Official: Palmdroid Development Thread (android app emulator for WebOS) - WebOS Software and Hacking General

After speaking with some of you it has become readily apparent that while many people are comfortable waiting for a full android release for the HP Touchpad, there are also quite a few people out there that do not want to switch to a full android OS but simply wish they could have access to the vast app collection that android has to offer.
For these people I offer a solution.
Palmdroid​
The Palmdroid project is going to be an ongoing development project to bring a Dalvik like port to the Palm/HP WebOS operating system.
The goals of this project are as follows:
1) to offer a Dalvik port to WebOS that allows for android app emulation as if they were native WebOS apps much like Alien Dalvik on the nokia n900 or the app emulator of the blackberry playbook
2) Share useful information throughout development with the Touchdroid team as to help them reach their end goals and avoid conflicting and overlapping work as well as to foster collaboration and new ideas to speed the project along.
3)If possible (either worked into the project from the start or through later additions) provide the emulator as a download through the WebOS homebrew App catalog.
Now with the goals outlined I'll move on to how this is going to get going and what needs to happen next.
1) First and foremost... I need volunteer developers. If you have experience with Dalvik, WebOS development, Android development, UI development, C++, Java, Etc. I would like you to PM me with details regarding what you can help with. I have some java and C++ experience as well as a ton of web dev and project management experience but with alot of this I am learning as I go and if this is going to get done with any sort of speed I NEED your help.
2) I will be setting up communication channels for the dev team to discuss what needs to be done, share work, etc.
3) I will be setting up a web page (an extension off of my own since I can't finance purchasing another hosting account or domain name right now) where there will be regular updates on the status of the project as well as a section for the dev team as a repository for project related research, source code bits, group status reports etc.
Until the aforementioned steps are met this thread will be used to offer info, updates, and discussion related to development of Palmdroid.
I hope to have the support of the community here as we move ahead... i know I am new around here but I am very passionate about making this happen.
WebOS is a great operating system... and Android has some amazing apps... won't it be an amazing world when you can have both!
Palmdroid Coming Soon​
-Roto-rooter
PS. this should probably have been in the development section but apparently I can't post there because I am to new here so forgive me. If a Mod would like to move it and give me posting abilities that would be fine.

I subscribed to this thread even tho I have no WebOS devices at all. But I'm intersted in this project's work (I'm not a developer just a "hacker") as the same idea was proposed in the Bada section, too. It seems quite a lot of work to do this, as it's not enough to port dalvik itself, a big chunk of android has to be ported also to make it work. But it's an interesting project!

Agree! I don't want the entire Android OS ... All I want is the apps running on a webos emulator.

Great! Thanks! I'll be watching closely!
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App

while I probably cannot be of use for the development, I can be helpful for some other things. For instance, I am in the process of creating a logo for the project and also searching for possible devs. I will contact the touchdroid team and see what they think.

Brilliant Idea about starting the dev work
I would support this development and I am sure countless others who have just purchased $99/£89 HP Touchpads would do so. Once again thank you Robo-Rooter & Failhard to start this work.

Just got my 32gb Touchpad in the firesale. Really loving it so far. Having android apps on it would really top this device off. Good luck.

Have been using the touchpad for a couple of days and am amazed at the elegance and sophistication of the webos. Though an old android user ... I absolutely love the webOs interface.
Would love to see the palmdroid happen ... ALL THE VERY BEST GUYS ...
Thanks Robo-Rooter & Failhard for initiating this.

This would be absolutely perfect. I wouldn't want to ditch the WebOS but still be able to run Android apps.
You have my full support.

Great idea!
Great idea!

I have a droid (DesireHD) myself and comparing the droid's interface and webOS, I really like webOS. And looking at how the patches and O/C makes the whole tablet runs silky smooth, I really want an android app emulator. Current apps in webOS's catalogue is pathetic, but combining android's apps and webOS interface is the best one can get.

