Database Develop

[Q] nook color laptop replacement capability

Hey guys,
Sorry to say but my laptop just died on me...
So im wondering about the capability of the nook color, which im using to write right now.
how does the ubuntu run compared to the honeycomb?
I am looking for msword capabilities and external keyboard capabilities especially.
thanks for all the inputs

I wish they'd get ubuntu netbook or jolicloud on the nook color
From what I recall they couldn't get wifi working on ubuntu last time I checked, not sure how progress has been on that front
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App

Particularly I am wondering how good ubuntu software that is already available to nook really is. i've never used ubuntu before.
on a side note, can anyone tell me if there is a way to boot straight into win7 from an external hard drive? a link would be nice since the internet on the nook is lacking, and having no undo button sucks too.
currently have the nook color running phiremod and samsung fascinate superclean, but no computer with sdk or adb access..

topikamew said:
Particularly I am wondering how good ubuntu software that is already available to nook really is. i've never used ubuntu before.
on a side note, can anyone tell me if there is a way to boot straight into win7 from an external hard drive? a link would be nice since the internet on the nook is lacking, and having no undo button sucks too.
currently have the nook color running phiremod and samsung fascinate superclean, but no computer with sdk or adb access..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't personally tried running ubuntu on the NC yet, but from the way I understand it, its not going to be a notebook replacement anytime soon.
If you really need to use the NC to replace a real PC at the moment, I'd be looking more in the direction of using dolphin browser and a bluetooth keyboard while running CM7.
On your sidenote, did just the HD on your pc die?
http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/01/21/seven-steps-to-a-bootable-windows-7-thumb-drive/
You will need a working PC to do it and IIRC you need win7 to make the drive bootable the way he describes, although it may be possible in vista, I don't recall.

FastCR said:
I haven't personally tried running ubuntu on the NC yet, but from the way I understand it, its not going to be a notebook replacement anytime soon.
If you really need to use the NC to replace a real PC at the moment, I'd be looking more in the direction of using dolphin browser and a bluetooth keyboard while running CM7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, once a release CM7 is nailed down with functional bluetooth and good compatibility with a couple of BT keyboards I could definitely see using the NC as a laptop replacement (just install a decent office app and you're good to go).

dsf3g said:
Yeah, once a release CM7 is nailed down with functional bluetooth and good compatibility with a couple of BT keyboards I could definitely see using the NC as a laptop replacement (just install a decent office app and you're good to go).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't that possible now.

Remember the Nook is a well specc'd Android e-book that just so happens is capable of being expanded to full Android tablet functionality. It is not a laptop replacement but can be used for light supplementary laptop like work.
So...
Watch Youtube
Watch ripped video's
Listen to music, Pandora etc
Email (Web based email such as Hotmail/Gmail as well as IMAP, POP3 and corporate Exchange email)
Browse the web (Flash currently sucks horribly when it can be made to work)
Read and do VERY basic creation and editing of MS Office docs through apps such as "Docs to Go"
Right now, using CM7 there is VERY limited BT connectivity available, we are taking 2-24 inches at best in range. There is NO USB hub functionality and no idea if that can even be enabled (although if anyone can get it to work it will be the CM7 guys...)
This is all a work in progress and to be honest if you're set on a touchscreen slate/tablet that can run Office apps, Outlook etc get a Win 7 built slate like the EXOPC etc.

I have ubuntu running on an older laptop and love it - I have a macbook air for my own use, wife and I each have dell windows laptops for work, son has a high end windows system for gaming - I'm very agnostic about computers.
I took one of my step-daughter's old windows laptops and repurposed it to ubuntu. Prior to the macbook air, this was my machine for personal use - android development, etc. Ubuntu is fiddlier than windows to get set up - finding the right driver's can take some effort - but I've found the performance you get from your hardware to be exceptional. There are a lot of good software solutions available on ubuntu now - open office has free software that largely replaces word, ppt, excel. Graphics are nice, chrome and firefox are both available and are very stable, and updating and maintenance aren't a big issue. My wife uses it now as her primary non-work computer - does all her options trading on it. I'd definitely look at ubuntu on an older machine if you don't require windows compatibility for work reasons. Unix was an amazing concept and its children have been very successful - linux, ubuntu (variation of linux), mac osX, iOS, android.
My macbook air though is by *far* the best computer I've ever owned, followed by the ubuntu laptop which shames my work dell laptop running windows XP. The macbook is incredibly stable and *fast* compared to my work laptop which is severely bogged down by corporate software. Office 2011 on my macbook is far faster than office 2010 on my windows laptop which has the faster processor. Windows doesn't have to be slow but gets severely clogged up very quickly.
The nook color is not a substitute for any of these. It really is suited for content consumption rather than creation - I wouldn't want to write a report on this. If I were strapped for money, I'd look for an inexpensive or used pc laptop. On the used one, I'd put on ubuntu.
Peter

I'm assuming the Nook Color is a little less powerful than my g tablet. That being said, I'd opt for a netbook, maybe one of the convertible ones if I needed to type anything but needed small size.

evilPERSOn2009 said:
Isn't that possible now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I've read, CM7 is still running nightly builds. No release version yet (or even release candidate).

