I think that most of you know the fact that Android system is based on Linux, though Android itself can’t launch specific Linux programs. But I think that a lot of people would be glad to work with Open Office packages, Firefox, Thunderbird on Linux.
There’re several working methods of installing Linux on Android tablet. But most of these methods are laborious and hard-to-understand for a regular user. In order to make the task as simple as possible Ubuntu Installer was created which launches Ubuntu Linux right on Android.
Now two Ubuntu variants are available for launching on Android: minimal variant which has only the most important programs; and maximal variant which is more convenient for working with Linux. It includes Firefox, Thunderbird, Transmission BitTorrent, GIMP tool for working with graphics, development tool C++/C, Java JDK, Emacs Text Editor, Python and other programs.
In order to launch Linux on Android device you need to have your device rooted and a memory card with 2.5Gb or 3.5Gb of free space (depending on what variant of Linux you’re going to install). Required technical specifications – 1Ghz processor, support of Ext2 file system, kernel that supports loop devices. It is really easy to install Ubuntu on Android. The whole process will require a couple of clicks from you. But nevertheless there’s something to point out.
- In Android settings you need to tick the point in Apps-Development-USB debugging and then press Next.
- After switching the debugging on you need to download and save on the memory card the following files (create Ubuntu folder in advance):
- The selected variant of the system and script for Linux launch (http://sourceforge.net/projects/linuxonandroid/files/Ubuntu/ubuntuV5-script.zip/download);
- Â Full Linux system (http://sourceforge.net/projects/linuxonandroid/files/Ubuntu/ubuntuV5-image.zip/download) which weighs 1.5Gb, after the installation it will occupy 3.5Gb of space;
- Minimal variant (http://sourceforge.net/projects/linuxonandroid/files/Ubuntu/ubuntuV5-sm-image.zip/download) which weighs 500Mb, after the installation it will occupy 2.5Gb of space;
In addition, you’ll need VNC Viewer app (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.realvnc.viewer.android) and special terminal emulator (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jackpal.androidterm).
- Launch the terminal emulator, provide it with root rights and indicate the following commands:
su
cd/sdcard/ubuntu
sh Ubuntu.sh
On demand you’ll need to indicate screen resolution (800×480, 1024×600, etc.) and choose the type of desktop environment (in minimal version) – “1†for LXDE launch, “2†for regular launch.
- A couple of minutes later on you’ll see a message on your screen: root@localhost:/#. It means that Ubuntu is launched on your device. Now a working screen of VNC Viewer should appear where you need to indicate user data: Nickname – ubuntu, password – ubuntu, IP address – localhost and port 5900. These data are required to launch Ubuntu desktop.
That’s all you need to launch Ubuntu on Android device. By the way, for further launches you need to perform only 3rd and 4th points of this instruction.