Subscribed. If I can't get the Android OS, an emulator would do nicely.
sent from my 7/23 iNfEcTeD EVO 4G

Yeah it will be great to those who want to keep WebOS

Subscribed.

I am a long time webOS enthusiast, and I am hoping that I actually get one of the 6 TouchPads that I ordered over the last few days. I think your proposal is the best way to go, and would be way more useful, and probably easier, than a full dual boot android port. I just wanted to list some resources here to bring to everyone's attention. While XDA is the most amazing collection of talented Android and WinMo hackers, you probably want to enlist the help of the aces that live and breathe webOS. Here is where to find them:
http://forums.precentral.net/ Definitely the most popular webOS forum. All the homebrew devs and hackers hang out here.
http://www.webos-internals.org/wiki/Main_Page This is where all the nitty gritty is documented in a Wiki. I have known some of the webOS internals guys since the day the Pre launched, and they are very talented.
http://webchat.freenode.net/?channels=webos-internals This is their IRC channel.
Also, if anyone has not seen it, they have already got Ubuntu, including window managers, and apps like GIMP and LibreOffice, running inside cards in webOS. This leads me to believe that the Palmdroid concept is VERY possible.
http://forums.precentral.net/webos-development/292457-tutorial-how-get-ubuntu-touchpad.html
The nice thing is that lots of great auxiliary tools already exist to speed up the process, such as MetaDoctor for creating custom ROMs and Preware for downloading and compiling virtually any linux arm package.
Best of luck with everything. I am subscribing and will help where I can.

This is what I was waiting to hear!!! Let us know where to donate!

Notorious544d said:
This would be absolutely perfect. I wouldn't want to ditch the WebOS but still be able to run Android apps.
You have my full support.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with this 100%

+1 I believe this is the answer! Hope more people come on board!
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA Premium App

Subscribed, definitely want to know where this is heading.

as the biggest supporter of android on the TP, I've started to fall in love with webOS, not gonna lie. I would definitely support this idea. Its always great to have options!

Related

Seriously want to start Developing - Need some help.

It's not just another one of those 'LOLZ WANA DEVLOP PLZZ HELPPPZZ'.....
I'm very serious and need to know where to start off. I would maybe do it for a living when I'm older. It's something I've been wanting to do for a while. I used to mess around with some private servers coded in Java, but I didn't learn much.
I'm just wondering if there was a place where I could take classes online, or a good way to start off. I would be using my Evo for development aswell.
Any serious help would be appreciated.
nsteger123 said:
It's not just another one of those 'LOLZ WANA DEVLOP PLZZ HELPPPZZ'.....
I'm very serious and need to know where to start off. I would maybe do it for a living when I'm older. It's something I've been wanting to do for a while. I used to mess around with some private servers coded in Java, but I didn't learn much.
I'm just wondering if there was a place where I could take classes online, or a good way to start off. I would be using my Evo for development aswell.
Any serious help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me to....
Sent from my X10i using XDA App
The best place to learn and this may be a shock...for real. But i had begun to read an android development book and that didnt really do it for me but when i started to read Google Development pages it all made sense.
developer.android.com
Check it out.
1) read the entire dev guide
developer.android.com/guide/basics/what-is-android.html
2) install sdk and eclipse
3) build hello world and deploy to emulator, then to real device
You'll be on your way to devdom if you can make it through these 3 trivial steps
I bought three android books and they all seem to be very helpful in their own ways.
Hello, Android! 3rd edition - Great for beginners to the android platform
Professional Android 2 - Great and has a good amount of corners covered. From layouts to bluetooth and wifi. This one is by wrox and the code samples are available online without purchase verification.
Advanced Android - Good but not really worth is.
I've spend sometimes using eclipse but i can say it's quite buggy for now.
You may wanna stick to it but i suggest to test the last IntelliJ X Community
It's free and it get Android dev without plugins. I get this tips from the Twitter
of Romain Guy ...
For the dev, a little book from manning.com. They offers code is you register
you can get 50% of the price. Android in action.
Then for the advanved topics StackOverflow is now replacing the android
newbies developpers google group officially and there's a lot of advanced topics.
Give yourself some weeks to get some results, you've to learn the philosophy
of a new system.

