Android as PC OS - Off-topic

So I've been using Samsung dex, and I like it a lot for all its bugs, and it got me thinking about eventually having android as the main operating system for computers. I'm imagining a system where the "Dex like interface" is the whole OS, optimized for big screen use, with apps designed to run that way. It gives you the benefit of having the Play store, and all your regular apps, just.. big.
Then I started wondering if there would be any point at all, since we have OSes like linux and devices like chromebooks. And for tablets we can use Sentio to get a desktop experience.
I'm not going anywhere with this, just thinking about it and wanted to hear anyone's thoughts.

Related

What is the advantage of HC over others

What is the advantage of using android 3.0 have over 2.2. and 2.3?
Install all three and really see no difference beside the slight UI changes.
evilPERSOn,
I had not yet loaded HC, so my advice is pure speculation. HC has an entirely different interface which acknowledges the fact that a tablet is in essence a tablet and not an oversized phone. So, as such, it works a bit more like a computer with. The speed and streamlined interface of a tablet. As I write this I really wonder why I have not cobbled it up. Well, it is only a matter of time.
Have fun
~Leko
evilPERSOn2009 said:
What is the advantage of using android 3.0 have over 2.2. and 2.3?
Install all three and really see no difference beside the slight UI changes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well for starters this should be in general not development
second HC isnt just a slight UI change, it was MADE for tablets so if you want your tablet to be a giant itouch running android than install 2.2/2.3 but if you want a tablet you should install 3.0
^My bad. I had two tabs open. General and Development. Must have started thread on the wrong location.
1. HC uses GPU interface rendering.
2. HC is meant for a system like a nook with few buttons (good for us)
3.But HC's source is not in the open (bad for us).
poofyhairguy said:
1. HC uses GPU interface rendering.
2. HC is meant for a system like a nook with few buttons (good for us)
3.But HC's source is not in the open (bad for us).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hopefully the source will be released soon!
For me i thought i would try hc on the sd card and just go back to froyo. I was hooked. I used it for two days on a class 2 card then i flashed, and ive tried to go back to froyo and get flash but i cant. The UI is just perfect, the live app switcher key is wonderful and so great to use, probably my favorite feature. Not to mention i love that the task bar is on the bottom, reminds me of windows and keeps the clock and keys out of my face. Honestly i hate the top notification bar on other versions, ive always hidden it on my droid. Being on the bottom is so nice and out of the way.
Its got its downsides, but give it 2 months.. apps galore, source files..... it will be really good to run.
Edit: not to mention, ive never lost data like on my droid while switching apps. Ive come back to apps ive had open for over 24hrs and its still in the same state
Sent from one of those missing Droids
altimax98 said:
The UI is just perfect, the live app switcher key is wonderful and so great to use, probably my favorite feature.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'm using the samuelhaff's eMMC HC and i noticed that i can't scroll the app switcher, so i don't have access to all my previously run apps. is this normal?
loving HC, so far. the fact that it's designed for no hard buttons is just awesome.
i don't think the app switcher even scrolls on the xoom yet.
I have only played with HC breifly. But from what i know about it these are the following reasons to use it.
1. Market. Honeycomb is the first android os that will support having the google market. This provides a few things. Any of us who have played with Ipods and ipads will know that there are specific apps built for ipad. Now that Android 3.0 is built for tablet form factor, and officially supports the market. We will now see Tablet applicatons that provide higher resolutions, or new features. These apps will be built around the 3.0 os, and may not work on older operating systems.
2. Built for tablets. Everything we have had up untill this has been a phone operating systme built for a 3" screen ported to something with a 7-10" screen. The os is clearly built for phones there are things in there that just dont work right, or should not be there, but are there, on a fundimental level in the operating system. By adding native support for larger screens, and removing the phone items, it provides for a cleaner higher performance interface.
3. Interface enhancements. The UI has been built to support the larger form factor. This will provide easier navigation as well as soft keys as mentioned above, since alot of tablets are just missing physical buttons.
Unfortunatly the OS has not been released to the public. My guess is there is some contract between motorola (xoom) and google for exclusivity on their tablet. but dont quote me on that.
1) The web browser is much improved - even over Dolphin
2) The email client is much improved - even over K9
3) Contacts sync seamlessly with Google contacts
4) The keyboard is much improved - has a TAB key, has a "handle" to move the cursor around in text, has cut and paste features.
All of this is enough to make me swich to HC.
Downsides:
1) Many of my favorite apps cannot be found or downloaded from the Market - even though they worked fine on 2.1.
2) From uSD card, runs a little slower than 2.1, but not enough to bother me.
is the video accelerated? I could not take cm7..so slow.
winkler1b said:
is the video accelerated? I could not take cm7..so slow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. Same problem effects both I think.
Well, I switched and got my nook to recognize the sd (Class 2) partition. I expanded the image to use the 16 gigs too. I love it. The Live App switching is nice. It actually feels more like true Linux (I am thinking KDE) than any other droid system. I just can't handle the lag when booting apps (probably a combination preview/sd card). I am a teacher and grade on my Nook, so I need speed. But, I am excited about this. Thanks a lot Deeper Blue. This will be stellar.
The true app switching is almost priceless as is the efortless interface.
~Leko

