Everyday Linux User Reviews the Android x86 Desktop
-
The website EverydayLinuxUser takes a look at the Android x86 Desktop distribution and sees how it stands up for use as a normal desktop operating system.
-
Android has so much potential for this, I am really interested to see how much they end up being able to do to make this a truly useful desktop platform.
I am also very interested to see how it does at becoming a video game platform, like the Shield TV. Android is more adept at use in a console mode than as a traditional PC.
-
Also, though, one major benefit of Android seems to be ARM support. Running Android on x86 is important and interesting, but if I was going to build a special purpose Android desktop I would be most excited about having it run on ARM, not AMD64. Especially with the NVidia Tegra X1 out and AMD about to release new ARM chips.
-
I really wish Ubuntu would have done the Ubuntu for Android thing. That seemed like such a great idea.
-
@johnhooks said:
I really wish Ubuntu would have done the Ubuntu for Android thing. That seemed like such a great idea.
What would that entail? You can just run Ubuntu anywhere that you run Android.
-
@scottalanmiller When you used your phone it was android, but when you docked it to a monitor it was a full Ubuntu desktop. You could still get text and call notifications through Ubuntu. Youtube Video
-
@johnhooks said:
@scottalanmiller When you used your phone it was android, but when you docked it to a monitor it was a full Ubuntu desktop. You could still get text and call notifications through Ubuntu. Youtube Video
Oh weird. Two OSes running at once? Not an Ubuntu phone?
-
@scottalanmiller No it was before they came out with Ubuntu touch. It was a cool idea, but nothing ever seemed to happen with it.
-
Running two OSes uses a bit of power. Not sure how much I want (yet) my phone powering my desktop. Maybe in two or three years, but seems pretty early at this point.
-
@scottalanmiller There were only certain phones that could do it. But, I assume it was a modified Ubuntu since it would have to run on ARM? It looked like there was a dock also, so I don't know if it was vanilla android, or they were somehow mixed.
-
@scottalanmiller and who knows. From that video, there could have been a desktop under the desk and when the plugged the phone it, someone plugged the monitor into the desktop.
-
Very easily.
-
I see tihngs like that becoming common place. I think (and am suprised we haven't already seen many) HDMI docks for phones that do what that video does. I know one exists for Note 4. It's like $40 bucks. I may get one.
But essentially, dock your phone to a device that has USB support for keyboard & mouse, and an HDMI connection, and BAM! instant computer.
I've done it a few times with my tablet and a bluetooth keyboard. It's kinda neat, but not quite as useful without a trackball.
