Phoenix OS is a free, Android™ based project operating system that
can be installed on tablets, laptops and desktop computers. It is an
"enhanced" version of Android™ focused on bringing Windows features such
as the well-known "Start Menu" and "Task Bar". The purpose is to make
users feel more comfortable when moving from Windows® to Android™.
Phoenix OS Review
If
you are looking for an Android™ desktop operating system, Phoenix OS is
worth considering. Phoenix OS is available for Android™ devices as well
as x86 PCs. It certainly has its fair share of faults but it is
functional and markedly distinct from other similar Android™ based
operating systems such as Remix OS. Let's take a closer look at the
details of Phoenix OS.
Phoenix OS Basics
You can
download Phoenix OS as a custom ROM. It can then be installed in a
Nexus® 10 tablet or a Google® Nexus® 9. There is also an x86 download
version that you can load up onto a USB flash drive. Go ahead and take
it with you for on-the-go computing. Phoenix OS can be booted on
computers with a 64 bit chip but not those with 32 bit chips. Though it
is designed for use on large screens, it is still operational with
smaller sized devices. There is also support for keyboard and mouse
devices.
Requirements and Steps for Use
Phoenix
OS is fairly easy to use. Here's a look at the basic installation steps.
Begin by plugging in a USB flash drive that has a minimum of 4GB of
space. Save important data as unsaved information will be wiped a few
steps later. Download the Phoenix OS ZIP. At the same time download the
USBMaker tool. Run USBMaker.exe then select the ZIP file that was
downloaded, the flash drive letter and select the box for “write”. Plug
in the USB flash drive that you want Phoenix OS to run on. Boot up the
computer and select the USB flash drive from the boot options menu.
That's it. The installation goes by quicker than expected and the user
experience design is solid.Updated: Besides USB flash installation,
Phoenix OS X86 now supports harddisk installation as well, along with
the already installed OS on the computer (Microsoft Windows in most
cases..), user can choose which OS to launch during the
booting/restarting of the computer. One installation program supports
both installation methods, download link here.
Phoenix OS Control and Style
Anyone
who has used Windows® or other Android™ OS alternative such as Remix OS
will find that Phoenix OS is easy to operate. It has a basic desktop,
multi-window support and taskbar. Use the Phoenix logo in the bottom
left to access a menu. Here, you can find your apps and shortcuts for
all sorts of options and information. The first time the app menu is
launched it will occupy the full screen. You can shrink it by tapping
the arrow icon so it doesn't dominate the screen when used again. The
system even allows you to operate multiple apps at the same time.
Faults
A
lot of people have commented that the software is a bit similar to
Remix OS for PC. Some say that Phoenix OS is basically a heavily
modified version of Android™ 5.1 Lollipop. Users have reported trouble
with resizing browser windows. The fonts often fail to adjust until the
user refreshes the web page. Also, after a window is resized, it is
difficult to drag and drop it to a new spot on the screen. More often
than not, such an attempt results in accidentally maximizing the window.
The Bottom Line
Phoenix
OS is flexible, user friendly and doesn't tax your computer. It has
just enough different features to separate from other alternatives and
you probably noticed that I kept mentioning Remix OS. The program's
window management, settings manager, default file browser and other
aspects have all been updated and improved. Phoenix OS doesn't have
issues running on devices that have USB 2.0 ports. You can even take
your flash drive and insert it into a totally different computer. Your
settings and apps will still be there. Don't be afraid to take a chance
on Phoenix OS. You will likely be pleased with its performance.
Download:
Download Phoenix OS 3.0.5 Exe Installer or
Link Alternative (For Windows)
Download Phoenix OS 3.0.5 ISO image or
Link Alternative (For Windows & MacOSX)