Tag: Aptoide

AndEX Oreo 8.1 (Android-x86_64) – Build 180202 – with Google Play Store working very well!

NEWS 180202 about AndEX Oreo 8.1
My first build of AndEX Oreo 8.1 is from 180103. My new build of Android x86_64 – andex_x86_64-oreo-8.1-gapps-windows-launchers-1060mb-180202.iso can be installed (manually) to hard drive or on a USB stick. You can also run the system live. I.e. from a DVD or a USB stick. On some computers you’ll have to start up AndEX 8.1 in compatibility mode (VESA) though. NOTE: You can run AndEX Oreo Build 180202 on newer laptops and Desktop computers. The sound and video performance is generally very very good.

MOST IMPORTANT CHANGES IN BUILD 180202
Google Play Store now works as intended. As an alternative you can use Aptoide App Manager. Three nice special window launchers are pre-installed: Win 10 Launcher, Microsoft Launcher and OO Launcher. (OO Launcher is an enhanced Android™ O Oreo™ style launcher, with many useful enhanced launcher features). I’ve discovered a new way to manually install AndEX Oreo to hard drive. Very simple! Read more below.

Screenshot – AndEX Build 180202 – the Desktop with Win 10 Launcher for Android 8.1 Oreo – with several extra apps (games) – Koi Video Live Wallpaper, Air Fighters, Popcorn Time, Wild Hunt, Racing In Car 2, Drift Clash and Fishing Club 3D – not pre-installed.

MORE NEWS 180202: AndEX – Oreo 8.1 with kernel 4.9.54-exton-android-x86_64 and GAPPS
My new build of Android-x86_64 Oreo 8.1 have GAPPS pre-installed. I.e. Google Play Services, Google Play Store, Google Play Games, Gmail and YouTube. Also many other apps. For example: Spotify, File Manager, Firefox, Root Explorer and Clash of Clans.

ABOUT AndEX Oreo
My compiled Android-x86_64 system (Oreo 8.1) can run and be installed on almost all newer laptops (and some Desktop computers). For example Acer (Aspire), HP, Samsung, Dell, Toshiba, Lenovo, Thinkpad, Fujitsu, Panasonic and Asus laptops. You can (of course) also run AndEX in VirtualBox and/or VMware. Unfortunately only live though. I can also mention that I could run my new Oreo version without problems on a HP Pavilion 500-317no Desktop Computer. You can only do a manual installation to hard drive. That can, however, even be done to a drive where you already have another Linux system (for example Ubuntu 17.10) installed. Read more below about how to do a very simple manual installation of AndEX Oreo 8.1.

Android Oreo 8.1 was released 171205.

About the Android-x86 project – my sources

All AndEX versions are dependent of the Android-x86 Project’s activity and development.

Clash of Clans (pre-installed) and other popular games
Clash of Clans (a very popular epic strategy game) works very very well. Perfect video quality and audio. If you have a touchscreen you can also (for example) run Wild Hunt, Flight Pilot, CSR Racing 2, Angry Birds, Bowmasters and Shooting King. Watch a screenshot of the desktop when I have installed the just mentioned game apps (in AndEX Nougat).

HOW TO do a simple manual installation (FRUGAL) of AndEX Oreo to hard drive
The system’s install function doesn’t work. I.e. everything seems alright during the install process, but the system won’t boot from hard drive. The system can therefore only be installed manually to hard drive. To be able to do that you must have at least one Linux system installed on your hard drive. You must also use Grub as bootloader. Follow these steps.
1. Use preferably Rufus to create a bootable USB stick from the ISO file andex_x86_64-oreo-8.1-gapps-windows-launchers-1060mb-180202.iso.
2. Start up a Linux system (Ubuntu or…) on the computer where you want to have AndEX Oreo installed.
3. Create a special partition for AndEX Oreo or use the partition where you already have one Linux system installed. The one you just booted up or…
4. Create a folder called ANDEX-OREO-180202 (or…) in the root (/) of your new partition (formatted as ext4) or in the root of for example your Ubuntu system.
5. Create also the folder /ANDEX-OREO-180202/data. Very important! All your system changes will be saved to the folder data.
6. Now insert your USB stick with AndEX Oreo 8.1 and mount it (if not mounted automatically. You will see this.