everalm said:
Remember the Nook is a well specc'd Android e-book that just so happens is capable of being expanded to full Android tablet functionality. It is not a laptop replacement but can be used for light supplementary laptop like work.
So...
Watch Youtube
Watch ripped video's
Listen to music, Pandora etc
Email (Web based email such as Hotmail/Gmail as well as IMAP, POP3 and corporate Exchange email)
Browse the web (Flash currently sucks horribly when it can be made to work)
Read and do VERY basic creation and editing of MS Office docs through apps such as "Docs to Go"
Right now, using CM7 there is VERY limited BT connectivity available, we are taking 2-24 inches at best in range. There is NO USB hub functionality and no idea if that can even be enabled (although if anyone can get it to work it will be the CM7 guys...)
This is all a work in progress and to be honest if you're set on a touchscreen slate/tablet that can run Office apps, Outlook etc get a Win 7 built slate like the EXOPC etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea i've done all of that, and everything works fine except msoffice capabilites and how good the bluetooth keyboard is thru wifi. Im typing thru slideit right now, and although the best keyboard so far for the nook, its function is limited by the screen which can register things one at a time not very fast.
I am not looking for another tablet, but something that can run win7 relatively fast. My computer died after me spilling hot water on it, nothing turns on so im thinking that the hdd isn't affected, only the power supply. My usb coincidentally has win7 on it but for installing. Ive heard of ubuntu bootable drives, anything for windows?

FastCR said:
I haven't personally tried running ubuntu on the NC yet, but from the way I understand it, its not going to be a notebook replacement anytime soon.
If you really need to use the NC to replace a real PC at the moment, I'd be looking more in the direction of using dolphin browser and a bluetooth keyboard while running CM7.
On your sidenote, did just the HD on your p
You will need a working PC to do it and IIRC you need win7 to make the drive bootable the way he describes, although it may be possible in vista, I don't recall.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yea, I already have this usb installation disk, since I didnt have cds I could use. I am looking for an actual system I can just run off of an external drive. Anyone know about this kind of solution?
Running phiremod nook, which is the most comprehensive rom with cm7 also.
Can anyone share their ubuntu nook experience?

topikamew said:
I am looking for msword capabilities and external keyboard capabilities especially.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ubuntu is unusable for what you want, but CM7 + A Bluetooth keyboard + Quick Office HD from this thread will do what you want:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=934916&highlight=ink
I use it almost daily.

Lack of SD Slot - Workaround

So, I've been drooling over the nice features of the Nexus 7: the high resolution IPS panel, the quad core processor, and so on. It looks like a wonderful platform and implementation (all manufacturing issues notwithstanding).
What had been holding me back is the lack of an SD card slot, which seemed like a dumb thing to leave off. Being limited to 8GB of storage, and having to use the "cloud" on the go seemed inconvenient, and could get expensive tethering through my cell phone.
Then, it dawned on me. Since I was tethering through my (rooted, thanks to hack-ace!) HTC Inspire 4G, I could just install a Samba server on the phone, and that would give me the ability to get at my SD cards from the Nexus.
Couple of questions - Samba seems like just one solution. I'd like to know if there are other file sharing solutions that would work over the WLAN. Particularly, I'm interested in either permanently mounting the samba share on the Nexus, or doing something else that makes access to the files on my phone as seamless as possible to the Nexus.
I'd love to hear some ideas from others who have done stuff like this.

ehidle said:
So, I've been drooling over the nice features of the Nexus 7: the high resolution IPS panel, the quad core processor, and so on. It looks like a wonderful platform and implementation (all manufacturing issues notwithstanding).
What had been holding me back is the lack of an SD card slot, which seemed like a dumb thing to leave off. Being limited to 8GB of storage, and having to use the "cloud" on the go seemed inconvenient, and could get expensive tethering through my cell phone.
Then, it dawned on me. Since I was tethering through my (rooted, thanks to hack-ace!) HTC Inspire 4G, I could just install a Samba server on the phone, and that would give me the ability to get at my SD cards from the Nexus.
Couple of questions - Samba seems like just one solution. I'd like to know if there are other file sharing solutions that would work over the WLAN. Particularly, I'm interested in either permanently mounting the samba share on the Nexus, or doing something else that makes access to the files on my phone as seamless as possible to the Nexus.
I'd love to hear some ideas from others who have done stuff like this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would be interested to see if you have any joy with this!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

I tether my Nexus 7 to my phone and use Google Drive and DropBox. Both are free. With DropBox if you invite your friends to use it and they sign up you get an extra 0.5 GB of space for each person.
I knew right away that I would get the 16gb version to hold more stuff on when traveling via plane. Also, there are many posts about this issue which is probably why you only have 2 responses.
People beat this topic to death. Return it and get a 16gb it's only $50. If you think $50 is too much divide the $50 by your starbucks coffee your packet of cigs, beer, and just cut back that many and you will have enough saved up.

