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= Gateworks Announces Android Support =
[[Image(android_vector.jpg,400px)]]

Gateworks is pleased to announce the support of Android 4.3 on their line of Ventana Family Single Board Computers (SBC).

= Android as an OS = 

Android is a very robust and flexible operating system.

Its strength lies in the different app stores which house thousands of apps available for download for applications ranging from Digital Signage, POS, Monitoring, and more.

Android OS is raising the bar for interactive and more attractive embedded systems. 

Android can bring a reduced time to market with its large existing Open Source Framework that is widely popular. 

It uses the familiar Linux Kernel and has some traditional libraries.

Android is fully supported by Freescale for the i.MX6.

Android is just one of the many Operating Systems that Gateworks supports.  For other applications, please see the [wiki:ventana#BoardSupportPackagesBSPSoftware Ventana Family Board Support Packages]

= Gateworks Android Demo = 
[[Image(android tablet picture.png)]]

Gateworks has built a small demo in their office using a 10.1 LCD Display connected via LVDS. [wiki:ventana/LVDS LVDS Information here]

Touchscreen is fully capable.

The apps are working great!

This demo is very similar to a rugged industrial tablet, POS ( Kiosk ), or Digital Signage  application.


= Install & Use: Gateworks Android Wiki Page = 
Android is supported on the Ventana Family of Gateworks Products.

Please find more information [wiki:Android Gateworks Android BSP Page]


= Developer Tools =

Developers can get started quickly by purchasing a USB Stick Pre-Loaded with Android 4.3 on the [http://shop.gateworks.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=70_82&product_id=133 Gateworks Online Shop]

For '''Windows Developers, C# and .NET''' can be used for development, including but not limited to [http://xamarin.com/android Xamarin.Android].

Android pairs great with '''Eclipse''' as an IDE.  

It features a Full Java IDE, a Graphical UI Builder, and on device debugging options.  

Please see the following link for more information: [http://developer.android.com/tools/index.html]

There are many other options around the net, including a '''Visual Studio''' option [http://www.gavpugh.com/2011/02/04/vs-android-developing-for-android-in-visual-studio/ vs-android: Developing for Android in Visual Studio]

= 4GB USB Flash Drive Pre-Loaded with Android = 
Developers can get started quickly by purchasing a USB Stick Pre-Loaded with Android 4.3 on the [http://shop.gateworks.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=70_82&product_id=133 Gateworks Online Shop]

[[Image(GW17013_slide.png)]]

= Android Apps = 

Below are some apps.  Apps can be found on many marketplaces or as APK's.  Please note, Gateworks does not license  is in no way affiliated with the companies or has tested any of these apps.  

 * [http://firmdroid.com/ firmDROID Digital Signage]
 * [http://www.novisign.com/software/ NoviSign Digital Signage ]
 * Signage Player Android (FREE)
 * Bar POS Free
 * [http://www.smartlab.at/tabshop-pos/ TabShop - Point of Sale POS]
 * [http://www.smarthome.com/android_apps.html Smart Home Control]