You are reading the article Battle Of Android Desktops: Android X86 V Bliss V Phoenix Os V Primeos updated in December 2023 on the website Achiashop.com. We hope that the information we have shared is helpful to you. If you find the content interesting and meaningful, please share it with your friends and continue to follow and support us for the latest updates. Suggested January 2024 Battle Of Android Desktops: Android X86 V Bliss V Phoenix Os V Primeos
The Android desktop scene is relatively new, with a handful of distributions like in the early days of Linux. In theory, Android desktops should provide a new way of using your PC, with a conventional desktop harnessing the enormous Android ecosystem. That’s the idea at least. But how do they stack up really? We put the four main players to the test to decide which Android desktop is the best.
What Is Android Desktop?Before we dive into comparing Android desktops, let’s talk about what they actually are. If your first thought is your computer will look like your mobile phone, you’re pretty much right. Basically, the system itself is similar to what’s on Android smartphones but designed to work with desktop/laptop hardware and environment.
Despite the word “desktop,” an Android desktop is a full operating system, just like Linux or Windows. You can run it as your only operating system, dual boot it, or even create a Live CD (or USB) to run the OS independently without installing anything on your computer.
Who Can Use It?Typically, Android systems are made to work with Windows PC hardware, though they may also work well with Linux systems. Most are not made to natively install on Macs, though. For Macs, you’d be best to use a Live CD/USB option or try an Android emulator.
While each desktop has its own requirements, they’re usually made to function well on older PCs, so you’re not going to need the same higher-end requirements as Windows 11 does. Ideally, you’ll need 8GB to 20GB for the system itself. You can often get by with 1GB RAM.
What’s the Point?There are two main purposes of Android desktops. First, an Android OS requires far less resources than Windows and more robust Linux systems. This makes it perfect for breathing life back into an old desktop or laptop.
Secondly, they can come in handy if you just want to enjoy your favorite Android apps on a larger screen, such as games and productivity apps. Since some apps are mobile-only, Android desktops give you the chance to use them on your computer versus just a smartphone or tablet.
1. Android-x86Some years back, not many saw the appeal of using Android on a PC. That was because of Android-x86 – one of the few options back then. It used to be the vanilla build, bare-bones, no-frills choice. The newer Android-x86, however, is based on Lineage OS, with no attempt to hide it, with giant Lineage logos appearing throughout its setup. Its cool splash screen does add a little panache.
Android-x86 used to be difficult to navigate without a touch-screen, but now it comes with Taskbar as standard, a desktop menu popularized by Bliss OS. Users can still choose a touch-style interface if desired (Trebuchet), which breaks down your apps into a nice alphabetical system and adds a close button to apps when multitasking.
App-wise, you get AudioFX, a browser, YouTube and a few other apps, but this is still a pretty barebones system. You won’t get very far without logging into Google Play and grabbing what you need from there.
One thing we’re unsure of is its “Sleep” function. There’s no obvious “Sleep” button anywhere, and although it at least disabled the screens of our test laptops when we closed the lids, their fans were still running. Other reports suggest it suspends fine, though, so we’ll give them the benefit of the doubt.
In the last few years, Android-x86 has gone from being just a smartphone x86 port to becoming a viable desktop solution. It is still pretty minimalist, but it works. There are no nasty surprises waiting for you, no junkware, and it should work on any virtual machine without too many problems.
2. Bliss OSThe Bliss team has been at the forefront of Android desktop development for a number of years. Run by a team of volunteers, they have a vision of a synchronized OS spread across multiple devices and form factors. If you want to know which features will be in other Android distros in coming years, you can give Bliss a try.
Its interface is innovative and extremely engaging, letting you switch at will between a desktop system and a touch-style interface. Experimental Vulkan support is also available, along with a “Blissify” option that lets you fine-tune your GUI in minute detail. Firefox is also preinstalled, and the good news is that it suspends properly.
Some older releases were notoriously unstable – even the menu itself wouldn’t always load properly. The current release appears to be more stable than previous versions, so the Bliss team may be reigning back the innovation a little in favor of tightening up the code.
Bliss certainly has its fans, and some hardware seems to work well – especially touch devices like the Surface Pro. Older versions didn’t function as well with a keyboard and mouse, but newer versions seem to work better. If you’re interested in Bliss, now is a good time to check it out – just be prepared for some possible glitches.
3. Phoenix OSWere it not for Chinese data concerns, it could probably be deployed on a large scale. It’s definitely worth considering, but that junkware makes us nervous.
4. PrimeOSOf all these systems, PrimeOS is the fastest and smoothest, giving the best first impression with an almost Scandinavian level of tasteful minimalism. Unique to PrimeOS is its “Native Bridge” feature, which uses native ARM libraries to allow better compatibility between ARM and x86 systems. This makes it the winner here when it comes to successfully running apps.
The Prime team have put an emphasis on gaming with their “DecaPro Gaming Center.” This has specific game optimizations to map touch-screen controls to the mouse and keyboard, which will be especially popular with those who like PUBG Mobile.
However, it’s also a massive letdown due to its broken “Sleep” function. When we tried to suspend the machine, the screen simply went black while the backlight stayed on, and machines with mechanical hard disks emitted an awful noise that had us reaching for the power button. Furthermore, PrimeOS isn’t open source, and documentation is severely lacking.
