Run Android on PC: Google Android Mobile OS Live CD

Exploring Google's Android Platform Without a Smartphone

At MakeUseOf, a recent requirement to test applications for the Android platform arose, but not all team members possess compatible Google smartphones. If you lack a modern Android device, yet wish to experience the newest mobile OS, options are available.

Android Live CD: A Virtual Smartphone Experience

Previously, we detailed the Android SDK, a valuable resource for emulating the Android environment on a desktop computer. Alternatively, it’s feasible to transform your PC into a large-scale virtual smartphone utilizing the Android Live CD.

This provides a bootable version of the mobile operating system, enabling its use on virtually any computer.

Benefits for Developers and Consumers

For software developers, emulating the Android environment facilitates testing of new applications without the expense of purchasing the latest mobile hardware.

The opportunity to "try before you buy" is particularly appealing to consumers who prefer a cautious approach to purchasing decisions.

If you have a CD burner and the capability to boot from a CD, you can readily evaluate Google’s latest mobile platform.

Here's a summary of the advantages:

• Cost-Effective Testing: Developers can test without buying devices.
• Consumer Evaluation: Users can experience the OS before purchase.
• Accessibility: Works on any computer with CD boot capability.

Android Live CD offers a convenient solution for both technical professionals and everyday users interested in exploring the Android ecosystem.

Acquiring and Booting the Android Live CD

The Android platform, hosted on Google Code, offers several avenues for obtaining the most recent version. The downloads section provides a torrent link for the .ISO image file. Alternatively, a direct web download requires acquiring two separate files: liveandroidv0.3.iso.001 and liveandroidv0.3.iso.002.

Should you opt for the web download method, it’s necessary to combine the two files after their completion. Google suggests utilizing a lightweight, free application known as HJSplit, available for download here. Simply install the program, select the Join function, and choose the two downloaded files.

Users who download Android through the torrent will find a complete, burn-ready .ISO file immediately available.

Burning the ISO Image

Employ your preferred image-burning software to write the .ISO file onto a CD. For Windows users, ImgBurn is a recommended, cost-free option that performs the task efficiently.

Linux users may need to utilize Wine to run ImgBurn. Mac users can leverage the built-in OS X Disk Utility for burning the image.

Alternative: Booting from USB

If encountering difficulties with CD burning, consider writing the image to a USB drive using Universal Netboot Installer. This application is compatible with both Windows and Linux operating systems.

After launching the program, select Disk Image and locate your Android Live CD .ISO file. Then, choose the desired USB device and click OK. The image will be written to the USB drive, and a prompt to restart will appear upon completion.

Troubleshooting USB Booting

While version 0.3 of the Android Live CD was successfully booted via USB, Google doesn’t explicitly confirm USB compatibility for this version. If USB booting presents issues, revisit the downloads page.

Download liveandroidv0.2usb.iso.001 and liveandroidv0.2usb.iso.002. This provides version 0.2 of Android Live, requiring merging with HJSplit before writing to USB using the Universal Netboot Installer.

With your CD or USB drive prepared, you are now ready to begin!

Launching Android Live

Ensure your recently created CD or USB drive remains connected to your computer. A restart of your system is now required, with a modification to the boot order. You must configure your computer to prioritize the CD drive or Removable Device – depending on your chosen medium – so that Android is loaded before your main operating system.

Access the system setup during the boot process, typically by pressing F2 or Del. The specific key will be displayed briefly on screen ("Press x to Enter Setup"). Within the setup utility, adjust the boot device order to give precedence to your selected drive. Save these changes and exit (usually F10) to initiate another restart.

Provided the process is successful, your computer should recognize the Android operating system. You will then be presented with a choice between screen resolutions of 800x600 or 1024x768. If the Android operating system fails to load, your hardware may not be compatible. Consider utilizing the Android SDK as an alternative solution.

You can now explore the system, evaluate applications, and determine if Google’s mobile platform meets your expectations before committing to a new mobile plan.

Have you experimented with the Android Live CD? Did you opt for burning a CD or utilizing a USB drive? Did this experience influence your decision regarding your next smartphone purchase? Share your thoughts in the comments below!