Category: Android

About how useful an Android-x86 system can be for the average computer user

05
May
2015

kitkat-desktop-small-waterfall-wpA great discovery
This morning I discovered (once again) how useful an Android-x86 system can be. As a matter of fact it can do everything the average computer user needs to do! I.e. you can browse the Internet with different browsers (for example Google Chrome), easily check your mail with the app Gmail or other apps, watch YouTube movies with the YouTube app, handle Facebook with the Facebook app, edit your photos with PicsArt Photo Studio and manage all kinds of documents with QuickOffice or WPS Office. You’ll have to have Google Play Store installed though. And as an extra “App Finder” Aptoide App Manager (when you can’t find the app you want on Google Play Store).

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. My Android-x86 version 5 of May 4, 2015 has just about everything the average computer user can wish for pre-installed.

Pre-installed apps and prerequisites
Android-x86 KitKat 4.4.4 Exton build version 5 can run live (from CD) on almost all laptops (and some Desktop computers). For example Acer (Aspire), HP, Samsung, Dell, Toshiba, Lenovo, Thinkpad, Fujitsu, Panasonic and Asus 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. You can also very easy install the system to your hard drive and install new apps. You can also install new apps while running the system live. Google Play Store and Aptoide App Manager are pre-installed so you can just make your choice. My Android-x86 version 5 replaces version 1 and version 2 of my Android-x86 KitKat builds. In version 5 I’ve added the following apps: Google Play Store (quite difficult to install) Aptoide App Manager, YouTube, Nature Live Wallpapers, Rotation Control Lite, Facebook, WPS Office, QuickOffice, QuickPic and PicsArt Photo Studio.

Running Android-x86 Exton build version 5
When you run the system for the first time from CD, a USB stick or hard drive you can install Google Maps and Google+. You’ll also get the chance to update Google Play Services to the latest version. Watch this slideshow.

Install Android-x86 Exton build version 5 to hard drive
That can be done virtually in VirtualBox if you don’t want to touch your hard drive.. I.e. run it directly from the ISO file and install it to a hard drive created in VirtualBox. You can of course also make a “real” hard drive installation – see my instructions. Be sure to create a install partition of about 5 GB in advance with the filesystem ext4 if you already use Grub as boot manager or the filesystem ext3 if you want to install Grub during the installation of Android-x86.

USB installation
Also a very smart way ro run an Android-x86 system if you don’t want to touch your hard drive. Installing Android-x86 to a “good” USB pen drive is almost as useful as having the system on a hard drive. I.e. if you install my Android-x86 version 5 on (for example) a SanDisk Extreme USB 3.0 stick the system will run very fast. And you can enjoy persistence of you follow my instructions under A). It is for AndEX (Android) Lollipop, but the same instruction works for my KitKat version.

Screenshots
The “live fish” Desktop pic 1
The “live tiger” Desktop pic 2
The “live fish in the sea” Desktop pic 3
The “live aqarium” Desktop pic 4

DOWNLOAD android-x86-4.4.4-kitkat-kernel4-exton-GAPPS-500mb-150504.iso for 9 $


md5sum

Android is a trademark of Google Inc.

4 Comments AndEXAndroid

Run Android-x86 from a USB stick with persistence!

16
Apr
2015

android-logoYesterday I discovered that “my” Android-x86 systems can be installed to a USB stick with persistence. I.e. all system changes are saved directly on the stick. This is how it is done.

1. Format a “good” USB stick with the ext3 (not ext4) filesystem. This has to be done in a installed Linux system or while running a live Linux system from CD or a USB stick.

2. Insert your formatted USB stick and start up one of “my” Android-x86 systems (KitKat or Lollipop) from CD. In the slideshow below I’m installing AndEX (Lollipop 5.0.2) to my USB stick SanDisk Contour.

Watch this slideshow (showing the install process).

What is it good for?
Well, you don’t have to touch your hard drive. Installing Android-x86 this way won’t effect your “ordinary” boot loader. And as I say above: All system changes are persistent!

Please read my full instruction about USB installations…

Android is a trademark of Google Inc.

No Comments AndEXAndroid

Run Android 5.1 Lollipop Exton build on your Raspberry Pi 2

06
Apr
2015

logoNEWS 150405
I have compiled an Android 5.1 Lollipop system which can run on Raspberry Pi 2. I call “my” new system RaspAnd.