Did you like the new windows 8 UI?

I personally liked the fluidity of the OS although that might be due to the fact that it is running on a i7 or something.
I would certainly like an UI like that but i would like it even more if Android gets a UI that is so fluid and awesome.
Since arm port of windows would have no legacy support for apps, it wouldn't be that ahead of Honeycomb i guess.
http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/01/microsoft-unveils-windows-8-tablet-prototypes/
What about you? did you like the UI?
I thought it looks great as an evolution of windows, Imagine running your normal windows apps on a tablet or vice versa, its pretty cool. I love the whole unified look. but only time will tell of its usability and what it actually does by release haha.
I like it and want it on my Nook LOL
Omega Ra said:
I like it and want it on my Nook LOL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was my first thought too
I could see myself wanting this on a tablet or other touch enabled device but really don't see any benefit on a standard PC or laptop even if it's touch enabled *unless* Microsoft makes it possible to easily dump the exact state of an app or group of apps from one device to another, like a Chrome to Phone on steroids.
I'm talking like the scene in Avatar where he "grabs" the image off the main computer screen and "throws" it onto a tablet like device. Being able to, within seconds, take my work from my main PC / Laptop to an ultraportable device (ie. phone / tablet) and back would be the killer feature and seems like it would be possible with the demo'd interface.
oh god that is fugly.... way too busy and a waste in my opinion.
Unless there is a way to turn it off.. i am skipping win8
I like it and see a lot of potential with it. I did LOL though. In the video he is talking about touch type (on a tablet) and says "so we created a split keyboard" or words to that effect...they created. Hell, I've seen keyboards like this on Android for years. Pretty sure they didn't create it...copied it yes..
probably they're running all that behind a cluster of servers no doubt about it...
Looks like a great interface for a tablet, not sure how it'll work on a desktop. I use my desktop to do actual work, with multiple applications open, each with multiple windows arranged across multiple monitors. I don't see how a full screen app interface, even split as shown, would be anything but a dramatic hindrance.
Again, as it pertains to the desktop, I'm not sure I like the "each app as a tile" idea. right now, with two or three clicks, I can launch any of the 75 to 100 applications I have on my computer. I don't see how anything approaching that efficiency would be possible if only 9 or so application "tiles" can be placed on any given screen.
For a tablet type device, which is inherently of more limited use, an interface like this is perfect, and this one does look clean and smooth. I just hope they don't insist on forcing this type of UI on desktop PC's.
i agree with the other guy that it is fugly. i think that their tablets will fail.. unless they pull the same ol monopoly of the market BS.
ChrisDDD said:
Looks like a great interface for a tablet, not sure how it'll work on a desktop. I use my desktop to do actual work, with multiple applications open, each with multiple windows arranged across multiple monitors. I don't see how a full screen app interface, even split as shown, would be anything but a dramatic hindrance.
Again, as it pertains to the desktop, I'm not sure I like the "each app as a tile" idea. right now, with two or three clicks, I can launch any of the 75 to 100 applications I have on my computer. I don't see how anything approaching that efficiency would be possible if only 9 or so application "tiles" can be placed on any given screen.
For a tablet type device, which is inherently of more limited use, an interface like this is perfect, and this one does look clean and smooth. I just hope they don't insist on forcing this type of UI on desktop PC's.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get the feeling that the windows 8 touch UI is going to be something of an additional above the usual desktop. I'm imagining it is somewhat similar to Windows Media Center in windows 7. You launch the UI when you want to use it in tablet mode, and then revert back to regular desktop when you, say, have a keyboard and mouse attached. I think they are going for the best of both world approach. I like the idea, but I would have to agree that there will most likely be a reduction in functionality when you move to the tablet mode.
