Android x86 LiveCD now available, lets you run Android on your desktop

Sure, the whole world and Steve Ballmer might be buzzing about Chrome OS, but a dedicated duo of hackers has been hard at work porting Google's other operating system to x86, and they've just released an .02 version of their Android LiveCD build. That means you're now free to boot and run the 'droid from your optical drive, install it in a virtual machine, install it for real on your old laptop, whatever -- just don't get upset if it bugs out on you. Anyone gonna do some 'sploring?

[Via DownloadSquad]

[dsteve303 @ Jul 14th 2009 8:45PM]

Wow. Impressive.

[Look_Around_You @ Jul 14th 2009 9:14PM]

Will definitely mess around with this over the weekend.

I hope Android apps will actually work without a touchscreen.

[Return of Jackson...whoo! @ Jul 14th 2009 9:31PM]

Cool, and I'll mess around with your mom this week-end...

[Look_Around_You @ Jul 14th 2009 9:37PM]

I thought Jacko was into the tween male demographic?

[Aaron @ Jul 14th 2009 11:52PM]

add a SIM reader with that virtual android?

[McPOW @ Jul 15th 2009 1:52PM]

"I hope Android apps will actually work without a touchscreen."

they definitely do as they are all developed against the emulator first, which runs on your normal desktop computer and you interactive with everything via keyboard and mouse.

[edgar wong @ Jul 14th 2009 8:49PM]

cool!

Does the App Catalog work on it?

[mitchdunc @ Jul 14th 2009 8:59PM]

not that i can tell, i tried it and used it under virtual pc, most of it seems disabled, far from my g1 os.

[Nelagster @ Jul 14th 2009 8:52PM]

wait, why is this on the official google website? is this officially supported by google?

[KillaChaos @ Jul 14th 2009 8:53PM]

You are suffering from Companys-Must-Be-Evil Syndrome.

Is it a bad thing that a company to show enthusiasm for hack?

[db26 @ Jul 14th 2009 9:06PM]

It's on Google Code. Anyone can create an open source project on Google Code. It's mostly unmoderated by Google.

[b3tan @ Jul 14th 2009 9:35PM]

Open Source

Do what the hell you want with it. Make it run on your toaster if you want. Nobody is going to stop you or send out an update to make your Google Toaster stop working.

[Kevlar @ Jul 15th 2009 1:01AM]

I have glimpsed the future thanks to you, b3tan!

Imagine: the Google toaster!

All my news headlines toasted onto my bread as I eat breakfast... no longer capable of burning toast, but cross-referencing optimum toasticity from internet-enabled toasting devices the worldwide! Truly, this will revolutionize the re-cooking of bread, and draw humanity out of the darkness and into a bright, perfectly golden-brown future!

[Galen20K @ Jul 14th 2009 8:54PM]

Looks Official but DEFINITELY Beta. For now at least.

[domoPod @ Jul 15th 2009 2:01AM]

like most of googles apps? definitely beta

[Derry Quinn @ Jul 15th 2009 8:42AM]

No, Google apps are indefinitely in beta :

[derX @ Jul 14th 2009 8:57PM]

First bitches? Is that the title given to the president's female dogs?

[HektikLyfe @ Jul 16th 2009 4:37PM]

No, just mother's wives and daughters.

Oh dang! Am I going to jail now?

[Mark E @ Jul 14th 2009 8:58PM]

i'm interested... but do i have time...?

[Shane @ Jul 14th 2009 9:04PM]

WOW THANKS ENGADGET. I SENT YOU THIS A WEEK AGO. THANKS.

[danimaldan @ Jul 14th 2009 9:48PM]

You may have known about this a week ago but this is way way older than that. This is seriously old like couple months old. I have been playing with it. Its okay, just like my G1. Its gonna need a lot of customization for it to be successful on netbooks.

[SOOPERGOOMAN @ Jul 14th 2009 9:35PM]

ITS NOT ABOUT RECOGNITION GLORY, IT'S ABOUT THE SHARING OF KNOWLEDGE. Now if you just wanted to get noticed for sending in a tip. You just did. relax smoke a doob and read a ebook. K.


I wonder if someone can get this running on a PS3...

[Derry Quinn @ Jul 15th 2009 8:43AM]

PS3 Android would be awesome!

[logicbomb.de @ Jul 15th 2009 12:57PM]

Good point, Supergooman

are there any working VM apps for PS3 linux?

[Steven K @ Jul 14th 2009 9:20PM]

good work guys when I get a chance I may give this a run in a VM

[helfrez @ Jul 14th 2009 9:30PM]

Apps are disabled in the dev images. No way for billing and stuff. To test apps you need to load the .apk files manually.