As you can see there are 10 files on the USB stick. Transfer (copy) all om them to the folder ANDEX-OREO-180202. When you have done that the folder ANDEX-OREO-180202 will look like this.

You will now have 11 files in the folder ANDEX-OREO-180202 including the important folder data. As you can see I’ve presumed that you want to do a FRUGAL installation. I.e. have AndEX Oreo on the same partition you are running from. Now you must configure Grub to be able to boot up AndEX Oreo – see the example below.

About Grub and “dual-boot/multi-boot”
If you already have have one or more Linux systems installed on your hard drive (which you must have to be able to install AndEX Oreo Build 180103) you can see below how to use Grub2 (which Ubuntu and most other Linux systems use as boot loader). You should add these lines to /boot/grub/grub.cfg or /etc/grub.d/40_custom – for example:
menuentry ‘AndEX 8.1 Oreo 180202 (sda8-FRUGAL)’ {
recordfail
load_video
insmod gzio
if [ x$grub_platform = xxen ]; then insmod xzio; insmod lzopio; fi
insmod part_gpt
insmod ext2
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search –no-floppy –fs-uuid –set=root 35527b5d-4652-4bcf-97b5-27ff3b1f267a
else
search –no-floppy –fs-uuid –set=root 35527b5d-4652-4bcf-97b5-27ff3b1f267a
fi
linux /ANDEX-OREO-180202/kernel root=/dev/ram0 androidboot.selinux=permissive DPI=160 UVESA_MODE=1366×768 SRC=/ANDEX-OREO-180202
initrd /ANDEX-OREO-180202/initrd.img
}

NOTE 1: On some computers you may have to add nomodeset to the linux boot line. If so you may also have to remove DPI=160 and UVESA_MODE=1366×768 from the linux boot line. AndEX won’t start otherwise or you won’t have sound.

NOTE 2: The DPI=160 entry provides a hint about the display’s pixel density in dots per inch. This is an important setting — if the Android display’s icons and text look too small and crowded, increase this number. If things seem too big, make it smaller.

NOTE 3: The UVESA_MODE=1366×768 entry describes the display size. This is also an important setting. If you know your display’s actual dimensions, enter them here. But not all dimensions work – it sometimes happens that a display specification that’s possible in principle isn’t feasible in practice.

If you use Grub Legacy (which is very unusual today) you should add these lines to /boot/grub/menu.lst
title AndEX Oreo 8.1 – 180202 (sda8)
root (hd0,7)

kernel /ANDEX-OREO-180202/kernel quiet root=/dev/ram0 androidboot.selinux=permissive SRC=/ANDEX-OREO-180202
initrd /ANDEX-OREO-180202/initrd.img

Manual installation of AndEX Oreo in VirtualBox and/or VMware
You can (of course) also do a manual (FRUGAL) installation – as described above – also in VirtualBox and/or VMware. After such an installation everything will work very good. Do it like this.
1. Install a Linux system on a virtual partition of at least 20 GB in for example VirtualBox. Use Grub2 as boot loader. In this example I use ExLight Build 180214.
2. Start up ExLight and download the ISO file andex_x86_64-oreo-8.1-gapps-windows-launchers-1060mb-180202.iso to /root.
3. Create the folder mnt and mount the ISO file there – watch this screenshot.
4. Create the folder /ANDEX-OREO and /ANDEX-OREO/data.
5. Copy all files from the folder mnt to /ANDEX-OREO – watch this screenshot. Be sure to also copy the hidden folder mnt/.disk to /ANDEX-OREO.
6. Finally edit /boot/grub/grub.cfg as this screenshot shows. Your Grub menu will then look like this. I.e. add these start lines to /boot/grub/grub.cfg:
menuentry ‘AndEX Oreo 8.1 (sda1/VirtualBox-FRUGAL)’ {
load_video
insmod gzio
if [ x$grub_platform = xxen ]; then insmod xzio; insmod lzopio; fi
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root=’hd0,msdos1′
linux /ANDEX-OREO/kernel root=/dev/ram0 androidboot.selinux=permissive SRC=/ANDEX-OREO
initrd /ANDEX-OREO/initrd.img
}

Language settings
You can (of course) run AndEX Nougat in any language. Just go to Settings and change to your preferred language. The changes will take immediate effect.

