Guide: Running Android 2.2 on Your Mac or PC

Android users may be awaiting the next version of the mobile OS, Android 2.2. As you wait for the update to launch, it's already possible to take it for a little test run-–through the SDK (software development kit).

It's possible to run the SDK on either Mac or PC. Here's how it's done.

1) First, you will want to download the SDK that's compatible with your OS. Go here: http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html 

2) After downloading the SDK, you will open the folder. Within that folder, there is another called Tools. Open the script called Android (as seen below). Open that, and it will launch the Android SDK and AVD Manager.

3) Look at the column on the left. There should be an option called Available Packages. Highlight it. Down in the corner, you will see a download option. Click on it.

4) You will now be given a list of options. It looks like a lot of stuff, but you only have to worry about the first four. (See the screenshot below) When you click Install Selected, it will initiate a download. Go grab a soda, or take a short bathroom break. You will then have to install the packages (second picture)

5) Once the download is finished and installed, go back to the Android SDK and AVD Manager window and highlight Virtual Devices. Click on New.

6) From here, you can name your virtual Android phone. Choose a size for the virtual SD card (the minimum is 9MiB) You can also choose a screen resolution, as seen below. Though going too large on that may make the simulated taller than your real screen. Once you are done, hit the button at the bottom that says Create AVD. Go grab a low calorie snack while you wait.

If all went well, you should see the following screen:

7) You now have a make believe Android phone on your computer. If you choose your newly-created device from the menu and click on start, it will launch your virtual phone. While you wait you can munch on your low calorie snack and have  a sip of your soda.

When you see the window below, simply hit Launch.

9) Now, your computer is running an Android emulation, your stomach is happy and you're ready to play.

10) The last part is getting the apps to run on your emulator. Apps come in .apk format, and free ones can be found with a simple Google search.  There are two ways to install an app, and the truth is that both are very difficult those not familiar with these procedures. Just take that as a fair warning.

A) The first way is Eclipse: Here. The version you need is Eclipse IDE For Java Developers.  Next, is downloading the ADT plug-in for Eclipse. The Android developer website has the Instructions and  here.

B) The second way is through a command line. This involves going through the Android debug bridge (adb) and typing in a command line:

adb install <path_to_apk>

In this instance <path_to_apk> literally becomes the path to the folder containing the app. 

For instance: adb install android-sdk-mac_86/tools

This is essentially a command line instructing an installation of the .apk located in my tools folder of the Android SDK. Eclipse does pretty much the same thing you did now, but at the cost of 93 megs of your computer's HDD space and a few extra minutes of download time. Though it makes the process more visual than typing in a command.

If all went well, you should be seeing your new .apk installed on your Android emulator. (More info: Here)

For more info than you asked for, you can also visit the Android Developer website: here.