 8.04 desktop on it as I type this
So my development environment is almost in place. Now all I have to do is brush up on linux fundamentals, brush up my my c, and learn java from scratch.
This will be fun
Any suggestions on a good place to start learning java specifically for Android?

I don't have any specific links, but my suggestion is to benefit from and give back to open source projects. By downloading the sources for Android applications that are open and learning what needs to be done on that level to get the end product running on your phone, you can learn more than most any tutorial you will find. And while the next step of improving on those applications may not come for a while, eventually you will be in the position of extending that functionality you started with and making something new or just improving the existing application so it does it's job better. Pay attention to the licenses involved though, and make sure to not do anything that isn't permitted (which isn't hard to stick to honestly).

Check Amazon for Head First Java which is a great starter for Java and OOP, another book to check out is Professional Android Application Development, I got both on Amazon for like 40 bucks shipped. Although I know Head First Java is used at a lot of schools like UC Berkley and UC Irvine, so I don't know if prices go up around this time of year that school is starting back up. I use VMPlayer on my Windows 7 machine to run Ubuntu when I need it, works like a charm and it's free.

JoshHart said:
Check Amazon for Head First Java which is a great starter for Java and OOP, another book to check out is Professional Android Application Development, I got both on Amazon for like 40 bucks shipped. Although I know Head First Java is used at a lot of schools like UC Berkley and UC Irvine, so I don't know if prices go up around this time of year that school is starting back up. I use VMPlayer on my Windows 7 machine to run Ubuntu when I need it, works like a charm and it's free.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just purchased both of them. Thanks for the tip.
Items not yet shipped:
Delivery estimate: January 14, 2010
1 of: Professional Android Application Development (Wrox Programmer to Programmer)
Sold by: Amazon.com, LLC
1 of: Head First Java, 2nd Edition
Sold by: Amazon.com, LLC

[double post deleted]

mianosm said:
1. The most condusive environment will be Ubuntu 8.04 (which I believe is referenced a couple of times on the SDK pages). Glad to have you here with us. : )
2. Here is a pdf on beginning with android, this is mainly geared toward application development though.
Have fun! : )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, Ubuntu 8.04 Desktop is quite impressive.
Fedora 10 was difficult to install and configure on my laptop. Neither the touchpad nor the wireless driver worked properly out of the box. It reminded me of similar install experiences years ago when I more actively used Linux. I do enjoy a challenge, and I was able to get them set up after hours of research.
In contrast, Ubuntu 8.04 is running flawlessly on the exact same machine immediately after the install. I actually prefer the UI, and the lack of useless bloated apps immediately cluttering my system is refreshing.
Thanks for the recommendation
About the Beginning Android book. I notice it deals with Android 1.1 with Android 1.5 only being mentioned in the appendix. Would it still be worth reading to develop a solid foundation, or are do you know of any more current information available?
I'm getting my start over at developer.android.com, but I'm not sure if that's the right place to learn java from scratch. I guess i'll find out soon.

i got news for you, 1 solid app that works well, does what it says and markets to a large group of people will make up for your salary loss lol
good luck though, this whole app thing and moving to android has intrigued me to possibly get into some development as well, or with friends or something... if there is a new market where money is to be made, this is it... but i was curious if google takes a cut from apps like apple does?
personally i say organize something together and sticky it to help future devs...

Well I finally have my development environment after days of indecisiveness.
I did a fresh install of Ubuntu 8.04 on one laptop and an fresh install of Windows 7 on the other laptop, then setup JDK/AndroidSDK/Eclipse, etc on both. Then realized that Ubuntu 8.04 was installed on my slower laptop, and developing for an open source platform in a closed source operating system is a travesty. So I reformatted my quicker laptop, and setup a dual boot with Ubuntu on the inside of the drive so it gets the quicker data transfer rates. Then I had the pleasure of downloading and setting up JDK/AndroidSDK/Eclipse all over again.
Of course this was followed by hours of screwing around with different window managers and customizing things (and ending up sticking with gnome anyway)....finnnallly, days later, I'm ready to start writing some code

[Q] on device programming/coding

I've asked this a long time ago, but now i've heard this question from other's, twoo.
So:
Is there (or will there be) a way to code direct ON an android device (maybe at android 3.0)?
Not the script things..
The new android tablets (some of them already bringing hardware keyboards) would be great to code on. (really portable, long lasting battery) So it would be pretty cool if we could code java on device. (even programming on windows you often need have your portable device connected to debug).
Does anyone see any chance or will this be illusion?
Now when ces shows microsoft's arm windows will be late - maybe too late - this could push android once more. no need of an other os to code. ;-)
But maybe i'm only still al little dreamer.