On the off chance you don’t need a “Sleep” function, PrimeOS would make the nicest package. However, this is unlikely among Android users who will probably be using some kind of portable device that needs to be quickly switched off.
Winner of Best Android DesktopAndroid-x86, but not by much. It’s not fancy, but it will provide the best results on average for the greatest number of people – and probably with the least hassle. If you want something more sophisticated, try one of the other distros.
Runners-UpThe above options are your best choices for an Android desktop, but there are a few runners-up that you may also want to consider.
Remix OS – Several years ago, Remix OS would’ve easily been the winner on this list, but active development ended in 2023. The last version is Android Marshmallow. However, if you have an older PC and enjoy Android Marshmallow, it’s worth checking out.
FydeOS – If you want something that’s a bit of a mix between ChromeOS and Android, FydeOS is a good choice. Since it’s not a true Android desktop, it’s not covered in more detail. Also, it’s only for 64-bit PCs.
Anbox – Anbox is a container Android system designed to run on Linux. It’s more of a virtual machine than a standalone OS. However, it’s a great way to see if you want to use an Android desktop before changing your Linux system.
Frequently Asked Questions Isn’t an Android desktop the same as ChromeOS?No. ChromeOS is only designed to work on specific hardware and is mainly for web access. You’re also limited to the Chrome Web Store apps. While there are similarities to Android, ChromeOS isn’t identical to what you might use on your smartphone.
Android desktops give you more options, such as more apps from the Google Play Store. Plus, you can dual-boot with an existing OS, replace your current system, or boot from an external source. Think of Android desktops as being more flexible and compatible with far more devices.
If you want a quick and easy setup that’s regularly updated and may be more secure overall, ChromeOS on a Chromebook is the simplest approach. But, if you want to use an existing device and have more customization options, an Android desktop is best.
Are Android desktops secure?Consider an Android desktop to have the same security as an Android smartphone or tablet. Using a desktop that’s regularly updated is your best option to prevent security flaws. However, the apps you use and the sites you visit can all compromise your system’s security – just as with any operating system.
What should I do if I just want to test an Android desktop?If you just want to take an Android desktop for a test drive, you don’t want to wipe your hard drive first. Instead, install the desktop on a Live CD or USB drive and boot from that. You’ll get to see how the desktop system functions without changing anything on your PC.
On the other hand, if you just want to use Android apps on Windows without a dedicated Android OS, see how Windows 11 lets you do just that.
Image credit: Pexels
Crystal Crowder
Crystal Crowder has spent over 15 years working in the tech industry, first as an IT technician and then as a writer. She works to help teach others how to get the most from their devices, systems, and apps. She stays on top of the latest trends and is always finding solutions to common tech problems.
Subscribe to our newsletter!
Our latest tutorials delivered straight to your inbox
Sign up for all newsletters.
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and European users agree to the data transfer policy. We will not share your data and you can unsubscribe at any time.
You're reading Battle Of Android Desktops: Android X86 V Bliss V Phoenix Os V Primeos
Open Delta Connection Or V
If one transformer of delta-delta connected transformer bank is damaged or opened, then rest of the system will continue to supply the 3-phase power. If this damaged transformer is isolated, the remaining two transformers will function as a 3-phase bank with rating reduced to about 58 % that of the original delta-delta bank. This type of arrangement is known as open-delta or V-V connection.
Therefore, in the case of open-delta or V-V connection, two instead of three 1-phase line voltage and 120° displaced in time from the other two secondary voltages. Therefore, if the balanced 3-phase supply is connected to the primary windings of the open-delta connection, the balanced three-phase voltages are produced on the secondary sides, when the leakage impedances are negligible.
Open-Delta Connection Calculations and FormulaeIf V_{2} and I_{2} are the rated secondary voltage and rated secondary current respectively of the delta-delta connected transformer. Then, the line current to the load of a delta connected system is √3𝐼_{2}. Therefore, the normal delta load VA is,
$$mathrm{𝑆_{triangle−triangle} = √3 × line:voltage × line:current}$$
$$mathrm{Rightarrow:𝑆_{triangle−triangle} = √3 × 𝑉_{2}× (√3𝐼_{2}) = 3𝑉_{2}𝐼_{2} … (3)}$$
Now, one transformer is removed, the delta-delta connection becomes open-delta connection and the lines are in series with the windings of the transformer. Thus, the secondary line currents is equal to the rated secondary current. Therefore, the load VA carried by the opendelta connection without exceeding the ratings of the transformer is,
$$mathrm{𝑆_{V−V} = √3 𝑉_{2} 𝐼_{2} … (4)}$$
Therefore,
$$mathrm{frac{𝑆_{V−V}}{𝑆_{triangle−triangle}}=frac{√3 𝑉_{2} 𝐼_{2}}{3 𝑉_{2} 𝐼_{2}}=frac{1}{√3}= 0.577}$$
$$mathrm{Rightarrow S_{V-V}=57.7% :of:S_{triangle-triangle}::::…(5)} $$
Hence, the load that can be carried by an open-delta transformer without exceeding the ratings of it is 57.7 % of the original load that is carried by the normal delta-delta transformer bank.
Also,
$$mathrm{frac{VA:per:transformer}{Total:3 − phase:VA}=frac{𝑉_{2} 𝐼_{2}}{√3 𝑉_{2} 𝐼_{2}}=frac{1}{√3} = 0.577… (6)}$$
From the eq. (6), it is clear that the VA supplied by each transformer in an open-delta system is also 57.7 % of the total 3-phase VA.
