Category Archives: exton

Android, exton, Exton Linux distributions

Exton|OS 64 bit – based on upcoming Ubuntu 22.04 LTS – with KDE Plasma, Android Studio with an excellent Android Emulator, Refracta Snapshot, Nvidia Graphics Driver and kernel 5.15 – Build 220406

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NEWS 220406 ABOUT Exton|OS with KDE Plasma Desktop, Android Studio and Refracta Snapshot
The Desktop Environment in this Exton|OS build is KDE Plasma 5.24.4. Plasma is made to stay out of the way as it helps you get things done. But under its light and intuitive surface, it’s a powerhouse. So you’re free to choose ways of usage right as you need them and when you need them. Program content in build 220406: Most important are Refracta Snapshot and Android Studio with an excellent Android Emulator. You can run several Android systems directly in Exton|OS. Also with GAPPS (Google Play Services and Google Play Store) pre-installed. Watch a screenshot when Android 11 is running with Google Play Store enabled. Other pre-installed programs are Firefox, Gimp and GParted. Also all necessary additions in order to install programs from source. Kernel 5.15.0-23-generic is used. All packages have been updated to the latest available version as at April 6, 2022 Study the NEW PACKAGE list. Google Chrome has been removed since it’s now possible to use Netflix in Firefox. Using Refracta Snapshot you can change everything to your liking and create your own live installable Ubuntu system with Android Studio included. I mean create your own installable Ubuntu 22.04 LTS Live DVD once you have installed Exton|OS to hard drive. Ubuntu 22.04 LTS will be supported until April 25, 2027. In this version of Exton|OS VirtualBox Guest Additions are pre-installed. This means that you can run Exton|OS live (directly from the ISO file) in full screen. Watch this screenshot. I have also installed Nvidia Proprietary Graphics driver 470.94 so that you can use it while running Exton|OS live (from a DVD or a USB stick).

IMPORTANT NOTE: You can’t run Android Studio’s Emulator live if you don’t have plenty of RAM. (I.e. while running Exton|OS from a DVD or USB stick). On one of my computers with 32GB RAM I could run Android Studio without problems. On another with 8GB RAM I could see that the RAM was consumed almost immediately (while running Android Studio). Then the computer was “frozen”. You can also not run the emulator In VirtualBox and VMware. You’ll have to install Exton|OS to a “real” hard drive before you can use the Android emulator. In VirtualBox you will get an error message saying Your cpu does not support required features (vt-x or svm) – screenshot. That’s because VirtualBox as of yet does NOT support nested virtualization.

MOST IMPORTANT CHANGES IN BUILD 220406
1. This Exton|OS version is for UEFI computers.
2. I have installed and configured Android Studio. It has the very best Android Emulator with support directly from Google (the creator of Android). You can also develop your own Android apps in Android Studio.
3. Nvidia Proprietary Graphics driver 470.94 is pre-installed.
4. VirtualBox Guest Additions are pre-installed.

SCREENSHOTS
Screenshot 1 – Exton|OS’s KDE Plasma Desktop with Android Studio running
Screenshot 2 – Running an AVD with Google Play Store included
Screenshot 3 – Running Clash of Clans in the Emulator
Screenshot 4 – Running a big Hunt game installed via Google Play Store
Screenshot 5 – Running F-Droid in an AVD
Screenshot 6 – Running YouTube in an AVD
Screenshot 7 – Google Play Store running in an AVD
Screenshot 8 – All installed apps in an AVD (some installed by me)
Screenshot 9 – An AVD running nicely in KDE (with Google Play Store)
Screenshot 10 – Exton|OS KDE running in VirtualBox in full screen
Screenshot 11 – The live boot screen

READ MORE…

Read about my Android-x86 Systems – 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow, Lollipop and KitKat at
andex.exton.net – latest is AndEX 10 (with GAPPS) and AndEX Pie 9.0 (also with GAPPS)!
and
about my Android 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow and Lollipop versions for Raspberry Pi 4 and 3/2 at
raspex.exton.se – latest is RaspAnd 11 (with GAPPS) and RaspAnd Oreo 8.1 (also with GAPPS)!