Though not as fancy but... I installed Audiogalaxy on my PC and Tablet and can now access my 10,000+ song collection without having to take up space.
My goal will be to setup a small multimedia server at home with spare parts to stream movies and music.
Please keep us informed on your plans, sounds interesting.

yjbeach said:
I tether my Nexus 7 to my phone and use Google Drive and DropBox. Both are free. With DropBox if you invite your friends to use it and they sign up you get an extra 0.5 GB of space for each person.
I knew right away that I would get the 16gb version to hold more stuff on when traveling via plane. Also, there are many posts about this issue which is probably why you only have 2 responses.
People beat this topic to death. Return it and get a 16gb it's only $50. If you think $50 is too much divide the $50 by your starbucks coffee your packet of cigs, beer, and just cut back that many and you will have enough saved up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The topic of directly accessing files on your phone from your n7 has been beaten to death?
This is probably only the second time I've seen it mentioned.
OP: Download an app called "on air" to your phone and you can access it via ftp. Only problem is you need to have a network to connect to. There might be other apps that allow an ad hoc connection though.

for me the 8 gb is enough i just use the tablet at home to read forums, news, etc... i am not a heave tablet user, i am just lazy to turn the computer on...
maybe for the heavy travel user, 8gb is just not enough..
internet? not problem... rooted 4g lte phone with unlimited dat..i just turn the hot spot on and problem solve...
i am happy with the tablet..

Found this on another site, could probably substitute the PC step and use AndFTP on your N7 to connect to your phone.
Prep
1. Root phone
2. Install Barnacle Wifi Tether app for Android to create ad-hoc wifi host. I believe it modifies an .ini file to allow for ad-hoc goodness and saves us the trouble of changing it via script or command line.
3. Install SSHDroid app for Android (or use the connection method dejour)
4. Install WinSCP or PuTTy or another connection client for Windows PC
Android Setup
5. Start up Barnacle WiFi Tether, allow SU / root access
6. Go to Settings, slide down to Clients sub-menu and check the box for Local Mode (this turns off your data connection - don't need it for what we are doing)
7. Hit your home key to leave Barnacle WiFi running in the background and to keep that scary a$$ orange cyclops squid in your notification area
8. Start up SSHDroid
9. Go to Options and uncheck Require WiFi, back out of menu one page
10. If SSHDroid service has stopped, bring up the menu again and click Start
PC Setup
11. In your WiFi connection service, connect to the ad-hoc network with the SSID 'barnacle'
12. Start WinSCP
13. In the Session box, under Host name, enter the IP address shown in SSHDroid. SSHDroid will show sftp://[email protected], just enter the part after the @ sign.
14. If you are prompted for a user name and password, the defaults are root and admin (recommend changing this, and using secure keys, but that's your call)
15. You'll see a windows explorer or (my preference) windows commander interface on your PC showing the contents of your Android.

Just use WiFi explorer. Same thing. WiFi tether your tablet to your phone, then pull up a browser. Super easy and just works.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

Yes I agree chec out air droid and WiFi explorer. And then of course I'm sure you already know about using a USB external hard drive or flash drive with an adapter as OTG.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

yup
using these 2 software for access too
i must say air droid has been a great experience
Sent from my ... using xda app-developers app

Thanks for all of the suggestions everyone.
I'm most interested in semi-permanently mounting the SD card in my phone via either samba or other protocol, so that the Nexus will just see it as local storage and all of the native apps will treat it as such. Once my Nexus (Nexii, now) show up, I will try a few things and follow up on this thread.
I am sure that once the Nexus is rooted there is a way to samba mount network shares easily.

Okay, so I have had almost 24 hours to play with my new 7, and have it rooted and unlocked and all that.
I'm able to stream media files from my phone or home server to the tablet, but have yet to figure out how to actually mount a samba filesystem on the tablet so that the native apps will catalog and index their contents, which is the ideal case. I don't want to use Play for my online stuff and another app for Samba served media. I just want to use the native apps for everything. The only way I see to do that is to actually mount the share on the filesystem.
Apparently the stock kernel does not support the CIFS filesystem, so I'll have to find a custom kernel or ROM to load.
Overall though I love the tablet so far

My plan once I get my 8GB tablet is to put music, videos, and additional app data (if possible) on a flash drive (that I'm hoping is compatible), and apps on the tablet itself.

You could try something like this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbizCRQmnCE&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app

I'm running a Linux server at home that does 101 different things. I set it up to do two additional tasks recently.
1 - I installed Subsonic on my server and donated a few bucks (10-15 or so) to unlock the full mobile license. Since I already have DDNS running on my server, I just set up the Subsonic Android app to point to my specific URL. I can now stream all of my music just fine. Even with my mediocre DSL, it doesn't really give me any trouble.
2 - I installed ownCloud on my server. This basically gives you Dropbox... but on your own server. They have an app for it, but you have to go on ownCloud's web site for right now to download it. This essentially gives me my own personal cloud server, limited only by your server's hard drive space. I'm currently running a 500GB array, with about 300GB free.
300GB personal cloud? On my own server? I'll take it. This should be even more fun when I do a 6TB RAID 5 coming up... that'll make Dropbox's 2GB or 5GB or whatever they have look like peanuts. Of course, having your own server (if you don't have one already) costs money to put together, but I already had my server running as it also saves video surveillance feeds (via software known as "Motion" on Linux) from IP cameras on my property, and it also stores all of the backups for my other systems and my fiance's laptop as well. So for me in particular, installing some software on an existing box to achieve a ~300GB personal cloud/personal music streaming box was a total win. :good:

