Android to Promote Education in Mobile Device Development

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Android to Promote Education inMobile Device
Development
Chris Baker and Danny Noler NSF-REU 2008
Android on Nokia N800
Experience
Problem

• Android version m3
• Linux kernel 2.6.21
• Pros
• Full application support
• Working touch screen
• WiFi support
• Cons
• No keyboard
• Android was put on the N800 by flashing over a
  new Linux kernel and transferring the Android
  file system to a microSD card. As we did not
  overwrite the existing OS2008 operating system
  (which runs on a Linux kernel anyway), we can
  start Android within OS2008.

Obstacles faced
What is Android?

• Android is a software stack for mobile devices.
• Operating System
• Middleware
• Key Applications
• Uses Linux kernel 2.6

• Full source code for Android is not available.
• Must be patched with Android fixes specific to a
  devices hardware
• Learning curve
• Must be familiar with Linux
• Experience with cross-compilers
• Familiar with Android architecture and APIs

• Android is being developed and funded by the
• Open Handset Alliance (headed by Google)
• Develop open standards for mobile devices

Educational Experiences

• Topics covered in research
• Android architecture
• Android application structure
• Use of toolchains
• Experience with cross-compiling
• Basics of the Linux kernel
• Linux commands and terminal usage
• Experience with open source project

Android on Sharp Zaurus SL-C3200

• Android has four main features to attract
• developers
• Open nature
• All applications are equal
• Combine information from phone/web
• Software Development Kit

• Android version m3
• Linux kernel 2.6.23
• Pros
• Full application support
• Built in QWERTY keyboard
• Cons
• No WiFi support
• No touch screen
• Android was put on the C3200 by completely
  overwriting the existing operating system with a
  new Linux kernel (2.6.23) and the Android file
  system. Booting the C3200 then lead to a terminal
  screen, where Android could be started.

What is our problem?

• Attempt to successfully port Android to real
• hardware and obtain a working Android device.
• Two devices used
• Nokia N800 Internet Tablet
• Sharp Zaurus SL-C3200 PDA