Now, if three 1-phase transformers are connected in delta-delta fashion and supplying rated load. As soon as it becomes an open-delta transformer, the current in each winding is increased by √3 times, i.e., full line current flows in each of the remaining two phase windings of the transformer. Hence, each transformer in the open-delta system is overloaded by 73.2%. Therefore, it is an important precaution that the load should be reduced by √3 times in the case of V-V connection of the transformers. Otherwise, the remaining two transformers may breakdown due to overheating.
Power Supplied by Open-Delta (V-V) Connected TransformerWhen an open-delta bank of two transformers supplies a balanced three phase load of power factor cos φ, then the phase angle between the line voltage and the line current in one transformer is (30°+φ) whereas the phase angle between the line voltage and the line current in the other transformer is (30°-φ). Hence, one transformer operates at a power factor of cos(30°+φ) and the other at cos(30°-φ). Therefore, the power supplied by the transformers is given by,
$$mathrm{𝑃_{1} = 𝑉_{𝐿} 𝐼_{𝐿}:cos(30° + φ)}$$
$$mathrm{𝑃_{2} = 𝑉_{𝐿} 𝐼_{𝐿}:cos(30° – φ)}$$
The total power supplied by the transformers is
$$mathrm{𝑃 = 𝑃_{1} + 𝑃_{2} = 𝑉_{𝐿} 𝐼_{𝐿 }cos(30° + φ) + 𝑉_{𝐿} 𝐼_{𝐿}:cos(30° − φ)}$$
$$mathrm{Rightarrow: 𝑃 = 𝑉_{𝐿} 𝐼_{𝐿} (cos:30°:cos:φ − sin:30°:sin φ + cos :30°:cos:φ + sin 30°:sin φ)}$$
$$mathrm{Rightarrow: 𝑃 = 2 𝑉_{𝐿} 𝐼_{𝐿}:cos :30°:cos:φ}$$
$$mathrm{Rightarrow 𝑃 = √3 𝑉_{𝐿} 𝐼_{𝐿 }cos:φ … (7)}$$
At the load of unity power factor i.e.
$$mathrm{cos φ = 1 Rightarrow: φ = 0°}$$
Hence, the power supplied by each transformer is
$$mathrm{𝑃_{1} = 𝑃_{2} = 𝑉_{𝐿} 𝐼_{𝐿}:cos 30° =frac{√3}{2}𝑉_{𝐿} 𝐼_{𝐿} … (8)}$$
Applications of the Open Delta or V-V ConnectionFollowing are the applications in which open-delta system is used −
As a temporary measure, when one transformer of a delta-delta bank is damaged and removed for maintenance.
The V-V connected transformers are used to supply a combination of large 1-phase and where the full growth of load requires several years. In such cases, an open-delta system is installed in the initial stage and whenever the need arises at a future date to accommodate the growth in the power demand, a third transformer is added for deltadelta operation. This third transformer increases the capacity of the bank by 73.2%.
Vsn Mobil V.360 Camera Review
VSN Mobil V.360 Camera Review
The V.360 camera presents a fairly remarkable media-capturing proposition: the ability to capture panoramic (360-degree) videos or photographs with one tap. No stitching, no multiple-shot photography necessary. This system uses a mirror, instead, as well as a 4K/16 megapixel image sensor. You’re using a fixed f/3.0 aperture here and you’ve got the ability to capture up to 6480 x 1080 HD video at 30FPS or up to 7-megapixel photos (that’s 6480 x 1080 as well). What we’re doing in this initial review is checking image and video quality – we’ll be getting more hardcore in the near future.
Apps on both Android and iOS provide a rather large space for this device to perform in. Chances are you’ve got one or the other. The media you get from the device comes flat – you’ll see what I mean by flat soon – but you can also view it as it was meant to be viewed in-app.
You can view your captured media OR live content in your iOS or Android app.
This app also allows you to crop video in a very basic way, and to see your content as a tube or as a scroll-able image. To view this scroll-able image, you’ll have only to turn your phone or tablet on its side, to landscape mode.
Above you’ll see what I see when the camera is pointed – live – at me. This is a screenshot from my HTC One, not a photo taken with the V.360. Pulling left or right on this screen in the app on the phone shows any point in the 360-degrees of capture from the camera.
You can also view your captured media in a desktop player for OS X or Windows. All of these applications are, of course, free.
The viewer app for your desktop is just that – made for viewing media, not necessarily doing much with said media besides that. You can view files from your desktop or through the web, viewable by pasting a URL in a slot in the app’s menu.
The video output without this viewer is two 180-degree views, one on top of the other.
Have a peek at our driving video here – and take note that this device doesn’t do a whole lot in the way of muffling the sound of wind.
Next you’ll see a selection of photos taken with the camera.
Above you’ll see a photo taken with the device on top of my car. This will be the best-case scenario for the camera as it’s being held still. The above photo is cut from the full scene captured by the device, expanded below:
The first several photos you see here are going to be a bit dim. These photos weren’t taken on a bright, sunny day, they were taken on a bit of a gloomy, winter day. Because of this, the camera is going to need to shine with auto-adjustments in brightness and contrast.
