About Android OS versions and OS generations

Discussion in 'General - Guides and FAQ' started by Nice Monkey, May 4, 2020.

  1. Nice Monkey

    Nice Monkey Well-Known Member Beta test group

    Appendix: About Android OS versions and their peculiarities:
    This is highly relevant to understand the differences and problems encountered when installing APP's via either the Google Play Store or directly running installation APK's.

    Many customers think there is only one Android existing and used universally for everything. As a consequence they expect all Android APP's to run on any platform which they for sure won't.

    Android OS versions
    There are 3 different Android versions playing a role here. Knowing with which version one is dealing is far from trivial.

    Android (standard Android)
    it is just called Android running on Smartphones and Tablets
    The most used Android OS version and referred to by me as standard Android.

    The appearance changes with each OS generation slightly with new features but appearance will vary mostly due to manufacturers/brands to use their own overlay on top of it.

    Android TV
    This is labeled as such and indicated on selected platforms with the "Powered by Android" logo. Only that version is really designed by Google directly for big screens. Android TV or (ATV) must be licensed to be used and may not be altered or customised on a platform to get certified by Google. This warrants stability and compatibility in a high degree.
    Using the Google Play Store one will get to see and next get access only to applications specifically designed for Android TV.Some applications exist in both standard Android and Android TV versions to run optimized on mentioned different platforms.

    It comes with its own integral application Launcher/GUI which is really nice and easy to be recognised. Specifically the Launcher/Menu coming with ATV 8 and above OS versions is very easy to recognize.

    Android Leanback
    But omitting Leanback to be mentioned anywhere causing a big confusing for users and applications to be the standard Android OS version.

    This is a modified/patched standard Android kernel for Media Players. It is e.g. patched to be controlled by IR remotes, have HDD's attached via SATA or USB and use the Wired Ethernet. Also the screen aspect ratio is typically forced to use Landscape instead of configurable/automatic Portrait plus Landscape on standard Android.
    Manufacturers using modified Leanback seem to be free to use the Android core without licences (remember that is originally a mere linux kernel).

    The Android application menu will vary completely with each implementation and may include various options to customize it or not.

    Android OS peculiarities
    Almost all media players use Android Leanback but some come with Android TV. Using this Leanback Android OS stupid/strange things can happen: Dynamic contrast option for phones, getting settings for battery saving, Notification Bar peculiarities, APP's insisting to use WiFi as they think a Wired=Mobile Network, inconvenient keyboard pop-ups, problems with access to Google Application Services and/or the Google Play Store, SDHC optional Internal Storage formatting, limited/bad HDMI-CEC implementation etc etc.

    Using different brand media players one will see that the Leanback modification/patching is different with each implementation with varying results for what works or doesn't. Occasionally additional Custom Patching (facilitated by knowledgeable customers) improves compatibility for certain aspects.

    The Android Leanback OS implementation typically comes with the SDK (Software Development Kit) of the SOC providers (AMlogic, Realtek, HiSilicon etc) not from the media player manufacturer. The Android OS upgrade policy hence also comes from the SOC manufacturer! Realtek thus far never upgraded their Leanback OS versions on any of their SOC's once being released (RTD1195=A4, RTD1295=A6, RTD1296=A7, RTD1395=A7, RTD1619=A9). An exception is Hisilicon which moved from A5 to A7 for Himedia and Egreat media players. It is not media player brand or any other SOC implementer deciding that! For integrated media player FW the Android OS version and generation hardly matters but for App's added manually it for sure makes a big difference.
     
    Last edited: Oct 6, 2021




  2. Hola, N.M. / Hello, N.M.

    ¿Sabes cómo recuperar la aplicación del Sistema que concede Permisos de Administración en Android?

    ¿Do you know how to recover the System application that grants Administration Permissions on Android?

    Se trataría de recuperarla para poder otorgar el imprescindible Permiso de Administración a cualquier File Explorer distinto del actual Media Center instalado en el Zidoo Z10.

    It would be about recovering it to be able to grant the essential Administration Permission to any File Explorer other than the current Media Center installed on the Zidoo Z10.

    Por favor, en el caso de que sepas cómo lograrlo, explícalo detalladamente.

    Please, in case you know how to achieve it, explain it in detail.
     
  3. Nice Monkey

    Nice Monkey Well-Known Member Beta test group

    Revamped.
     
  4. Es bueno saber sobre la existencia del infinito mundo de versiones y particularidades que puede llegar a presentar Android; sin embargo, aún sería mejor el tener conocimiento sobre cómo poder reparar tanta malevola incompetencia...

    It is good to know about the existence of the infinite world of versions and peculiarities that Android can present; However, it would still be better to have knowledge about how to repair so much malevolent incompetence...

    Destruir, destruye cualquiera. Construir, construye sólo alguien verdaderamente aventajado.

    Destroy, destroy anyone. Build, build only someone truly advantageous.

    Relatar la destrucción que ha tenido lugar es útil, pone sobre aviso a los demás para que sepan a qué atenerse. Informar sobre las posibilidades existentes que haya para reconstruir todo lo dañado es otra cosa...

    Tell the destruction that has taken place is helpful, it alerts others so they know what to expect. Reporting on the existing possibilities to rebuild everything damaged is another matter...
     

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