I would think that eclipse or some company like that will make a mobile developing platform sometime in the near future. I hope so, anyways

I do all my coding on a Mac Book Pro with Eclipse. Starting go get a little cabin fever and would like to maybe go to Borders or a coffee shop with WiFi and spend some hours coding there.
Now, were I to do so, I can't see coding on my phone even with full size keyboard. And I'm not taking my pride and joy Mac Book out either and spill coffee on it or have it stolen.
I'll just get a Netbook as cheap as I can and max it's memory....should work fine

Rootstonian said:
I'll just get a Netbook as cheap as I can and max it's memory....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But why buying a netbook when you already own a tablet with keyboard? ;-)
Shure, coding on a smartphone seems to be a LITTLE useless, but a 10inch Tablet on the way to work in train, in a cofeeshop, during a coference...

infantilo said:
But why buying a netbook when you already own a tablet with keyboard? ;-)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't own a tablet unless you're calling the Mac Book Pro laptop a "tablet". Why get a netbook? Because $300 is easier to deal with getting coffee spilled on or stolen vs $1,500

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THIS!!
I would not expect to see a full IDE development on a phone, just something that can take source files, compile to Java, then convert to Dalvik.
But for tablets, an IDE could be usable.
I have a thread on this very subject floating around -- essentially we would need to get a Java compiler running on the device, and also the DX tool that converts the .class files to the Dalvik bytecode.
infantilo said:
Shure, coding on a smartphone seems to be a LITTLE useless, but a 10inch Tablet on the way to work in train, in a cofeeshop, during a coference...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can see this for most phone -- my Desire Z has a physical keyboard, which leaves lots of room on the screen for editing

so it seems to me, it would be our devs and hackers turn to get an compiler working. i don't see professionals to do this :-(
Desire Z and co are more tablets in my opinion than smartphones
where's this thred?

Java IDE on Android
see this post:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=13245680&postcount=7

embedded device evolves into a pc?
i still need huge monitor, mouse and keyboard for development. when i can connect all that stuff to my phone/tablet it evolved already to a pc?
-didi

[Q] so...

Now that we have kernel source... anyone see Ubuntu in our future?

I have unbuntu on my pc and in process of partitioning he for mac os x install 3 OS why not

Well, ubuntu netbook edition 10-10 would be the perfect candidate, but it seems someone already beat us to the punch:
http://techietonic.com/an-ubuntu-netbook-os-tablet-pc-edition-2011-the-tenq-p07-specs-features/#respond
If we could find a somewhere to download that version of ubuntu netbook, all the basic tablet specific work has already been done, might just need a couple tweeks. I have personally had no luck to even find the company's website though.

TheZedo said:
Well, ubuntu netbook edition 10-10 would be the perfect candidate, but it seems someone already beat us to the punch:
http://techietonic.com/an-ubuntu-netbook-os-tablet-pc-edition-2011-the-tenq-p07-specs-features/#respond
If we could find a somewhere to download that version of ubuntu netbook, all the basic tablet specific work has already been done, might just need a couple tweeks. I have personally had no luck to even find the company's website though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That does not apply, there are no hardware similarities between an android tablet and that one other than form factor.
That machine uses an Intel Atom processor, ubuntu install image on a usb drive and you're pretty much done on that one. Not so much for us.

I see now why the lack of Linux support for Tegra tablets...
http://developer.nvidia.com/tegra/forum/linux-support-becoming-unsupported
(follow the link in his post for some udated info)
Its sad, but between the Honeycomb delays, and Linux being put on the back burner, we have very limited choices at the moment. Ultimately I would like to have Linux on my A7 too, as long as its not uncomfortably slow with only 512MB DDR2 RAM. It looks like Meego might be the distribution to watch for any kind of prebuilt distributable images, at least they have some big players still on board for backing, and they support a variety of platforms.
If you have access to the Nvidia Tegra 250 Developer kit, you could try building a custom Gentoo distro. I really like Gentoo for its configurability options, but honestly, I'm afraid of bricking my A7 with one little mistake.

