Which Android game consoles should you choose? Consoles for games on Android OS.

F If you have an Android smartphone and you are familiar with Linux, then you probably wondered at least once how to use the terminal in Android. As you know, the Android operating system is based on the Linux kernel, which means that there is a command shell and many standard Linux commands are available in it. By default, there is no standard terminal utility in Android. You can access it in several ways:

• the first is to download the Android Terminal Emulator app from GooglePlay.
• second connect to smartphone from computer using adb debugger.

But our article is not about that, today's topic: commands in the Aandroid Terminal Emulator, or more precisely, the commands of the Android terminal.

There are many articles on this topic on the Internet, but all of them lack something, a couple of specific commands are described and that's all, but I want a complete list, including Linux commands, then I decided to write this article. I am not saying that I will describe all the commands, but I will try to cover the majority. This is just a short description of some of the Android commands I will explain in more detail in the following articles, and you can find detailed information about Linux commands on the Internet.

Now about the notation - some commands require root rights, I will put the @ sign in front of them.

Let's start. Terminal commands are nothing more than small console utilities, most of the system utilities are located in the / system / bin folder and a few more in / vendor / bin. We will not touch those in vendor. To make it easier to arrange all the commands alphabetically.

adb- Android debugger. Since Android is still Linux, you can connect other devices, including smartphones, to it via USB, adb allows you to control them and gives you access to their terminal. the description of its commands and capabilities stretches for a whole article, I will describe everything in one of the following articles.

am- Manager of windows (Action Manager), with it you can start and stop any application or service. For example, launching the setup application:

am start -n com.android.settings / .Settings

badblocks- checking the flash drive for bad sectors:

The result can be written to a file:

badblocks / dev / block / mmcblk0> / sdcard / badblocks

or display:

badblocks -v / dev / block / mmcblk0

bmgr- Android backup management.

cat- a console utility for viewing the contents of a file.

cat /sdcard/text.txt

chmod- similar to Linux command, changes file permissions, only octal recording format is available.

For example, give all rights (read, write, execute):

chmod 777 / sdcard / file

chown- changes the owner of a file in Linux, For example:

chown root / sdcard / file

cmp- compares two files

cmp / sdcard / file1 / sdcard / file2

cp- copies the file from the source (parameter 1) to the receiver (parameter 2).

cp / sdcard / file1 / sdcard1 /

date- show the current date in the system.

Sat Nov 14 13:44:56 EET 2015

dd- create a disk image, Parameters if = disk device file, of = file to burn

For example:

dd / dev / block / mmcblk0 /sdcard/img.iso

An image of the mmcblk0 flash drive will be created.

df- analysis of free disk space. For example:

df -h / dev / block / mmcblk1

Filesystem Size Used Free Blksize
/ mnt / secure 484.5M 0.0K 484.5M 4096
/ mnt / asec 484.5M 0.0K 484.5M 4096
/ mnt / obb 484.5M 0.0K 484.5M 4096
/ system 1.4G 971.7M 435.8M 4096

dmesg- viewing the kernel message log.

du- view the file size.

du / sdcard / file1

@ ext4_resize resizing an ext4 partition.

@ fsck_msdos- checking the flash drive for errors.

fsck_msdos / dev / block / mmcblk1p1

grep- utility for filtering text. For example, display only lines containing terminal:

cat ~ / sdcard / file | grep terminal

@ ifconfig- viewing and managing network devices. For example, viewing information about a wifi card:

Or turning off wifi:

ifconfig wlan0 down

You can find out the list of network devices with the command:

ls / sys / class / net

iptables- managing iptables firewall settings, this is a very extensive topic that we will not touch on.

kill- kill the process by its PID.

