Android-X86 4.0.4 (ICS) RC2 Released With ARM Translator, More [Android For Netbooks Or Laptops]

Android-x86 4.0.4 RC2, based on Android Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0.4 has been released today with a few exciting changes, like an ARM translator that lets you run some ARM applications on Android-X86.

Changes in Android X86 4.0.4 RC2 (since Android-x86 4.0 RC1):

• Kernel 3.0.36 with more drivers and bug fixes.
• Enable Dalvik JIT compiler support which should make apps faster
• Support some 3G modem.
• Ready to run arm translator. (You still need to install Intel’s libraries manually)
• Physical keyboard layout selection.
• Support two cameras.
• Fake SD card is replaced by internal storage support.

Since the latest Android-X86 uses an ARM translator, not all ARM applications will work, for instance, Google Chrome won't work. Angry Birds (as well as Amazing Alex) on the other hand, worked in my test using a custom Android-X86 build in VirtualBox, though it was kind of slow (probably because of VirtualBox):

I'm sure there are readers who are wondering if Netflix works with this new Android-X86 release, but unfortunately I can't answer to this question because Netflix doesn't work in my country so if you try Netflix with Android-X86 4.0.4 RC2, let us know if it works in the comments!

Here is a video and a few more Android-X86 4.0.4 RC2 screenshots:


(direct video link)

Get ARM translator to work in Android-X86 4.0.4 RC2

To get the Intel ARM translator working in the latest Android-x86 4.0.4 RC2, you need to download 3 libraries from Buildroid and copy them into the system folder (so make sure you select to install the /system directory as read-write while installing Android-X86!):

• Download libhoudini.so and copy it to /system/lib/
• Download libdvm_houdini.so and copy it to /system/lib/
• Download the arm libs, extract the downloaded archive and copy the files to /system/lib/arm/

Download for VirtualBox

The official Android-X86 builds do not have Ethernet support, so you won't have an Internet connection while running Android-X86 in VirtualBox. You can, however, use a custom Android-X86 4.0.4 RC2 build that adds Ethernet support: DOWNLOAD (thanks to Ron M for this build!). 

This build has the ARM translator libraries build-in. This is a debug build so a red frame is displayed sometimes - the only way to avoid this is to compile Android-X86 from source and apply the Ethernet patch yourself (or search for a different Android-X86 4.0.4 RC2 ISO with Ethernet patch).

Important: if the mouse isn't working, select from the VirtualBox menu: Machine > Disable Mouse Integration.

Download Android-x86

Android-x86 4.0 has been tested / it should work on AMD Brazos (MSI 110W), Asus EeePC or some Asus laptops/tablets and Tegav2 / Viewpad 10. These are the officially supported devices, but Android-x86 should work on others too. An old list of supported devices / hardware can be found HERE.