Unfortunately, the V.360 isn’t particularly good at making a dim day look fabulously appealing.
Taking photos sideways – not just the recommended super-flat – results in some interesting shots. Not that you’d want to go out of your way to shoot like this, but if you did, here’s what you’d get.
Next you’ll see one of the cooler applications of the photos you’ll be taking with the v.360 – Google Maps “Street View”. Of course this isn’t a photo taken from the street, and it’s better categorized in Google’s Photospheres collection – Views, it’s just called now.
To create an embeddable Panorama or Photosphere like we’ve got above, you’ll have only to follow Google’s Instructions. You’ll be submitting said photo to Google’s collection of shots for Google Maps, too.
NOTE: This is just the beginning. Once it gets a bit nicer outside we’ll be taking additional shots to show you how this device performs through the seasons. Let us know what you’d like us to shoot!
The camera comes with a remote control unit that runs on two AAA batteries. You’ll be able to use this controller to turn the camera on and off, take a photo, and take a video.
On top of the camera you’ll find a bubble level – a tried and true super-simple solution for you to use to stay flat.
Inside the bottom of the camera you’ll find a single removable battery. Charging this device and transferring data requires that you use an (included) USB 3.0 cord.
You’ll also need to make use of the microSD card slot for data storage – this also allowing you to transfer photos and video using your own microSD transfer device, if you wish. You can also output using the device’s build-in HDMI port.
The VSN Mobil V.360 Camera will cost you a cool $399 USD should you choose to pick one up right this minute. This camera includes the Bluetooth remote control you see above, a microfiber carrying case, the aforementioned battery (2160 mAh large), and a USB 3.0 cable. You’ll also get a wall charger to plug your USB 3.0 cord into, a waterproof battery door, silicone sleeve, adhesive dash mount, and a GoPro mount adapter.
Is this device the way of the future, or is it just a gimmick? For now, we can safely say it’s the start of something really, really great. The ability to capture a full view – more than the human eye can take in all at once – that’s magical.
And that’s what we like. Technology that creates an environment in which what we’re perceiving seems so far out, it’s magic.
Honor Magicbook V 14, The World’s First Win11 Laptop Announced
Honor MagicBook V 14 Appearance And ScreenThe MagicBook V 14 notebook continues the aesthetic genes of the Honor MagicBook family. It uses aviation-grade aluminum alloy material + metal anode technology. There are three color options you can choose from: dawn blue, starry gray and glacier silver.
As for the display itself, there is a 14.2-inch LTPS mirror screen with a 3:2 ratio and a resolution of up to 2520×1080. The display boasts of a 90Hz high refresh rate, a brightness of 400nits, 1.07 billion colors, and a 100% sRGB high color gamut.
Performance And HardwareUnder Honor’s optimization, the CPU of MagicBook V 14 notebook can release up to 45W or more performance.
Apart from doing any task, it is also ideal for gaming. The MagicBook V 14 notebook is equipped with the Intel Xe architecture core display by default. The graphics performance is 87% higher than the previous generation core display. Plus, it comes with the NVIDIA MX450 high-performance independent display.
Our protagonist sports a 16GB LPDDR4X-4266 high-frequency memory, a full range of PCIe SSD hard drives, and so on.
In terms of heat dissipation, the MagicBook V 14 has upgraded the latest heat dissipation technology. Now, it comes with a wing-shaped large-diameter double heat pipe design. There are 9 sensors to fully and accurately monitor the system heat. It can release 45W+ TDP performance, and the noise under low load does not exceed 22dBA.
Gizchina News of the weekJoin GizChina on Telegram
Camera And Other FeaturesThe MagicBook V 14 notebook this time focuses on improving the currently urgently needed audio and video conferencing capabilities. For the first time, it sports a 5-megapixel high-definition ultra-wide-angle dual camera. The latter supports 1440p-level resolution, and the picture quality is 4 times that of ordinary cameras. Apart from this, the camera supports 90-degree ultra-wide-angle shooting. So there will be no death perspective in the meeting.
In addition, it also has an IR camera, which supports face unlocking. It only takes 1.8 seconds under dark light to unlock the laptop.
We also get 4 microphones and 4 speakers system. The audio effects are also very powerful. So the laptop is not only ideal for conference, but also the surround sound is also very suitable for playing games.
This model of Honor laptop keyboard has a 1.5mm keystroke, and the keycaps are coated with skin-friendly resin. It is stain-resistant and wear-resistant, ensuring that keyboard grease will not be printed on the screen.
The fingerprint power key is transplanted to the keyboard area. It can unlock the laptop in 0.7 seconds. The NFC antenna is also transplanted to the touchpad area.
Honor MagicBook V 14 BatteryIn terms of battery, the MagicBook V 14 notebook comes with a large 60Wh battery, which has a video playback life of up to 15 hours. It also supports fast charging. So the laptop can charge 45% of the battery in half an hour. The 65W charging head is not only as light as 160 grams, but also compatible with mobile phones.
SystemAs for system and software, the MagicBook V 14 notebook is the first batch to come with the Microsoft Win11 system out of the box. The screen touch is also fully adapted to the new system, bringing more convenient three-finger and four-finger operations.
The MagicBook V 14 notebook also supports Honor’s multi-screen collaboration of up to 3 windows. PCs and mobile phones can share files and devices without a data cable. After the upgrade, they can even collaborate with devices such as tablets to expand work and content creation possibility.