You can use the ps utility to find out the pid.

ln / sdcard / file / sdcard / file2

log- write a line to the system log.

logcut- viewing the system log in real time.

ls- viewing the list of files and folders in the directory:

lsmod- view loaded kernel modules

lsof- viewing files open in the system.

make_ext4fs- format the flash drive to the ext4 file system

md5 / sdcard / filename

mkdir- create a folder in the current directory.

mkdir folder_name

make2fs- format the flash drive to the ext2 file system

mount- mount a disk, image or folder. For example:

mount -t ext2 / dev / block / mmcblk1p1 / mnt / sdcard

mv- move file, similar to cp

netcfg- viewing information about network connections.

notify- a utility for tracking changes in the file system using the inotify kernel subsystem.

ping- a well-known utility for checking the availability of a network node.

pm- android package manager, allows you to install, uninstall and view installed packages.

ps- View all running processes and information about them.

USER PID PPID VSIZE RSS WCHAN PC NAME
root 1 0 1000 848 c0106ef8 0001bfb4 S / init
root 2 0 0 0 c006e038 00000000 S kthreadd
root 3 2 0 0 c0057a54 00000000 S ksoftirqd / 0

reboot- restart the smartphone from the console.

resize2fs- similar to resize_ext4, only for ext2

rm- delete a file.

rmdir- delete a folder.

rmdir / sdcard / dirname

rmmod- unload the kernel module.

rmmod module_name

route- management of the routing table.

touch- create an empty file.

touch / sdcard / file

top- an interactive version of the list of running processes.

@ screenshot- take a screenshot.

screenshot /sdcard/screenshot.png

shutdown- turn off the smartphone.

service- service management. For example, see the list of running services:

These were all the commands that I found, the list will be updated if possible.

about the author

Founder and site administrator, I am fond of open source software and the Linux operating system. I am currently using Ubuntu as my main OS. In addition to Linux, I am interested in everything related to information technology and modern science.

Android is not only a mobile environment for all your social applications, memories, calendars, browsers, cameras and other useful things. By now, the green robot has turned into one of the most promising gaming platforms, and today we will talk about how to turn your Android device into a real gaming machine.

Once upon a time, Android was geeky fun and was often presented as the nix of the mobile segment. But what happened next?

First, the operating system itself has grown greatly in all respects. The developers understood that a product could become a mass product only when it was user-friendly. And now look at Android 4.2 - fast, clean, beautiful, functional. To all haters who have already prepared a keyboard for an angry comment, we suggest that you still follow the advice. Take a look at the current Android. It is quite possible that your idea of ​​it corresponds to an outdated product 2-3 years ago.

Second point: the development of iron. You may not understand all these processor models, cores, gigs and other performance characteristics, but you can easily understand what the current flagship Android from Samsung, LG or HTC is capable of, just by looking at the gameplay of a couple of the latest hits.

Here's Modern Combat 4 Time Zero. It is clear what kind of titanium PC and console games the developers were looking at. Let it smells of plagiarism, but where can you find an FPS that is very different from its counterparts? And all this beauty on your own smartphone!

And here's Need For Speed ​​Most Wanted. Cool?

And who will now say that mobile OS and hardware will never become full-fledged gaming platforms? The capacities are growing, the skill of the developers is growing.

How do you turn your Android into a real gaming console? We will not portray the Captain and talk about the fact that Android games are on Google Play. We will not compile charts and ratings of games, because everyone has different tastes, and hits according to objective download indicators are always displayed in the corresponding section of Google Play.

Do not think that in terms of games, Android is somehow inferior to iOS. This is not true. All hits available for iPhone users are also present in our market. There are even interesting exclusives.

The last thing to be advised is to resist the temptation to be in the shoes of a pirate. If the issues of ethics and honesty do not bother you personally, then there is nothing you can do about it. We will not overpersuade. There is a much more tangible risk: a cracked apk file is initially modified. We never know exactly what modifications were made. Perhaps it wants to send an SMS. Or maybe he will leak all your information to someone. Do not download cracked apk from left-hand sources, because there is a much more honest and safer way to play cool toys. For example, in retro games.

