[ANDROID] Official Palmdroid Development Thread

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FAILHARD

Member
Aug 28, 2010
29
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Hello Cousins! I am creating a new thread for the official PalmDroid project. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, keep this new thread for only dev news and progress. We have created a new thread for three reasons. First off, the project starter roto-rooter, has been inactive for a while. Also, there hasn't been much ACTUAL dev news in the last thread. Finally, we feel like we would get more notoriety in this section than in the WebOS section.

After speaking with some of you it has become readily apparent that while many people are comfortable waiting for a full android release for the HP Touchpad, there are also quite a few people out there that do not want to switch to a full android OS but simply wish they could have access to the vast app collection that android has to offer.

For these people I offer a solution.

Palmdroid
palmdroidlogorev2.png


The Palmdroid project is going to be an ongoing development project to bring a Dalvik like port to the Palm/HP WebOS operating system.

The goals of this project are as follows:

1) to offer a Dalvik port to WebOS that allows for android app emulation as if they were native WebOS apps much like Alien Dalvik on the nokia n900 or the app emulator of the blackberry playbook

2) Share useful information throughout development with the Touchdroid team as to help them reach their end goals and avoid conflicting and overlapping work as well as to foster collaboration and new ideas to speed the project along.

3)If possible (either worked into the project from the start or through later additions) provide the emulator as a download through the WebOS homebrew App catalog.


Now with the goals outlined I'll move on to how this is going to get going and what needs to happen next.

1) First and foremost... I need volunteer developers. If you have experience with Dalvik, WebOS development, Android development, UI development, C++, Java, Etc. I would like you to PM me with details regarding what you can help with. I have some java and C++ experience as well as a ton of web dev and project management experience but with alot of this I am learning as I go and if this is going to get done with any sort of speed I NEED your help.

2) I will be setting up communication channels for the dev team to discuss what needs to be done, share work, etc.

3) I will be setting up a web page (an extension off of my own since I can't finance purchasing another hosting account or domain name right now) where there will be regular updates on the status of the project as well as a section for the dev team as a repository for project related research, source code bits, group status reports etc.

Until the aforementioned steps are met this thread will be used to offer info, updates, and discussion related to development of Palmdroid.

I hope to have the support of the community here as we move ahead... i know I am new around here but I am very passionate about making this happen.

WebOS is a great operating system... and Android has some amazing apps... won't it be an amazing world when you can have both!

The Team (so far):
Developers: SpencerElliott, cyrux004, pullathomas, Childofthehorn
Idea Creators: Roto-rooter, FAILHARD

Palmdroid Coming Soon
 
Last edited:

SpencerElliott

Senior Member
Oct 25, 2009
74
51
Toronto
I've been able to compile dalvikvm using the PDK toolchain but I still feel like all of the shared libraries (libdvm, libssl, etc) will need to be compiled using Palm's toolchain just to be safe. When I try to run dalvikvm on the device, I get a segmentation fault and I can't trace it back.

Code:
Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
0x2aab64c4 in _dl_relocate_object () from /lib/ld-linux.so.3

Progress is (slowly) being made though. :) Once dalvikvm isn't crashing, it should print out

Code:
Dalvik VM init failed (check log file)

And that means it's ready to accept bytecode (just needs to be configured first)

SEPT 15 UPDATE: Not much happened since the last update but I'm narrowing down what I believe are the issues with the segmentation fault.
 
Last edited:

SpencerElliott

Senior Member
Oct 25, 2009
74
51
Toronto
So I'm going back and compiling the different libraries needed for Dalvik (libssl, libz, libdvm, libdex, etc.) using the Palm PDK libraries. So far I have libdex compiling and I've been able to create a static library from it, so one of them down, a bunch to go.

I haven't pushed any of the code just yet because the folders are a mess right now and it isn't exactly usable but I should hopefully have some more libraries compiling before the weekend :)
 
Last edited:

Deltido

Senior Member
Oct 7, 2010
51
5
So I'm going back and compiling the different libraries needed for Dalvik (libssl, libz, libdvm, libdex, etc.) using the Palm PDK libraries. So far I have libdex compiling and I've been able to create a static library from it, so one of them down, a bunch to go.

I haven't pushed any of the code just yet because the folders are a mess right now and it isn't exactly usable but I should hopefully have some more libraries compiling before the weekend :)

Just wondering, what training did you need to acquire the knowledge you have in order to do this kind of work? Is it mostly self taught/hobby, or is there some course that can bring me to the basics for what I need know?
 

SpencerElliott

Senior Member
Oct 25, 2009
74
51
Toronto
Just wondering, what training did you need to acquire the knowledge you have in order to do this kind of work? Is it mostly self taught/hobby, or is there some course that can bring me to the basics for what I need know?

It's kind of a mixture of experimenting, my computer science major and being a huge Android fanboy :p I'd say that if you know how the Android platform runs on devices and all the underlying systems that run it you should be good to start looking at the source code.