In other respects, the MagicBook V 14 notebook supports Wi-Fi 6, Thunderbolt 4 interface, Intel EVO certification and so on.
Price And AvailabilityFinally, the MagicBook V 14 notebook Core i5 version is priced at 6199 yuan ($959), the Core i5 + MX450 standalone version is priced at 6999 yuan ($1082), and the Core i7 + MX450 standalone version is priced at 7999 yuan ($1237). They are already on pre-sale and will hit the market on October 6.
Mobile Os Showdown: Android, Blackberry, Ios, And Windows Phone 7
Ladies and gentlemen, we are witnessing the most anticipated match in the history of smartphones for the heavyweight championship of the world. Are you ready? For those watching around the world, let’s get ready to rumble!
Gladiators, Step ForthAndroid: They say it takes a village to raise a child, and Android is a great example. It’s parented not only by Google but also by the members of the Open Handset Alliance, many of whom are among the biggest, baddest companies in the world. It’s no wonder that this puppy is tearing through everyone else’s market share. Android first appeared on a phone in October 2008.
BlackBerry: The veteran of the four, the BlackBerry OS hails from Research in Motion. When they debuted in 1999, BlackBerry devices were little e-mail machines, and that was pretty much it. Now running on OS version 6, with 7 on the horizon, they can do a lot more.
iOS: The first iPhone was born in June 2007 to Apple. What was then known as “iPhone OS” in 2010 changed its name to iOS to incorporate the iPad, iPod Touch, and Apple TV. Coveted by yuppies, hipsters, and pretty much everyone else, iOS looks tough to beat.
Windows Phone 7 (WP7): The rookie. The successor to Windows Mobile OS (and Symbian’s usurper), Windows Phone 7 is Microsoft’s newborn, first appearing in November 2010. Windows Phone 7 was a major shift in focus from the business world to the consumer world, and Microsoft temporarily dropped support for many business features to get this first iteration out. Adoption has been slow, but now that Microsoft has partnered with Nokia, some analysts are predicting a growth spurt. As one might expect from the youngest OS, many features are still missing, but a number of those omissions should be addressed in this fall’s “Mango” update.
Now, contenders, return to your corners and come out swinging!
The BattlesApple’s App Store has the most apps available for a phone (nearly 380,000), but soon it will be overtaken by the Android Market (about 300,000), perhaps this summer. Android has already overtaken iOS in the number of free apps. BlackBerry App World hovers somewhere around 30,000 apps, but it is expected that before turning a year old, the Windows Phone 7 Marketplace (currently about 18,000 apps) will surpass it later this year.
Windows Phone 7 apps work best when they try to match the aesthetics and flow of that interface, but otherwise tend to fall on their faces. Windows Phone 7 is still young, though, and many of these kinks should be worked out over time. Third-party apps can’t multitask at this point, and they don’t feel deeply integrated; however, such shortcomings will be fixed with Mango.
Apps Winner: iOS gets the win here, with Android close behind.
Productivity and Business Apps:
The vast majority of U.S. businesses work in Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as with Microsoft Exchange (a server for e-mail, calendar, contacts, and tasks). Microsoft Office Mobile on Windows Phone 7 has all that and more. Office files are easy to work with, and can be synced using SharePoint.
Apple’s excellent iOS productivity suite, iWork, is now available for the iPhone. The App Store is also packed with third-party productivity apps, which range from fantastic to terrible. Exchange integration in iOS is decent. Android and iOS 4, by the way, both allow their devices to be used as Wi-Fi hotspots, which can be a life-saver.
BlackBerry is also relegated to third-party apps for dealing with Office files–including Documents to Go. Blackberry App World is relatively miniscule, though there are gems, such as RIM’s BlackBerry Mobile Conferencing. That said, BlackBerry’s Exchange integration is second to none–if your business is running BlackBerry Exchange Server (BES). BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS)–the server that’s more for consumers–will sync e-mail but not contacts, calendars, tasks, or notes. The other OSs do this without making you pay (BES is about $15 a month more than BIS).
Productivity and Business Apps Winner: Windows Phone 7 wins, thanks to Microsoft Office Mobile.
BlackBerry e-mail is fast and reliable; plus, it can funnel all of your accounts–and your SMS and BlackBerry Messenger messages–within a single inbox. E-mail on the other three operating systems looks cleaner, but I’ll take functionality first.
Android and iOS offer integrated inboxes that combine multiple accounts, whereas Windows Phone 7 keeps them separate (again, this will change with Mango). Interestingly, on Android your Gmail account gets its own app rather than being integrated into the single mailbox.
E-mail Winner: E-mail on any OS works well with Exchange, but BlackBerry wins.
Windows Phone 7 has the best-looking calendar tool of any mobile OS, and it can sync with multiple calendars from different sources. It’s not without limitations, however. For example, it can sync only with your main Google calendar.
Android and iOS have straightforward, easy-to-read calendars. They aren’t as pretty as Windows Phone 7’s, but they can handle virtually all of the same tasks, as well as multiple Google calendars. Naturally, Android handles Google Calendar better than the rest, but iOS is almost as good (though you may have to go through a few extra steps to use multiple calendars).
BlackBerry’s calendar does most of what the others do, but it doesn’t look as good. It has trouble with multiple Google calendars, and if you want it to sync with Exchange you need BES, as BIS can sync only e-mail. This should change to serve the consumer market.
