Intel Releases Android 4.2.2 for x86 Developers
Ryan Martin / 12 years ago
Due to the fact the Windows-on-tablets situation is a bit dire right now, it can be said that there is still a large market demand for Android that runs on x86 processors, like those made by Intel. In fact, when it comes to tablets the OS of choice is nearly-always either iOS or Android so Windows barely gets a look-in. For Intel this is significant because it knows if it wants to shift more tablets it has to make an Android based operating system that supports its x86 creations.
Consequently, Intel has begun to do exactly that and developed its own Android OS (version 4.2.2) for its x86 processors. With large tablet-slate PCs becoming common-place, the possibility for Android to power traditional PCs is now there and since you would traditionally associate Intel with PCs it makes sense for them to try and get a foothold in this market without having to rely totally on Windows 8 – which isn’t doing that great.
Intel is trying hard to get Android working on its Atom processors and it is releasing distributions under the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). The latest Intel Android development can be found here.
The down-side though, as expected, is that the x86 version of Android is extremely buggy. This is due to the fact it is only in the Pre-Alpha stages of development. Add to that the fact very few developers are even working on it and you find that the number of compatible apps are limited at best and the performance optimisations are all but non-existent.
Things will be improved over time but Intel have to work faster than the current pace of Android OS development if they want to catch up. Who knows if Intel will ever come to market with a useable Android 4.2 OS supporting its own x86 processors. Do you think what Intel is doing is a good idea? Would you buy an Intel-powered Android tablet? Let us know what you think!