 

exton, Exton Linux distributions

Review of ExTiX Deepin 22.1

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I simply must share a review of ExTiX Deepin 22.1. It is written by Jack M. Germain at Linuxinsider.com. The review is quite comprehensive and (almost) enthusiastic.
Excerpts from the review: Developer C A Exton calls his ExTiX OS “The Ultimate Linux system”. Especially with the Deepin desktop edition, he is close to living up to that assessment. However, ExTiX could use a bit more polish and fine-tuning of the desktop features to make it truly an ultimate computing choice.
exton, Exton Linux distributions

DebEX (Debian testing/unstable) with Gnome 41, Refracta Snapshot, Calamares Installer and kernel 5.16.11-exton :: Build 220302

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About DebEX Gnome Build 220302
I have made a new extra version of DebEX, which I call DebEX Gnome Live DVD. It’s a pure Debian system using the testing (Bookworm) and unstable (sid) repositories. Gnome 41 is used as Desktop environment. I have removed the Mate Desktop, since Gnome now can be used on all kind of computers. Also when running DebEX in VirtualBox and VMware. No need for Nvidia’s proprietary graphics drivers when running this new version of DebEX. You can of course install such drivers if you want to. Furthermore I have replaced Google Chrome with Firefox ESR. It is now possible to watch Netflix movies using Firefox ESR in Linux. I have also replaced Refracta Installer with Calamares Installer, which makes it possible to install DebEX Gnome in any language. You can even use Calamares in VirtualBox and VMware – i.e. non-efi computers. All installed packages have been updated to the latest version as of 220302. DebEX Gnome uses kernel 5.16.11-exton corresponding Kernel.org’s second latest kernel 5.16.11.

THE REAL McCoy
DebEX is a pure Debian system. I.e. no traces of Ubuntu, Kubuntu etc. New releases of Ubuntu are always based on Debian testing/unstable. So is DebEX.

Rolling distribution
Debian/DebEX are rolling distributions, which implies that once you have installed the system on the hard drive there is no need for re-installations (which otherwise is common in the Linux world).

Screenshots
1. The Gnome Desktop – DebEX running in VirtualBox with VirtualBox Guest Additions pre-installed
2. DebEX Gnome – root’s Desktop
3. Running in Qemu – the best way to run a Linux system virtually
4. Calamares Installer has started while running DebEX as root

READ MORE…

Read about my Android-x86 Systems – 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow, Lollipop and KitKat at andex.exton.net – latest is AndEX 10 (with GAPPS) and AndEX Pie 9.0 (also with GAPPS)!
and
about my Android 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow and Lollipop versions for Raspberry Pi 4 and 3/2 at raspex.exton.se – latest is RaspAnd 11 (with GAPPS) and RaspAnd Oreo 8.1 (also with GAPPS)!
exton, Exton Linux distributions, Raspberry Pi systems

RaspEX Rpi4 based on upcoming Ubuntu 22.04 LTS “Jammy Jellyfish” with LXDE, kernel 5.15.24-exton-v7l+, Raspotify, RealVNC, PuTTy, Samba and Bluetooth :: Build 220228

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NEWS 220228 about RaspEX with LXDE based on upcoming Ubuntu 22.04 LTS Jammy Jellyfish.
I have upgraded the whole system and replaced the old kernel 5.10.87-exton-v7l+ with kernel 5.15.24-exton-v7l+. RaspEX Build 220228 is a Linux ARM (32bit) system for Raspberry Pi 4 with 2GB/4GB/8GB RAM and Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+, Raspberry Pi 3 Model B or Raspberry Pi 2 Model B. It is based on Debian, Ubuntu 22.04 LTS and Linaro (Open Source software for ARM SoCs). Both Firefox and Chromium Browser are pre-installed. I have also installed Samba and RealVNC so you can connect to your Windows computers in your Home Network and/or control RaspEX on your Raspberry Pi 4 from your Windows computers with VNC Viewer and/or PuTTY (Telnet and SSH client). Furthermore some extra Network Tools, SMTube (YouTube browser which allows to browse, search and play YouTube videos), PulseAudio for better sound in YouTube and Raspotify – Raspotify is a Spotify Connect client for Raspbian on the Raspberry Pi that just works. Study all installed packages in RaspEX Build 220228.

