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[Announce] Wing Linux 0.3 Released (CAB INSTALL!) (Linux and Android Development)

Project)
The Wing Linux project is happy to announce our 0.3 release! We're geared towards the development of Linux and Android on the T-Mobile Wing, HTC Herald, and HTC Atlas series of phones. This release features a much easier CAB file based installation! Simply install to Windows Mobile and you're good to go! It's also got a bunch of other goodies, like Android 1.5, fully working touchscreen / keyboard, and a better scaled display for QVGA. Previous problems with white screens on boot have been fixed!
The project is being hosted on Sourceforge at:
http://wing-linux.sf.net
The files can be gotten at:
https://sourceforge.net/project/platformdownload.php?group_id=253356
Discussion for this and future releases can be had at:
https://sourceforge.net/forum/?group_id=253356
See these threads for more info about the development leading up to this release:
Google Android for Herald and Tmobile Wing
Installable Linux Image for HTC Herald / T-Mobile Wing (UPDATED: Android Install)
Thanks to all who have helped in debugging, testing, and developing this release!

I have a question about the Virtual RAM. Does it just borrow some from the devices RAM, or does it use some of the space on the storage card as Virtual RAM?
Also does landscape work yet?
Still can't wait for Wifi and GSM! I love Android, but my contract doesn't expire for a while, so this would be awesome if it could be a viable replacement.

apreichner said:
I have a question about the Virtual RAM. Does it just borrow some from the devices RAM, or does it use some of the space on the storage card as Virtual RAM?
Also does landscape work yet?
Still can't wait for Wifi and GSM! I love Android, but my contract doesn't expire for a while, so this would be awesome if it could be a viable replacement.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The virtual RAM uses space on the flash card, kinda like a Windows swap file. Landscape does not yet work, but it's on our list.
We'll probably have GSM working before wifi, so keep tuned for the development releases. We're hoping to get things complete enough to be a viable replacement for WM, but we've still got a ways to go.
- d

darkstar62 said:
The virtual RAM uses space on the flash card, kinda like a Windows swap file. Landscape does not yet work, but it's on our list.
We'll probably have GSM working before wifi, so keep tuned for the development releases. We're hoping to get things complete enough to be a viable replacement for WM, but we've still got a ways to go.
- d
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's okay, I use GSM more than WiFi. I assume GPRS and EDGE fall into that category? Will they all come together at once, or will we get one before the other? I'm not much of a developer but I'm still trying to learn these things.
Since it's able to do use RAM from a flash card, in theory, couldn't we push our wings to 1gb of RAM on Android? Or is there some sort of limit?
I haven't been able to test it yet because I don't have a large enough flash drive.
What about overclocking? Are there any problems with overclocking through Windows Mobile and then running Android? Or has that not been really tested yet.

apreichner said:
That's okay, I use GSM more than WiFi. I assume GPRS and EDGE fall into that category? Will they all come together at once, or will we get one before the other? I'm not much of a developer but I'm still trying to learn these things.
Since it's able to do use RAM from a flash card, in theory, couldn't we push our wings to 1gb of RAM on Android? Or is there some sort of limit?
I haven't been able to test it yet because I don't have a large enough flash drive.
What about overclocking? Are there any problems with overclocking through Windows Mobile and then running Android? Or has that not been really tested yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The 64mb of RAM from the phone is still the main RAM. The swap "file" being used to get more RAM isn't very fast, so it doesn't really make it faster, it just gives it the ability to RUN programs without them being closed due to lack of memory.
There would be no point in having that much memory. As it stands, my G1 has never ran out of memory and I use a lot of third part android apps.
As far as overclocking, I would imagine it wouldn't work the normal way, as WM is kicked out when android loads and along with it the CPU controlling driver that controls the CPU speed.

ivanmmj said:
The 64mb of RAM from the phone is still the main RAM. The swap "file" being used to get more RAM isn't very fast, so it doesn't really make it faster, it just gives it the ability to RUN programs without them being closed due to lack of memory.
There would be no point in having that much memory. As it stands, my G1 has never ran out of memory and I use a lot of third part android apps.
As far as overclocking, I would imagine it wouldn't work the normal way, as WM is kicked out when android loads and along with it the CPU controlling driver that controls the CPU speed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh so when you run Linux it isn't like a virtual machine running in Windows? It actually takes full control of the CPU and RAM. So it wouldn't make a difference if I used a more RAM/CPU hungry ROM like JustHome rather than JustStable Micro?
What about the SD card, does Android detect the rest of the data on your SD card?