I think it looks interesting overall. I have a convertible netbook, so I will probably install the beta when they release it for public use.
luciferii said:
i agree with the other guy that it is fugly. i think that their tablets will fail.. unless they pull the same ol monopoly of the market BS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be really hard to do when Apple already has the tablet market locked down.
I am glad i am not the only one who thought that OS looked hideous. I dont want that on my tablet, let alone my PC....
I think it looks fantastic, and if the price is right, I'll definitely get a W8 tablet or hopefuly, something like the Asus Transformer.
It looks like Win Media Center merged with Android 3.0....
Linux Looming.
I was a devoted Windows Mobile user until about a year ago. It was time for a new phone and I was really looking forward to Windows Mobile 7. Fortunately that never happened and instead the awful u.i. that is Windows Phone 7 appeared in it's place.
I say fortunately because as a result I am now fully vested in Android, loving it, and won't ever look back.
This revelation makes me wonder if I should go ahead and get me some flavor of Linux for my pcs...
I'm excited about this. Understanding they are sort of loading up that device with all sorts of apps to show off the interface. I am sure it will be very customizable and certainly we will be able to stretch tiles and have empty space as we see fit.
I think the general interface looks very nice, especially for touchscreens. I am happy there will be some competition for android. In my humble opinion, android OS development has been going very slow. There are a ton of features and design elements that should have been implemented that have been overlooked. It's great, and it's getting better. I get that. I just find that competition tends to accelerate getting better.
martian21 said:
I could see myself wanting this on a tablet or other touch enabled device but really don't see any benefit on a standard PC or laptop even if it's touch enabled *unless* Microsoft makes it possible to easily dump the exact state of an app or group of apps from one device to another, like a Chrome to Phone on steroids.
I'm talking like the scene in Avatar where he "grabs" the image off the main computer screen and "throws" it onto a tablet like device. Being able to, within seconds, take my work from my main PC / Laptop to an ultraportable device (ie. phone / tablet) and back would be the killer feature and seems like it would be possible with the demo'd interface.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed. I've been doing a lot of thinking about this. It's not very hard to imagine. I don't see it being very hard to accomplish. The data for the app would have to be completely compartmentalized, and the app would have to be completely compatible. It could be implemented at the OS level but it is so hard to know for sure exactly what kind of data apps are going to want to use. Hrms.
I doubt the MS technology is going to do this, but I imagine it coming in the next 10 years.
ExploreMN said:
That would be really hard to do when Apple already has the tablet market locked down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was the only reasonable thing on the market. Now it's not. It lost 20% market share in 1 single quarter.
It's funny that this came out because just a few days ago I had a dream about a windows tablet (that was super cheap in my dream) and then this happens. haha.
Apple won't hold the market for long. Apple's restrictive marketplace and OS is it's problem. That and jail breaking it and you don't have to pay for any of their apps.... what a joke... Why would developers make apps when their investment is so easy to steal?
I liked it a lot for phone and tablet use. I am not so much a fan for desktop use -- prefer the overlapping windows for that, and I think the tiles in lieu of icons are wasted on directories full of normal text documents.
I liked everything about Win8 until they showed legacy support for Excel and Word. Seeing the Win7 UI was such a hideous contrast to the smooth appearance of 8. Microsoft needs to re-build its Office suite for 8.
Sent from my phiremod for Nook using Tapatalk
jessie57 said:
Microsoft needs to re-build its Office suite for 8.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Microsoft loves making money...you think they won't?