JaSauders said:
I'm running a Linux server at home that does 101 different things. I set it up to do two additional tasks recently.
1 - I installed Subsonic on my server and donated a few bucks (10-15 or so) to unlock the full mobile license. Since I already have DDNS running on my server, I just set up the Subsonic Android app to point to my specific URL. I can now stream all of my music just fine. Even with my mediocre DSL, it doesn't really give me any trouble.
2 - I installed ownCloud on my server. This basically gives you Dropbox... but on your own server. They have an app for it, but you have to go on ownCloud's web site for right now to download it. This essentially gives me my own personal cloud server, limited only by your server's hard drive space. I'm currently running a 500GB array, with about 300GB free.
300GB personal cloud? On my own server? I'll take it. This should be even more fun when I do a 6TB RAID 5 coming up... that'll make Dropbox's 2GB or 5GB or whatever they have look like peanuts. Of course, having your own server (if you don't have one already) costs money to put together, but I already had my server running as it also saves video surveillance feeds (via software known as "Motion" on Linux) from IP cameras on my property, and it also stores all of the backups for my other systems and my fiance's laptop as well. So for me in particular, installing some software on an existing box to achieve a ~300GB personal cloud/personal music streaming box was a total win. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mindblowing :laugh: How much did it cost you?

Surfy89 said:
Mindblowing :laugh: How much did it cost you?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Er - that's a little difficult to say. The "server" in question is my old desktop I used as my main computer, so it didn't really cost me anything as I already had it sitting around. When I ran it as my primary desktop, I was running a simple Dell box as my server, which has a Pentium Dual Core of some sort with 2GB of RAM. It did the job fine and I had no complaints with it. When I built a new desktop, I hooked up the Dell box and my previous quad core desktop to a watt meter. I saw that my quad core desktop consumed quite a few less watts, so I figured for a 24/7/365 box I'd rather have that... not to mention it was more powerful than the Dell anyway, which is always welcome.
So now the quad core is my server, the newer one is my main desktop, and the Dell is a test system I use for various projects here and there. But to answer your question (as inaccurate as it may be by 2012 standards), the server ran me about $550 (custom build) back in 2008. For a music/personal cloud server, I'm not convinced you would need a mammoth box, but I also don't know the nitty gritty details of what Subsonic does in the background. I'd be a little uneasy about dropping an Intel Atom system in place to handle these tasks, but I don't think I'd be getting an 8 core AMD rig either.

My setup is similar, but just a shade different. I have a VMWare server running an IPCop VM that supports OpenVPN, the client of which works fine on the N7. Connecting into my home network from anywhere is pretty trivial. The SSHFS looks interesting, but is going to add another layer of encryption and overhead that may or may not be an issue, but in either case is unnecessary. The server runs in another VM and hosts 10TB of storage.
Anyway, my solution might end up being the native XBMC app they're working on, since it has a built-in samba browser. I installed the alpha and I can indeed access all my stuff over the cellular network and VPN. Once they get the bugs worked out, I think that's going to be the winner, because to me XBMC is a suitable substitute for the native apps.

As other people mentioned a local FTP server on your phone would be best or just use NFS (Linux's default network sharing protocol) if it's even supported by Android.

Linux head unit

Hi, this is probably in the wrong section.
Does anyone manufacture a head unit running Linux, something for which I can just download a debian ARM iso and install from a usb stick/sd card? From what I can find it seems not to be the case. Why not? Why is android so prevalent?
I also have a question. I just bought an E46 with an eonon GA5150 which is MTCB-KLD-v2.30. I updated from 4.2.2 to 4.4.4 with Malaysk's ROM, but not the MCU, and now audio doesn't work at all. How should I begin to troubleshoot this issue?
Thanks, to a community I should have joined many years ago.

Answer to the first question is...um...well Android is running a Linux kernal...so...you can make the case it's running Linux (or a forky version at least).
As far as running Debian ARM on the typical SoC in these head units, I think it's very likely possible...if you are willing to write the drivers or chase them down (if they exist). And configure the system...it's not a super mountain to climb, but I doubt it's something that already exist. At least in binary format that you could put on an a USB key and install.
In fact, you would have to create a custom Debian build, most likely, and use a bootloader that is normally setup for Android (guessing on that one) to install it. There is no technical reason it should not work, just no one has bothered to do it. We already have Android, what does Debian Linux buy us?
Why run Android? Well, it's because that's where the focus of the development effort is for the kinds of apps you would most likely want to use in a car. My opinion is that's why these head units exist in the first place. The vast number of really good (and admittedly incredible number of poor) apps already exist...let's tap into them!
If you really want to run Linux in the car for some reason or another, there are other options out there...might look for "carputers" or "car PCs". I think a lot of folks who are determined to run Open Source car computers are now running Raspberry Pi (or similar) SBCs..seems to be a lot of that type of projects on Google, when you do a search.
On the second question...about your head unit's ROM issues, I defer to the experts on here.

fortune80211 said:
Hi, this is probably in the wrong section.
Does anyone manufacture a head unit running Linux, something for which I can just download a debian ARM iso and install from a usb stick/sd card? From what I can find it seems not to be the case. Why not? Why is android so prevalent?
I also have a question. I just bought an E46 with an eonon GA5150 which is MTCB-KLD-v2.30. I updated from 4.2.2 to 4.4.4 with Malaysk's ROM, but not the MCU, and now audio doesn't work at all. How should I begin to troubleshoot this issue?
Thanks, to a community I should have joined many years ago.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, @tbd2k2 is right - Android IS Linux, albeit one that uses a very old Linux kernel (google is trying to rectify this but its gonna take years).
There are versions of Ubuntu (Debian based) that run on RK3188 devices, so I m sure someone who is experienced enough could make an Ubuntu ROM for MTCB/C units, but it would involve making all the MTC apps work with it too.