What is Raspberry Pi?
The Raspberry Pi is a low cost, credit-card sized computer that plugs into a computer monitor or TV, and uses a standard keyboard and mouse. It is a capable little device that enables people of all ages to explore computing, and to learn how to program in languages like Scratch and Python. It’s capable of doing everything you’d expect a desktop computer to do, from browsing the internet and playing high-definition video, to making spreadsheets, word-processing, and playing games.
Read more about Raspberry Pi…

model-b-plus-300x225
Raspberry Pi model B made in February 2015. It has a 900MHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A7 CPU and 1GB RAM. Read more…

Kernel
Kernel 3.19.0-exton-v7+ is used in RaspAnd.

Booting up RaspAnd – Slide show
Just place your SD Card in your Raspberry Pi 2 machine and turn on the power. Watch this Slide show.

READ MORE...

Android is a trademark of Google Inc.
Raspberry Pi is a trademark of Raspberry Pi Foundation

No Comments AndroidRaspberry

A new and better version (4) of Android-x86 KitKat 4.4.4 – Exton build – with Google Play Store and Aptoide App Manager

30
Mar
2015

android-kitkat-exton-20150330-screenshot6-smallAndroid-x86 KitKat 4.4.4 Exton build version 4 can run live (from CD) 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. You can also very easy install the system to your hard drive and install new apps. You can also install new apps while running the system live. Google Play Store and Aptoide App Manager are pre-installed so you can just make your choice…

Replacement
This version (version 4) replaces version 1 and version 2 of my Android-x86 KitKat builds. In version 4 I’ve added the following apps: Google Play Store (quite difficult to install) Aptoide App Manager, YouTube, Nature Live Wallpapers, Rotation Control Lite, Facebook, WPS Office, QuickOffice, QuickPic and PicsArt Photo Studio.

Slideshow (showing the start up process from CD or a USB stick)

Install 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 during the installation of Android KitKat.

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 150330 (sda8)’ {
insmod gzio
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root=’hd0,msdos8′
linux /android-2015-03-01/kernel quiet root=/dev/ram0 androidboot.hardware=android_x86 SRC=/android-2015-03-01
initrd /android-2015-03-01/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 150330 (sda8)
root (hd0,7)
kernel /android-2015-03-01/kernel quiet root=/dev/ram0 androidboot.hardware=android_x86 SRC=/android-2015-03-01
initrd /android-2015-03-o1/initrd.img

USB installation
Read my instruction. It is for AndEX (Android) Lollipop, but the same instruction works for all 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.

Runs in VirtualBox
You can also 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.

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 pic 1
The Desktop pic 2
The Desktop pic 3
All pre-installed apps except Sled Mayhem and Bike Mayhem. (They can be installed after a hard drive installation of Android-x86 KitKat version 4)

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

 

6 Comments AndEXAndroid

My third build of Android-x86 KitKat with kernel 3.18.8-exton-android-x86: v.150321

24
Mar
2015

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 v3 build from 2015-03-21 will cost you 8 $. It has three advantages over the my free Lollipop 5.0.2 version: Aptoide 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 3 or DOWNLOAD it instantly…

Screenshot
Click to view a larger picture

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.

Other important pre-installed apps in version 150321
Facebook, IMDb, Spotify, WPS Office, Instagram, Tvitter, Yr.no, Rotation Control Lite, 1Mix Radio, Secure Web and Wallpaper Store.

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 150321 (sda8)’ {
insmod gzio
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root=’hd0,msdos8′
linux /android-2015-03-21/kernel quiet root=/dev/ram0 androidboot.hardware=android_x86 SRC=/android-2015-03-21
initrd /android-2015-03-21/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 150321 (sda8)
root (hd0,7)
kernel /android-2015-03-21/kernel quiet root=/dev/ram0 androidboot.hardware=android_x86 SRC=/android-2015-03-21
initrd /android-2015-03-21/initrd.img

USB installation
Read my instruction. It is for AndEX (Android) Lollipop, but the same instruction works for all 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 pic 1
The Desktop pic 2
The Desktop pic 3
All pre-installed apps
Aptoide App Manager is used
Shows how easy it is to change Desktop wallpaper
Poweroff

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

Softpedias review of Android-x86 KitKat 4.4.4 Exton build 1 and 2 150307
_____________________________________________________________________

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

Exton logo

1 Comment AndEXAndroid

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

13
Mar
2015

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 version: Aptoide 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

Exton logo

8 Comments Android

Android-x86 5.0.2 Lollipop Live CD with kernel 3.10.58-exton-android-x86

07
Mar
2015

Android logoI have compiled an Android x86 system (Lollipop 5.0.2), 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.

