Author Topic: Linux/Android at once? Can we use MaruOS?  (Read 3648 times)

CyberneticianDave

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Linux/Android at once? Can we use MaruOS?
« on: August 14, 2018, 06:47:05 am »
I've also asked this question on the Android-specific forum, but I figure there might be people following this forum who are less interested in the other.

I'd love to use MaruOS to allow me to use the Gemini more widely. In fact I don't think the Gemini could be useful enough for me unless I can use it this sort of way.

There's some more detail in the android forum post linked above, but basically it looks as though it should be possible but it's a little outside of my comfort zone. Would anyone here be interested in having linux and android running side-by-side? Presumably there would also be a way to repartition the disk to use it all for MaruOS.

speculatrix

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Linux/Android at once? Can we use MaruOS?
« Reply #1 on: August 14, 2018, 05:42:08 pm »
I think you need video out with independent displays to make that work, and then linux is run "attached" to the external display.

I don't know if the optional video cable offers the possibility of twin head anyway. I guess you might be able to use a displaylink type of adaptor on the USB port to provide a second display.

The idea is interesting, I'd be keen to explore the idea more.
Gemini 4G/Wi-Fi owner, formerly zaurus C3100 and 860 owner; also owner of an HTC Doubleshot, a Zaurus-like phone.

CyberneticianDave

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Linux/Android at once? Can we use MaruOS?
« Reply #2 on: August 24, 2018, 05:02:55 am »
Quote from: speculatrix
I think you need video out with independent displays to make that work, and then linux is run "attached" to the external display.

I don't know if the optional video cable offers the possibility of twin head anyway. I guess you might be able to use a displaylink type of adaptor on the USB port to provide a second display.

The idea is interesting, I'd be keen to explore the idea more.

Sorry for the delay replaying, I didn't get an email. Sure I subscribed, but maybe gmail decided to spam it? Anyway, yes as a general rule you would run the linux desktop environment on an external (read larger) screen making it much more useful. That allows Android to continue running on the gemini. However you can trigger the linux environment to start and access it using a vnc client, making it still usable when you're on the move.

I don't know whether the existing cable would normally allow twin head on android by default, but I'd imagine it ought to act as a separate display as far as x server (or equivalent) is concerned.

It would be pretty cool to ditch my current laptop (which I already use with an external display) and just have one device to rule them all. Full keyboard and mouse at home, everything else with me wherever I go.

I just need to find a way to justify the expense of buying something on a hunch that it might work.

Out of interest, do you know if the "device config source code" is available for Android? In order to build MaruOS for the specific device?

speculatrix

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Linux/Android at once? Can we use MaruOS?
« Reply #3 on: August 24, 2018, 06:08:17 am »
Quote from: CyberneticianDave
It would be pretty cool to ditch my current laptop (which I already use with an external display) and just have one device to rule them all. Full keyboard and mouse at home, everything else with me wherever I go.

I just need to find a way to justify the expense of buying something on a hunch that it might work.

Out of interest, do you know if the "device config source code" is available for Android? In order to build MaruOS for the specific device?


mithrandir  has built a kernel:
https://www.oesf.org/forum/index.php?showto...mp;#entry288927

so I would guess he can build the displaylink driver for his modular kernel?
Gemini 4G/Wi-Fi owner, formerly zaurus C3100 and 860 owner; also owner of an HTC Doubleshot, a Zaurus-like phone.