NEWS 160220 – New version
AndEX Marshmallow version 160131 has been replaced by version 160220. Included apps etc. are the same in the new version.
NEWS AndEX – Marshmallow 6.0.1 with kernel 4.4.0-exton and GAPPS
My build of Android-x86 Marshmallow 6.0.1 has GAPPS pre-installed. I.e. Google Play Services, Google Play Store, Gmail, YouTube and more apps. For example: Aptoide, Google Chrome and Spotify. The ISO is called android-x86-6.0.1-marshmallow-kernel-4.4.0-exton-GAPPS-530mb-160220.iso. AndEX Marshmallow Build 160220 is totally error-free (as far as I know).
ABOUT Andex Marshmallow
My compiled Android-x86 system (Marshmallow 6.0.1) 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. I can also mention that I could run this Marshmallow version without problems on a HP Pavilion 500-317no Desktop Computer. 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.
Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow was released 151207.
More about AndEX Marshmallow
Marshmallow 6.0.1 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 4.4.0-exton-android-x86 with some extra features. I.e. extra drivers. My Android-x86 KitKat 4.4.4 build from 2016-02-14 will also cost you 9 $. It has two advantages over the Marshmallow version: The system can be used also on older laptops and it runs very well in VirtualBox. Read more about the KitKat 4.4.4 version 160214 or DOWNLOAD it instantly.
Installing new apps in AndEX Marshmallow
Use Google Play Store or Aptoide App Manager, which are pre-installed. Just make your choices…
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 6.0.1 Marshmallow 160220 (sda8)’ {
insmod gzio
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root=’hd0,msdos8′
linux /android-2016-02-20/kernel quiet root=/dev/ram0 androidboot.hardware=android_x86 \ acpi_sleep=s3_bios,s3_mode SRC=/android-2016-02-20 UVESA_MODE=1920×1080
initrd /android-2016-02-20/initrd.img
}
NOTE 1: 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 2: The UVESA_MODE=1920×1080 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 even though Android Marsmallow uses it) you should add these lines to /boot/grub/menu.lst
title Android-x86 6.0.1 Marshmallow 160220 (sda8)
root (hd0,7)
kernel /android-2016-02-20/kernel quiet root=/dev/ram0 androidboot.hardware=android_x86 SRC=/android-2016-02-20
initrd /android-2016-02-20/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 or SHAREit – screenshot. If you can’t enable Bluetooth (after all) it can help to delete the folder /data/misc and try again.
Root
You can su and become root – screenshot.
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.
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 (160215) and KitKat (160214) 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 160220 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 160125 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 Water Garden Live Wallpaper
Screenshot 2 – AndEX – The Desktop at first boot
Screenshot 3 – AndEX – The beginning of your configuration
DOWNLOAD
This version has been replaced by Build 160922 (64 bit).
Note3: Android-x86 KitKat 4.4.4 Exton Build 9 160214 can run on many more laptops/computers than AndEX (Android-x86) Marshmallow 6.0.1.
Note4: 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).