Search Results for: android
Which Android devices are supported?
The BOINC application for Android is supported on most, but not all, devices running Android 4.1 and higher (Android Jelly Bean or more recent versions). If BOINC is not able to run on your Android device, you will see a message that states your device is not compatible when you attempt to install the BOINC app from the Google Play store.
Will work unit deadlines be different for Android devices?
No. For now, all work units for projects that run on Android have been made smaller for all platforms, and are small enough to compute on an Android device in a reasonable amount of time. There are future plans to size work units dynamically based on the device a task is being computed on.
Which World Community Grid projects can be run on Android devices?
Please see this FAQ for World Community Grid projects currently running on Android devices.
Why enable World Community Grid on Android mobile devices?
The growth in mobile device ownership and usage is both undeniable and unstoppable. And while mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, are small, they have become increasingly powerful. This makes mobile devices a potentially significant source of computing power and gives them an important role in the future of scientific research.
In addition, Android is an ideal platform for launching mobile volunteer computing; the number of Android devices is huge, 900 million as of May 2013, and growing rapidly. We are investigating options to expand to other platforms in the future.
Are there any specific system requirements for running World Community Grid on Android?
Overall, World Community Grid only requires that the phone be running Android 4.1 or higher, but each research project has its own requirements for storage and memory usage. More details are available here.
How do I participate and donate my Android device's computing time?
Simply register for a World Community Grid account - during the registration process, you will be prompted to install the BOINC software on your Android device from the Google Play Store. Make sure to select 'World Community Grid' from the list of BOINC projects when you start the application.
If you're already a World Community Grid member, login to your account and go to the Download page instead.
Will this reduce battery life?
By default, the Android BOINC application is only active when your device is plugged into a power source (AC or USB) and your battery is charged 90% or more. Using the application will not significantly reduce your battery life or your recharge time. If you wish, you can override these default power use settings and customize how World Community Grid runs on your device.
Will it use up my cellphone data plan?
No. The Android BOINC application only transfers data (downloads tasks or uploads results) when your device is connected to a WiFi network. You can override these default settings in device preferences.
What about other mobile platforms?
At this time, World Community Grid can only support Android mobile devices, but we are investigating options to expand to other platforms in the future. Apple's App Store Review Guidelines does not currently allow apps that download code in any form, apps that install or launch other executable code, or multitasking apps. This is likely to prevent World Community Grid from being accepted as an iOS app.
How can I help stop Zika?
You can help stop this virus by joining World Community Grid and contributing to the OpenZika project. When you join, you donate your computer or Android device’s unused computing power to run virtual experiments to help researchers identify promising candidates for anti-viral drugs to combat Zika.
What are the recommended minimum system specifications?
In order to participate in World Community Grid, you will need to have at least the following:
- The ability to display graphics (if you wish to see the graphics)
- An Internet connection
In addition, each research project has its own requirement for memory and disk space. These are as follows:
| Research Project | Memory Available | Disk Space | Operating Systems |
| Africa Rainfall Project | 1 GB | 1.5 GB | Windows1,2,6, Mac2,6, Linux1,2,6 |
| Help Stop TB | 200 MB | 200 MB | Windows1,2, Linux1,2 |
| Mapping Cancer Markers | 400 MB | 500 MB | Windows1,2, Mac2, Linux1,2, Android3,4 |
| OpenPandemics - COVID19 | 250 MB | 200 MB | Windows1,2,5, Mac2,5, Linux1,2,3,5,Android3,4 |
| Smash Childhood Cancer | 250 MB | 100 MB | Windows1,2, Mac2, Linux1,2, Android3,4 |
1. Version for x86 processors is available
2. Version for x86-64 processors is available
3. Version for ARM processors is available
4. Android Minimum requirement is Android version 4.4
5. Version for GPU is available (Open CL 1.2)
6. Users who choose to run this project are encouraged to set the 'Leave applications in memory while suspended' option in their device profile
To limit the number of tasks assigned to your device for a specific project, please see the FAQ here.
How might the data generated on this project be useful to Zika researchers?
World Community Grid volunteers’ computers and Android devices will complete virtual screenings of chemical compounds that may be effective against the Zika virus. These virtual screenings will generate data about the potential effectiveness of chemical compounds that could be used as antiviral medicines. Once the virtual screenings are complete, researchers will use the data to test promising compounds in laboratories.
In compliance with World Community Grid policy, the researchers will make their data openly accessible, thereby allowing other scientists to apply their own methods and approaches to further study promising compounds. The open data component of this project (and all other World Community Grid projects) means that the likelihood of finding effective drug treatments for Zika may be higher than if the researchers worked in isolation.