YANPAT (Yet Another Noob Programming for Android Thread)

Good afternoon,
I want to start learning programming for Android, as I am sure many before me have said. And as the title very well expresses, I am completely virginal in relation to programming. OK, some years ago I punched some Delphi lines, but what I learned about it can be amounted to zero
In order to commence the task, I count with a netbook, running Ubuntu 11.04, an Android phone (Xperia Play) and an Android tablet (Advent Vega), two "starting in Android" books, HTTrack in order to save websites for offline reading, a vacant summer, and the enthusiasm to learn something new. I don't have a specific goal in mind (is that a problem? Should I aim for something concrete to do as well?) but I think that, if I win certain knowledge, I will be able to create a useful app to share here.
The reason why I've opened this thread is because it should serve as a log of what I am doing concerning this endeavor, and maybe spark some support, some naysaying, some interesting discussions and some natter. At any rate, I hope to be able to contribute something good!
I am interested also. I was going to program for the iOS but can't bring myself to buy a MAC.
I have a lot of VB 6, VB.NET and Java - JSP development experience. My 10 year old daughter is a big gamer and wants to make games when she is older. I want to get her to help me make a small game so she can see what is involved in programming.
I still need to search for resources but if anyone has any good starter tutorials that would be great.
Sorry not trying to hijack your thread Logseman. Just don’t want to make more threads on the same topic.
Thanks
It's cool, in fact it'd be great if other people "out themselves" as potential programmers. It'd be a bit like a blog then, with the whole commenters sharing experiences . From what I've read your Java experience should make programming in Android quite easy, as the OS itself seems to be. I'm going to fire up my netbook and start the whole deployment. It can take the whole night easily...
After a whole night of downloads, I have deployed the SDK and eclipse on my netbook. They should make it more amenable, IMO, not only in this case but in installations in general. Installations are boring, as are videogame loading screens, but many of the latter feature something to make it worth your while.
I recently started android developing too (im 14 ) but since i was teaching myself it was hard to find a good book, but hello android by ed burnette easily teaches you how to make anything from 2D graphics to web views and 3D games. Tell me if you need a link, hope this helps
is that possible learn android programing without know any programing language before ?
kancil168 said:
is that possible learn android programing without know any programing language before ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure you can. At the end of the day you have to start somewhere. Why not Android ?
I have an EEPC netbook with Ubuntu Linux also. I think I will pull it out and see what I can do with it.
Does anyone think it would be good for this or should I use my HP windows laptop?
I hope we can get some feedback from some experienced Android Devs.
Well, I am happy to see people sparked by the same idea! I hope we all get to do something worthwhile!
Ncaissie, I'd recommend the Linux netbook. It's more portable, which is particularly important for your assistant if she wants to handle part of the process and I have to say, after instaling many Linux distros, I find Ubuntu 11.04 a perfectly stable, quick and efficient OS, much more than Windows or other Linux distros. I am in fact pleasantly surprised as I was unconvinced by Unity in 10.10. Aside of that, since you're programming in Android, which is a mixture of Java and Linux, it reduces the confusion if you work with a Linux host as well, in my opinion.
About the learning process, I've been reading a bit about Activities and Services and Android building blocks. I've decided on my first milestone: a "Hello XDA" app. If time allows, I will have it done before this weekend. If I can't post it after this weekend, I'll stall the project as it would be clear I am not focused enough.
14yrolddeveloper said:
I recently started android developing too (im 14 ) but since i was teaching myself it was hard to find a good book, but hello android by ed burnette easily teaches you how to make anything from 2D graphics to web views and 3D games. Tell me if you need a link, hope this helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
have read good reviews for this book but I decided that I would learn Java before android since I'm planning on taking computer science anyway.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
I was set to buy a cheapo Android phone as a development device. Turns out I made the worst choice: the Huawei U8110 Selina I chose seems to have issues about being recognised by ADB. Had I known this, I'd have taken some other one...
Fate conspires to keep me away from development Now my Xperia Play is not mounting the SDCards I feed it. I need to reflash it with FlashTool, but since I only had Linux installed on my computer and Flashtool requires Windows, I'm having to set up a dual boot environment, which implies wiping Linux, installing Windows and setting up two partitions, and then installing Linux again. Seriously, it's crap.
I really like this post,good luck with it.
Only one thing- I think it's important that you'd come with an idea for an app,rather than learning Android in general.
It will keep you motivated to move on and progress.
I've recently started developing for android too. While they get mildly bashed sometimes I've found that the apress books are pretty good. "Learn java for android development" by jeff friesen is long and very technical, and also requires that you be paying attention, but gets a pretty decent amount of java floating around inside your head before you even have to open up eclipse.
Honestly though I found it easier to work on a project and when I needed something that I didnt know to search around and find code snippets or dig through my books until I find the right answer and then move on to the next problem.
Good Luck
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA Premium App
tofira said:
I really like this post,good luck with it.
Only one thing- I think it's important that you'd come with an idea for an app,rather than learning Android in general.
It will keep you motivated to move on and progress.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do have an idea in mind, and it is related with the security pattern grid. Is that part of Android opensourced?
Enviado desde mi VegaComb usando Tapatalk
I wasn't able to pick up the pace this weekend But my goal is clear for now. I'm up for a Hello XDA app.
Well, here comes my very first apk... plus source (complying with XDA's rules ) I managed to screw some things because I typed the code incorrectly. Eclipse moaned in two lines until I discovered two syntax mistakes. Just therefore, because I saw them, I think I did the proper thing in typing this example code even if I had it in front of me. I will try not to copy-paste code if I can avoid it.
I've installed HelloXDA in my XPlay and it works as intended, and per the source you can see there's no malware in the app. And I know that I'm making a bit of a fuss about a stupid HelloWorld app, but hey, it's MY HelloWorld app, I coded it
I like this thread. I'm also going into android programmins as a noob still in highschool. I've got a question: I am looking into creating a home screen replacement app, so what do you reccomend me to do: Learn java first or just read through the sections of the android books I've purchased that talk about homescreens?
Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using Tapatalk
Start with something smaller than a homescreen. Mess around with some tutorials.
roblikeschocolatecake said:
I like this thread. I'm also going into android programmins as a noob still in highschool. I've got a question: I am looking into creating a home screen replacement app, so what do you reccomend me to do: Learn java first or just read through the sections of the android books I've purchased that talk about homescreens?
Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what book is that?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Join the unvisible project!