apreichner said:
Oh so when you run Linux it isn't like a virtual machine running in Windows? It actually takes full control of the CPU and RAM. So it wouldn't make a difference if I used a more RAM/CPU hungry ROM like JustHome rather than JustStable Micro?
What about the SD card, does Android detect the rest of the data on your SD card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's right, Linux takes over completely. We've gotten testing from people running a wide range of ROMs, and nobody has ever had a problem. So, use what you like
As for the SD card, Linux detects and can use the entirety of the card. We haven't set up Android to be able to do that yet, but it shouldn't be hard.
- d

darkstar62 said:
That's right, Linux takes over completely. We've gotten testing from people running a wide range of ROMs, and nobody has ever had a problem. So, use what you like
As for the SD card, Linux detects and can use the entirety of the card. We haven't set up Android to be able to do that yet, but it shouldn't be hard.
- d
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just for curiosity sake... I realized that even if GSM worked, you couldn't really make a phone call without Sound/Microphone drivers. Does the Wizard team have anything that might help us here? I tried looking on the Sourceforge but it isn't listed under any Tasks.

apreichner said:
Just for curiosity sake... I realized that even if GSM worked, you couldn't really make a phone call without Sound/Microphone drivers. Does the Wizard team have anything that might help us here? I tried looking on the Sourceforge but it isn't listed under any Tasks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is currently a sound driver but when it was originally ported to this build, it had a problem building. I'm not sure if darkstar has had time to look at it, again, yet.

Lol it seems like I'm the only one asking questions here. Has there been any testing of this using SDHC cards? Do they work properly? I'd like to get a 4 or 8gb card soon.

apreichner said:
Lol it seems like I'm the only one asking questions here. Has there been any testing of this using SDHC cards? Do they work properly? I'd like to get a 4 or 8gb card soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it works fine with my 8GB SDHC. I am not feeling the idea that Android completely takes over my Windows Mobile. It is still too new at this point for me. Still, it's a really great job by the author. I been skimming through the chronicle thread for months and it has come a long way. From having to install Linux to a simple cab must be a lot of work. I hope this will lead somewhere great in the future. Best of luck.

apreichner said:
Lol it seems like I'm the only one asking questions here. Has there been any testing of this using SDHC cards? Do they work properly? I'd like to get a 4 or 8gb card soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I run all this stuff on a 16gb card, so I'd say no problems at all.
- d

Alright, sounds good, thanks! Can't wait to give it a try!

very good work. Big thx to all the people involved in the deveolpment.
I thougt android would never run on the Herald but you proof me wrong.

Awesome stuff darkstar and ivan! It works very well, and picks up my lcd settings properly (I used to get a ghost image with the earlier kernel). Anyhow, I did notice a bit of flickering in the screen around the top-edge. Not sure what that is.
Quick question: I remember you saying dark, that it takes you almost a day each time to compile the kernel. Would it make a difference if we used a multi-core machine? Perhaps ssh to a very powerful server and build everything there?

Kernel Jag said:
Awesome stuff darkstar and ivan! It works very well, and picks up my lcd settings properly (I used to get a ghost image with the earlier kernel). Anyhow, I did notice a bit of flickering in the screen around the top-edge. Not sure what that is.
Quick question: I remember you saying dark, that it takes you almost a day each time to compile the kernel. Would it make a difference if we used a multi-core machine? Perhaps ssh to a very powerful server and build everything there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A multi-core machine I think could help...not sure how parallelizable the build is. It isn't the kernel that takes that long, it's the whole Android/Angstrom image. The kernel itself from start to finish takes about 10 minutes. 1 minute for incremental builds.
The server I'm using is a Celeron D 3.33gHz single-core originally designed to be a DVR/home entertainment system. Having a beefier processor would definitely help. Do you have something in mind?
- d

And I haven't done any of the coding. ^_^
It's all darkstar.