Wireless connections
Wifi works alright in AndEX Oreo. Just go to Settings and turn Wifi on.

Power off the system

Just press gently on your computer’s power button and you will get two alternatives. Power off or Restart.

Running AndEX Oreo in VirtualBox and/or VMware

You can run AndEX Oreo Build 180202 (from the ISO file) very well live in VirtualBox and VMware. But you cannot install AndEX 8.1 to a virtual hard drive in VirtualBox and VMware. The install function doesn’t work. I.e. everything seems alright during the install process, but the system won’t boot from hard drive. You can, however, do a manual installation as describe above under Manual installation of AndEX Oreo in VirtualBox and/or VMware. The install function in AndEX 7.1.2 Build 170619 and AndEX 7.0 Build 161107 work very well in VMware (and VirtualBox) though. Watch a slideshow, which shows all installation steps in VMware.

Becoming root
You can’t become root by open up a terminal and su root. The app Root Explorer is however installed. Very useful I think. You can also become “Developer” by going to Settings >> About table >> and click several times on “Build number”. Watch this screenshot. As Developer you can do/test a lot of things. Watch this screenshot. In AndEX Marshmallow Build 170923 you can su to become root. (Another good thing about that AndEX build is that Netflix works!).

What’s the point?
Well, if you like your Android phone and all the apps you have installed on it I’m sure you will also like to run apps from your laptop. Bigger screen and better sound etc. Also: In AndEX Oreo Build 180202 almost all apps and games can be installed via Google Play Store and via Aptoide App Manager. You can even install very big games (of 1GB or so), but unfortunately almost all such games need a touchscreen. Still not convinced? Then read my article about “How useful an Androx-x86 system can be for the average computer user“.

NOTE1/WARNING1
You must use a fairly new/modern computer. Android-x86_64 Oreo won’t run (even start) on older computers. My other Android remaster KitKat 4.4.4 Build 180108 will run also on older computers.

NOTE2/WARNING2
Before you buy and download this version of AndEX Oreo you must be aware of that not all apps downloaded from Google Play Store or Aptoide App Manager can run in an Android-x86_64 system. Some very big (around 1GB) games for example won’t run. You must also be aware of that some (many) games need a touchscreen. Clash of Clans and Angry Birds work very good though.

KNOWN ISSUES
1. You can run AndEX Oreo live on many computers, but the install function doesn’t work. You’ll have to do a manual installation as described above.
2. You can’t install AndEX Oreo in VirtualBox and VMware. You can run the system live very well though. You can also do a manual installation as describe above under Manual installation of AndEX Oreo in VirtualBox. After that everything will work very well while running AndEX Oreo from your virtual hard drive.
3. Bluetooth doesn’t work. (You can enable Bluetooth and see units though).
4. You can’t use Netflix. (You can install the Netflix app, but it won’t run).
5. You can use the YouTube app, but he sound is better when running YouTube in Firefox or Google Chrome.

And once again please note this
PREREQUISITE
The system can be installed manually to hard drive – see above. That’s sort of a FRUGAL installation used by Puppy Linux. To be able to do a frugal installation you must have at least one Linux system installed on your hard drive. You must also use Grub as bootloader. Running AndEX Oreo live: Use preferably Etcher or Rufus to create a bootable USB stick from the ISO file andex_x86_64-oreo-8.1-gapps-windows-launchers-1060mb-180202.iso. Or burn the ISO file to a DVD and run the system from it.

