Android Boards: Choosing the Best Dev Board
Android boards are especially useful in an enterprise or industrial context. They're affordable, allowing enterprises to invest in many low-cost, high-performance devices that leverage the excellent user interface and functionality that Android provides.
While Linux has traditionally been the go-to choice for running on embedded devices and Single-Board Computers (SBCs), Android offers a compelling alternative—if you can find a compatible version for your SBC. Embedded Android boasts several advantages over Linux, including a sophisticated touchscreen user interface and a robust app ecosystem that supports the creation of comprehensive product ecosystems.
However, selecting the right Android development board can pose challenges. Factors such as hardware compatibility, pricing, and performance all influence the suitability of an SBC for running Android. Let's delve into these topics to help you determine the most suitable Android board for your needs.
Considerations When Choosing an Android Single Board Computer:
The Android Open Source Project (AOSP) doesn't support every hardware configuration. Android utilizes a Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) to interact with the underlying Linux kernel for OS-specific tasks, but direct hardware communication relies on drivers provided by the board manufacturer.
Google's Android version includes proprietary software, requiring companies to obtain Google Mobile Services (GMS) certification for installation on devices. Meeting stringent standards, including running the latest or second-latest Android version, is necessary for GMS certification. Consequently, utilizing Google's version on an SBC is often impractical.
Google officially collaborates with only two Android boards, which are typically challenging to acquire and may lack adequate support.
Given these hurdles, developers often seek alternative Android versions, but finding compatibility with their desired SBC can be a challenge.
Price is also a significant factor in selecting an Android board. Raspberry Pi stands out as one of the most affordable SBCs on the market, offering excellent functionality. The Radxa ROCK Pi boasts better performance and was previously more readily available.
Both Raspberry Pi and ROCK Pi require an Android custom ROM to function as Android boards.
Why Choose to Run Android on a Single Board Computer?
Android was initially designed to operate on ARM chips, which are ubiquitous in resource-constrained devices. It's a highly optimized operating system widely utilized across various products. The OS boasts a vast and dynamic ecosystem, enabling developers using an Android development board to tap into numerous Android-specific resources to fulfill their objectives effectively.
Opting for an Android board over a Linux one grants access to a plethora of Android apps. AOSP serves as an excellent option for constructing a product ecosystem that welcomes third-party app developers.
Android boards are especially useful in an enterprise or industrial context. They're affordable, allowing enterprises to invest in many low-cost, high-performance devices that leverage the excellent user interface and functionality that Android provides.
Finally, Android is under constant development by a large and active community, so devices can be updated and receive regular security patches as they come out.
Is There an Android-Based Development Board?
Google doesn't offer full support for any specific development board. To develop on an Android board, you'll require an Android version compatible with that specific board.
What to Look for in an Android SBC Image:
AOSP Android may not run seamlessly on many SBCs out of the box, and Google's Android version might not support some popular SBCs. Thus, finding an Android version tailored to your chosen Android board is essential.
Key factors to consider when evaluating an Android board image include:
Recent Android version
Regular updates
Hardware compatibility
Comprehensive documentation
Active community support
Performance and resource efficiency
Reputation
Enterprise support for business use cases
An Android board image several versions behind the latest Android release may limit your experience and lead to user frustration due to feature gaps.
For businesses aiming to deploy fleets, enterprise support is crucial, along with the need for timely updates. Additional features like Mobile Device Management (MDM) capabilities would be advantageous.
What Android Development Board Solutions Are Available?
The "official" Google Android development boards don't seamlessly integrate with AOSP out of the box. To kickstart them, you'll need to download the respective Board Support Package (BSP) from the manufacturer.
However, numerous other excellent development boards for Android are available, each offering different capabilities. Choosing the best SBC for running Android depends on the device's intended use, weighed against the cost of each device.
Raspberry Pi:
For many scenarios, Raspberry Pi stands out as an excellent choice for an Android SBC, especially if affordability is a primary consideration. It's undeniably one of the most budget-friendly options among Android development boards.
Radxa ROCK Pi:
Another highly popular ARM Android development board is the Radxa ROCK Pi. Typically, Model 5B costs roughly twice as much as the flagship model of Raspberry Pi, the Pi 4B.
Although Linux support for the ROCK Pi 5b still lags a bit, this powerful device's appeal is enhanced by Android's compatibility, making it an attractive option.