Android still uses a Linux kernel though, so with kernel source and ability to compile for the tegra chip progress will not grind to a halt. Things just unfortunately won't move along as quickly as most of us would like.
I think a modified version of Ubuntu NBR would run fairly quick on an a7 though.

After some more digging around on the Nvidia Developers forum, I tracked down a few "work-arounds" to install linux...however, please note that most of these posts are very dated.
http://developer.nvidia.com/tegra/forum/workaround-run-ubuntu-now
http://developer.nvidia.com/tegra/forum/fedora-12gnome-running-tegra
http://www.elinux.org/Installation_Detail
I would dare to call this post, "Instructions for the Brave".

After reading those it does sound like we could have a unbuntu os

Support Further ARM Development Ubuntu Eclipse SDK etc

Hi guys I am buying a eee pad but currently I am emailing Eclipse Google and others to try and get support to make developing for Android on Android possible.
I wish to start a foundation or support group toward this end if you want to contribute or help in anyway it would be great I will also add a poll for comparison of votes so please vote it all helps.
As I understand it porting Ubuntu to different devices is well still in beta stages for the most part but we all know that personalized mobile computing is the future and tablets or tf style devices will eventually replace laptops netbooks and the like.
As I understand the biggest problem is new tech!! that fresh out the box smell is still lingering and leaves support and development slim in some more common place computing needs where x86 has rained supreme leaving others to wish for such a client base of great support and programs.
So all in all this is to try push things in the right direction. Who to talk to when to talk to them and how to help the eee pad and other similar devices become fully fledged dual boot Android Ubuntu platforms with the option to develop and do all the other great things Ubuntu can offer.
Please only positive criticism or feedback this is the tech community anything is possible so please no comments of OMG YOU CANT DO THAT!!!! etc etc

Currently, you can compile C program or whatever without problems, using a chroot ubuntu or debian.
But developing for android implies that the android sdk has to be ported on arm platform. This is a paradox, but most android and java tools are working only on x86 platform, probably because at this time, phones was not meant to be dev platforms considering their cpu power.
Openjdk seems to work on arm but the android sdk relies on javac from sun.
There are now powerful tablet devices on the market - including our beloved tf - where we could potentially develop android apps ; I think that google will sooner or later release an arm version of the android sdk. Since then, we are almost pretty stuck : I'm not sure that all the android tools are opensource, and even if it is the case, there is still the problem of javac from sun which does not work on arm platform. However, doing our own dev platform implies that we can port ourselves the sdk on arm, and use openjdk as a replacement of sun-java runtime. Not a piece of cake My advice is to wait several months google next move to see what's going to happen, now that there are more and more tablets on the market.

If we get enough support though maybe we can push for both to be ported and released
Sent from my GT540RR using XDA App

Omg this doesn"t belong in the development forum!!!!!!!

Would love to see more development done on this!

As time progresses, more will be done definitely this is more about making sure that it is pushed as i believe at the moment its being over looked. I think manufacturers and Google and eclipse etc all under estimate there own products possibilities and the abilities of the tech community and in particular the xda community. Even if we had beta releases only for xda devs it would be a step in the right direction for developing android on android.

OK I'm going to bite the bullet and ask why would this be considered a good idea? I write software for Android and using Eclipse on lower screen resolutions isn't that productive IMHO, throw in poor keyboards and miniscule touchpads and it makes little sense. Finally considering the performance differences between a tablet and development laptop (i7, 8 GB RAM, SSD, etc) I just can't see getting the development tools working on an Android device to be all that useful at this point in time.

Nvidia is claiming the T3 will be as powerful as a Core 2. Seems a little exaggerated, but in the near future, it may be possible to dev. on a tab. Eclipse (and real games) are the last things tying me to my PC. Now I would not want to run Eclipse on a T2, but a T4??? Now we are talking.

GeraldNunn said:
OK I'm going to bite the bullet and ask why would this be considered a good idea? I write software for Android and using Eclipse on lower screen resolutions isn't that productive IMHO, throw in poor keyboards and miniscule touchpads and it makes little sense. Finally considering the performance differences between a tablet and development laptop (i7, 8 GB RAM, SSD, etc) I just can't see getting the development tools working on an Android device to be all that useful at this point in time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my Transformer TF101
I tend to agree. I find even a powerful laptop is pretty marginal. I prefer a desktop with at least 2 monitors, one for code and one for the emulator.