About AndEX
Lollipop 5.0.2 is the latest version of the Android mobile operating system developed by Google. I call my remaster of it AndEX Lollipop Live CD. It uses “my” special kernel 3.10.58-exton-android-x86 with some extra features. I.e. extra drivers and NTFS read/write support. My Android-x86 KitKat 4.4.4 build from 2015-03-21 will cost you 8 $ and my Android-x86 KitKat 4.4.4 build from 2015-03-30 7 $. They have three advantages over the Lollipop version: Aptoide App Manager respectively Google Play Store is pre-installed, a newer kernel (3.18.8 respectively 3.18.2) is used and you can run the systems in VirtualBox. Read more about the KitKat 4.4.4 version 150321 or DOWNLOAD it instantly. Read more about the KitKat 4.4.4 version 150330 or DOWNLOAD it instantly.

Installing new apps in AndEX Lollipop
Use Aptoid Apps Store, which is pre-installed. Just make your choices…

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 Lollipop 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 Lollipop. Grub will be installed as boot handler/loader during the installation of Android Lollipop. 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 5.0.2 Lollipop 150306 (sda8)’ {
insmod gzio
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root=’hd0,msdos8′
linux /android-2015-03-06/kernel quiet root=/dev/ram0 androidboot.hardware=android_x86 SRC=/android-2015-03-06
initrd /android-2015-03-06/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 5.0.2 Lollipop 150306 (sda8)
root (hd0,7)
kernel /android-2015-03-06/kernel quiet root=/dev/ram0 androidboot.hardware=android_x86 SRC=/android-2015-03-06
initrd /android-2015-03-06/initrd.img

USB installation
Read my instruction.

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
Unfortunately you cannot (normally) run/test the system in VirtualBox. I.e. run it directly from the ISO file and install it to a hard drive created in VirtualBox. That can however be done if you use one of my other Android remasters KitKat 4.4.4 version 150330.

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.

NOTE1/WARNING
You must use a fairly new/modern computer. Android x86 Lollipop won’t run (even start) on older computers. My other Android remasters KitKat 4.4.4 will run also on older computers.

Screenshots
Screenshot 1 – AndEX Desktop without modifications
Screenshot 2 – AndEX installed apps
Screenshot 3 – AndEX preventing rotation
Screenshot 4 – AndEX using Google Maps
Screenshot 5 – AndEX with modified Desktop
Screenshot 6 – AndEX with modified Desktop

Note2 that Android-x86 KitKat 4.4.4 Exton build 1, Exton build 2, Exton build 3 and Exton build 4 can run on many more laptops/computers than AndEX (Android-x86) Lollipop 5.0.2.

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

Note4: This first version of AndEX has been replaced by version 150505, which has GAPPS pre-installed. I.e. Google Play Services, Google Play Store, Google+, Maps, YouTube and more apps. The ISO is called android-x86-5.0.2-lollipop-GAPPS-exton-782mb-150505.iso.

READ MORE…

Android is a trademark of Google Inc.

21 Comments AndEXAndroid

Android KitKat 4.4.4 x86 – Exton build – for laptops

07
Mar
2015

Android logoI have compiled an 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 build from 2015-03-01 will cost you 7 $. It has three advantages over the my free Lollipop 5.0.2 version: Google Play Store is pre-installed, a newer kernel (3.18.2) is used and you can run the system in VirtualBox. Read more about the KitKat 4.4.4 version or DOWNLOAD it instantly…

Boot screen

Kernel
Kernel 3.18.2-android-x86+ is used.

Installing new apps
Google Play Store is pre-installed (among many other apps) so you can just go ahead and make your choices…

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 150301 (sda8)’ {
insmod gzio
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root=’hd0,msdos8′
linux /android-2015-03-01/kernel quiet root=/dev/ram0 androidboot.hardware=android_x86 SRC=/android-2015-03-01
initrd /android-2015-03-01/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 150301 (sda8)
root (hd0,7)
kernel /android-2015-03-01/kernel quiet root=/dev/ram0 androidboot.hardware=android_x86 SRC=/android-2015-03-01
initrd /android-2015-03-01/initrd.img

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

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.

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 boot screen
The welcome screen
The Desktop (after I have added a few apps)
All apps (after I have added a few)
Google Play Store is used
The file manager is used
Poweroff

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

Android is a trademark of Google Inc.

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