darkstar62 said:
A multi-core machine I think could help...not sure how parallelizable the build is. It isn't the kernel that takes that long, it's the whole Android/Angstrom image. The kernel itself from start to finish takes about 10 minutes. 1 minute for incremental builds.
The server I'm using is a Celeron D 3.33gHz single-core originally designed to be a DVR/home entertainment system. Having a beefier processor would definitely help. Do you have something in mind?
- d
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure if I could be of any help... I have some experience with Linux, unfortunately none with rebuilding kernels. My computers a Intel Core2Quad 2.5ghz 4gb RAM.
PM me if you want, I might need a crash course in it first though

apreichner said:
I'm not sure if I could be of any help... I have some experience with Linux, unfortunately none with rebuilding kernels. My computers a Intel Core2Quad 2.5ghz 4gb RAM.
PM me if you want, I might need a crash course in it first though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not too hard to get into it. The wiki has instructions for downloading and building from source. Haven't tested them though, so you'd be a good guinee pig for that, if you're interested.
- d

darkstar62 said:
It's not too hard to get into it. The wiki has instructions for downloading and building from source. Haven't tested them though, so you'd be a good guinee pig for that, if you're interested.
- d
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why not? I'll give it a try. Unfortunately I still have no phone to test it on, so someone else would have to do that. I assume I'll need to install Linux on my PC of course?
Also where on the wiki can I find this? I can't seem to locate the instructions.

[Q] Ubuntu

Hey guys ive been really happy with my Android device the OS is wonderful but this whole open source thing has really been making me hate the whole world of Mac Windows ATT Samsung ie. big companies. Im currently downloading Ubuntu and was wondering if anyone else was running Ubuntu on their PC. If so how do you like it? Pros and Cons? i know it cant be perfect but im imagining ill like it way more than anything Mac or PC.

I think it's safe to say that a whole BUNCH of people on XDA use or have used Ubuntu.
Personally, I have xp on my primary laptop, but it has intel-vt which allows me to run a 64-bit ubuntu vm for compiling android when the mood strikes.
My experiences with it have been good. It's just like the first time you sat at a windows pc or mac. You just have to learn where everything is again. Also, it depends what kind of user you are and why you're trying linux at all... I started in to linux to build android and get more familiar with the shell and it's been a very good experience.
If you're just trying it to 'get free', then you should like it just fine. Looks nice, runs well, tons of software, package management that windows will (probably) never have... hope you enjoy!

you can try it without installing and see if you like it or not. personally, i think ubuntu is better than both os x and windows, but that's just my opinion.

I've studied linux at uni and I've used Ubuntu and CentOS many many times for servers and whatnot. While I know exactly the potential of linux I still don't use it as a primary OS.
I too don't like M$ and other big companies but I must say W7 is a pretty sweet OS. I game a lot so naturally I use W7 for that reason, but I would say Windows has nothing on Linux except maybe a user friendlier GUI.

Thanks guys i spent a day on it. and just my improved internet experience alone has pushed me to just install it completely. i figured now was the time i got a trojan horse that attacked my antivirus about a month ago and it wiped my whole pc had to format and lost a lot anyways i hadnt put anything back was keeping all my important stuff far away from my pc. so far im loving ubuntu its amazing for me.

Hydro360 said:
i know it cant be perfect but im imagining ill like it way more than anything Mac or PC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh but it can!! Or at least is the only thing that can get damn close depending what you are willing to learn about it
********
Sent from my Samsung Captivate using the XDA app
ROM: Paragon RC5 1200 mhz/100hz kernel

NATIVE Debian (Linux) on the Droid!

