Android release on HTC Apache *CDMA Works!*

[pio_masaki]

99% sure it will not work for a Mogul using the Apache's image/files as they are different machines under the hood. Different CPUs would be the one major factor that I know of, plus alot of other hardware changes made between the two devices.

[AL_CAPONE_187]

Originally Posted by pio_masaki

99% sure it will not work for a Mogul using the Apache's image/files as they are different machines under the hood. Different CPUs would be the one major factor that I know of, plus alot of other hardware changes made between the two devices.

well that sucks does anyone know if one has been released for the mogul because I wanna run it on my phone

[osyrus]

Originally Posted by tekkdrone

First, Thank You Colonel, Helmi, and all of the kitchen contributors, your efforts and ROM releases have easily made this the best phone I've ever owned.

I dunno what happened to the Android poll thread and its' creator, but I was motivated by that thread, and after many hours of research, patching, porting, compiling, packaging, and several pots of coffee... Android m5 (slightly older than the version in SDK 1.0) boots and is navigable. This is my first step towards getting the release version up and running on the Apache, though to what degree I am uncertain.

I'll post some video later tonight/this weekend. All major updates will be edits to the original post.

p.s. woot.

For those of you having trouble try these tips from other users:
- Make sure you are NOT extracting the archives
- Make sure the rootfs file ends in tar.bz2, some folks have had issues with extensions getting cut off
- Make sure the phone radio is on, bt and wifi off.
- Run HaRET as soon as you can after a fresh soft reset
- Wait at least 5 minutes for it to pass jumping to kernel if you think it's hanging, it shouldn't take this long but some users have noted longer waits depending on what's running and installed on the Windows Mobile side at the time of execution.

6th Update: CDMA Steps into the ring ppcgeeks.com loads for the test. Connection is unstable as hell (unusable) at the moment. Pics in thread. http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=43753&page=9

5th Update: Proof of concept build released to the masses for fiddling around.

4th Update: Touchscreen is now up and fully functional.

3rd Update: Android release compiled from source boots via native init on HTC Apache!

Most of the information below is outdated since I've moved from M5 to full release Android, I'll leave the info up here for now though for reference.

The quick and dirty:
- NO FLASHING REQUIRED. It boots from an SD card
- Underlying kernel based on a modified version of Handhelds.org's 2.6.21 kernel source for htcapache
- Android system is from the m5 SDK distribution
- Uses Kevin O'Connor's HaRET for chainloading the kernel from CE
- Uses backported binder, log, power, etc drivers from m5 distro (I'll have to look at the patch, can't remember who ported them)
- Eats batteries like I'm running Prime 95... (See item 1 of "What doesn't work")

What doesn't work (not much testing done yet):
Power Management (kernel)
Cell/Radio/Data (kernel)
Touchscreen is flaky (kernel)
Sound? (unknown)
Several unmapped or incorrectly mapped soft keys (mainly android) (FIXED)
Framebuffer issues -> should have a fix (kernel/pxafb driver) (FIXED)

What works:
Basic navigation with the action button
Cursor Keys
Power Button
Touchscreen (Flaky, intermittent)
RTC
Softkeys
DoubleBuffering on the framebuffer

Current Goals:
- Port apache-specific kernel code to 2.6.25 (In-Progress, 2.6.25 kernel now boots and we are able to mount the img on the SD card.)
- Get beta .9 running (Skipping in favor of custom compiled Android Release)
- Get 1.0 release code running (Step 1: The kernel is well underway.)
- ... and more

/etc:
This was the first step, and it's giving me a chance to work out the kernel and HW issues on an older setup. I'll probably need some help at some point in time, if anyone has any kernel hacking or device driver experience that'd be the most helpful, anyway, more info as I have it to share.

Credits:
This work was only possible due to:
Kevin O'Connor and the rest of the handhelds.org kernel maintainers
Benno Leslie and Benno's blog
alextreme.org (android on nokia n8xx information)
elinux.org (android on omap information)
androidzaurus (from Japan? whose work on the pxa based Zaurus led to the framebuffer patch for 2.6.23 I just ported over to .21)

The most gangsta bleep ever! a 6700! u gotta be kidding me!

[tekkdrone]

Actually if I remember correctly, Android already fully runs on the Titan/Mogul.

Quoted from xda-developers:
"Android is now running at least partially on the Titan. You can make and receive calls and browse the web. However, the keyboard is not yet functional. See http://it029000.massey.ac.nz/vogue/ for more details."

It looks like the vogue image works for the Titan/Mogul, but without keyboard support. Let me know how it works out for you if you try it. There may've been more progress on Titan/Mogul in the community since then, I'll see what I' come accross.

-tekkdrone

[tekkdrone]

Ahh that would be why I wasn't seeing the issue, I never copy files across activesync, it's too painfully slow >_<

[pio_masaki]

I agree, however I lost my adapter so I have to use AS =/ Using resco explorer I made sure it showed file extensions and caught it on that .tar.bz2 file, I was lacking .bz2 so haret would hang up when it came time then eventually spit out a tty error I think.

[psiphi]

I think the problem is IE7 added the TXT extension... Bet those who downloaded with firefox didn't have issues... (I didn't use AS to copy files to PPC.) In any case, renaming the files and changing the startup.txt fixed my issues...

[pio_masaki]

Well I only use firefox, my issue wasn't with the dl it was with the transfer, so I blamed AS on my extension getting dropped.

Side note, I know this is still very rough, but is there a way to have it run like normal, not from an image? I mean give it an entire SD card, then it can use it as its own little SD card or hard drive or whatever it wants. I'd like to install/add some software to mess around with, but I don't see how. I don't even see a command line (come on, it's linux!) to add/mount/whatever packages and whatnot. If I have to add it directly to the emulator on the phone or it's image thats fine, just lemme know how, or point me to where I can find out, so far no luck other then the VM for desktops.

I noticed these suggestions were made earlier in the thread, as well as the first post, but since some don't seem to notice, heres some tips:

Check ALL of your file extensions after being put on your SD card ROOT. They have to be exactly as they are on the site.
Check that windows (your desktop and phone) will SHOW extensions, this can cause some confusion as they are right, but windows hides them.
For those that dunno, SD card root means on the SD card, NO folders, no directories, just plop them all right on the SD card so it's the first thing you see when you open it.
Make sure your radio is ON, no flight mode. WiFi, BT whatever else OFF.
I would not reccommend leaving the phone plugged in, charger state is not working, so it can overcharge your battery. Battery status is not working, so you have to guess how long you have left till death, then once plugged in, how long till it charges. Just don't leave it plugged in for hours while in android.
Give the first boot about 15 mins before you decide its hung up, it takes a LONG time first boot, every boot after is very quick. If you get stuck at jumping to kernal after the first successful boot, restart as it hung up, mine does once out of every 20 or so runs.

I've done this on linux and android (basically the same) one two apaches so far, so if you need help feel free to PM me or post here.

Ok, to help with the idea of how long you should be waiting, I made a video of mine booting into android, so now you should have an idea of how long each stage lasts. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RilNAk48fZc

I was bored when I did this, and wrote a more in depth guide to installing and running this, if anyone is interested I can post it up. Yes, it's a bit on the long side, but details more of what happens then the usual "just wait for 15 minutes."

[blizzake]

Ahh i think im ganna pull my hair out waiting for Andriod on apache with cdma support lol

[pio_masaki]

I know the feeling