Unfortunately, kernel.org is down right now so you'd have to find the source somewhere else but any help I could get with the project would be appreciated :)
 

anghelyi

Senior Member
Apr 25, 2008
347
210
It's kind of a mixture of experimenting, my computer science major and being a huge Android fanboy :p I'd say that if you know how the Android platform runs on devices and all the underlying systems that run it you should be good to start looking at the source code.

Unfortunately, kernel.org is down right now so you'd have to find the source somewhere else but any help I could get with the project would be appreciated :)

I started working on something similar for Bada just out of curiosity, But I'm struggleing with it as the Bada SDK is only available on windows and the Android sources can not be compiled under windows... Catch 22... I installed cygwin and set it to use the Bada SDK's gcc and things and installed the Java SDK on windows to have javac but I still has problems...
 
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yareally

Senior Member
Feb 19, 2011
1,444
229
codingcreation.com
It's kind of a mixture of experimenting, my computer science major and being a huge Android fanboy :p I'd say that if you know how the Android platform runs on devices and all the underlying systems that run it you should be good to start looking at the source code.

Unfortunately, kernel.org is down right now so you'd have to find the source somewhere else but any help I could get with the project would be appreciated :)

Android source was all ported to github for now.
 

SpencerElliott

Senior Member
Oct 25, 2009
74
51
Toronto
So, I'm starting to wonder if this project is still as feasible as it once was since OpenMobile is working on the very same idea but with more backing and a platform to stand under as of now.

I will continue to work on the project as much as I can if people would still like to see Palmdroid, but it seems moot to create two of the same product :S
 

pizzaboy192

Senior Member
Sep 15, 2010
387
124
Plymouth, MN, USA
So, I'm starting to wonder if this project is still as feasible as it once was since OpenMobile is working on the very same idea but with more backing and a platform to stand under as of now.

I will continue to work on the project as much as I can if people would still like to see Palmdroid, but it seems moot to create two of the same product :S

go for it. Openmobile won't be releasing to end users...
 

VenpaCasa

Senior Member
Apr 27, 2009
314
33
Dorchetser
Same here I'm rooting for u lol i wish I could help program but i know i can test the hell outta it i have a background in QA testing and bug fixing and reporting

Sent from Venpa's awesome 3VO!
 

cchase231

Member
Jul 26, 2011
44
6
SEMI
keep at it! I wish we could get you some help, I would except I havn't the slightest idea on how to program. I can however donate if/when the time comes, as i'm sure this is quite time consuming. Good luck with it and i'm sure that when you crack it you'll make lots of people very happy.
 

tolymatev

Senior Member
Feb 27, 2011
507
229
Greenville
guys.. join #PalmDroid on irc.freenode.net
SpencerElliott is there, show some support and if ur a dev stop by and ask what can you help with ... it will be appreciated by all the people waiting for this project to succeed..
thank you..
 
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mengesb

Senior Member
You guys need a git repo or gitorious code base for management? I run a few boxes with lots of spare space to help various projects out, including hosting mirrors for bandwidth. I'm willing to support this project.

Also - a little unrelated; does anyone know of an effort to support Apple iOS apps on Android? I vaguely remember there being something for that but I cannot find it anymore. I really want to play the Ascension game but it has only been released for Apple on iOS. Was hoping there was a port/vm someplace.
 

sednafx

Senior Member
Aug 11, 2011
359
127
Jacksonville
Also - a little unrelated; does anyone know of an effort to support Apple iOS apps on Android? I vaguely remember there being something for that but I cannot find it anymore. I really want to play the Ascension game but it has only been released for Apple on iOS. Was hoping there was a port/vm someplace.

You are thinking on iemu? HERE is the link. It is still a WIP with no release yet.
 
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sracercelica

Senior Member
May 6, 2008
208
26
Anaheim, CA
I don't know how to program at all, but I have been a webOS and android user for a while now and have fooled around with Linux.
I would love to see this project complete. I don't know how I can help.
I do have a very powerful PC so if you ever need processing power I can help.
 

mengesb

Senior Member
You are thinking on iemu? HERE is the link. It is still a WIP with no release yet.

An option I'm sure... A running VM with iOS certainly would fit the bill. Ultimately I was hoping of something more like 'here's an emulator to run iOS apps on Android' sort of thing; being that I have that wonderful TouchPad that will eventually have Android installed. Something similar would be PalmDroid in the fashion that Dalvik/Android apps will run on WebOS.

Thanks, I'll take a look into the project and freenode room.
 
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  • 38
    Hello Cousins! I am creating a new thread for the official PalmDroid project. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, keep this new thread for only dev news and progress. We have created a new thread for three reasons. First off, the project starter roto-rooter, has been inactive for a while. Also, there hasn't been much ACTUAL dev news in the last thread. Finally, we feel like we would get more notoriety in this section than in the WebOS section.

    After speaking with some of you it has become readily apparent that while many people are comfortable waiting for a full android release for the HP Touchpad, there are also quite a few people out there that do not want to switch to a full android OS but simply wish they could have access to the vast app collection that android has to offer.