All valid points but if no one is looking forward at the glass half full it wont become a reality
What I'm saying is work needs to start now infrastructure then city not a repeat of Auckland central we need the ground work done then the devices can catch up
Sent from my GT540RR using XDA App

I support, its something i would use.

danielmtp.mg said:
I support, its something i would use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my GT540RR using XDA App

I've a script pack for installing Java's JDK to ARM either hard float or soft float that can be found at the following link
https://github.com/S0AndS0/Debian-Kit-Mods
Check the readme for how to download and enjoy the work I've done to get us this far. Furthermore there are other installers available that may be of interest; such as jMonkey and node.js and NoFlo installers for debian based Linux OS's running on Android.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda app-developers app

Anyone alive on this thread?
I've some links to information and projects relating to developments on Android and Linux Android systems.
For running GNU software on Android (better than busybox perhaps)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2613243
Some maybe slower than the busybox versions but its a small sacrifice for better compatibility.
For running SDR (software defined radio) with Android or Android Linux
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2108053
https://github.com/martinmarinov/rtl_tcp_andro-
This github is really cool because the drivers are for either.
For running OpenBTS on Android Linux (turn your cellphone into a cell tower)
https://github.com/martinmarinov/rtl_tcp_andro-
Do some digging on this Dev's work; its amazing
For Crypto Currency mining on Android Linux (why buy an app when you'll have more for free here?)
http://bitbiz.io/threads/linux-script-cpu-minerd-installer-android-rpi-vps-32-64bit-pc.138/
Be sure to check out the example scripts I posted too; especially the ones relating to temp. monitoring or ya may blow a battery.
For MPI (message passing interface) on Android Linux (just modify the RPi directions to have the right username and networking options)
http://www.tinkernut.com/2014/04/27/make-cluster-computer/
Be sure to check out TinkerNut's other videos and guides; nearly anything a Raspberry Pi can do we can do on our phones for cheaper and with better specs/built in hardware.
For running Maptools server on Android (software for running custom table top games over a network)
http://forums.rptools.net/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=24082
I play DnD and Pathfinder so having a way to go mobile with it was something I had to do for them
For building Android NDK on Android Linux (step one of writing apps for Android on Android)
http://www.timelesssky.com/blog/building-android-sdk-build-tools-aapt-for-debian-arm
For building Android SDK on Android Linux (step two for writing/modding you phone with your phone)
http://www.timelesssky.com/blog/develop-app-on-android-with-android-sdk
Above two links are fantastic when combined with rdp or vnc for a larger screen size when at home.
For running Linux on Android without root (hidden goodies on FUSE filesystem)
http://www.timelesssky.com/blog/debian-android-with-no-root
There's a narrow window of compatibility but if your apposed to root on Android and still want Linux theses steps might just let you pull it off too.
For modifying Debian Kits' source code so you can have loop files larger than 2 Gigs and install hard floating point instead of soft float
http://www.timelesssky.com/blog/running-debian-armhf-alongside-android#comment-1525580294
If you've not found this Dev's blog then do some digging as there is some really cool guides posted.
For installing GPU drivers to Android Linux (scroll down to Related Projects for the other brands)
http://freedreno.github.io/
The above link and related software should allow for OpenCL/GL support and the added bonus of being able to run Blender on your tablet.
The above links should prove that developments on Android and Android Linux systems is very active; just hard to find sometimes.
I'm currently working at http://bitbiz.io/rf/?c=IGQ3ZLRT with a few other team members to bring together the above subjects into a new mesh-networking crypto coin system that allows users and developers to buy or rent hardware time from networked devices; others have tried and failed to make a AndroidCoin but this one will not as much of the core features have already been tested or scripted up in my other github repo as installers. Feel free to post feature requests and concerns.
http://bitbiz.io/threads/altcoin-taucoin-new-arm-excusive-coin.142/
Sent from: SPH-D700 or myTouch3Gs or Sero 7 Pro
Linux Install guide for Android devices that I'm writing:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2240397
Or
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ssVeIhdBuuy8CtpBP1lWgUkG6fR6oHxP20ToYPPw6zI/edit?usp=drive_web
And my script pack for installing; Java's JDK, node.js and more to your Linux OS
https://github.com/S0AndS0/Debian-Kit-Mods
Note: if you're new to Linux/scripting/command line; check readme file for instructions.