Android-x86 is a project that provides Android with x86 support so it can be used on netbooks, laptops and various tablets.
Today, a new Android-x86 4.2 (based on the latest Android 4.2.2) test build has been released and it includes:
- Linux Kernel 3.8.0;
- OpenGL ES hardware acceleration for AMD Radeon and Intel chipsets;
- Multi-touch, Wifi, Audio, G-sensor, Camera and Backlight control support;
- Simulate SDCard by internal storage;
- Auto mount USB drives and sdcards;
- Multi-user support with a maximum of 8 users;
- Ethernet support (DHCP only) so you don't have to use WiFi to get Internet access, useful for testing Android-x86 in VirtualBox, etc.;
- VirtualBox support.
Unfortunately, the latest Android-x86 4.2 doesn't come with ARM translator support which means that you can't use many applications and games available in the Google Play Store. If you want ARM translator support, you'll either have to build Android-x86 from source or use an older version (4.0 RC2 - which is more stable by the way!).
Starting with version 4.2, the Android-x86 developers have created an universal image instead of building separate images for various devices. This is in early development stages so you'll probably encounter bugs - if you do, report them at the Android-x86 forum.
Here are a few Android-x86 4.2 (20130228) screenshots:
Android-x86 4.2 (20130228 build) known issues:
- suspend and resume don't work (I suggest disabling the screen lock);
- some applications freeze on i915/i965 devices;
- Bluetooth doesn't work;
- and, like I was saying above, there's no ARM translator support.
Those are the official known issues, but from my test, I can tell you that the sound is choppy, at least in VirtualBox and also, I've read that Android-x86 doesn't work in VirtualBox OSE (you'll get a kernel panic) although it does work in Oracle VirtualBox. If you encounter such an issue, install VirtualBox like we've explained here.
Another issue I've encountered that has also been present in past versions is that the mouse doesn't work in VirtualBox by default. To fix this, from the VirtualBox menu select: Machine > Disable Mouse Integration.
Download Android-x86
The latest Android-x86 4.2 build (based on Android 4.2.2) as well as older builds are available for download @ code.google.com.
Also see: How To Dual-Boot Android-x86 And Ubuntu (With GRUB 2)