Thank you
What exactly are the mtc apps? What are they needed for? (Do you have a link I can read?) What kind of drivers would I need to write and how would I find what they are if I were to attempt something like this myself?
The reason I ask is that it seems to me that it's very difficult to update software on these head units. It takes a very specialised piece of software and it's impossible to keep up to date.
If these head units were just generic arm PCs then people could install whatever they wanted. I agree that most people would want to install android, but even then the situation would be simpler. Aren't these head units just 12V DC in, audio and video out with additional drivers for GPS, WiFi etc?.

fortune80211 said:
Thank you
What exactly are the mtc apps? What are they needed for? (Do you have a link I can read?) What kind of drivers would I need to write and how would I find what they are if I were to attempt something like this myself?
The reason I ask is that it seems to me that it's very difficult to update software on these head units. It takes a very specialised piece of software and it's impossible to keep up to date.
If these head units were just generic arm PCs then people could install whatever they wanted. I agree that most people would want to install android, but even then the situation would be simpler. Aren't these head units just 12V DC in, audio and video out with additional drivers for GPS, WiFi etc?.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read the wiki in my signature, it will answer all your questions.
"Very difficult to update" ? - what makes you think that ? - its as easy as you like - put update on sd card go to settings/updates hit "update", or hold down power and reset, release reset, release power to get into recovery and install update by clicking on it, very easy.

Sorry, I didn't mean in that sense.
I mean that if you want to run something obscure, it's not possible. If you want to run an app that only runs on later versions of android, it's not possible. The actual installation is as easy as can be, but you are limited to a small selection of android ROMs.
I realise that it's the way it is for a reason and I'm very grateful to the community of developers here who have contributed so much. I'm just looking for something different and wouldn't mind a project for myself.
Thanks
EDIT: Also, recently Linux operating systems (Ubuntu), and even windows are moving toward touchscreens. There's a huge amount of present and future development effort we could tap into if our hardware was compatible.

I have been a Unix/Linux IT professional for more than 25 years, and it also happens that electronics is my hobby, and I have build many things in recent years powered by Linux using the great new small boards such as Rasbperry Pi's, Beaglebone, Orange, etc.. including weather stations, wall clocks/electronic displays, radio receivers, etc.
BUT, Even I would not use a generic Linux system in place of these purpose built android devices. Using android which has a wealth of high quality apps dedicated to mobile device use for GPS, Maps, media, etc is infinitely more practical.

fortune80211 said:
Sorry, I didn't mean in that sense.
I mean that if you want to run something obscure, it's not possible. If you want to run an app that only runs on later versions of android, it's not possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you talking about apps not showing up in the Playstore or not installing when sideloaded ?
fortune80211 said:
The actual installation is as easy as can be, but you are limited to a small selection of android ROMs.
I realise that it's the way it is for a reason and I'm very grateful to the community of developers here who have contributed so much. I'm just looking for something different and wouldn't mind a project for myself.
EDIT: Also, recently Linux operating systems (Ubuntu), and even windows are moving toward touchscreens. There's a huge amount of present and future development effort we could tap into if our hardware was compatible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nixfu said:
I have been a Unix/Linux IT professional for more than 25 years, and it also happens that electronics is my hobby, and I have build many things in recent years powered by Linux using the great new small boards such as Rasbperry Pi's, Beaglebone, Orange, etc.. including weather stations, wall clocks/electronic displays, radio receivers, etc.
BUT, Even I would not use a generic Linux system in place of these purpose built android devices. Using android which has a wealth of high quality apps dedicated to mobile device use for GPS, Maps, media, etc is infinitely more practical.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I ve been using Ubuntu since 2009 and I ve been following the development of Ubuntu Touch for phones/tablets for a while as well - I d love it but until someone gets ART running on Ubuntu Touch so you can use Touch apps (which can also run on Ubuntu desktops) AND Android apps, I wont be using it (and I dont think many others will either) for precisely the reason that @nixfu says - I dont wanna loose access to all the apps available for android.

nixfu said:
I have been a Unix/Linux IT professional for more than 25 years, and it also happens that electronics is my hobby, and I have build many things in recent years powered by Linux using the great new small boards such as Rasbperry Pi's, Beaglebone, Orange, etc.. including weather stations, wall clocks/electronic displays, radio receivers, etc.
BUT, Even I would not use a generic Linux system in place of these purpose built android devices. Using android which has a wealth of high quality apps dedicated to mobile device use for GPS, Maps, media, etc is infinitely more practical.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look at this one: https://www.stepstone.de/stellenang...d-Unit-f-m-Ulm-BMW-Group--4333376-inline.html
BMW is obviously trying to work on exactly that; trying to professionally use Linux for Car Entertainment

I've pulled apart the system image for the 2016 and 2017 Kenwood units and it's just a QT app on top of the Linux kernel.
Sony's XAV-AX100 is the same and i'm pretty sure the new Pioneers are the same now they've dumped Android.
Once you stop them booting into the GUI app and get a console, you've got a Linux system with good enough hardware to play with.
All three also have sites where you can get the code for things like the kernel that they have to make available.

leonkernan said:
I've pulled apart the system image for the 2016 and 2017 Kenwood units and it's just a QT app on top of the Linux kernel.
Sony's XAV-AX100 is the same and i'm pretty sure the new Pioneers are the same now they've dumped Android.
Once you stop them booting into the GUI app and get a console, you've got a Linux system with good enough hardware to play with.
All three also have sites where you can get the code for things like the kernel that they have to make available.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds great, I guess you could even run Android apps on them as you can do that on a Linux desktop.