The unvisible army is looking for you!
what is the unvisible project? it is a project that believes that the Android (the free version of it atleast) is one of, if not the best operating systems in the world and aims to bring the Android OS to many devices that werenot made for Android or devices that are dead and that people have given up on. a perfect example of a unvisible worthy device is/was the Barnes and Nobles Nook (yes yes, i know.. BEFORE there was auto-nooter).
why should i join? if you can code, beta test, or can get more people interested in what we are doing, and you have a passion for android then you should give us a try!
can i join? of course you can, we would love it if you could re-write the entire android system from memory but as long as you have a love for Android and a passion to try new things.. you are the type of member we're looking for!
do i need anything? a love/passion/lust for the android operating system and internet access.
why are you called unvisible? let me put it this way, the internet has thousands of users, but other than looking at a list of percentage numbers, byte usage, and lists of active IP addresses on a computer screen, can you see them? no, of course not.
who are you? i am matthew, the founder of unvisible. i started out with android awhile back not on a phone but on the barnes and nobles nook color, when it was a pain in the butt to get anything installed and i fell head over heels in love and decided to dedicate my life to Android.
does this cost anything? not a dime, but we accept donations. any donations we accept will be used for the project and any left over will be used to help the needy.
why not xda? well lets put it like this.. motorola makes an android device called the charm. its a cute lil thing.. but xda doesnot have a forum for it. members have to vote to have a forum for it. at unvisible if a user wants a motorola charm page.. he puts it up a lil section for it. we also will be writing, sharing, and using, code that is VERY beta. DONOT GET ME WRONG, THE UNVISIBLE PROJECT LOVES XDA AND WOULDNT EXIST WITHOUT IT!
want to know more? goto www.unvisible.org (keep in mind, im still not done with the site!) and/or e-mail me at MOD EDIT: REMOVED EMAIL
Thank you for reading this and considering the unvisible army!
Long Live Android!
What kind of person would i be if i didnt shamelessly 'bump' my post up the list by replying to my own post?
or we could just say....
Bump...
Moved to Android section
orb3000 said:
Moved to Android section
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks orb