Most IMPORTANT News/Changes in Build 220228
1. I have installed an old version of Chromium with DRM/Widevine support, which means that you can watch Netflix (and possibly also HBO, YouTube TV, Amazon Prime Video, etc.) using the Chromium Browser. I did that following the instructions here.
2. In this build of RaspEX you can also run Chromium/Firefox logged in as root. You will have sound, which you normally won’t have as root on Debian/Ubuntu systems.

SCREENSHOTS
Screenshot 1 – raspex’s Desktop 220228
Screenshot 2 – root’s Desktop 220228
Screenshot 3 – running Netflix in Chromium
Screenshot 4 – showing that hardware acceleration is enabled
Screenshot 5 – showing how to configure sound using Pavucontrol

READ MORE…

Read about my Android-x86 Systems – 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow, Lollipop and KitKat at
andex.exton.net – latest is AndEX 10 (with GAPPS) and AndEX Pie 9.0 (also with GAPPS)!
and
about my Android 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow and Lollipop versions for Raspberry Pi 4 and 3/2 at
raspex.exton.se – latest is RaspAnd 11 (with GAPPS) and RaspAnd Oreo 8.1 (also with GAPPS)!

 

exton, Exton Linux distributions, Raspberry Pi systems

Yet another version of RaspEX Kodi 64-bit :: Now based on Debian 11 with the LXQt Desktop and Kodi 19.3 “Matrix” :: Build 220221

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NEWS 220221 about RaspEX Kodi 64-bit
I’ve made a new extra version of RaspEX Kodi 64-bit. This version is based on Raspbian (Raspberry Pi OS) and Debian Bullseye (Debian 11 stable). The LXDE Desktop is replaced with LXQt 0.16.0 which has a more “modern look” than LXDE. Historically, LXQt is the product of the merge between LXDE-Qt, an initial Qt flavour of LXDE, and Razor-qt, a project aiming to develop a Qt based desktop environment with similar objectives as the current LXQt. In RaspEX Kodi Build 220221 I’ve upgraded Kodi to version 19.3 Matrix since it has reached the “stable stage”. You can now much easier install extra repositories. Read about the best Kodi repos 2022.

NEW FEATURES
NOTE1: This RaspEX Kodi 64bit version has DRM support in the Chromium Browser. It means that you can use Chromium to play Netflix videos and also run Spotify Web Player! Possibly other videos too, but I haven’t tried any (yet).
NOTE2: Build 220221 (64bit) is missing the Netflix add-on in Kodi. Widevine CDM (which is necessary for Netflix to work) is not available natively on ARM64. As regards the Chromium Browser (DRM support) I solved the problem by installing a 32bit version of Chromium!
NOTE3: I’ve also enabled VIDEO ACCELERATION in this version of RaspEX Kodi, which means that the video playback is pretty smooth. Watch this screenshot, which shows that the 3D drivers are loaded.

Study all installed packages in Build 220221…

Used kernel
5.15.24-exton-v8+ (for Rpi 4). This RaspEX Kodi 64bit version is only for Raspberry Pi 4.

