Raspberry Pi served with Ice Cream Sandwich
Android update
The Raspberry Pi Foundation has ported Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich to its inexpensive ARM-based motherboard, allowing owners to install apps from Google Play and make use of touchscreen tech.
The organisation revealed this week that it was adding the finishing touches to its Android 4.0 port, offering those with the fag pack-sized micro an alternative OS.
According to the Raspberry Pi blog, hardware-accelerated graphics and video have been running smoothly for some time and as soon as it finalises AudioFlinger support for Android's sound related functions, it hopes to release the source code.
We're unsure exactly when this will be, or how smoothly it'll perform, but the proof is in the pudding and you can't get much sweeter than raspberries and ice cream.
Read what we thought about the Raspberry Pi PC here on Reg Hardware. ®
COMMENTS
Re: This is the reason why I bought my R-PI!
Yes, providing the option is a "step backwards". They should just force everyone to use the same OS regardless of what they want to acheive with the device.
Sir,
You obviously have no idea what you are talking about.
'The R-Pi does not have a touchscreen and the foundation has no plans to produce one at present.'
Actually, there are a number of touch screens on the market that communicate over USB or Serial. I myself have a 3m monitor with a serial touch controller, and am writing some drivers for it. You can also get units consisting of an LCD panel and touchscreen for ~£75 from various online tat bazaars.
'...enforces by remotely disabling and/or removing the 'offending' item'
Yes, but only on devices with the Play Store installed. These are so-called 'Google Experience' devices, which are approved by Google. Android is to the Play Store as Windows is to Office.
I think you'll find the door is over there.
Kisses,
Dan
Re: "To see all your apps, touch the circle."
or using the mouse pointer that appears in android with a mouse plugged in perhaps?
Have you actually watched the video?
"you can't get much sweeter than raspberries and ice cream"
you can: raspberries and jelly beans.
It has been possible to buy touchscreen monitors for years before Android and iOS came along. Since the R-Pi has an HDMI output I'm guessing you could connect it to a touchscreen monitor that has an HDMI socket.
Or is that too complicated for you?