Screenshots
Screenshot 1 – AndEX Oreo 8.1 Desktop with Win 10 Launcher 1
Screenshot 2 – AndEX Oreo 8.1 Desktop with Win 10 Launcher 2
Screenshot 3 – AndEX Oreo 8.1 Desktop with Microsoft Launcher
Screenshot 4 – AndEX Oreo 8.1 Desktop with OO Launcher
Screenshot 5 – AndEX Oreo 8.1 running in VMware

DOWNLOAD
This build of AndEX Oreo has been replaced by Build 180614.

Android is a trademark of Google Inc.

9 Comments AndEXAndroidextonEXTON Linux systems

AndEX Marshmallow 6.0 with GAPPS and kernel-4.0.9-exton – Build 151206

andex-marshmallow-desktop-apps-20151206-smallNEWS 151206 – AndEX – Marshmallow 6.0 with kernel 4.0.9-exton and GAPPS
My build of Android-x86 Marshmallow 6.0 has GAPPS pre-installed. I.e. Google Play Services, Google Play Store, Maps, Gmail, YouTube and more apps. For example: Aptoide, Spotify, Facebook, Google Chrome and OfficeSuite 8. The ISO is called android-x86-6.0-marshmallow-kernel-4.0.9-exton-GAPPS-692mb-151206.iso. AndEX Marshmallow Build 151206 is totally error-free (as far as I know). Google Chrome was installed as a replacement for the original Browser, which didn’t work properly. (Nothing could be downloaded).

ABOUT Andex Marshmallow
My compiled Android-x86 system (Marshmallow 6.0) can run live (from CD) or be installed on almost all laptops (and some Desktop computers). For example Acer (Aspire), HP, Samsung, Dell, Toshiba, Lenovo, Thinkpad, Fujitsu, Panasonic and Ausus laptops. The Android system is distributed in the form of an ISO file as the rest of my Linux distributions. I.e. you must (as usual) burn the ISO file to a CD if you want to run the system live on your computer or install it to hard drive. Read about how to burn ISO files. Or skip that. Just use ImgBurn. Nothing can go wrong.

More about AndEX Marshmallow
Marshmallow 6.0 is the latest version of the Android mobile operating system developed by Google. I call my remaster of it AndEX Marshmallow Live CD. It uses “my” special kernel 4.0.9-exton-android-x86 with some extra features. I.e. extra drivers. My Android-x86 KitKat 4.4.4 build from 2015-07-21 will also cost you 9 $. I has one advantage over the Marshmallow and Lollipop versions: The system can be used also on older laptops. Read more about the KitKat 4.4.4 version 150721 or DOWNLOAD it instantly.

Installing new apps in AndEX Marshmallow
Use Google Play Store or Aptoide Apps Store, which are pre-installed. Just make your choices! One suggestion: Google Camera or HD Camera ULTRA.

Install the system to hard drive
Say for example that you have a laptop with Windows 10 installed as the only operating system. If you just create one extra partition of about 5 GB you can install Android Marsmallow on this extra partition and then “dual-boot”. I.e. you can turn on your computer (called “booting it up”) and decide whether you want to start Windows or Android Marsmallow. Grub will be installed as boot handler/loader during the installation of Android Marshmallow. Note: The installation will take only about one minute. And the installation to hard drive is so simple that a 10 year old child can do it.

More about Grub and “dual-boot/multi-boot”

If you already have have one or more Linux systems installed on your computer you should skip installing Grub during the installation of AndEX. If you use Grub2 (which Ubuntu and most other Linux systems use as boot loader) you should instead add these lines to /boot/grub/grub.cfg or /etc/grub.d/40_custom
menuentry ‘Android-x86 6.0 Marshmallow 151206 (sda8)’ {
insmod gzio
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root=’hd0,msdos8′
linux /android-2015-12-03/kernel quiet root=/dev/ram0 androidboot.hardware=android_x86 SRC=/android-2015-12-03
initrd /android-2015-12-03/initrd.img
}

If you use Grub Legacy (which is very unusual today even though Android Marsmallow uses it) you should add these lines to /boot/grub/menu.lst
title Android-x86 6.0 Marshmallow 151206 (sda8)
root (hd0,7)

kernel /android-2015-12-03/kernel quiet root=/dev/ram0 androidboot.hardware=android_x86 SRC=/android-2015-12-03
initrd /android-2015-12-03/initrd.img

Bluethooth
Bluetooth is working as expected. Just enable Bluetooth in settings and you can share anything with your other Bluetooth devices. To make it easy install Bluetooth File Share.