Back to the childhood

Google Play can please nostalgic high-quality and not-so-great ports of old games that we played on Dandy and ancient computers. However, if a certain game was not found, then this is not a reason to be sad. On Android, there are several cool emulators through which those masterpieces from childhood are launched.

As the name suggests, DosBox Turbo will let you run the hits we once played on DOS on a mobile device, while ScummVM will provide access to a bunch of good old adventure games. It is not difficult to use them. The only thing that can be disappointing is the way you run games in DosBox, but that's what DOS is for. To bring the interaction process closer to the more familiar "tap-start", we advise you to install an additional application to DosBox called DosBox Manager.

With its help, the user can create an interface for quickly launching games without having to enter something at the command line every time.

Where can I get games for DosBox?

You can search for games for DosBox through search engines, or contact specialized sites. There is such a resource with the telling name Good Old Games. Many of the games presented here work great in DosBox, and the platform itself allows you to sort games by genre and cost in the usual way.

A small note: if you played dynamic games or games that require active user participation, you probably already realized the main disadvantage of mobile devices - the inconvenience of control. They tried to solve the problem by adding a gyroscope built into the smartphone, but this did not help everyone. Try to play the same Modern Combat 4. It's hard and long to get used to. Of course, time and practice will take their toll, and the process will become more comfortable, but since we are making a game console out of Android, we need to go even further.

Controller

Sounds like an overkill? Maybe, but how else to bring the experience of playing a real console closer to a mobile device? I need a controller. The manufacturers of the corresponding accessories have long recognized the potential of smartphones and tablets, and the presence of universal Bluetooth greatly simplifies the task.

So let's start with the supported devices. Out of the box, Android perfectly understands many mice and keyboards and gamepads, and there are instructions for connecting devices.

If Android is rooted, then you can not spend a penny on the gamepad itself and just connect your favorite PlayStation 3 controller using the application.

If you're a lucky Wii owner, you don't even need root. We buy the application and enjoy.

Do you want something even more sophisticated and specialized? All that remains is to buy something like the MOGA Pro. These gamepads were originally designed as plug-in accessories for smartphones and will allow you to play dynamic games on your favorite Android and with maximum comfort.

We will not talk about various "hipster" and, in general, accessories sharpened for old gamepads, since in this case the emphasis shifts from convenience to appearance and style. Although, really nostalgic will like it.

Energy consumption

How to solve the problem of energy consumption? This is the most painful question. So far, the only option is to suck on an outlet in a public place, or buy an additional capacious battery.

Outcome

Gamers who are fans of a particular console or platform will probably have a question: why all this, just buy a console / play on a computer. But how will you play on your PS3 or Xbox on the way to or from work, while on the bus, subway, or standing in line? We are by no means saying that this option should replace existing consoles and gaming computers. No, it's just a way to make your gaming station mobile. You can create your personal gamer corner right in your lap without buying any Vita, using only a smartphone and one of the accessories listed above. Bad graphics? Wait a little longer, and smartphones will display the picture at the level of current home consoles, and then completely equal to the leading consoles. Mobile technologies are a priority.

EXEQ RUN

If you need a more compact game console, then you can pay attention to the five-inch model. Most often they differ in more modest characteristics. For example, finding a quad-core processor is very difficult here.

So EXEQ RUN has only two Cortex-A9 cores packed in Rockchip RK3168. The chip is clocked at 1.2 GHz and contains the GPU Power VR SGX540.

In addition, EXEQ RUN has 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of storage. Thus, this five-inch console is noticeably weaker than its older brothers.

The counterweight is at least an even more modest resolution - 800 x 480 pixels. Finding something more worthy in this segment is not so easy.

The pluses of EXEQ RUN include a complete set of control elements, including two sticks, as well as a built-in 3G module. For such a set they ask for about 5,000 rubles.

TurboPad Duo

The TurboPad Duo costs about the same. Visually, this device is trying to imitate the Sony PlayStation Vita, which, in general, is not surprising. The console received a full set of instruments, including a pair of analog sticks.