Contacts:
All four operating systems deal with contacts fairly well, supporting multiple Exchange accounts and allowing you to integrate contacts from different Exchange accounts. But again, with BlackBerry, you can wirelessly sync contacts only if you’re on a BES server or use third-party software.
Contacts Winner: Android gets the nod for merging contacts wirelessly from multiple e-mail accounts and Exchange accounts, as well as Facebook and Twitter. If you already rely on Gmail, though, Android is a clear winner.
VNC stands for Virtual Network Computing. It means, essentially, the capability to control a computer remotely, via the Internet, from another computer or mobile device. It’s handy in a pinch, less so on devices with smaller screens and slower processsors. Android and iOS have the most and the best VNC options, with LogMeIn Ignition at the forefront. For Windows Phone 7, Remote Desktop is the most popular. BlackBerry falls behind; the few VNC clients built for it have low user ratings. The most popular is VNC Plus, but don’t expect too much if you’re using devices with smaller screens and slower processors.
Remote Control and VNC Winner: Android and iOS tie.
Keyboards:
One big reason to buy a BlackBerry phone is for its hardware keyboard. Touchscreen keyboards on BlackBerrys, however, are nothing to write home about.
The native keyboard standard in Android is decent, but the option to install third-party keyboards is great. Options include the sliding keyboards Swype or SlideIT, and the almost spooky text-prediction of SwiftKey.
Keyboards Winner: Android rules this hard-fought category.
From a business standpoint, BlackBerry remains the gold standard in security. All of the operating systems have remote-wipe capabilities, can set unlock passwords, and can help you find a lost device, but BlackBerry has more end-to-end data encryption than the others–including encryption for removable storage.
Windows Phone 7 lags a bit, though more security features will come with Mango. It’s worth noting that third-party iOS and Android apps often share more information than you would like, so read the permissions before you install. (For a more in-depth analysis, check out this PCWorld Business Center article on smartphone security.)
Security Winner: The BlackBerry OS locks it down.
What Is Fuchsia Os And How Is It Different From Android?
Google always has many projects up its sleeve, but only a few, special ones get the honor of being carried over for commercial development. One such special project is Fuchsia OS, which has been out in the public since 2023 but has only had little to no interest from consumers. It is an operating system which is meant to unify the entire ecosystem of gadgets under a single umbrella. Fuchsia OS is designed to work on not only smartphones or desktops, but also operate any smart device part of an IoT network and Google seemingly wants to offer you a similar unified experience across all platforms just like Apple. And, this will be even more effective with the rise of faster mobile communication through 5G.
At its core, Fuchsia OS will be independent of the hardware specifications, offering a uniform experience across all devices. Using a modular approach, manufacturers will be able to choose Fuchsia elements selectively based on the device while developers could push smaller updates only to implement new features. Besides providing a uniform operating interface, Fuchsia could even assume the role of a single operating system governing over all the machines, eventually.
While this might have given you sufficient hint that Google is planning to replace Android with Fuchsia and even meld Chrome OS along with it, this article will take you through the details about the in-the-works OS and how Google is trying to take the technology world by a storm with it. Let’s start by learning about what role Google has in mind for the operating system, as well as the ideas that gave birth to the idea.
About Fuchsia OS Why Fuchsia?Apple might be best known for its iPhones and the Mac, but it has many more software tricks up its sleeve than it is revered for. It’s the exclusivity of its software that has not only helped Apple maintain a strong lead in the industry but also aided it to bounce back after the management stand-off that resulted in founder Steve Jobs being fired from his own company. Now, Google is trying to achieve that but it is doing so differently i.e. by swearing by the principles of open source.
The brainchild of Google developers, Fuchsia, is expected to take over a major chunk of all the smart machines and gadgets in the near future. It is this uniformity across imaginably all platforms that will ensure that users don’t feel alienated when they switch to a new smartphone brand or go from browsing the web or using the same app on one device to another. Smart speakers, security cameras, thermostats, air or water purifiers, helper robots, robots helping the helper robots – virtually anything smart you can think of will have the same user experience, irrespective of its shape or form.
Designed for Audio InteractionsWhile having a greater monopoly over its software be great for Google financially, another major reason for choosing infant Fuchsia over an amended version of Android is that the new OS will be focused on interactions that leverage a voice-based experience, instead of one relying on touch. This means that Fuchsia will even be suitable for devices with displays that may or may not support a touch interface – or even a display.
In this age of virtual aides, voice has taken the center stage and Google Assistant has been among the frontrunners. It has gained amazing functionalities including the ability to take mundane or basic calls on users’ behalf. These capabilities are likely to be the building blocks for Fuchsia. Moreover, this focus on voice – and not touch – gives the tech giant the liberty to implement visual elements without worrying if they are well optimized per screen size and shape.
Starting Fresh Instead of UpdatingWhile Google already dropped the vile APIs in 2023 itself, moving to a new ecosystem which is far from the ghost of Java, as well as Oracle, will not only give Google more liberty to explore and flourish but also wipe the slate clean with Oracle – maybe. Besides this, Google is using its own kernel called “Zircon” instead of Linux kernels used in Android to stay away from Linux and remain focussed in a niche created by itself.
Besides this, Fuchsia OS will also allow Google to counter the problem of devices running on outdated software and we’ll learn about its possibility in the next section.
