AOSP Nexus Player x86 vs. Android AI vs. Android-x86

[Derek Simkowiak]

I am trying to build a customized Android OS for a generic PC (AMD 64-bit CPU). I need a minimum of Android 5.1, but would prefer Android 6.0.1.

I notice that Google's AOSP has the target for Nexus Player, which is an x86 platform. The lunch target is "aosp_fugu". They also provide an official "x86_64" Androidized kernel.

From https://source.android.com/source/building-kernels.html:

"The x86_64 project has the kernel sources for Nexus Player, and can be used as a starting point for work on Intel x86_64 chipsets."


Q1: How does this Google AOSP x86_64 target relate to the Android-x86 project?

- Does it share any code you guys have developed?
- How are they same/different?
- Does Android-x86 have changes to AOSP beyond just an x86 kernel?


I also notice that Intel has its "Android IA" project, aimed at supporting Android on x86 architectures.

From https://01.org/android-IA:

"The home for device and platform developers interested in the latest Android developments, sample images and tools for Intel Architecture (IA)."

But this Intel project seems to be mostly dead, and only actively supporting the MinnowBoard MAX SBC. They have nothing as comprehensive as Android-x86 (or RemixOS for that matter).

Q2: How does Intel's Android IA project relate to Android-x86? Is there any overlap in code (or community)?


I am also interested in some of the features from RemixOS, such as OTA support and hard drive installation.

Q3: Does RemixOS share its source code back to Android-x86? Is the source for multi-window, OTA updates, and the hard disk installer available in the Android-x86 repo?

Note, I am not looking to just install RemixOS or Android-x86 -- I need to build and modify the OS from scratch, with custom drivers and apps (which I have done before for ARM hardware).


Basically, I am trying to determine if it is best to start with AOSP, Android-x86, or Intel's Android IA. All else being equal, my preference is to start with Google's AOSP because it minimizes my 3rd-party dependencies. But I don't understand how portable or re-usable their x86 code is, or whether there is work necessary beyond just an x86 kernel and the $ARCH build setting.


Any background information or current status info is greatly appreciated.


Thank You,
Derek