I got myself a Motorola Droid and I've been playing with the kernel quite a bit - it didn't take long to get Debian to boot from the SD card!
Necessary kernel modifications:
CONFIG_CMDLINE_FORCE=y
Motorola must have stealthily removed this from the kernel To re-enable it, add an #ifdef in arch/arm/kernel/setup.c as per http://kerneltrap.org/mailarchive/linux-kernel/2010/1/28/4533180.
CONFIG_CMDLINE="[email protected] mtdparts=omap2-nand.0:[email protected](mbm),[email protected](cdt),[email protected](lbl),[email protected](misc),3584k(boot),4608k(recovery),143744k(system),94848k(cache),268032k(userdata),2m(kpanic) root=/dev/mmcblk0p1 omapfb.rotate=1 noinitrd quiet".
That's about it! Just compile it, use Koush's AnyKernel update.zip generator, and flash away! I tried Ubuntu, but Thumb-2 support is broken in the kernel - it can't execute /sbin/init, so it panics. In theory, Gentoo, Slackware, Arch, Angstrom, MeeGo, and many other Linux distros for ARM should work with little modification. The sky's the limit! (JK, Windows 8000 won't work )

That's awesome! You gotta love Linux!

Screenshots, video, anything?

spc_hicks09 said:
Screenshots, video, anything?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't see the point - unless you want a screenshot of Debian's console login prompt, which you can find almost anywhere. I'm running X with E17 (Illume) now, but without proper touchscreen calibration it's not very useful... I might do a video or something once I have it calibrated.

gTan64 said:
I got myself a Motorola Droid and I've been playing with the kernel quite a bit - it didn't take long to get Debian to boot from the SD card!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm trying to get this set up on my droid. Would you be willing to provide a little more details for a novice like me? Were you modifying the stock kernel or 3rd party? Does wifi work in native debian?
EDIT: I found this other thread which has more details, so I'll start there. Thanks! http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1318330

The end of the beginning
I've been tempting fate a lot lately. Despite my attempts to keep this platform alive, my Droid bit the dust yesterday.
Its digital contents live on, but the hardware wasn't so lucky.
It always had a way of inconveniencing me, so I'm somewhat relieved about it.
Unfortunately, finding a replacement is going to be a pain.
Mostly due to a lack of money (WiFi+Google Voice+plentiful open source software = less spending/work incentive)
and the length of my uncompromising list of requirements,
I am beginning to realize that my dream phone might never exist.
Somewhat refreshingly, I'm around "weird" people a lot, and they remind me (without using words!) that there are better things in life than shopping for a smartphone.
This isn't exactly goodbye, but I may be away from the XDA scene for a while.
Apologies to any users of my coding experiments... Hopefully, if nothing else, they inspire something more useful.
Thanks y'all for the fun time and for reading this long post
Don't stop inventing!

gTan64 said:
I got myself a Motorola Droid and I've been playing with the kernel quite a bit - it didn't take long to get Debian to boot from the SD card!
Necessary kernel modifications:
CONFIG_CMDLINE_FORCE=y
Motorola must have stealthily removed this from the kernel To re-enable it, add an #ifdef in arch/arm/kernel/setup.c as per http://kerneltrap.org/mailarchive/linux-kernel/2010/1/28/4533180.
CONFIG_CMDLINE="[email protected] mtdparts=omap2-nand.0:[email protected](mbm),[email protected](cdt),[email protected](lbl),[email protected](misc),3584k(boot),4608k(recovery),143744k(system),94848k(cache),268032k(userdata),2m(kpanic) root=/dev/mmcblk0p1 omapfb.rotate=1 noinitrd quiet".
That's about it! Just compile it, use Koush's AnyKernel update.zip generator, and flash away! I tried Ubuntu, but Thumb-2 support is broken in the kernel - it can't execute /sbin/init, so it panics. In theory, Gentoo, Slackware, Arch, Angstrom, MeeGo, and many other Linux distros for ARM should work with little modification. The sky's the limit! (JK, Windows 8000 won't work )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm.... how would I go about checking into this for the transformer prime?
Sent from my Transformer Prime using XDA

edw00rd said:
Hmmm.... how would I go about checking into this for the transformer prime?
Sent from my Transformer Prime using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1.) Figure out how to run an unsigned kernel image. Kexec, fastboot, USB kernel flasher, etc...
2.) Replace the Android initramfs and/or tell the kernel where to boot from (depending on which method you pick above, you may need to compile a custom kernel);
3.) Install a root filesystem image on an SD card (internal storage may work, but it's less risky to dual boot) and point the kernel to it.
I got Ubuntu running even better on my "new" Epic 4G! Other devices should work with this method, but I'm not too enthusiastic about porting for devices I don't own

I know this is a very old thread, but the OP has disabled his PM messaging system, so I have no other choice.
I'm interested in repeating what this guy did here, as I too have a moto droid (a855) and i'd like to get at least a little use out of it.
I have some questions.
Where did you get the kernel sources? (i see you're saying to modify something in arch/arm/kernel/setup.c)
How did you get debian to boot from the SD Card? You mention kernel modification but you never mentioned anything about the setup process.
Will the process here https://wiki.debian.org/HowtoDebianInAndroid work for this? Everything mentioned there except the kernel seems to not be device specific.