Google search i-carus (raspberry pi based)
Give that a go

Administrative Controls for the Mini

Hi,
I would like to use the Android Mini as a terminal for our school library. However, kids using the terminal may just install software from the Play store or from other sources (just share it from their own devices will already work). They can also play loads of games on the mini.
How can I restrict this? I tried using app blockers downloaded from the play store but I think because of the Mini's multitasking capabilities, it is possible to easily disable the app blockers simply by pressing ESC. Can I do this without rooting (I am not experienced in rooting and prefer if the solution did not need to open up my mini)
Thanks a lot
webmiester

webmiester said:
Hi,
I would like to use the Android Mini as a terminal for our school library. However, kids using the terminal may just install software from the Play store or from other sources (just share it from their own devices will already work). They can also play loads of games on the mini.
How can I restrict this? I tried using app blockers downloaded from the play store but I think because of the Mini's multitasking capabilities, it is possible to easily disable the app blockers simply by pressing ESC. Can I do this without rooting (I am not experienced in rooting and prefer if the solution did not need to open up my mini)
Thanks a lot
webmiester
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I work with Remix as a Ambassador I will post this to the board and see if I can get you a answer for your issue. Will be in touch ASAP.

webmiester said:
Hi,
I would like to use the Android Mini as a terminal for our school library. However, kids using the terminal may just install software from the Play store or from other sources (just share it from their own devices will already work). They can also play loads of games on the mini.
How can I restrict this? I tried using app blockers downloaded from the play store but I think because of the Mini's multitasking capabilities, it is possible to easily disable the app blockers simply by pressing ESC. Can I do this without rooting (I am not experienced in rooting and prefer if the solution did not need to open up my mini)
Thanks a lot
webmiester
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
heh no the mini in the current state is not good for education (root need soldering),you should try cloud ready the Chrome os distribution for pc,they are fond of chromebooks in education I think

tailslol said:
heh no the mini in the current state is not good for education (root need soldering),you should try cloud ready the Chrome os distribution for pc,they are fond of chromebooks in education I think
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you Taillol for your suggestion of using Chromebooks. Chromebooks are currently not in my mind as one of the viable solutions though. I heard that most applications of Chrome are dependent on the internet. What I like with Android is that it has enough applications which can load locally like office apps and paint programs. So in this case, I can free up bandwidth if the user decides to use any app found in its memory.
Android also has applications which are very similar or almost identical to their windows and Linux and Mac desktop counterparts. For instance, I plan to use the android version of textmaker HD for the android boxes while using either the linux or windows versions for the offices using PC (or even use the remix x86). In this way, the applications will look the same in whatever machine they will use. Although google office is also available in all these platforms including chrome, I dont want to get a subscription for business.

wastate2014 said:
I work with Remix as a Ambassador I will post this to the board and see if I can get you a answer for your issue. Will be in touch ASAP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much Wastemeter2014. I was hoping to come up with some sort of solution soon as I was planning to buy the Remix mini units already this week. Ill have to wait for your reply.

Sorry for the delay, Tailslol is a member of the same Ambassador team. I have forwarded your request to the engineering team. I have a few ideas I will try today but the current OS has limited options in which to lock it down to the extent you are looking for. That being said, please allow me a little further time to consult further I havn't forgotten you.

webmiester said:
Thank you Taillol for your suggestion of using Chromebooks. Chromebooks are currently not in my mind as one of the viable solutions though. I heard that most applications of Chrome are dependent on the internet. What I like with Android is that it has enough applications which can load locally like office apps and paint programs. So in this case, I can free up bandwidth if the user decides to use any app found in its memory.
Android also has applications which are very similar or almost identical to their windows and Linux and Mac desktop counterparts. For instance, I plan to use the android version of textmaker HD for the android boxes while using either the linux or windows versions for the offices using PC (or even use the remix x86). In this way, the applications will look the same in whatever machine they will use. Although google office is also available in all these platforms including chrome, I dont want to get a subscription for business.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes i am an ambassador too.
And we are looking for a solution internally.
Current version of the mini lack of tools for this kind of use.
I was suggesting Chromebooks mostly because they have Google adminstrative tools and recent ones have access to Android play store.

tailslol said:
Yes i am an ambassador too.
And we are looking for a solution internally.
Current version of the mini lack of tools for this kind of use.
I was suggesting Chromebooks mostly because they have Google administrative tools and recent ones have access to Android play store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would agree that chrome would be better suited at this point. The parental tools on Google Play I looked at today still would not lock it down the way you would like. The software engineers have your request.