The TurboPad Duo is powered by the outlandish Amlogic AML8726-MXS processor, which contains two Cortex-A9 cores (1.5 GHz). The single-chip system also includes the Mali-400 MP2 graphics core.

The difference between this solution and the Mali-400 MP4 is the halved number of cores (two instead of four). Also, the TurboPad Duo has 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of storage.

The resolution of the TurboPad Duo's five-inch screen is typical for its category - 800 x 480 pixels. The price of the game console is approximately 5,000 rubles.

DNS Atropos

In the DNS trade network, you can find many android set-top boxes released under the company's own brand. At least some of them are copies of Chinese devices. However, this does not impair their qualities. For example, the Atropos DNS model in the Middle Kingdom is known as the GPD G5A.

DNS Atropos differs from most competitors in its form. On the sides, there are thickenings of the body for a more comfortable grip. Surely many of you have already hoped that impressive batteries are installed in this part (as in the cylindrical part of the Lenovo Yoga Tablet), but the developers did not dare to take such a step. As a result, the DNS Atropos battery capacity is quite standard - 3,000 mAh.

For a device with a five-inch screen (resolution is 800 x 480 pixels), DNS Atropos has a pretty good quad-core RockChip RK3188 processor with GPU Mali-400 MP4. We have already talked about this bundle above when reviewing seven-inch consoles. With memory, everything is a little simpler: DNS Atropos has 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of storage.

DNS Atropos sells for about RUB 4,500, which makes it quite an interesting proposition in its category.

The next generation of android set-top boxes

It is easy to see that all considered consoles are equipped with a very simple filling, which was relevant a few years ago. Don't manufacturers offer anything more modern? In fact, progress does not stand still, but in Russia it is not so easy to buy more advanced android set-top boxes.

The most obvious option is to order from China. There you can take a closer look at the fresh Much W1 model.

The novelty received an HD screen (resolution 1280 x 720 pixels). But the processor is even more surprising - the eight-core MediaTek MT6592 (Cortex-A7, 1.8 GHz) is combined with a very good Mali-450 MP4 video accelerator. There are no problems with memory: there are 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of storage.

By the standards of ordinary smartphones and tablets, these characteristics are no longer surprising, but compared to the models discussed above, the Much W1 is a real rocket.

Additional bonuses of Much W1 include the presence of a 3G module and two cameras (8.0 and 2.0 megapixels). Still expecting this console to be quite a bit more expensive than simpler ones? Much W1 costs 268 dollars, which, taking into account the current exchange rate, is already 18,000 rubles. Of course, we cannot recommend this model for purchase.

On the other hand, in the future, android consoles on MediaTek MT6592 should become more affordable, especially since this processor was released back in 2013.

Conclusion

Game tablets allow not only to take a fresh look at modern mobile games, but also to plunge into the world of nostalgia for long-gone consoles. Playing with emulators on a touchscreen is sometimes simply impossible, and analog buttons and sticks help to remember platformers of the past.

As we could see, many Android gaming consoles are equipped with a RockChip RK3188 processor or its equivalent. You cannot count on the latest SoCs, and even the most modern models barely reach the average smartphone. But thanks to the low screen resolution, these devices feel quite well in modern games.

Of all the gadgets reviewed, only one stands out for its characteristics (Much W1), and even that one has a completely ordinary processor and an unreasonably high price. Well, the classic representative of seven-inch game consoles is EXEQ Aim Pro. This device has balanced performance and a good price-performance ratio.

The advice when choosing a tablet for a gamer will be simple: since much depends on the ease of control, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the purchased device personally. You need to hold it in your hands, try on the controller, try to play something.

If you already have a great smartphone or tablet that you often play on, but lack the hardware keys, you can use a wireless gamepad. Fortunately, current gadgets allow you to connect not only new models specialized for iOS / Android, but also devices of past generations designed for personal computers.

Alexander Sharonov