SCREENSHOTS
1. The LXQt Desktop running as user pi
2. The LXQt Desktop running as root
3. Kodi 19.3 system info
4. Netflix running in the Chromium Browser
5. Spotify running in the Chromium Browser
6. Kodi running showing some add-ons. (The Diamond Wizard repository is not included)

READ MORE…

Read about my Android-x86 Systems – 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow, Lollipop and KitKat at
andex.exton.net – latest is AndEX 10 (with GAPPS) and AndEX Pie 9.0 (also with GAPPS)!
and
about my Android 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow and Lollipop versions for Raspberry Pi 4 and 3/2 at
raspex.exton.se – latest is RaspAnd 11 (with GAPPS) and RaspAnd Oreo 8.1 (also with GAPPS)!
exton, Exton Linux distributions, Raspberry Pi systems

The “final” version of RaspEX Kodi 32-bit :: Now based on Debian 11 stable with the LXQt Desktop and Kodi 19.3 “Matrix” stable with the Netflix add on :: Build 220218

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NEWS 220218 about RaspEX Kodi
I’ve made a new version of RaspEX Kodi 32-bit. This version is based on Raspbian (Raspberry Pi OS) and Debian Bullseye (Debian 11 stable). The LXDE Desktop is replaced with LXQt 0.16.0 which has a more “modern look” than LXDE. Historically, LXQt is the product of the merge between LXDE-Qt, an initial Qt flavour of LXDE, and Razor-qt, a project aiming to develop a Qt based desktop environment with similar objectives as the current LXQt. In RaspEX Kodi Build 220218 I’ve upgraded Kodi to version 19.3 Matrix since it has reached the “stable stage” . It was therefore now possible to install the Netflix add-on among many other add-ons. You can now also much easier install extra repositories. Read about the best Kodi repos 2022.

REPLACEMENT and NEW FEATURES
This RaspEX Kodi Build (220218) replaces all five (5) previous versions of RaspEX Kodi. Also the 64bit-version. (I’m planning to make a new 64bit-version soon). The great thing with this RaspEX Kodi version is that it has DRM support in the Chromium Browser. It means that you can use Chromium to play Netflix videos and also run Spotify Web Player! Possibly other videos too, but I haven’t tried any. Watch a screenshot when Netflix is running. Watch a screenshot when Spotify is running. I’ve also enabled VIDEO ACCELERATION in RaspEX Kodi, which means that the video playback is pretty smooth. Watch this screenshot, which shows that the 3D drivers are loaded. There is almost no need for Kodi in RaspEX anymore since the Chromium Browser works so well. (Excellent video and sound performance).

Study all installed packages in Build 220218…

Used kernels
5.15.23-exton-v7l+ (for Rpi 4) and 5.15.23-v7+ (for Rpi 3 and 2).
The system will automatically determine which Raspberry Pi you are using and load the correct kernel.

SCREENSHOTS
1. The LXQt Desktop running as user pi showing that the 3D drivers are loaded
2. The LXQt Desktop running as root
3. RaspEX Kodi 19.3 system info
4. Kodi running showing some add-ons
5. Netflix is running in the Chromium Browser
6. Spotify Web Player is running in Chromium

READ MORE…

Read about my Android-x86 Systems – 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow, Lollipop and KitKat at
andex.exton.net – latest is AndEX 10 (with GAPPS) and AndEX Pie 9.0 (also with GAPPS)!
and
about my Android 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow and Lollipop versions for Raspberry Pi 4 and 3/2 at
raspex.exton.se – latest is RaspAnd 11 (with GAPPS) and RaspAnd Oreo 8.1 (also with GAPPS)!
exton, Exton Linux distributions, Raspberry Pi systems

RaspArch Rpi4 Build 220216 :: Run Arch Linux on your new Raspberry Pi 4 computer :: Install it using Rufus 3.17, Win32 Disk Imager or Etcher in Windows!

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RaspArch Build 220216 especially for the new Raspberry Pi 4 released in May 2020
This version (220216) is especially made for the new Raspberry Pi 4, but it can of course also be used on a Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+, Raspberry Pi 3 Model B and Raspberry Pi 2 Model B.

RaspArch is a “remaster” of Arch Linux ARM. The original compressed system is of about 230 MB. After I have added the LXDE Desktop environment, PulseAudio, Firefox, Yay, Gimp and NetworkManager the system has increased a lot. RaspArch is a “ready-to-go” ARM system. It must be installed on a Raspberry Pi 4, Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+, Raspberry Pi 3 Model B or Raspberry Pi 2 Model B computer.