First, I really appreciate the interest you've shown. I've been talking to the developers and here's the latest.
To fulfill the needs of your scenario, there is development work that we need to do. To that end, there is good news and bad news.
The bad news is, we haven't had the resources and time to develop it yet, so the Mini or any Remix OS product right now can't claim to support Mobile Device Management or any type of kiosk mode fully.
However, the good news is that two weeks ago, we started the ball rolling on this development. The timing is unclear, but we are aiming for the end of Q1 or early Q2 2017 with the releases for Remix IO and Remix IO+. This development should also provide Minis with administrative rights and management ability.
I'd hope that you do stay in touch and when we have it done, we'll update you then.
Thanks!
webmiester said:
Hi,
I would like to use the Android Mini as a terminal for our school library. However, kids using the terminal may just install software from the Play store or from other sources (just share it from their own devices will already work). They can also play loads of games on the mini.
How can I restrict this? I tried using app blockers downloaded from the play store but I think because of the Mini's multitasking capabilities, it is possible to easily disable the app blockers simply by pressing ESC. Can I do this without rooting (I am not experienced in rooting and prefer if the solution did not need to open up my mini)
Thanks a lot
webmiester
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

RemixOS_Jason said:
First, I really appreciate the interest you've shown. I've been talking to the developers and here's the latest.
To fulfill the needs of your scenario, there is development work that we need to do. To that end, there is good news and bad news.
The bad news is, we haven't had the resources and time to develop it yet, so the Mini or any Remix OS product right now can't claim to support Mobile Device Management or any type of kiosk mode fully.
However, the good news is that two weeks ago, we started the ball rolling on this development. The timing is unclear, but we are aiming for the end of Q1 or early Q2 2017 with the releases for Remix IO and Remix IO+. This development should also provide Minis with administrative rights and management ability.
I'd hope that you do stay in touch and when we have it done, we'll update you then.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much.
I downloaded the x86 version of the Remix and installed it on a PC. I noticed that the PC version gave options on bootup. One of them was a "guest mode". From the description it says that "Guest Mode" cannot save anything. Does this include the inability to install apps? The Guest Mode sounds like it can work, but I wasn't able to explore the PC version so extensively.
If so, maybe we can have a "guest mode" for the Remix mini too then simply password protect the "Resident mode" so students wont simply reboot and choose "Resident Mode" on reboot. If the guest mode already exists for the x86 version, then I suppose the code for this type of admin control is already available. Thanks.

webmiester said:
Thanks so much.
I downloaded the x86 version of the Remix and installed it on a PC. I noticed that the PC version gave options on bootup. One of them was a "guest mode". From the description it says that "Guest Mode" cannot save anything. Does this include the inability to install apps? The Guest Mode sounds like it can work, but I wasn't able to explore the PC version so extensively.
If so, maybe we can have a "guest mode" for the Remix mini too then simply password protect the "Resident mode" so students wont simply reboot and choose "Resident Mode" on reboot. If the guest mode already exists for the x86 version, then I suppose the code for this type of admin control is already available. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can install app but not large ones due to the limitation of ram and usb drive size and none will stay when the computer reboot. account information will not stay too.

General Questions about updating Tab S2 ROM

treat me like an idiot if these are obvious..
I want to put Samsung stock nougat on my rooted SM-T810, and I have some general questions. if all this info is gathered somewhere else, please point me there. maybe I used bad search terms?
1) for US, I use the XNZ country code, correct?
if there's an update thread already, consider this an apology for wasting your time. please stop reading now and point me to it. otherwise:
2) Use Odin 3.12, correct?
3) Can I just use twrp to update?
4) will I lose root?
5) if yes to above, could you please point me to a rooting guide (SM T810)
6) other than the ROM itself, what do I need?

yeah - so i'm an idiot. I see the 'no questions' posting now. guess I jumped the gun

Is your current s2 Tab working smoothly? If so, why risking an update?

why not? I like to play around and keep current. Besides, IMHO, Android s**** as an OS, still unable to do things Windows was doing in the early 90s. I keep hoping someday it will grow up... I know Android and Windows have different purposes, but until I can network at the OS rather than app level (built in), and until it is fully 'self-contained' and doesn't require a PC for changing OS versions (w/o 3rd party apps), etc., I'm going to consider it 'not ready for prime time'. Just my opinion.

"Keep it current" what does this mean?
You do realize that the lastest software versions often come with the most current bugs and issues at hand.
If you need to network, install Kali Linux, I'd suggest.

'keep it current' = keep all apps and the os to the most recent version possible
bugs: yeah, but it also comes with the latest features
Linux: on the tablet? there's a version? but that's sort of beside the point - Android lacks a functionality that's been in every other OS on the planet since at least the early 90s. it may be by intent, but it still ain't there, and it would sure make my life easier if I could map a drive from my nas and have it's contents available to all apps: music player, movie player, ebook reader. for work, I've used it to process data in the field using Octave. Getting the data on and off is always a pain - better if I could map a share and go from there.
not trying to argue - you asked, i'm elaborating. too much, maybe.

