The makers of Andromium need funds to mass produce it

Dec 15, 2014 21:07 GMT  ·  By

Andromium is a new hardware and software combination that aims to provide users with the power of scaling up the smartphone to a full-featured desktop. If you think that this sounds vaguely familiar, then you are on the right track. It's like describing Ubuntu for Android all over again.

A couple of years back, Canonical was demonstrating Ubuntu for Android, which was a software solution for Android phones that would help them become a full-featured desktop experience.

For various reasons, that probably had more to do with the current hardware at that time, Canonical shelved the project for a later implementation. Now, it looks like other people are trying to achieve the same result, this time with a slightly different approach.

Canonical only needed a software solution for this kind of scaling feature, but the guys who are building Andromium are providing two different components, one hardware and one software.

The end result seems to be exactly the same. Users can just plug in their phone into a docking station and immediately have a desktop version of an OS running on a monitor or TV.

Andromium has a chance to work

From what the developers are already showing, it looks like they already have the basis running. Andromium, which comprises the docking station and the operating system, has been built and is working right now. Andromium Inc., the company trying to sell this functionality to a wider audience, just wants to raise enough money on Kickstater to mass produce it.

"Our mission is to democratize the desktop: making it affordable and highly accessible. Andromium seamlessly turns your Android device into a desktop computer. It’s affordable, and devilishly easy to use; simply install the app, and plug your phone into the dock. e. We built the Andromium dock with you in mind. We included three full-sized USB ports for all the accessories you would need on a desktop computer, including gaming devices. We've also integrated a port for a power cord, so your phone is always charged."

"The Andromium OS works in synergy with the dock to turn your phone into a full-fledged desktop computer. The application integrates seamlessly with your phone, and can be entered and exited simply. While in desktop mode, your phone can still receive calls, text messages and push notifications - so you keep its complete original functionality," reads the Kickstarter entry.

Andromium is not a new idea, but it's more advanced than previous attempts

The Andromium concept and OS implementation was designed by a former Google Senior Engineer, Gordon Zheng. Apparently, this project is the reason why he left Google and it's quite clear that he put a lot of work and effort into it.

To make things even more interesting, he also mentioned Ubuntu Edge and Motorola’s Webtop, so he actually knows exactly what he's doing. From the looks of it, users will need to have at least Android 4.2.2, Andromium OS will be downloadable from the Google Play Store, and only a handful of Samsung Galaxy phones are actually supported. It remains to be seen if the makers of Andromium will be able to raise enough money.

Andromium (7 Images)

Andromium
Andromium is also charging the phoneControl Andromium with mouse and keyboard
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