WHO should run Arch Linux/RaspArch?
My answer: The system fits the “advanced” Linux user/enthusiast, who would be willing to run an occasional command from time to time.

Study all installed packages in RaspArch…

SCREENSHOTS
Screenshot 1 of RaspArch’s Desktop – logged in as archpi
Screenshot 2 of RaspArch’s Desktop – logged in as root

READ MORE…

Read about my Android-x86 Systems – 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow, Lollipop and KitKat at
andex.exton.net – latest is AndEX 10 (with GAPPS) and AndEX Pie 9.0 (also with GAPPS)!
and
about my Android 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow and Lollipop versions for Raspberry Pi 4 and 3/2 at
raspex.exton.se – latest is RaspAnd 11 (with GAPPS) and RaspAnd Oreo 8.1 (also with GAPPS)!
exton, Exton Linux distributions

ArchEX (Arch Linux) “Mini” with LXQt 1.0.0, all Arch Linux installation scripts, VirtualBox Guest Additions and kernel 5.16.7 :: Build 220212

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NEWS ABOUT ArchEX 220212
I’ve made a new extra “Mini” version of ArchEX. It has three advantages compered with ArchEX Build 220206.

A) This ArchEX build is smaller. The ISO file is “only” of 1760 MB compered with Build 220206 which is of 3670 MB. This is of importance since ArchEX can run very fast live from RAM. So your computer needs lesser RAM to run Build 220212. Should be enough with 2 GB. NOTE: I was hoping to make the ISO file even smaller, but that was impossible since Calamares Installer has a lot of dependencies.

B) ArchEX Build 220212 has all Arch Linux original installation scripts, which means that you can use this build to install Arch Linux “the Arch way” following the Installation Guide. Or you can just follow my example here. You can have my instructions up in Firefox while installing as this screenshot shows. When installing from Arch Linux official live DVD you’ll have to do it in console mode. (Could be tricky).

C) If you install Arch Linux (or ArchEX using Calamares) in VirtualBox or Qemu you can do it in full screen. VirtualBox Guest Additions are pre-installed in ArchEX Build 220212. Watch this screenshot. In Qemu you can just choose the screen resolution you want.

SCREENSHOTS
1. ArchEX Mini Desktop for user exton
2. ArchEX Mini Desktop for root
3. ArchEX Mini running Samba
4. ArchEX Mini installing LibreOffice while running live

READ MORE about both ArchEX versions…

Read about my Android-x86 Systems – 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow, Lollipop and KitKat at andex.exton.net – latest is AndEX 10 (with GAPPS) and AndEX Pie 9.0 (also with GAPPS)!
and
about my Android 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow and Lollipop versions for Raspberry Pi 4 and 3/2 at raspex.exton.se – latest is RaspAnd 11 (with GAPPS) and RaspAnd Oreo 8.1 (also with GAPPS)!
exton, Exton Linux distributions

ArchEX (Arch Linux) Live with Deepin 20.4, GNOME 40, Gnome Classic, LXQt 1.0.0, LXDE, kernel 5.16.5-arch1-1, Yay, Spotify and Calamares Installer – Build 220206

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NEWS about ArchEX 220206
A new version of ArchEX is ready! In this new version, which I call ArchEX 2022, I have added the Deepin 20.4 (latest) Desktop environment. Deepin (made in China!) is devoted to providing a beautiful, easy to use, safe and reliable system for global users. I came to like Deepin very much when I installed it in ExTiX 22.1. So I thought why not install Deepin also in ArchEX? Furthermore I have added the GNOME 40 (latest) and LXQt 1.0.0.1 (latest) Desktop environments. As “extra Desktop environments I’ve added Gnome Classic and LXDE. So altogether five (5) different Desktops environments to try out while running ArchEX live or from hard drive!

Study all installed packages in ArchEX 2022 with Deepin/GNOME 40/Gnome Classic/LXQt/LXDE.