Keep all apps and the os to the most recent version possible. But what for?
Why trying desperately to fix a working car?
Updates eat storage and in most cases performance. Worse, introduce new bugs and so on.
I do not get this: update mania. Sure, it certainly assures that the Superclass can easily spy on every single user but besides that.. it makes no sense IMO.
Certainly, Android is Linux based after all. So yes, you could root your Tab and install Linux.
Drive access. That's already possible. You can connect an external SSD drive or HD drive via USB. Or NAS,
http://www.techrepublic.com/google-...o-help-you-connect-to-network-storage/?espv=1
I feel you. No arguing here either, just trying to understand your viewpoint.

just want a fully functional 'computer' where I can access files without having to use one app to copy the files over from the nas and another to use them. step one is the OS's responsibility, IMO. want access to network drives and otg drives to be identical to access I get on the internal memory.
and if you really want to get me going, start up on selinux, the "god i'm so afraid to go outside" solution. yeah - let's punish everyone because that guy over there is being bad. and lack of automatic root access? these are children's toys? unfortunately, my favorite ebook reader is only on android. as is the best music player I've found.
fun discussion, but I gotta get some work done

Msamp said:
just want a fully functional 'computer' where I can access files without having to use one app to copy the files over from the nas and another to use them. step one is the OS's responsibility, IMO. want access to network drives and otg drives to be identical to access I get on the internal memory.
and if you really want to get me going, start up on selinux, the "god i'm so afraid to go outside" solution. yeah - let's punish everyone because that guy over there is being bad. and lack of automatic root access? these are children's toys? unfortunately, my favorite ebook reader is only on android. as is the best music player I've found.
fun discussion, but I gotta get some work done
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess you are not really understanding the role smartphones and tablets play in the computing world. They are more communications terminals designed to be usable without mice and keyboards rather than stand alone computers. Your recurring references to what computers could do in 1990 is a little off. All you had (at most) was windows 3.0. That did not include networking out of the box, but relied on device-specific drivers and utilities (i.e. Novell) to access a thin-net ethernet coax cable or IBM token ring network. If you want to get online, be prepared to use a serial terminal and a But I digress...
Android is not Windows. It is a cut down and specialized version Linux. Linux/Android is not a single monolithic OS like Windows. It does not do SMB out of the box, but needs a Samba client to do SMB to your windows-ish NAS. It does not try to be all things to all people, but rather gives you the basics and lets you, Joe User, add on the things to make it do what you want. In short they don't bloat it down with stuff only 10% of users will want to use.
To access your NAS, there are Samba (SMB) and ftp clients that let you do it. In fact I have a couple Android streamer boxes on my TVs around the house. They connect directly to my NAS video libraries and pull movies and other videos directly from there using a variety of protocols. Do I need to do that on my phone? No, but hey, I can install KODI on that phone and do just that. I can also put KODI on my windows box and do the same thing. But if I want to disconnect, I can copy these movies to my Tablet/Phone and play them any time I want off line. This is all things I would challenge you to do using Windows 3.0 in 1990 (don't even think of doing full touch screen support with Windows 3.x).
But well, if you really want your phone or tablet to work like Windows, you should run Windows on it

not '1990' - 'early nineties'. big difference. Win 3.1 (or WFW?) had an add-on, but still OS level tcp/ip stack
paragraph 2: I don't count real networking as an option. I should be able to access my ebooks on my nas usung ebookdroid, not have to move trhem to the tab using ESfilemanager THEN read them. I have a HUGE library of pdfs, movies, music, more than will fit on my 128 gig sd card (or a 256 g card for that matter), and i'd like access to the WHOLE THING from any appropriate app I choose. all the smb apps suck green worms, by the way.
I don't want to have to install a freakin client - it should be part of the os. imho, of course

btw: this discussion has become pointless. I have my preferences, you have yours. that's the way it should be. and as far as their 'role' goes: give them a bigger one - they're capable.
'bye

I totally understand your gripe. And I do wholeheartedly agree there should be a *root* toggle in the **Developer Option**.
But here is the thing, how are greedy conglomerates, and the gov puppets, supposed to spy on each and every single citizen if they just uninstall all spyware?
Moreover, most consumers are just too *untechy* and they would probably lose all their bank account, credit card and online shopping data to third parties and eventually blame the OEM. I smell lawsuits of the retard.
Auto updates are there for a reason. Control.
For instance, Samsung's new high-tech TVs record audio 24/7. Same for all these assistant devices.. Amazon Echo, Google Home etc. Seriously, 1984 isn't that far away anymore.

Msamp said:
treat me like an idiot if these are obvious..
I want to put Samsung stock nougat on my rooted SM-T810, and I have some general questions. if all this info is gathered somewhere else, please point me there. maybe I used bad search terms?
1) for US, I use the XNZ country code, correct?
if there's an update thread already, consider this an apology for wasting your time. please stop reading now and point me to it. otherwise:
2) Use Odin 3.12, correct?
3) Can I just use twrp to update?
4) will I lose root?
5) if yes to above, could you please point me to a rooting guide (SM T810)
6) other than the ROM itself, what do I need?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use Odin AND the rom... i think you will lose root but you can always go back in twrp to install supersu.
I did something similar, i used Samsung Smart Switch to do an emergency reset on mine and it installed the latest firmware (nougat).
That will unroot and remove twrp.
I wouldn't (and didn't) reflash TWRP and root because you lose OTA updates, and right now there's some bugs in Nougat that , for me, were fixed in an OTA update. But once you flash with Smart Switch, you could always re-install TWRP and root again if you want.
Don't mind Niii4, he ranted about the same things in my thread and to others too...