Google has released Android 4 ICS, Android 3.0 Honeycomb and 2.3 Gingerbread SDK to developers but you can use it to test drive and explore the new features of Android. It's a fully functional Adnroid OS on your PC, so you can install thousand of free Android games and apps in your virtual Android device.
If you have a multi-touch touch device connected to your PC then make it full screen and use it as an Android tablet.
Follow this step-by-step installation guide:
- Download Android SDK (installer_r10-windows.exe) and run it.
- Install Java Platform (JDK)
- Run SDK Manager and install the package below to install (Reject all other packages):
- SDK Platform Android 4.x, API (for Android Ice Cream Sandwich)
- SDK Platform Android 3.0, API 11 (for Android Honeycomb)
- SDK Platform Android 2.3.3 (for Android Gingerbread)
- Android SDK Platform-tools
- Android SDK Tools
- Select Virtual devices from left pane and create a new Android Virtual Device (AVD).
- Enter any name.
- Choose a Target (Android ICS or Honeycomb...)
- Enter a size for the emulator SD Card or leave it empty. (only for Android 2.3)
- Choose a Skin or enter any resolution.
- Click Create AVD.
- Now select your AVD and click the Start... button.
- Wait for a few seconds and you will see Android boot screen.
- Wait for the Android to boot and then explore your shiny new Android or install apps.
Note: If you receive "Failed to fetch url" error then follow the steps:
- Select "Settings" from the left sidebar
- Check the box labeled "Force https://... sources to be fetched using http://..."
- Click "Save and Apply"
- Close and restart the SDK Setup.