REPLACEMENT
This version (220206) of ArchEX replaces version 210526. I’ve replaced Yaourt with Yay – Yet Another Yogurt – An AUR Helper Written in Go. I came to know that Yaourt is dead. I.e. Yaourt is not being developed anymore. So in the new version of ArchEX I have upgraded all included packages, installed a new kernel (5.16.5) and replaced Yaourt with Yay. NOTE: While running ArchEX LIVE (from a DVD or USB stick) you can now do so super fast from RAM. Watch this screenshot. I.e. use boot alternative 3 (Copy to RAM). In this new version I’ve also added more support for Broadcom WiFi cards. I.e. kernel modules b43 and wl will be loaded from boot.

WHO should run Arch Linux?
My answer: The system fits the “advanced” Linux user/enthusiast, who would be willing to run an occasional command from time to time.

BENEFITS of ArchEX/Arch Linux
“Cutting Edge”-software and speed. You will for example always run the latest kernel if you upgrade ArchEX/Arch (for example) every month.

Screenshots
ArchEX Deepin Desktop
ArchEX GNOME 40 Desktop
ArchEX LXQt Desktop
ArchEX running in VirtualBox with Guest Additions installed
ArchEX running in Qemu
ArchEX Gnome Classic Desktop

READ MORE…

Read about my Android-x86 Systems – 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow, Lollipop and KitKat at andex.exton.net – latest is AndEX 10 (with GAPPS) and AndEX Pie 9.0 (also with GAPPS)!
and
about my Android 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow and Lollipop versions for Raspberry Pi 4 and 3/2 at raspex.exton.se – latest is RaspAnd 11 (with GAPPS) and RaspAnd Oreo 8.1 (also with GAPPS)!

 

exton, Exton Linux distributions

PuppEX Focal64 Linux Live DVD with kernel 5.16.2-exton and VirtualBox Guest Additions :: Build 220201

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ABOUT PuppEX Focal64 Build 220201
This Puppy derivative is built from Puppy Linux 9.5 FossaPup64. I have added PCManFM and LXterminal. Also many development tools. Furthermore I have compiled a new kernel – 5.16.2-exton and pre-installed VirtualBox Guest Additions. Watch a screenshot when PuppEX is running in full screen in VirtualBox. PuppEX Focal64 (both versions) are compatible with Ubuntu 20.04 (Focal Fossa), which means that Ubuntu packages for Ubuntu 20.04 LTS can be installed and used in PuppEX. Ubuntu 20.04 LTS will be supported until April, 2025.

NOTE1: For some unknown reason PuppEX Build 220201 won’t boot on newer UEFI computers. It works well on older computer though. I have therefore kept the old PuppEX version from 201119, which can run on all “normal” computers.

NOTE1: The good thing about PuppEX Build 220201 is that you can run it very well on older non-UEFI computers, VirtualBox, VMware and Qemu. You can also do a manual installation to any computer provided that you have at least one Linux system installed and use Grub as bootloader. Do it like this.
1. Extract everything in the PuppEX ISO to a folder in the root (/) of your existing Linux system. Watch this screenshot.
2. Then just add boot lines for PuppEX in /etc/grub.d/40_custom or /boot/grub/grub.cfg. Watch this screenshot and this example of a 40_custom-configuration.
3. You can/should also read my instruction How to dual-boot, triple-boot or multi-boot Linux with Windows in a simple way and be happy...

Study ALL installed packages in PuppEX Focal64 – 220201

SCREENSHOTS
1. PuppEX Focal’s Desktop – 220201
2. PuppEX Build 220201 running in full screen in Qemu
3. PuppEX Build 220201 running in full screen in VirtualBox

READ MORE…

Read about my Android-x86 Systems – 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow, Lollipop and KitKat at
andex.exton.net – latest is AndEX 10 (with GAPPS) and AndEX Pie 9.0 (also with GAPPS)!
and
about my Android 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow and Lollipop versions for Raspberry Pi 4 and 3/2 at
raspex.exton.se – latest is RaspAnd 11 (with GAPPS) and RaspAnd Oreo 8.1 (also with GAPPS)!