Language settings
You can (of course) run AndEX Marshmallow in any language. Just go to Settings and change to your preferred language. The changes will take immediate  effect. This can (of course) also be done while running the system live (from CD/USB).

Mounting devices
You can’t mount (reach) your internal hard drive. You can however mount a “normal” USB stick. Just go to Settings >> Storage & USB. It will look like this. (I have mounted a USB stick 3.72 GB  with CRUX/CruxEX on it). You can also install ES File Explorer and use it to mount external USB hard disks and “normal” USB sticks.
andex-6.0-usbstick-mount-20151209

Broadcom Wireless cards
The support for Broadcom Wireless cards in not complete (in the Android-x86 project). I have experience from two different cards – BCM4311 and BCM43142. The first mentioned one works.

USB installation
Read my instruction. Learn how you can run AndEX from a USB stick with persistence. Read under A).

VirtualBox
You can’t run AndEX Marshmallow in VirtualBox. I.e. the system will start up properly, but you can’t reach the Desktop. The problem is that you can’t get a Internet connection. You will get a message saying “To see available networks, turn Wi-Fi on”. That can’t be done. (And it doesn’t matter if you have a wired connection). Maybe this problem can be fixed by changing VirtualBox’s Network settings, but I have had no success with that (yet). Note: My Lollipop (151010) and KitKat (150721) versions can run very well in VirtualBox.

What’s the point?
Well, if you like your Android phone and all the apps you have installed on it I’m sure you will also like to run apps from your laptop. Bigger screen and better sound etc. Also: In AndEX Marshmallow Build 151206 almost all apps and games can be installed via Google Play Store. Still not convinced? Then read my article about “How useful an Androx-x86 system can be for the average computer user“.

NOTE1/WARNING1
You must use a fairly new/modern computer. Android-x86 Marshmallow won’t run (even start) on older computers. My other Android remaster KitKat 4.4.4 Build 150721 will run also on older computers.

NOTE2/WARNING2
Before you buy and download this version of AndEX Marshmallow you must be aware of that not all apps downloaded from Google Play Store can run in an Android-x86 system. Some very big (around 1GB) games for example won’t run. On the other hand I could run Pes Club Manager, which is of 866 MB.

Screenshots
Screenshot 1 – AndEX Desktop with Beach Real Live Wallpaper (pre-installed)
Screenshot 2 – AndEX – The Desktop at first boot
Screenshot 3 – AndEX – The beginning of your configuration

DOWNLOAD
This Marshmallow build has been replaced by AndEX Marshmallow 6.0.1 Build 160131.

Note3: The AndEX Lollipop ISO has been out on SourceForge.net and the Swedish Linux Society for free from 150307 until 150402. The ISO file was downloaded about 50000 times during that period. More than any of my other Linux distributions (ever).

Android is a trademark of Google Inc.

17 Comments AndEXAndroid

My second build of Android-x86 KitKat with kernel 3.18.8-exton-android-x86

Android logoI have compiled yet another Android x86 system (KitKat 4.4.4), which can run live (from CD) or be installed on almost all laptops (and some Desktop computers). For example Acer (Aspire), HP, Samsung, Dell, Toshiba, Lenovo, Thinkpad, Fujitsu, Panasonic and Ausus laptops. The Android system is distributed in the form of an ISO file as the rest of my Linux distributions. I.e. you must (as usual) burn the ISO file to a CD if you want to run the system live on your computer or install it to hard drive. Read about how to burn ISO files. Or skip that. Just use ImgBurn. Nothing can go wrong.