[DEV]Project Magenta, an iOS-like OS. Anyone interested? + Need devs!

http://crna.cc/magenta.html
Magenta is an implementation of Darwin/BSD on top of the Linux kernel. It is made
up of a number of kernel and userland components that work together. It is fully binary
compatible with iPhone OS 5.0 (as in, it uses the same binary format).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am now chatting with the dev on IRC. I want to know if anyone is interested in this, so i know if i will continue the porting or not.
First we need to build the kernel, so we need a kernel dev. There's a DIFF that needs to be applied.
The files are here: http://crna.cc/magenta_source.html
What do you think? Also remember THIS IS A DEV TOPIC, so no asking for ETA & stuff. Nagging will result in locking the topic and discontinuing this.
EDIT: Remember, this has nothing to do with Apple. Everything is Open-Source, so we have the stability of C instead of Java, but also the openness of Android!
Edit 2: Looks like there aren't many devs interested about this, and also there would be no advantages. You can't run Android Apps, nor iOS apps...
What good points will this release have besides compability with iOS apps ?
Not just the "look like android", it can still have a android look but iOS compability, that sure opens a wide horizon. Cross platform apps. It's awesome i think.
MidnightDevil said:
Not just the "look like android", it can still have a android look but iOS compability, that sure opens a wide horizon. Cross platform apps. It's awesome i think.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It won't run iOS apps.. below was mentioned on project website
" to make it myself). * Will it run iPhone OS apps? * No, because I'm not aiming to have compatible high level frameworks. Just think about how much work is required to have a 100% compatible implementation of UIKit or Celestial. HOWEVER, the CoreOS part should be 100% (or 99%) compatible. Just not the higher level OS. If you're just interested in this because it will "run iOS apps" please go away."
Sent from my HTC Desire using xda premium
I can contribute, maybe even run the thing (no promises, in my spare time, won't support it just drop the thing for you, I'm busy next few days though)
Still working on kernel 3.0
Sent from my Desire HD
This has nothing to do with iOS' lockdown. It is as open and as free as Android.
In Layman terms; does this mean magenta just runs Android on C and not Java meaning more efficient execution of tasks?
So is it just a ios themed rom, or does it actually have some of the real advances from the ios?
Sent from my HTC Desire using xda premium
I'd be willing to dev, but I'm afraid I don't have too much experience.
I know my way around C++ and Python, and I can do Hello World in C. I can read most code though.
It's funny to see people excited with this when they don't know what benefits this development will actually bring :b
I'm not against this at all, please don't take this the wrong way, but to invest in such kind of development you need to have benefits, so, what are they ?
like to contribute
I would like to contribute on development.I know Objective C, worked on few Iphone Apps.
andreigherghe said:
http://crna.cc/magenta.html
I am now chatting with the dev on IRC. I want to know if anyone is interested in this, so i know if i will continue the porting or not.
First we need to build the kernel, so we need a kernel dev. There's a DIFF that needs to be applied.
The files are here: http://crna.cc/magenta_source.html
What do you think? Also remember THIS IS A DEV TOPIC, so no asking for ETA & stuff. Nagging will result in locking the topic and discontinuing this.
EDIT: Remember, this has nothing to do with Apple. Everything is Open-Source, so we have the stability of C instead of Java, but also the openness of Android!
Edit 2: Looks like there aren't many devs interested about this, and also there would be no advantages. You can't run Android Apps, nor iOS apps...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the most (and only - for me- ) interesting side of this project is having the stability of C instead of Java. Android will be stunning and awesome if it get over java. but iOS like !! nah.
and good luck with that cuz there is people who want it and seems excited about it :highfive:
I'm willing to help, will be getting my uart cable soon.
Sent from my GT-I9100 running CM10
icecreame said:
the most (and only - for me- ) interesting side of this project is having the stability of C instead of Java. Android will be stunning and awesome if it get over java.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can easily develop for Android using C (Google NDK). What preventing YOU from doing it? But generally that is terrible idea unless someone have got tons of already written code that is too costly/time consuming to port/rewrite. And it is awful idea because it defy purpose of Java compatibility. We got phones out there that are running Android on top of x86/MIPS processors. And thous phones have no problem running absolute majority of Android applications. Plus few startups are developing new processor architectures, because Android would let them access huge software library transparently. And that is fundamental idea behind Android, let OS run on any processor, current or future one, with application developers having no need to port or even recompile their code for new architectures/processor models.
My friend is very intrested in this he is a programmer in c and c++ and c#
Thread closed per OP request, as development has stopped for good on this project.

