Android on CF-P2: Let's make this happen

STATUS:
A shot in the dark, with a tiny glimmer of light.



Alright, So there is an awesome Tough Phone called the CF-P2, a little technologically outdated, but still an awesome device (so I've heard), that still has many uses for many people. And unless the man intends on releasing a new version at not astronomical prices, soon, then I (and many others) say UPGRADE THE OS.

But I can't do it (yet), I'm not a programmer. I'd be willing to learn & help, as many others would, if someone would take lead on this.

SO let's work together, and make it happen.

I'll start with some links, and then an idiot's (me) basic description of how it's done, and we can go from there. I take no credit for, or for finding, this information, I'm not that good. I ALSO TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT YOU DO WITH THIS INFORMATION. I'm not responsible if you brick your device, computer, or destroy the world. In the off chance your P2's new OS takes over the world, I"m not responsible for that either.
I've been advised that the xda-developers isn't interested in chipping in (other than searching their forums) becuase this isn't HTC based hardware.

This thread at xda-dev is all about how to get into Android ROM development

This thread also has some more good Android information

This image might be a good one to try first, just to see. It has successfully ran on some non HTC devices, although the P2 is quite a bit farther away, hardware wise, than those other phones.


Some chat and info about the device on NBR

You can use a Fujifilm NP-120 battery as a replacement, if you install tape on the bottom of the battery, to hold the sim down (I dunno who to credit on that, I read it several places here)

Repurpose a GDxx cable (several models will work, with modification) for usb/sync/charge



Pictures of the inside of the phone from the above thread, courtesy of Onirakkiss

And I now have the operating manual, electrical schematic, and service manual for the cf_p2t1hbf7e (this unit is without wifi, so, no, I don't have the part number). I also have the car mount user manual. Thank you lxsys!


My input/description(s)

Most phones' storage are not set up like a computer's. On a computer, you save a file (like when you install windows) and the computer/hdd handle where stuff gets written, and how to track it/read it. On most handheld devices, there is a flash chip that the OS gets written to, and it's written from xip (not zip) file, with certain information written in certain places (hexadecimally organized). It's called a ROM (read only memory). If this information isn't written to the correct hex address, you'll end up with a wonderful Panasonic paperweight.

Re-imaging the Windows Mobile ROM with a new one is quite risky. as you can brick the device beyond easy/immediate recovery. But you can run android off of the sd card, without touching the phone's ROM. It's a little safer to try and set up android, as if you screw up, it won't brick your phone.

The simple explanation of running android on an HTC (it's what I know) device is as follows:

1 format the sd card fat32
2 copy over your linux image (it's 1 compressed file)
3 Hard reset your device (so there is no extra WM stuff running, you want as many system resources available as possible) and insert the prepped sd card
4 Within 30 seconds run haret.exe (this is basically a boot loader, similar to ntloader for MS Windows, or grub for linux)
5 Wait (the first time you run it, it will take longer to load)
6 Play with your new HTC Android device!

There is some fine print/concerns here:
-The CF-P2 only has 128mb of ram and a 400mhz processor. This is on the cusp of being powerful enough (like running xp sp3 on an CF29 mk1)
- The above process is good only if you have a working Android image (designed for that device). We are going to need to know what hardware is in the P2 in order to compile (make) the drivers so we can actually use the phone, data, back light, speakers, mic, touchscreen, etc... I'm sure Panasonic will just shell out that info
- I know little more about this than I've typed here. I don't know if this process will work on our device (like I said, All the info I have is for HTC devices)
- This process can be used to run (basically) any linux on the device, that will fit on the sd card, will run on that level of hardware, and has the drivers built in. We could try Ubuntu, UcLinux, etc. We might get lucky. I think the first thing that should be done, is to prep an sd card, and try out a few different images, just to see what happens. It shouldn't damage the device, and we might learn a little more about it.


I'm currently pursuing more technical information directly from Panasonic (holding my breath ), just to see if I can get some sort of SDK, service manual, etc.... I'll post it if/when I do. Feel free to post P2 pertinent info, attachments, and other stuff on this thread. In fact, pm/email it to me, and I'll try and keep all the attachments on the 1st post, if it's not an NBR violation...

I'll try to keep this 1st post updated as we progress.

 

I'm about as far as you can get from a programmer, without actually being a brick, but if you get it far enough, I'm willing run it up on a CF-P2 and risk bricking it.

That's about all I can offer - I wish I could help..........in fact

...........I wish I knew what you are talking about

 

You need to go to the Android forums....

 

I thought about that and wasn't sure: is it about the android OS or a Panny Tough product? I think the focus is on the P2, not Android in general.

But, if I got it wrong, then would one of you nice mods please move this thread?

TIA!