Linux desktop on Android

[Vasant]

Hi,

We have a new release of VolksPC OS based on Debian Buster XFCE. This release is completely portable and
can run on any rooted Android device. It behaves more like an Android application.
Here is a clip of VolksPC OS running on ODROID-N2:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbVtqfnRhwI&t=13s

And also on ODROID-C2:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNzru9WAoYg&t=17s

Vasant

[Truly]

Very interesting and now I'm thinking what can I use this for?

Got a rooted Google Nexus laying around with Linage OS 9, so I can use it to try this out.

[Vasant]

Sorry maybe my post was not very clear. It is portable but the Installer app still needs driver matched for the target platform. In other words there is not one solution that will cover every platform. In the Linux world drivers have to be matched to kernel versions.

[meveric]

as long as it doesn't have desktop hardware gpu acceleration it's a nice gimmick but not so useful in my opinion.

[Sav]

as long as it doesn't have desktop hardware gpu acceleration it's a nice gimmick but not so useful in my opinion.

I agree. The real step forward for the N2 must be a truly usable (and hardware accelerated) desktop OS.

[istanbulls]

I would love to try, but you only have the option to purchase. is not an experienced user and would love to know what I'm getting.

[rooted]

as long as it doesn't have desktop hardware gpu acceleration it's a nice gimmick but not so useful in my opinion.

It's still useful to run Linux services and such, nothing that can't already be done by other methods of course.

Hardware acceleration would make a huge difference in useabilty I agree.

[mad_ady]

Let's not forget that native linux on N2 doesn't have hardware acceleration yet, so, apart from maybe a few kernel differences, this hybrid approach should be as good as native linux for desktop. Also, the N2 is a beast and can play 1080p video in a browser without acceleration (I think).
One thing that might make integration better would be having xdg-open or the browser fire android intents - e.g. clicking on a youtube link could start and switch to the android youtube app.

[everlasting]

Also, the N2 is a beast and can play 1080p video in a browser without acceleration (I think).

it can play it and no dropped frames, but if you take the same video from youtube and play in in coreelec/android theres a big difference.
the browser experience is inferior

[meveric]

Let's not forget that native linux on N2 doesn't have hardware acceleration yet....

Well you can run hardware accelerated OpenGL Desktop applications to a certain degree, just not OpenGL ES Desktop applications

[Vasant]

Hi,

Most of us are in quarantine these days. From a geeks point of view, it is a good time to try out new technologies.
To that end we are making our ODROID-N2 VolksPC distribution available as a free download for evaluation purposes.
Just go to our home page volkspc dot org.

What is new with the latest release ?
1. Fixed many compatibility issues.
2. We switched to Chromium browser as it seems faster. Also Vivaldi browser works very well on the ODROID-N2.
3. We did our first port to a budget Android Phone Xiaomi Redme 6. Even this is available for free.

So stay safe and healthy and give our software a spin.

Vasant

[mad_ady]

Great work, vasant!

[m8kbv]

VolksPC: On LineageOS 16 after installing the program and downloading the image and clicking on start, the loading circle turns up and the message pops up to restart and try again. Either I do something wrong or there is a mistake on LineAgeOS. I have not tested on other versions of android because it was late.

[Vasant]

VolksPC: On LineageOS 16 after installing the program and downloading the image and clicking on start, the loading circle turns up and the message pops up to restart and try again. Either I do something wrong or there is a mistake on LineAgeOS. I have not tested on other versions of android because it was late.

I just tried the 64bit Lineage OS Version 0.3 release dated 2/22. It worked for me. Please make sure that root access is enabled for Apps and ADB. It is one of the settings in developer mode. If it still doesn't work I will need logcat output - logcat | grep VolksPC.

[m8kbv]

https://ibb.co/hW3NZPy
https://ibb.co/HFNTMqP
this is it? sorry for the form (I write with a smartphone).
root access for Apps and ADB Is enabled.

[Vasant]

I suspect that the root files system is corrupted. I have seen USB errors on ODROID-N2 when you transfer volkspcimg.zip which is a large file- about 1.4GB.
Try not to install it from USB drive. If you don't have SD slot free use adb - adb push volkspcimg.zip /sdcard/Download. From VolksPC Installer application uninstall current image
and install again. It will install from /sdcard/Download/volkspcimg.zip.

[Vasant]

We have updated the Debian rootfs (volkspcimg.zip) to support MESA 3D graphics. It is software rendered on the ODROID-N2 but the speed is quite impressive. Take a look:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-vRHIaoTwo&t=19s

[Vasant]

We have updated our Android release for ODROID-N2. With this release you can
cut and paste between Android and Linux desktop applications. Here is the clip
showing this is action:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CL9T1PWejok&t=6s


For this to work you will need an Android installation with touch screen support.

Regards
Vasant

[Vasant]

Hi,

VolksPC OS is now based on Debian Bullseye XFCE 4.16 and runs on ODROID-N2 with Voodik's Lineage OS 17.1
as well as Android-x86 Pie. Here is a clip:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDiwEIFn6-E&t=34s


If you are wondering about graphics performance of VolksPC desktop running on top of Android,
here is a detailed comparison:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXXOIvcm2ws&t=124s

You can download this release for both Android-x86 and LineageOS 17.1(ODROID-N2) from volkspc.org.

Thanks
Vasant