Best tablet for custom android development? - General Questions and Answers

Hi,
I‘m looking for a tablet as a development platform for gettting into custom android firmware development. What device (current or discontinued) is the most painless to compile a custom rom for with a current android regarding unlocking and driver support in 2021?
I‘m an electronics engineer and have worked on firmware for arm microcontrollers and did some kernel development for embedded linux (yocto) before.
I have the idea of creating an open source custom android for elderly people and small children that is pretty much locked down and has a simplified interface without cryptic messages. All settings, app installation and user support should be done from an app on another device. I think all the building blocks for this exists, I just want to put them together in one package. If you have suggestions for an existing base rom to build this on I‘d be happy to hear about it.
Cheers,
Rick

Related

General instruction on how to build firmware for Android devices?

Is there any source/ help/ instruction that I can check out to learn how to design/build Android OS for any supported devices? I would like to learn to see if I can build the firmware for my Eken M0001 using the latest Android version.
i think theunlockr.com has a guide of some sort. i would look there!
Code:
android-dls.com/wiki/index.php?title=Compiling_for_Android
This should get you up and running if you are somewhat familiar with the whole Linux thing. If not I would start out by learning how to compile the kernel and some standard libraries for a regular X86(_64) distro. The approach is pretty much the same, only compiling for android requires a lot more work with cross-compiling and getting a working set of standard libraries for arm.
Oh, and sorry about the link thingie. The administrators of this forum are obviously weak minded and have come up with some totally brain-dead limitations for new users. (A new user is not allowed post links , a good RP system would beat that hands down anytime)
Thanks for the info. I will check those links out.

[Q] Android kernel programming

Hi All
I am a newbi to kernel programming , especially to android kernel.
Can you tell me some good places on the net , that can be great sources for getting in touch with that thing.
I want to become familiar with the android kernel , dalvic etc. ( I speak english and german )
thanks in advance.
Sz_gergo
I am too interested in this subject. I am learning slowly as and when I get time.
kernelnewbies.org
Generally good resource for starting out learning linux kernel
(Which is what the android is built off of)
android.git.kernel.org
Android Kernel Source
lwn.net/Kernel/LDD3/
Online guide to driver development among many other related topics.
pdk.android.com
This guide provides an under-the-hood introduction to the Android platform, and is designed for platform developers and manufacturers building Android-powered devices.
Sorry for not providing the links...xda won't allow me to post links since I have less posts.
Android kernel
Dear All
as i understand, the android kernel source, what you can download from Google , should be enough for building a new kernel to some phone.
If i am right, does that mean that the Linux kernel sources are already included?
Or am i totally wrong?
Thanks for your answers
I am also interested in learning the Kernel Development and ROM development. Can Any one Help.
sz_gergo;11673408 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 11673408 end_of_the_skype_highlighting said:
Dear All
as i understand, the android kernel source, what you can download from Google , should be enough for building a new kernel to some phone.
If i am right, does that mean that the Linux kernel sources are already included?
Or am i totally wrong?
Thanks for your answers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the answere for the question above.
After i have inspected the Android kernel sources, it came out, that i have been right.The only source you need for creating a new kernel for a phone, is the complete android kernel.
The linux kernel is allready included.
I think if you want to build a kernel, specific for your phone. you have to overwrite the default dirs with the specific sources of your phone. If it is not allready done by others.
Android Kernel
Hi,
We need to distinguish between Linux and Android. Android was forked from Linux, and now those are managed as separate products. Android usually takes the updates from linux, but there are features in Android which Linux refused to get (such as wakelocks).
So the android kernel source includes all needed to build a working kernel.

How to build Android AOSP? (I am getting these errors)

I have successfully built a AOSP ROM I think.
I now have recovery.img, boot.img, userdata.img, system.img
Is there a way of making a n update.zip with these?
This should be moved to Q & A.
Yes, it's about development BUT, it's a question about development and therefore does not belong here.
Pipsqueak approved this message
Come on man do a Google search. There is information for making AOSP ROMs all over the place.
With that said, I strongly recommend heeding this advice:
cyanogen said:
Here's my advice for those looking to make their own Android ROMs.. Stop. Write an app or two first, learn how the system works from a developer standpoint. Learn some Java. Read the developer documentation. Learn how to use Git. Then learn how to build AOSP from source. Read the porting guides, and learn how the build system works (the links below have almost everything you could possibly want to know). Now try to put your new found skills to work on enhancing the platform by writing code or making theme overlays. And share! And put that **** on your resume. There is a *ton* of information out there but any kind of "step-by-step rom cooking guide" is going to be a complete fail- it's too broad of a subject.
Android Developer Guides: http://d.android.com
Working with AOSP source: http://source.android.com
Platform Developer Guide: http://pdk.android.com
Android Gitweb: http://android.git.kernel.org
Git Ready (Git tips and tricks): http://www.gitready.com/
Building CyanogenMod: http://wiki.cyanogenmod.com/index.php/Building_from_source
How Dexopt works and what are those odex files: http://android.git.kernel.org/?p=pl...bcd225e47b2cc7abb2a366112d3aeb45936;hb=master
The PDK site is absolutely vital if you are going to work on custom ROMs. Read every single page. Twice. Some of the info isn't up to date, but you'll get a really good idea about what goes into actually configuring Android to work on a real device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

New to XDA and need some guidance.

Hello everybody,
I am pretty new to the forums and want to learn how to make my own ROM. However, I want to learn how to do it from scratch. I have been reading the AOSP pages and my current knowledge is that I understand a bit about the Kernel and about the HAL. My question is about drivers. From my understanding Android's Kernel contains the driver for your particular device. Do I have to obtain a Samsung Kernel for a custom ROM for the S6 and S6 Edge from Samsung? Or can I simply find the Samsung drivers for each different model and integrate them into the standard Android Kernel (and tweak the driver to fix any bugs that come along the way). The Kernel distribution really confuses me. I feel as if every OEM should have to provide an archive of drivers in order to use Android to make the AOSP stronger. Am I constrained to Samsungs Kernel explicitly?

Question Is there an easy way to make a custom rom?

I know how to root and install legit custom OS as long as it works on my device. Is there a easier way to make a custom rom through Windows 11?
https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/all-kinds-of-errors-when-flashing-a-rom.4545717/
If you can't figure out these simple errors, how are you planning on building custom ROMs and debugging?
*Just wondering*
I was wondering the same. Building a custom ROM is not an easy task. You should really know the ins and outs of Android to even attempt it. Not knocking you, there are around 10 custom ROMs in just this forum. What would you add or build that isn't already available?
Not that you can't and cannot learn how but as stated above. Building a custom ROM can be quite the undertaking and you have to ask... What can you provide and offer that's not already available?
Firstly you need a decent PC for your build environment. One with plenty of RAM and storage. Ability to run or dual boot Linux and know commands. Can be built in windows environment though.
Secondly you need a device that you're willing to troubleshoot, bootloop, soft brick and or hard brick. Plus know how to recover from the above (hard brick excluded)
If you're willing, it's definitely fun, challenging and can be rewarding. I use to build my own personal ROMs a couple of years ago.
You can look at ROM development from beginning to end here and android kitchen here
Best of luck!!
Building Android | Android Open Source Project
source.android.com
Downloading the Source | Android Open Source Project
source.android.com

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