Flashing Linux on a phone

So, first of all, I'm not entirely sure if this thread belongs in this category, but since it's something pretty wide, I guess it wouldn't hurt.
So I'm looking into flashing Linux into a phone (an sgs2, more precisly). I'm not talking about chroots under android and etc, I'm talking about actually flashing grub, the kernel and every other files that would usually come with a desktop distro. I'm toying a bit with Gentoo, see if I can recompile the whole thing for ARM before probably ending up bricking my device.
Anyways, I want to know if anyone has every tried flashing the whole thing into a phone, be it android, windows phone, etc, and what would you guys think about it.
I'll be trying with an android phone, since it pretty much uses the linux kernel, and so drivers shouldn't be too much of a pain in the ass to recompile. Might also keep the original boot loader until I feel good enough about completely eradicating the base software that the hardware was designed for.
any thoughts/advices/insults/mind farts on the subject welcome

did you hear about Ubuntu for android project? it's based on GB 2.3.6 but ATM i think the project is stuck. you can see more information on Ubuntu page I'm subscribed to information about it 'cause I will love Ubuntu running on my S2 too. but I heard nothing about other available project from other people
Sent from my GT-I9100G

Great Question! that's something about which I am interested as well. However, I think you might try looking around the "Hardware Hacking" thread or post your question there maybe? I'd like to, but I can't...since I am a NOOB!
---------- Post added at 01:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:30 PM ----------
crzr said:
did you hear about Ubuntu for android project? it's based on GB 2.3.6 but ATM i think the project is stuck. you can see more information on Ubuntu page I'm subscribed to information about it 'cause I will love Ubuntu running on my S2 too. but I heard nothing about other available project from other people
Sent from my GT-I9100G
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea that's awesome, I think I saw a couple of videos on youtube with some guys showing Ubuntu running on their phone

I will do it. I will post if something new comes. But I am happy right now with ICS/JB roms. I'll wait for their Ubuntu for android release if they decide to make possible Ubuntu for android phones
Sent from my GT-I9100G

crzr said:
I will do it. I will post if something new comes. But I am happy right now with ICS/JB roms. I'll wait for their Ubuntu for android release if they decide to make possible Ubuntu for android phones
Sent from my GT-I9100G
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yea, i think the OP had in mind to bypass android? perhaps? and to use the phone's hardware/kernel parameters in order to boot linux onto it

ilmostro7 said:
yea, i think the OP had in mind to bypass android? perhaps? and to use the phone's hardware/kernel parameters in order to boot linux onto it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I meant getting ride of the underlaying OS and flash linux in place of it.
I think ubuntu uses chroot under android, I haven't seen anything about flashing it into the device.
What I have in mind is not just flashing it on android phones, but about any piece of hardware decent enough to run it (although the existing drivers on android phones would help).
Right now I'm toying a bit with the cross compiler, but I haven't really started any serious project about making it happen.

You can flash backtrack

Yea, that's why I suggested, initially, to take a look at the "Hardware Hacking" forum...otherwise, you can learn about Systems Programming --maybe a good start might be Programming Embedded Systems, 2nd Edition
With C and GNU Development Tools
By Michael Barr, Anthony Massa
Publisher: O'Reilly Media
Released: October 2006
Pages: 336
btw: sorry, I can't post links, but you can google on how to get started
also: HIT THE THANKS BUTTON IF I HELPED YOU, too