Replacement for Windows, Mac or even Linux Desktop systems?
Some belive what I just said. The Android-x86 Project (Run Android on your PC) is about porting the Android Open Source Project to x86 platform. The Android-x86 Project’s latest release is Android-x86 4.4-r2 from 2015-01-01. The ISO file can be downloaded for free from SourceForge.net or Softpedia. My Android-x86 KitKat 4.4.4 v2 build from 2015-03-07 will cost you 8 $. It has three advantages over the my free Lollipop 5.0.2 versionAptoide App Manager (Google Play Store is used as App Manager in my first version of Android-x86 KitKat from 150301) is pre-installed, a newer kernel (3.18.8) is used and you can run the system in VirtualBox. Read more about my KitKat 4.4.4 version 2 or DOWNLOAD it instantly…

Screenshot

Kernel
Kernel 3.18.8-exton-android-x86+ is used.

Installing new apps
Aptoide App Manager is pre-installed (among many other apps) so you can just go ahead and make your choices. Aptoide works even better than Google Play Store, which is used as App Manager in my first version of Android-x86 KitKat from 150301.

Install the system to hard drive
Say for example that you have a laptop with Windows 8.1 installed as the only operating system. If you just create one extra partition of about 5 GB you can install Android KitKat on this extra partition and then “dual-boot”. I.e. you can turn on your computer (called “booting it up”) and decide whether you want to start Windows or Android KitKat. Grub will be installed as boot handler/loader during the installation of Android KitKat. Note: The installation will take only about one minute. And the installation to hard drive is so simple that a 10 year old child can do it.

More about Grub and “dual-boot/multi-boot”
If you already have have one or more Linux systems installed on your computer you should skip installing Grub during the installation of Android KitKat. If you use Grub2 (which Ubuntu and most other Linux systems use as boot loader) you should instead add these lines to /boot/grub/grub.cfg or /etc/grub.d/40_custom
menuentry ‘Android-x86 4.4.4 KitKat 150307 (sda8)’ {
insmod gzio
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root=’hd0,msdos8′
linux /android-2015-03-07/kernel quiet root=/dev/ram0 androidboot.hardware=android_x86 SRC=/android-2015-03-07
initrd /android-2015-03-07/initrd.img
}

If you use Grub Legacy (which is very unusual today even though Android KitKat uses it) you should add thease lines to /boot/grub/menu.lst
title Android-x86 4.4.4 KitKat 150307 (sda8)
root (hd0,7)

kernel /android-2015-03-07/kernel quiet root=/dev/ram0 androidboot.hardware=android_x86 SRC=/android-2015-03-07
initrd /android-2015-03-07/initrd.img

USB installation
Read my instruction. It is for AndEX (Android) Lollipop, but the same instruction works for both of my KitKat versions.

NOTE ABOUT BIOS CHANGES
You’ll have to make changes in BIOS (boot order) so that your computer will start up from the CD or USB stick before the hard drive. On a new computer you may also have to change from UEFI Boot to Legacy Boot. On my new HP Pavilion Desktop computer it looks like this.
bios-hp-pavilion

VirtualBox
You can also (of course) run/test the system in VirtualBox. I.e. run it directly from the ISO file and even install it to a hard drive created in VirtualBox.

About Google Keyboard
If you get a message that Google Keyboard has crashed you shall go to Settings >> Language & Input and disable Google Keyboard. The keyboard will work as normal after that.

What’s the point?
Well, if you like your Android phone and all the apps you have installed on it I’m sure you will also like to run apps from your laptop. Bigger screen and better sound etc.

Screenshots
The Desktop (after I have added a few apps)
All apps (after I have added a few)
Aptoide App Manager is used
The file manager is used
Poweroff

Softpedia’s review of AndEX (Android-x86) Lollipop 5.0.2

NOTE
This version has been replaced by version 5 150504 with kernel 4.0.0-exton-android-x86 and GAPPS

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8 Comments Android