If you do go down that route, I recommend reading about the Platform Developer Kit at <a href="http://pdk.android.com">pdk.android.com</a> once you get a generic build running based on the instructions on <a href="http://source.android.com">source.android.com</a>. I really wish someone would write a book about repo manifests, since based on my observations, this should not be where Android fixes go, since they don't seem to get checked into any git branch anywhere.<br>
<br>I do think that buying a used HTC Dream or Magic may be your best bet. I haven't gotten Android fully running on my Beagleboard yet, but I know people have done that. However, it probably costs as much for those components as it does for the HTC Dream.<br>
<br>I wish that there was a phone as upgradable as PCs were back in the day, that'd be awesome.<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Sun, May 2, 2010 at 8:56 PM, Tim Bray <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:tbray@textuality.com">tbray@textuality.com</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">Well, if you have some sort of board with an ARM CPU, you should be<br>
able to start from scratch at <a href="http://source.android.com" target="_blank">source.android.com</a> and build your own;<br>
that's how Barnes & Noble did the Nook and how the Taiwanese guerilla<br>
tablet builders are doing it. Me, I'd look for a cheapo phone on<br>
Craigslist or some such -T<br>
<div><div></div><div class="h5"><br>
On Sun, May 2, 2010 at 8:52 PM, Fred Leitz <<a href="mailto:fred.leitz@gmail.com">fred.leitz@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br>
> Does anyone know the cheapest way to get android going not necesarrily<br>
> a phone? What I want to get going is a very low cost machine that<br>
> supports the Bump API so you have a bump Api server. As far as I know<br>
> what I need is andriod + gps + accelerometer<br>
><br>
> Any pointers would be highly appreciated.<br>
><br>
> Thanks,<br>
> Fred<br>
><br>
> On May 2, 2010, at 8:43 PM, Tim Bray <<a href="mailto:tbray@textuality.com">tbray@textuality.com</a>> wrote:<br>
><br>
>> On Sun, May 2, 2010 at 8:36 PM, Joe Bowser <<a href="mailto:bowserj@gmail.com">bowserj@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br>
>><br>
>>> I don't think we spend enough time drinking beer and talking<br>
>>> Android. We<br>
>>> should do that one of these days.<br>
>><br>
>> I'd be happy to come to an evening down at VHS just to shoot the<br>
>> Android shit. Except, not Thursday - I have major childcare coverage<br>
>> issues on Thursdays and EVERY BLOODY Android meetup is always on<br>
>> Thursdays. -Tim<br>
>><br>
>>><br>
>>> Joe<br>
>>><br>
>>>><br>
>>>> On Sun, May 2, 2010 at 7:56 PM, Jack Bates <<a href="mailto:jack.bates@gmail.com">jack.bates@gmail.com</a>><br>
>>>> wrote:<br>
>>>>> Hi all - is it kosher to poll the list for some consumer advice?<br>
>>>>><br>
>>>>> I plan to order this Android phone from <a href="http://buy.com" target="_blank">buy.com</a>,<br>
>>>>><br>
>>>>> <a href="http://www.buy.com/prod/motorola-milestone-droid-unlocked-smartphone-android-wifi-5-mp-camera/q/listingid/74605880/loc/111/214342176.html" target="_blank">http://www.buy.com/prod/motorola-milestone-droid-unlocked-smartphone-android-wifi-5-mp-camera/q/listingid/74605880/loc/111/214342176.html</a><br>
>>>>><br>
>>>>> - and get a $35/month, 1 GB data plan from Rogers<br>
>>>>><br>
>>>>> Anyone have strong opinions about either this phone or this data<br>
>>>>> plan?<br>
>>>>> Know if I need to be careful about getting a phone that's<br>
>>>>> compatible<br>
>>>>> with local service providers?<br>
>>>>><br>
>>>>> This is my first mobile phone...<br>
>>>>><br>
>>>>> I considered the Milestone, the Google Nexus One, or an older<br>
>>>>> Android -<br>
>>>>> maybe off Craigslist<br>
>>>>><br>
>>>>> Nexus One and Milestone seemed about the same? About the same<br>
>>>>> screen,<br>
>>>>> OS, price. About the same battery performance (not great?)<br>
>>>>><br>
>>>>> Chose the Milestone because it's got a hard keyboard, so more<br>
>>>>> screen<br>
>>>>> while typing<br>
>>>>><br>
>>>>> Rogers, Telus, Fido, and Bell all offer data-only plans intended<br>
>>>>> for USB<br>
>>>>> sticks - but apparently I can buy a SIM card ostensibly for my "USB<br>
>>>>> stick", bring it home and install in my Android<br>
>>>>><br>
>>>>> Plans all about $30 - $35/month for 500 MB, $35 - $40/month for 1<br>
>>>>> GB<br>
>>>>><br>
>>>>> Can't tell the difference between Rogers' and Telus' coverage<br>
>>>>> from the<br>
>>>>> maps on their sites<br>
>>>>><br>
>>>>> (Aside: the Wind company looks awesome, but think it'll be long<br>
>>>>> time<br>
>>>>> before they offer service on the Gulf Islands...<br>
>>>>><br>
>>>>> My reason for getting a mobile is I started spending about 9<br>
>>>>> hours each<br>
>>>>> way commuting to Cortes Island, and internet on my netbook while<br>
>>>>> commuting would be awesome<br>
>>>>><br>
>>>>> Instead of spending ~$200 on a USB stick for my netbook, might as<br>
>>>>> well<br>
>>>>> get and Android and use it to tether?<br>
>>>>><br>
>>>>> Among advantages of Android over USB stick is I could check ferry<br>
>>>>> schedules, etc. w/o hauling out the netbook<br>
>>>>><br>
>>>>> One advantage of USB stick is it's "HSPA+" (reportedly 21 Mbps) vs.<br>
>>>>> "HSPA" (reportedly 7.2 Mbps) - don't think any "HSPA+" Androids are<br>
>>>>> currently available<br>
>>>>> _______________________________________________<br>
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>>>>><br>
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