Zircon KernelPart of the fresh approach that Fuchsia is a product of is the new kernel used for the operating system. This kernel is called Zircon and is coded in C++, instead of C which is used to write Linux kernels. Essentially, Zircon is a microkernel which, in layman terms, will manage software-hardware interactions better and offer more efficiency in terms of utilization of resources such as processing power and network speeds.
Zircon will also be updated on a regular basis, unlike a Linux kernel, which is only written to meet the requirements of the hardware, so that devices are instantly compatible with the latest updates.
Fuchsia OS: A Modular ApproachFuchsia uses a modular approach which means that instead of being one big stack of code, it will be segmented into building blocks or “packages”. Everything, including system files, will be made up of these smaller chunks aka packages, which, in turn, can also be made up of even smaller “components”. These components will comprise only the code needed to accomplish a single task. By itself, a component cannot accomplish much but when grouped with other components, the cadre will be able to execute a process. Further, there will two types of components – “agents”, which work in the background, and “modules” which will be visible to the users.
All of this, although p`romising, also requires both co-operation and zeal from developers since this modular approach is crucial to the uniform experience Fuchsia vouches for.
Modular Filesystems
read-only
temporary in-memory (for RAM)
a persistent filesystem for storing files permanently
an integrity-verifying package storage filesystem (for data encryption), and
a typical FAT storage system
With modularity at its core, Fuchsia’s architecture is flexible and can receive support for additional filesystems in the future.
Fuchsia OS Will Transform Computing, But How? Real-time UpdatesAndroid is the leader when it comes to userbase but despite that, it lags behind in the area of updates. While user experience can be subjective, many still prefer iOS over Android when taking factors such as the long software support and the former’s uniform experience across different devices into consideration. While Google was earlier reported to be mulling splitting update packages at the vendor and the Android framework levels, this would only help slightly faster security updates to Android. Fuchsia, however, adds this functionality to the entire operating system.
On the other hand, Google uses its own Zircon microkernel, instead of a Linux kernel, in Fuchsia OS along with its modular approach to push out updates almost in real-time. This means that irrespective of the brand, your smartphone could receive updates almost at the same speed and frequency as the Google Pixel devices.
For this, Google has designed Amber, an update system embedded in Fuchsia OS which will not just update system packages and installed applications but also the new microkernel as well as the bootloader. The Fuchsia team is currently fiddling with different update frameworks to ensure faster and accurate modular updates as well as interoperability between systems.
Ledgers Filling GapsThe name Fuchsia is derived from the color of the same name, which in turn is derived from the flowers of the eponymous fuchsia plant that has more than 110 species. Although the name is not very common, you might identify with this color very easily (HEX: ). Easily confused for pink by many, fuchsia can actually be visualized as a hybrid between pink and purple. But the name goes beyond explaining a combination of color and has an underlying metaphor associated with it.
Almost all of the official repositories maintained by the Fuchsia mark it as a sum total of pink and purple. Beneath the surface, it means that the operating system is designed to fill the gap between smartphones and PCs, between portable and stationary devices, between web-based and native applications, and even between Android and iOS devices.
Flutter, the software development kit (SDK) designed to develop Fuchsia apps specifically can be used to write apps for both Android and iOS besides Fuchsia OS. With minimal code changes, developers will be able to port the front end of the application to other platforms, allowing them to offer a uniform experience across not only systems run by Fuchsia OS but even those outside the platform.
Dependency on Web AppsThe web is slowly being taken over by progressive web apps or interfaces which run directly off the web to offer an app-like experience without any installation. While there is limited information about Fuchsia apps available as of now, by looking at the connected future one can safely speculate that the OS will be designed for a web-first experience, much like the Chrome OS.
Fuchsia Interface Definition Language (FIDL)Fuchsia could be an interesting proposition for end-users, but it is equally exciting for developers. Google wants to ensure that irrespective of your strengths in programming languages, you should be able to contribute to the development of Fuchsia. To ensure this, engineers working on the project have developed FIDL, short for Fuchsia Interface Definition Language, designed to merge commonly used programming languages.
FIDL currently supports C/C++, Rust by Mozilla, as well as Go and Dart (the primary language for writing Fuchsia apps) which are developed by Google itself, while more languages will also be supported in the future. With the help of FIDL, for instance, developers can develop an app in Rust and then migrate the application to Go or Dart – or any other supported language – without having to code the GUI again. This is done by treating the new code as an “implementation”.
This presents an exciting opportunity to the developers and if you’re one, you can use this tutorial to learn more about FIDL.
How is Fuchsia OS Different From Android? User InterfaceWhile Fuchsia OS is far from being commercially available, thanks to a few good Samaritans, we have some insight about how it looks. From the various leaks and tips related to Fuchsia OS’ appearance, we know that it will be a card-based interface with an uncanny resemblance to Google Now. But there are a score of elements which appear to be inspired by Chrome OS and even iOS, with a heavy dose of Google’s Material Design 2.
Not much is known about these user shells, but Dragonglass is apparently the same interface as available on smart displays like the Google Home Hub. It has different cards for different actions or apps instead of icons, hinting that Google aims to offer users a better experience than one in which they spend a lot of time finding the right option on a touch screen. Instead, the OS appears to be ready for the fast-paced world of the future and is likely to reduce dependency on touch.
