OUYA: A $99 Android Linux Game Console

[Kivada]

I recently, just to see if it really works, installed Android x86 4.0-RC1 into Virtualbox. So now we have Android on a general purpose device, customizable. Does that make it a Linux in your definition?

Only half way there last I checked, can you run Android software on something else?

[johnc]

The point is you can't rate a system on it merely having similar kernels. Android as a whole is not conventional Linux. In Android I'm pretty much forced to use Java programs.

It's hard to say exactly what a "conventional" Linux is. Whose standards are you applying?

[TobiSGD]

The kernel is irrelevant if what is built upon it cannot be put on general purpose devices using the same kernel.

I recently, just to see if it really works, installed Android x86 4.0-RC1 into Virtualbox. So now we have Android on a general purpose device, customizable. Does that make it a Linux in your definition?

[e8hffff]

The one that "just works", of course. And considering how Ubuntu 12.04 is an unmitigated disaster on my desktop but my Android tablet and phone are generally trouble-free... I know which one I'm buying.

The point is you can't rate a system on it merely having similar kernels. Android as a whole is not conventional Linux. In Android I'm pretty much forced to use Java programs.

[e8hffff]

Just counting gflops doesn't really tell how stuff will look. Isn't it just better to look at, say,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBl-goBrWno

which admitedly is a showcase by nvidia themselves and thus not very objective. But from this i'd say.. not that impressive, but it is certainly capable hardware.

Exactly. Cycles can move mountains or carts. Also like mentioned these SoC are built around multi cores. Having 12 GPU cores is simply the default release specs for Tegra 3. I included a link to the might of the Tegra 3 compared to consoles and desktop gfx, and in 2013 to 2014 they believe they will archives xbo360 speeds. I'm not sure if those projection include a Tegra 4.

It's all subjective to the configuration.

[Kivada]

Sure, but i do count it as an NT kernel install. Isn't that similar to saying Android is a linux install, but not a full Ubuntu or GNU/Linux install? Seems like the same thing to me.

Because the kernel is irrelevant on a locked device. The kernel is irrelevant if what is built upon it cannot be put on general purpose devices using the same kernel.

Linux=only the kernel stopped being part of the lexicon over a decade ago. Just like the only people that say "GNU/Linux" are anal retentive douche bags. When you say Linux people think Ubuntu, Fedora, Mint, Gentoo, Arch. They don't think "OOOOooo... This washing machine runs the Linux kernel!" Why? Because what the washing machine runs means jack shit.

Seriously, you guys are like, I think it was RMS trying to argue that the GPL is not inherently communistic by design. It was some video a long time ago.

[stiiixy]

They stated that they want this machine to be open for developers, so it shouldn't be difficult to develop/port educational software for that. If there is a market for such software it shouldn't take a long time until such software is available.

Thank you, and I understand that; Ultimately what I was suggesting was going to that extra bit of effort for those with (approved?) educational goals; create a portal/live chat with higher priority for extra assistance, input from dev's (expensive, but I'm just putting out suggestions=) etc. Regardless, looks like a fun box!

[smitty3268]

It's like I equated to it before, an Xbox360 runs the NT kernel, does that count as a Windows install?

Sure, but i do count it as an NT kernel install. Isn't that similar to saying Android is a linux install, but not a full Ubuntu or GNU/Linux install? Seems like the same thing to me.

[Kivada]

Because you equal 'Linux' with a desktop distro?

Android uses Linux, so yes it's a 'Linux device' in that respect, particularly as a kernel is 'quite' an important part of an operating system.

That said it's probably not something to run around and shout from the rooftops about though, it's just a result of Linux being a very flexible and performant kernel which was just as true before it was used as the base for the Android operating system.

Unless you can do with it all that you can do on a standard distro and unless all software running on top of it can be ported to another distro IT'S NOT LINUX.

It's like I equated to it before, an Xbox360 runs the NT kernel, does that count as a Windows install? No, it does not. MOst digital "smart grid" electrical meters being installed in my area run WinCE, do they count as Windows? No.

Android is as much Linux as TiVO is Linux or the DVD player sitting under my TV is Linux. For what they do it means fuckall of nothing what kernel they use, be it Linux, BSD, RTOS, DOS, NT, it just doesn't matter, as they are incapable of being what you say they are.

[XorEaxEax]

But as I said, counting Android as a Linux install is like counting dead people in a census.

Because you equal 'Linux' with a desktop distro?

Android uses Linux, so yes it's a 'Linux device' in that respect, particularly as a kernel is 'quite' an important part of an operating system.

That said it's probably not something to run around and shout from the rooftops about though, it's just a result of Linux being a very flexible and performant kernel which was just as true before it was used as the base for the Android operating system.