    For these people I offer a solution.

    Palmdroid
    palmdroidlogorev2.png


    The Palmdroid project is going to be an ongoing development project to bring a Dalvik like port to the Palm/HP WebOS operating system.

    The goals of this project are as follows:

    1) to offer a Dalvik port to WebOS that allows for android app emulation as if they were native WebOS apps much like Alien Dalvik on the nokia n900 or the app emulator of the blackberry playbook

    2) Share useful information throughout development with the Touchdroid team as to help them reach their end goals and avoid conflicting and overlapping work as well as to foster collaboration and new ideas to speed the project along.

    3)If possible (either worked into the project from the start or through later additions) provide the emulator as a download through the WebOS homebrew App catalog.


    Now with the goals outlined I'll move on to how this is going to get going and what needs to happen next.

    1) First and foremost... I need volunteer developers. If you have experience with Dalvik, WebOS development, Android development, UI development, C++, Java, Etc. I would like you to PM me with details regarding what you can help with. I have some java and C++ experience as well as a ton of web dev and project management experience but with alot of this I am learning as I go and if this is going to get done with any sort of speed I NEED your help.

    2) I will be setting up communication channels for the dev team to discuss what needs to be done, share work, etc.

    3) I will be setting up a web page (an extension off of my own since I can't finance purchasing another hosting account or domain name right now) where there will be regular updates on the status of the project as well as a section for the dev team as a repository for project related research, source code bits, group status reports etc.

    Until the aforementioned steps are met this thread will be used to offer info, updates, and discussion related to development of Palmdroid.

    I hope to have the support of the community here as we move ahead... i know I am new around here but I am very passionate about making this happen.

    WebOS is a great operating system... and Android has some amazing apps... won't it be an amazing world when you can have both!

    The Team (so far):
    Developers: SpencerElliott, cyrux004, pullathomas, Childofthehorn
    Idea Creators: Roto-rooter, FAILHARD

    Palmdroid Coming Soon
    14
    I've been able to compile dalvikvm using the PDK toolchain but I still feel like all of the shared libraries (libdvm, libssl, etc) will need to be compiled using Palm's toolchain just to be safe. When I try to run dalvikvm on the device, I get a segmentation fault and I can't trace it back.

    Code:
    Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
    0x2aab64c4 in _dl_relocate_object () from /lib/ld-linux.so.3

    Progress is (slowly) being made though. :) Once dalvikvm isn't crashing, it should print out

    Code:
    Dalvik VM init failed (check log file)

    And that means it's ready to accept bytecode (just needs to be configured first)

    SEPT 15 UPDATE: Not much happened since the last update but I'm narrowing down what I believe are the issues with the segmentation fault.
    12
    So I'm going back and compiling the different libraries needed for Dalvik (libssl, libz, libdvm, libdex, etc.) using the Palm PDK libraries. So far I have libdex compiling and I've been able to create a static library from it, so one of them down, a bunch to go.

    I haven't pushed any of the code just yet because the folders are a mess right now and it isn't exactly usable but I should hopefully have some more libraries compiling before the weekend :)
    5
    Since no major progress has been made by the team in a long time, and lots of flaming and off topic talks going on in this thread.
    And we don't need any of that, especially in the dev section.

    I'm closing it.
    @OP : If you make some progress and want to publish it - just PM me, I shall restore the thread.

    4
    Just a quick question.

    Why do you guys want this so dearly? Why do you want to keep WebOS? For the task management? WebOS cards are nice, but you have equivalents on Android. As for the rest, running apps in CM7 on the Touchpad is sooooo much faster/nicer than on WebOS. WebOS is crippled with bugs and is far too slow for real use. CM7 really shows what a beast the Touchpad is.

    I've been running CM7 alpha since day1 and will never return to WebOS despite the fact that I have bought a few apps on the store. It's really night and day.

    This is a serious question. I'm not trying to troll, I'm just trying to understand. Porting Android on WebOS in cards is not an easy task, and I really can't understand why a developper would devote so much time to an OS that, in my opinion, really doesn't deserve it.

    Regards,

    To be blunt: I don't like Android.

    It's not that I haven't used it or that I don't like change... It's just that I honestly dislike the way that it works and how it feels.
    I've used a Galaxy Tab 7, a Dell Streak, and an Asus Transformer... but I didn't really have any sort of "wow" factor when I tried it. It was unimpressive and made me feel a little left out as to what was so great about it.
    I've used the phone version as well, but I've never seen anything that grabbed my attention there either. It's always felt like it was thrown together and never really fit right together.

    But that's just my opinion. I've never really liked it and haven't really had a need to replace the copy of Windows Mobile on my phone, or WebOS on my tablet. I just can't accept that they're really superior to what I am already using.

    If I can have a real reason to switch from WebOS to Android beyond the "thousands of apps" and the ability to use Netflix on my tablet, Then there isn't a reason for me. It's as simple as that. I would rather have android in a box and use it when I want, than have to reboot just to use a single feature of Android that WebOS doesn't have.

    -pizzaboy192