Android Port on HP TouchPad Advances
The team at CyanogenMod has been busy working on an Android port for the defunct HP TouchPad, and the port is now a few steps closer to full compatibility.
CyanogenMod has been building custom Android ports for different mobile devices and creating one for the TouchPad is their current project. So far they've managed to enable Wi-Fi, sound, and a working accelerometer on one of their TouchPad demo devices running on the Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS.
One of the developers recently showed the team's progress at the RootzWiki Web site via a video clip. The developer, known as "greetheonly," showed how the TouchPad Android OS can now connect to a Wi-Fi network and then downloaded Angry Birds at the Android Market. He showed how the TouchPad has working audio as well as a functioning touchscreen. He also showed how the port is now capable of video and sound playback by playing a YouTube clip through the browser. He added that the video quality is still something the team is working on improving.
The team also enabled the accelerometer as the video showed the TouchPad screen smoothly transition from portrait to landscape. The 3D gaming feature is now enabled but the team is still working on bringing Bluetooth, gyroscope and digital compass functionality to the TouchPad. Considering that back in August the team was still struggling to get the touchscreen to work, the progress on the port has actually sped up.
The HP TouchPad started a buying craze when it was discounted to $99 following HP's announcement that it was discontinuing the device and any support for the webOS. Developers have been working on porting the popular Android OS to replace the TouchPad's webOS. CyanogenMod says it has made the most progress although it will be some time before the port is ready for public use.