While the Armadillo interface has been canned, you can still try it to see the differences likely to occur between Android and Fuchsia OS. There are applications which emulate the experience of Fuchsia on both – an Android smartphone (find APK here) and the web (check it out), for an easy examination. In this now-discontinued interface, there’s a single button in the navigation bar and that is currently assigned with the duty to take you to the home interface. Furthermore, dragging across this button upwards from the bottom brings up the quick settings pane when you’re inside an app (which might remind you of iOS gestures for the Control Panel on phones older than the iPhone X).
Cross-Platform Computing With Fuchsia OSFlutter, the SDK developed by Google, can be used to create identical apps for iOS and Android, although it is also the sole SDK platform to develop Fuchsia apps as of now. The SDK recently moved out of beta, suggesting that Google is not only serious about not letting Android users feel like they’re not far behind iOS users in terms of user experience, but also wants more developers to try a hand at Fuchsia apps. Even the core user shells of Fuchsia have been built using Flutter.
Moreover, allowing developers to get their feet wet with Fuchsia development, the official emulator for testing Android apps – Android Studio received support for Fuchsia’s Zircon kernel. While at the time of this announcement, it seemed like Google wants to allow developers to run Fuchsia on Android Studio, a change was recently made the in the AOSP Gerrit repository to highlight that Android apps will run on Fuchsia with the help of a custom version of Android Runtime.
Besides this, a year ago Google also added support for Swift, a programming language created by Apple, to Fuchsia. While this does not imply that Fuchsia OS will run iOS apps directly, but the step will at least inspire and invite developers, currently restricted to the Apple ecosystem, to try their hand at developing apps for the unified operating system.
Fuchsia OS Feels like an Android Successor: Here’s WhyIn foresight, Fuchsia OS can be seen replacing Android and there are some reasons that point to it. Fuchsia surely feels like it has been inspired by Android despite not being exactly visually identical. With Fuchsia, Google is cutting its dependency on other software giants but it also seems to have taken due care to make sure that both users and developers feel at home. Here are some of the reasons that ensure it.
UI Elements Similar to Android Pie
Single Navigation Button: Fuchsia does not necessarily appear similar to Android Pie but it feels that the latest version of Android is meant to prepare users to move to the new ecosystem. The foremost example of this is the single home button and Google’s recent decision to restrict Google Pixel 3 users from opting out of the new navigation bar. It appears to be a step towards conditioning users for Fuchsia’s navigation.
Modularity of Apps: The third and final similarity between Android and Fuchsia is to with modularity. Google recently introduced something called an “App Bundle” which is an alternative file format that developers can use while uploading their apps to the Google Play Store. By now, you might have guessed it but if you haven’t, App Bundles allow developers to break their apps in smaller chunks so that downloading becomes easier (don’t you hate it when you have to download a large app or game again from the beginning when you lose internet connectivity in between?). Furthermore, besides easing the download process for users, App Bundles also allow developers to add extra on-demand features to their apps without forcing users to download additional packages.
Google Already Working on Fuchsia PrototypesIn terms of hardware, Google was recently found to be blowing resources on a device – codenamed “Sherlock” – most likely to be a digital camera, and suspected to be the successor to Google Clips. This device uses a Sony IMX277 sensor and while it has the highest potential of being a digital camera, it could also be a security camera, considering the investigative nature of the name.
Lastly, one Fuchsia device to actually mature into a commercial product is the Google Home Hub which does not actually run Fuchsia but was among the early prototypes it was tested on. The smart display made by Google runs on a different platform called Cast, unlike other smart displays which rely on the Android Things platform. To make it clear, Cast and Fuchsia are different platforms but the latter is expected to have some of the features of the smart speaker including an interface for direct actions and high dependency on voice controls. So, it can be believed to be a device launched to sense the general emotion of users about this experience.
Fuchsia Logo Resembles a ‘Q’This last point might be too speculative but is still worth noting. The Fuchsia OS logo looks a lot like the letter “Q” and this wouldn’t be very striking unless Android Q was the next version of Android. So, does Google plan to replace Android Q with Fuchsia, or is it too soon?
Since Android Pie has come as a major change over Oreo, throwing Fuchsia at users could backfire, but we could still hope to see some active development along with Android Q. There have already been attempts to run Fuchsia on smartphones and Huawei’s sub-brand Honor was the first brand to have its device be a part of this testing.
Future of Fuchsia OS?In the future, we could see Fuchsia being merged with other emerging technologies like cloud-based computing, ultra-fast 5G networks, quantum computing etc. to evolve as a collective and connected system of devices, such that the operating system does not run individually on each of the devices. Instead, this all-encompassing OS can be run as decentralized instances on each device, all of which work in unison.
SEE ALSO: Looking for Android Alternative? Here are the best ones
This might sound like science fiction but there’s no rationale to deny it either. But among all of this, will we lose the ability to customize our user experience – as we do on an Android smartphone – or will an artificial intelligence customize it and suit it for our needs? This is something only time will answer, but we’ll keep on updating this article frequency with each major development in this area to keep you abreast with what the future holds for Fuchsia OS.
Update the detailed information about Battle Of Android Desktops: Android X86 V Bliss V Phoenix Os V Primeos on the Achiashop.com website. We hope the article's content will meet your needs, and we will regularly update the information to provide you with the fastest and most accurate information. Have a great day!