How do I access the terminal?

Of what terminal are you speaking?

Inside Android or Linux?
The terminal for u-boot?
Or do you want to compile the Kernel and stuff?

You have to be a bit more specific.

I here about these wonderful  tools but get no information on how to access them...

what tools are you talking about ??

If you want to access the debug console from windows check chris blog here.

If you want to access the debug console from Linux, install a terminal app like screen or minicom.

install screen on linux

apt-get install screen

apt-get update

detect the correct USB device in /dev folder and run below commands

I used ttyUSB0 below, yours may be different.

screen /dev/ttyUSB0 115200 8N1

This should show all the debug messages.

Assuming you are using Ubuntu (Linux). Press:

Ctrl-Alt-T

The terminal for the RIoTboard, in its natural state (Android).  How do I get to it?  And please be gentle on the jargon, as I am a beginner...  Probably gonna write a program for the Smartwatch...

I am assuming your board came with a user manual. If you go to section:

3.4

Setting up Terminal Emulation

Connect the RIoTboard to a PC with the help of a serial cable. Launch a terminal

emulation program such as HyperTerminal or TeraTerm (those can be googled).

In case you do not have the user manual, here is the link to get it free:

http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/1791875.pdf

Good luck,

The terminal for the RIoTboard, in its natural state (Android).  How do I get to it?

You can use the same procedure I mentioned above for Android also.

While connecting a UART cable make sure its connected properly in the J18 connector.

Below is a snapshot from my setup.

If you don't have a UART cable you can get a UART8000-UUART8000-U  from e14 website.

More information about UART and UART8000-U here and here.

Can the Raspberry Pi be used on the USB side of the cable?

Yes it can. You will need a USB to TTL. You can purchase them on amazon.com.

Can the Raspberry Pi be used on the USB side of the cable?

Yes .

Just note the USB TTL  TX,RX,GND,  the colours for may be different.