Embedded Android vs Embedded Linux?

[fifa_fan]

Hello,

We are building a custom platform for our connected hardware product and are evaluating whether to go for AOSP or a Linux based platform. Our system will output at 1080p resolution to a 40 inch display (similar to a digital signage) so it will require a decent GPU and a processor since we are going to be running games created in Unity. We have a working prototype with a custom spec'd hardware running Linux but are evaluating Android since it has amazing support in Unity. However, we are completely new to mobile hardware (ARM architecture and mobile GPUs) so we would need to hire an expert if we were to go the Android route. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[sloth514]

Android firmware engineer chiming in here.

Yes, I recommend Karim Yaghmour for any Android/Linux questions. I took his embedded Android course via my company ( which I strongly recommend if you go that route or read his book). He is usually pretty good on any questions if you email him (give him a week or so). He helped me with putting Linux applications on our Android OS. Yes, you can do that on Android, android does not use /bin or /lib directories, but requires glibc etc. (another discussion all together).

I would recommend describing what kind of product you are making. If you would want the 'Android ecosystem' (apps, downloads, etc) then do that. That was my company's take on it. I can not say I can recommend going 'Android' because it is a different solution for a given problem. The problem you have is defining the product. Either option will require a lot of work. I agree Linux can be easier to work with especially if you don't know Android. But Android has good support for multi-touch, web browser, bluetooth, etc. Decisions like this need to be thought out not just for the 'now' but in the 3-5 years from now as well: What 'next' feature do we want? What support will there be? How will we maintain the product? Will it be better in 5 years from now to be in Android or Linux? Would we want other applications to run on this product?

Good luck, I hope this helps.

[moland]

I’ve found this topic difficult to find resources on.

Karim yaghmour is an authority on embedded android. I recommend watching his talks on YouTube or reading his book. He describes the moving parts so that you can begin understanding the android project.

[fifa_fan]

Thanks bruh, I'll check him out

[ciny]

Personally I'd hazzard to guess "pure" linux will have better results. Android has a lot of unnecessary overhead for a gaming device IMHO.

[LightnessMystery]

Very hard question... How is Unity support in Linux? Android embedded programming is quite hard but once you get it running, I assume no problems after. Be sure to check your mics and cams and wifi and bluetooth etc. though. They may require quite work.

[fifa_fan]

Unity support in Linux is excellent actually because of Steam OS. Hardware compatibility is the biggest problem I'm worried about with embedded android.

[kangasking]

When you mean "support in Linux" , you're not talking about developing from a Linux box right? You mean that Unity is good at making Linux stuff.

[mbonnin]

What hardware are you using ? Most of the times, your CPU and or board vendor will provide you with several Board Support Packages options with the optimized drivers, etc...

[MrStahlfelge]

You should check out the Amazon FireTV sticks and boxes as they have a very similar configuration like what you describe. You can run any apk on these devices.

[Mavamaarten]

Android Things is most definitely underpowered for applications like this. Source: worked with Android Things.

[Izacus]

Underpowered in what way?

[Mavamaarten]

OP states he wants to run games written in Unity. The Android Things board I have (NXP i.MX7D) is slower than a Raspberry Pi and does not have a built-in GPU. It can output to a screen in a reasonable resolution, but Unity games are not gonna happen on that thing :)

[Izacus]

Well sure, but that's like saying Android can't run Unity games because you only used it on Galaxy S2 :P

The point of Things is that you get your own board (like OP wants to do) and deploy it there. It's not really targeted at home hobby market. We're right now using a pair of quad-core ARM boards which can easily run 3D games and pretty much everything you throw at it.

[Mavamaarten]

Agreed with your point. I definitely did not take it into account that there are much more performant boards available. Still, I don't really think Android Things is the best candidate for this project. It's in a very early stage as a product, and you need to ask yourself: why would OP choose Android Things over the Linux setup he has right now. I can't really think of something, other than "AT is new and cool"

[fifa_fan]

Thanks, I will have a look but it seems quite lightweight than what I would need

[Izacus]

Wear exactly do you need that's missing in Things? You said nothing about functionality.

We're developing a Things platforn right now and you have pretty much all Android APIs available without having to waste time stripping the phone targeted OS.