I've made several attempts at the chroot method of adding Linux to an android device with good results. My ultimate goal is to have my android device load and run Linux when i plug it into a docking station so i can use it as a computer. Back to the topic at hand, to add Linux as the native OS instead of android. I would start by building a root file system for android and attempt to copy it over the existing android rootfs. The process would be identical to building the chroot Linux rootfs. The next thing to do is to acquire the kernel source and re-compile it so you can have all of the modules / drivers you want. I would say that this would be standard and easy peasy stuff right up until you got to the X11 and video hardware acceleration.
If your going to try this, I would look for a device that has the following:
1) Kernel source available - make sure there are good instructions on how to configure and compile
2) Device is easily unlock-able and root-able
3) Has a micro SD card slot

So, first of all, I'm not entirely sure if this thread belongs in this category, but since it's something pretty wide, I guess it wouldn't hurt.
So I'm looking into flashing Linux into a phone (an sgs2, more precisly). I'm not talking about chroots under android and etc, I'm talking about actually flashing grub, the kernel and every other files that would usually come with a desktop distro. I'm toying a bit with Gentoo, see if I can recompile the whole thing for ARM before probably ending up bricking my device.
Anyways, I want to know if anyone has every tried flashing the whole thing into a phone, be it android, windows phone, etc, and what would you guys think about it.
I'll be trying with an android phone, since it pretty much uses the linux kernel, and so drivers shouldn't be too much of a pain in the ass to recompile. Might also keep the original boot loader until I feel good enough about completely eradicating the base software that the hardware was designed for.
any thoughts/advices/insults/mind farts on the subject welcome
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2162316 this can help you?
Sent from my GT-I9100G using xda app-developers app

Ubuntu as a Phone OS

Well, ubnuntu just made an annoucnement that they will have a mobile tablet and phone os, that will be matched with thier other versions so it is one os that will work on all your computing devices using all the same apps that you already run. They will also have the HTML 5 apps as part of this.
Just thought you guys might be interested.
I am very excited about this.
Sound off and let's discuss after you check out the video on the link below:
http://www.ubuntu.com/devices/phone

I see android becoming a GUI skin for Ubuntu. It's been nothing more than a matter of time before PC OS's merged with phone OS's . With some of the new hardware technologies almost ready for primetime our mobiles will take the place of PC/laptops in our lives. Desktops are evolving into more of a server role in the home. Appliances , home entertainment, environmental control will all be run from a central home super PC/server. The technology is out now but advances are coming that will make it more practical for the masses.

mtnlion said:
I see android becoming a GUI skin for Ubuntu. It's been nothing more than a matter of time before PC OS's merged with phone OS's . With some of the new hardware technologies almost ready for primetime our mobiles will take the place of PC/laptops in our lives. Desktops are evolving into more of a server role in the home. Appliances , home entertainment, environmental control will all be run from a central home super PC/server. The technology is out now but advances are coming that will make it more practical for the masses.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually it is the other way around.... in the video it was said that the ubuntu phone os will work with the android kernel, so it should work on any current android hardware, and should be very easy to implement it.
This is really because the android kernel is really the general linux 3.0 kernel.
I am going to work on getting this working on this phone, as soon they release the OS to everyone. I can see this taking this phone to where it should be as far as performance is concerned.

jimbridgman said:
Actually it is the other way around.... in the video it was said that the ubuntu phone os will work with the android kernel, so it should work on any current android hardware, and should be very easy to implement it.
This is really because the android kernel is really the general linux 3.0 kernel.
I am going to work on getting this working on this phone, as soon they release the OS to everyone. I can see this taking this phone to where it should be as far as performance is concerned.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are saying You can boot this version of Ubuntu with our stock moto kernel?

mtnlion said:
You are saying You can boot this version of Ubuntu with our stock moto kernel?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure yet, but from the video in the link I posted toward the end, it sure sounded like that was the case. I am sure some work will have to be done, but it sounded promising.

I'm most interested in seeing how this turns out when you unleash your kung fu on it. My nexus 4 should be here soon, after it arrives my A2 will be at your disposal for any alpha testing. Then again my A2 has always been available for testing anything you or certain other devs come up with.

This is super sexy. I cannot wait for this to come out. I have been using Linux, mainly Ubuntu off and on for years now. This just made my day. I love the GUI. I wonder... What type of bootloader this will use. Some modified versions of Lilo, or Grub?