[LondonConsultant @ Jul 15th 2009 6:16AM]

Maybe this could be extended to browse Android Market and able download just the free apps, so no need for billing etc. That would be pretty cool.

[Anton @ Jul 14th 2009 9:37PM]

This is awesome

[chris @ Jul 14th 2009 9:42PM]

Now for someone to make this work with an iTouch.

Anyone else try it in WMware and not be able to do jack shit because of a battery popup and no mouse interface?

[cloud858rk @ Jul 14th 2009 11:16PM]

Who owns a Pasen iTouch?

Oh you mean the iPod Touch? Well you should have said so.

[alex @ Jul 15th 2009 4:51PM]

yep, tried it in vmware as well.
Just get splashscreen.

I'm sure someone will come by and offer me the helpful advice of 'ur doin it rong!'

[Richard @ Jul 14th 2009 9:42PM]

Why does everyone get so worked up about this? Can't you just ignore him instead of adding more inane comments?

[shaun @ Jul 14th 2009 9:50PM]

I installed this on a macbook yesterday using Virtual Box.

- Android Market isn't present
- Internet seems to work fine without me having to set anything up
- Phone and SMS doesn't work (obviously!)
- Not sure what the Home and Menu buttons are but Esc seems to go Back
- Cursor works as a replacement for touch

Try it out though it's quite good for a demo.

(BTW: I also booted from it directly and there was no internet or mouse support, so you're probably better off using something like Virtual Box to do it if you do)

Anybody know what button works for Menu on a macbook?

[cykiller @ Jul 14th 2009 10:09PM]

Its not new at all has been out for some time now, as we released v2 (0.2) weeks ago, and if you configure your network in your virtual software ala VirtualBox or Vmware just do NOT use NAT and go for bridged connection. When you see the battery just hit enter on your keyboard once you are in the virtual area (better natively) it is a small bug. SDsupport coming for v3 - Android x86 - live and much more to come.

[JJ @ Jul 14th 2009 10:42PM]

Why?

[mrD @ Jul 15th 2009 5:49AM]

because we can!,But can it run Crysis!??

[Doc @ Jul 14th 2009 11:16PM]

DA!

[Oolon Colluphid @ Jul 14th 2009 11:19PM]

I have this running in Sun Virtual Box. Pretty neat. No App catalog as far as I can tell. It's mostly just good for messing around with the interface. Browser and mail apps work, though.

[V Langs @ Jul 14th 2009 11:40PM]

this should only be a mobile phone os.

i mean...would anyone really want to use this as a desktop (netbook etc.) OS?

i understand it's a very raw beta and all but still this is ridiculous. it's a clear rip of the mobile OS no optimization at all.

I guess if you want to tinker continue, I was intrigued for all of 10 mins but after the slow responsiveness of the mouse and the lack of anything really working, I had to give up.

google, nice try. pop this in the hero and let's see chrome!

[justin @ Jul 15th 2009 12:31AM]

uhh, this wasn't ported by Google or is anything official, it's just 1-2 people who ported this in their free time.

[Sergio @ Jul 15th 2009 12:03AM]

Now this is some OOOOOLLLLLDDDDDDD news! dammmm.

[Andrew Merskin @ Jul 15th 2009 12:01AM]

Tried it on VirtualPC 2007, and... and... the WiFi... :(

Could potentially be GREAT for app testing though.

[JeffreDodd @ Jul 15th 2009 12:16AM]

Just got it up and running. I'm impressed. Now if only I could demo the Hero Rom, that would make me preorder the phone.

After using this on my laptop, I am starting to wonder about Android for Netbooks. It seems like a good idea, but if its anything like this then Android is in trouble.

[HereAndNow @ Jul 15th 2009 4:34AM]

Android will start to make more sense, when smartbook/netbook vendors start including the hardware to support cell phone calls, SMS/MMS, LBS, etc. Then, Android will essentially transform a smartbook/netbook into a smartphone with a larger screen & keyboard.

Imagine making/receiving cell phone calls with a bluetooth headset, while your smartbook/netbook is in your backpack (or while you are reading email or browsing the web). Mobile operators will love the additional revenue opportunities this will offer!

[sc95200 @ Jul 15th 2009 1:01AM]

downloading just for fun...
will it work on a liveusb?

[FluidPusher420 @ Jul 15th 2009 1:35AM]

I wonder if this will run on my Packard-Bell 486-66? I just may have to find some 56k drivers that will work with android.

[FluidPusher420 @ Jul 15th 2009 1:37AM]

Great news!

[alex @ Jul 15th 2009 2:06AM]

Didnt work for me. Just get the android splashscreen.

[beechfuzz @ Jul 15th 2009 2:11AM]

yea, but can it run crysis?

[mhwwdman @ Jul 15th 2009 8:10AM]

Wish my computer can run virtualization...