Q Best Linux desktop os for Android development

I was wondering if someone can recommend what they think that the best Linux desktop os would be for Android development. I was using Linux Mint but recently I switched to ubuntu. I have been recommended to use fedora or debian. I was just hoping to get opinions on which would be the better for a new dev to start using. Thanks in advance.
Sent from my SPH-D600 using xda app-developers app
What did you settle on and why? Cause I'm trying to decide atm too...
I know I'd be more likely to stick with debian/ubuntu based because it's just the type of package management I'm used to... Ubuntu has become my goto... or lubuntu/xubuntu if I need a lighter footprint, kubuntu if I'm looking for a more refined desktop that guests might be more comfortable with... You just can't beat the amount of packages that are "already ready already" in the ubuntu repos and the online community/following ubuntu has for quick help.
I am, however, a little more likely to try something different for the particular purpose of android development if recommended by a lot of experienced people.
I see more responses in older threads... but things change quickly in the OS world... especially with fast pased release cycles of some distributions. I hope some actual xda recognized developers give some feedback here.
I know a lot of people will say it depends on your needs and what you work best with and what works best for you and how you work and how I drink my sweet tea and blah blah blah... I want to know what you guys that are actually doing it are using and why so I can make an informed decision.. or else I'll just go with my goto (ubuntu)... but just in case I'll be clear about what would help too... That doesn't meant I don't care to hear opinions outside of the scope of my desire if you have good reasoning.
1. Package management. Easiest install/configuration of the specific tools needed to develop for android apps and package apk's, and android itself... kernels, build roms and similar non-app system component development or repackaging.
2. Of course an environment that feels intuitive and is conducive to the creative process involved is equally important.
3. This probably going to be a given in any distribution (I'll mention anyway...), but communication and resource access is important too.. so irc, web (xda-developers forum!), email...
I value the thoughts and opinions of this community. I've been getting great info off here for years. I'm just now starting to participate in the forum, but that's just because I've never been a forum person... I was just an irc and google geek... but when google takes you to great forums like this time and time again... I guess its time to grow and change. I'd like to be a future contributor too, it feels nice to give back...
I guess I'll stick with my combo of Windows 7 and Ubuntu. I will be changing desktop to classic gnome though. I'm not prepared for a radical change like unity... still just looks like a netbook launcher to me.. sadly the newer gnome releases seen to be heading in a radical direction as well.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app

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