Maribou said:
This is super sexy. I cannot wait for this to come out. I have been using Linux, mainly Ubuntu off and on for years now. This just made my day. I love the GUI. I wonder... What type of bootloader this will use. Some modified versions of Lilo, or Grub?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Prolly not going to be lilo, it has been a while since lilo was a default BL for linux. Grub, both in the the gui and text bootloaders has been the BL of choice for most linux distros for some time now.
I am guessing that if this works with the android kernel, that it might not use a separate BL for those devices, but I would guess that again grub would be on new devices that are made to run this by default.

I can see this taking this phone to where it should be as far as performance is concerned.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm curious as to why you say this. Is there any particular reason that performance would be better with Ubuntu over Android? If the kernel is the same, it would seem to me that the performance level achievable would be the same with either.

jimbridgman said:
Prolly not going to be lilo, it has been a while since lilo was a default BL for linux. Grub, both in the the gui and text bootloaders has been the BL of choice for most linux distros for some time now.
I am guessing that if this works with the android kernel, that it might not use a separate BL for those devices, but I would guess that again grub would be on new devices that are made to run this by default.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool.Since it is open source do you think the BL will be locked down? I'm actually kinda confused as to how this would work. Would we still have our locked down BL if we installed a port of the Ubuntu OS? Or would the Ubuntu OS totally replace everything?

It looks like the original phone this is made for is a galaxy Nexus, so.... We should be able to get this running on our A2 fairly easily.
http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/02/ubuntu-for-smartphones/
As to the person who asked about why I feel the performance will be better, is because of how linux itself and the apps that are used, use hardware, android itself does not handle apps talking to hardware very well, and tend to kill battery in the process much faster.
I run linux on a ton of my computers and devices, and I will tell you, I have a netbook running ubuntu and I get 13 hours on battery with it, where with any other OS I get maybe 6 hours. And yes it runs an atom processor, and I have been able to test running android on it, and ran very poorly as far as battery and performance was concerned, even with linaro running.
The ONLY reason we will not be able to run the true ubuntu kernel with this is thanks to motorola locking this thing down so tight that we can not run any other bootloader or kernel on this device.

Maribou said:
Cool.Since it is open source do you think the BL will be locked down? I'm actually kinda confused as to how this would work. Would we still have our locked down BL if we installed a port of the Ubuntu OS? Or would the Ubuntu OS totally replace everything?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to say for our phone, we will not be able to run the whole thing. We will have to keep our bootloader and kernel, but basically run this from our /system partition much like flashing a ROM.

jimbridgman said:
Sorry to say for our phone, we will not be able to run the whole thing. We will have to keep our bootloader and kernel, but basically run this from our /system partition much like flashing a ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for clearing that up. I was thinking that was how it would be. I still can't wait to try this out!

This may be a dumb question.... but wasn't ubuntu designed to run on x86? How would it work on ARM?
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farshad525hou said:
This may be a dumb question.... but wasn't ubuntu designed to run on x86? How would it work on ARM?
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ubuntu has come a long way. There are many different variations of it now. http://www.ubuntu.com/download/arm

WOW this is a real game changer here..... Have been thinking for a while what could be the next BIG thing looks like this is it..... Take a quad core with 2gb ram 32gb onboard and 32gb sd and this is going to be a beasted laptop in your pocket.....
Haha just read the other part of the page and it almost looks loke a direct quote.....

I don't know if I'm remembering correctly but wasn't Canonical working with Motorola on Ubuntu for Android? And wasn't even the phone they demoed it on in the video an Atrix 2?
They are obviously different projects as Ubuntu for Android was to allow the ability to boot into Ubuntu from inside android much like Jim's Webtop hack, but I just thought I should bring it up.

Generally speaking, I'm pretty excited about this too. I haven't been able to find any information on the ubuntu "dock ". Availability, price, inputs/outputs, etc. I think it will be awesome to have a dockable piece of hardware to run as a mobile or home device.
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Oh wow this is gonna be just amazing a true Linux mobile os I for one can't wait to load an Ubuntu based ROM onto my a2
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This is going to be so awesome if it really works. I'm already setting up a dev environment to port it to my tablet, where it will really be awesome.
EDIT: PS will it be able to run normal andriod apps too?