Battery Monitor App, is it possible on this OS?

I had Android for a while, and I remember there was an App that broke down Battery/Cpu usage. It would even keep track of how long the screen was on, what was being used most that could potentially be using the battery more.
Ive yet to see an App like this for WP7, let alone 8. Is it even possible? Or is it just yet another thing impossible due to MS lock down on some aspects of the phone OS?
I really do like this OS, but it seems more and more, MS's lock down really hurts development, preventing Devs from really bringing out the most of the OS and prevents functions and abilities youd normally think would exist.
I can understand the want for an app like this (I had it on android myself), but since switching over to WP8 I don't see the need.
All the apps on here run very well and nothing is going crazy like it does with android. Locking down the OS is a good thing sometimes, devs have a much harder tune creating system level apps that run way out of control or have memory leaks that cause battery to run dry in an hour. The only thing I have done is gone to the background apps in settings and stopped what I didn't want running in there.
Sent from my RM-820_nam_att_100 using Board Express
LudoGris said:
I can understand the want for an app like this (I had it on android myself), but since switching over to WP8 I don't see the need.
All the apps on here run very well and nothing is going crazy like it does with android. Locking down the OS is a good thing sometimes, devs have a much harder tune creating system level apps that run way out of control or have memory leaks that cause battery to run dry in an hour. The only thing I have done is gone to the background apps in settings and stopped what I didn't want running in there.
Sent from my RM-820_nam_att_100 using Board Express
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I initially thought this when I had WP7 and a Trophy. Now that I have the 920, I would love to have this. Partially just to prove out that using my phone (screen on) and games and other things just eats up the battery like crazy. Others over at WPCentral have also posted issues with the battery. Many people have in fact. It would be very useful to some of us who are experiencing issues.
I know some claim to get over a day or more use out of their 920. I, among many others, could only dream of such a thing, or perhaps achieve it if we just didnt do much with our phones.
I disagree on the lock down. While I get your point, having used Android also, I enjoyed many great apps that just wont ever be possible on WP's. No other email clients, no true 3rd party browser not built on IE, no new keyboards to name a few. Some of these apps I had used on Android really were superior to what Ive seen MS do with WP. Which is why I think sometimes 3rd party Devs or home Devs sometimes can just do things better as well as think outside the box and give us real options. You dont get real options for many thing on WP. Everyone is stuck with the same keyboard, browser, mail, messaging client, etc.
True...but remember, there was a time when nothing like that was available for Android either.
Devs have made things more than possible - granted an open system helps - but don't discount what may become available in the future.
Yes there are battery monitor apps for Windows Phone 8. Battery Level for Windows Phone 8 seems to be the most popular. The nice part is that it will autoupdate the live tile with the battery level and you can add it to the lockscreen to show it there as well. It's not quite as in depth as Android with regards to telling you what is pulling the most power but as others have mentioned on WP8 it's a slightly different mechanic than Android as the background processes are a lot more regulated with regards to how they can do that (as are the developers when making their apps). It would be kind of interesting to see something like Android's built-in battery stats but I honestly haven't really haven't had any problems (not that I was really having problems on Android either).
Battery Measure is similar, and has a free version with ads - live tile, graph over time. etc.
and can you tell us where we can get the battery monitor for th WP 8? I want one...
Battery App
inconceivable said:
Yes there are battery monitor apps for Windows Phone 8. Battery Level for Windows Phone 8 seems to be the most popular. The nice part is that it will autoupdate the live tile with the battery level and you can add it to the lockscreen to show it there as well. It's not quite as in depth as Android with regards to telling you what is pulling the most power but as others have mentioned on WP8 it's a slightly different mechanic than Android as the background processes are a lot more regulated with regards to how they can do that (as are the developers when making their apps). It would be kind of interesting to see something like Android's built-in battery stats but I honestly haven't really haven't had any problems (not that I was really having problems on Android either).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sound very good but where can I get the apps Battery Level?

[Q] BlueStacks for WP8

Hello
I'll still a newbie in WP8 stuff, but I have a silly question or maybe an Idea.
As I have noticed there are lots of APPS running on Windows OS (8,7,XP) to enable ANDROID apps or Games to run on the Windows or MAC
Like BlueStack
So I'm wondering if it's possible to do an Application for WP8 like BlueStack, to be enable to run Android GAMES and if it's possible to run android APPS .. of course it would be so hard to make these Apps pushing Notifications, so I'm wondering about the Games.
Thank you.
Hypothetically possible, but pretty impractical. You'd have to re-implement the Dalvik runtime within the WP8 app framework (and even then, you wouldn't be able to run native apps, which would rule out most games). WP8 also has limitation that make Just-in-Time compilers difficult, which might impede performance. A lot of Android apps wouldn't work because WP8 is so much more restrictive in terms of what capabilities an app can use, too.

Have you guys ever heard of coolbooter?

There is an app for jailbroken iOS devices called coolbooter that partitions a jailbroken idevice's hard drive an installs a second version of iOS, which can then be booted from the first one. The app is particularly useful for people with older iDevices stuck on newer versions of iOS because it allows them to install any version as the second OS, providing significant performance boosts in many cases.
just spitballin here, but would something similar be possible on bootloader locked android devices like N950U? Like, a way to run TWRP or something similar after initial boot, boot a 2nd OS and run it from there?
Duplicate -> https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-8/help/guys-heard-coolbooter-t3924529

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