Related
Hey!
As i've previously mentioned here once (I think), i started a small forum where I tried to gather all the setups for running Android on various HTC models. Now that the HTC G1 (Dream) is soon released, we will will get some very interesting challenges while trying to build Android ROM's, etc..
This forum is great, but its also very big. Thought that it might be a good idea to have our android resources on a separate forum?
Anyways, thought i could register a domain and such, but for now the forum is at http://www.connect-utb.com/htcandroid
Some of you are there already! Hopefully, with the experienced user base we have here, we can get Android ROMS and whatnot for our HTC models, as the HTC Dream looks rather poor. (Although better devices will surely come in the future).
you must be joking. Android is a total OS unlike apps that we see all over which are portable among HTC devices. It takes months alone just to get Android as it is today for the kaiser. Mostly everything for WM can be ported among other devices which some exceptions to nontouch devices. It'll be a long time until you see Android ported over to more devices than now. My suggestion would be to use a device that's got android projects already in progress or at your nearest convenience to buy a device with android on it.
Think we misunderstand each other, but you dont believe that if we can extract the android ROM from the HTC Dream, and modify and install it on lets say, the Kaiser?
You can always try before saying that it isn't going to work.
I will track this post because i'm very curious by the Android OS.
I get it...and completely understand what this is about...it's HTC...which means theoretically we should be able to at least somewhat get it working...I've started a wizard thread on your new forum in hopes that any information or progress getting it ported over gets posted all in one location for easy access....kudo's for thinking ahead as I dont think android is going anywhere soon and while this forum is very useful it's mostly for winmo devices....nothing wrong with speading the wings a lil bit and branching out...
looking forward to the press conference!!
I would say we should be able to get Android to run on the OS level of our devices, but it will probably need a bit of modifying. However, since it's open source I'm hoping the modifying will be a lot easier because of this.
Hey,
I was just on HTC homepage ( htc.com ), where the G1 is shown.
They printed the specs, which are very similar to the diamond
Same chipset, same rom size, same ram size,...
SO I think, it would be ( maybe easily?) possible to port android to the diamond
greets doena
WatskeBart said:
I will track this post because i'm very curious by the Android OS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here!
If my memory does not fail, I remember that one of the first peaks at Android was being run in a Blue Angel. So, I guess there is a big chance that we might in fact be able to see Android running on more than one device (of course, you will have more or less features depending on the device's capabilities and hardware limitations, namely apps that work with an accelerometer, etc).
Maybe, the development should be worth following because as much as I don't want to believe it, my device (Blue Angel) will only trick death for so long (by death I mean not being able to move to newer versions of WM) and we will need a way to pass the time .
HTC Touch Vogue in progress of being ported
Hey don't forget about the senior member "DZO" that started ANDROID porting to HTC Vogue and it is Successful
This is his direct link to the files : http://cs-alb-pc3.massey.ac.nz/vogue
And here is the link to the posting: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=382265
I think he did a GREAT job porting Android. I am running Android 0.9 with most of the featuress except installing programs but only because he is the only one that does that. So, he needs help! I am sure... Plus, on this site people are cheeping in for HTC Diamond so he can work on that too...
Here is the link: http://www.myhtcphone.com
So, if you want something done we should start by contributing either money, or programming support! I wish I knew how to program this
ahhhh I wish I would have fully functional Android on my HTC
Thanks for the support! The forums are slightly active now!
Hopefully, we will be able to get Android running more or less flawless soon! As pointed out, its possible!
he he nice link, it seems that there are allready htc devices running with android.
just wondering, is it possible to have dual boot in one device ?
hmmm, seems to have no desktop syncing.. this may be a huge set back for anyone trying to get androig running on another HTC device.
crescentsaber said:
just wondering, is it possible to have dual boot in one device ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well currently (or in the case of the vogue) android is being booted via haret (a linux bootloaded) running on top of windows mobile.. so i guess its already kind of dual boot
For now, Android has to be run from within Windows Mobile, so no true dual boot yet
Already started
Hey you guys might want to check out the following links. Over at PPC Geeks they already have a thread going:
http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=23244
Also if you want to download the current Android cab for HTC go to:
http://www.myhtcphone.com/
doena said:
Hey,
I was just on HTC homepage ( htc.com ), where the G1 is shown.
They printed the specs, which are very similar to the diamond
Same chipset, same rom size, same ram size,...
SO I think, it would be ( maybe easily?) possible to port android to the diamond
greets doena
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Diamond doesnt have QWERTY keyboard, so i think it could be on Touch Pro instead
Someone ported Android for BlueAngel?
Please can someone tell me if Android is already running in BlueAngel? If there is a way show me how. Thanks Man!!!
Maybe I'm mistaken, but wasn't Android made so that it can run on a wide range of devices. I, for one, can't wait till its ported to samsung omnia. Damn, that would be good!
@Coldheat,
What does the cab file do? Its an OS, so cab file??
As a stalwart Linux user, I am really excited about the prospect of replacing WM on my xda Orbit with Android, but I seem to have reached a dead end in my search for an Artemis version.
I have got Qtopia running, obviously only a barely functional version, but it's given me hope!
Unfortunately, I'm no programmer and I'm afraid I'm stumped. From what I gather, I need to get the Artemis kernel and compile Android for it, but that is beyond my expertise.
I know enough to tantalised by the prospect, I presume the Artemis kernel must exist because Qtopia runs on the phone, and I know that Android is available, so all it needs is for someone to put the two together right?
Is anyone working on this? I can't offer any programming skills, but I'd be more than happy to be a tester.
DoctorBeat said:
I have got Qtopia running, obviously only a barely functional version, but it's given me hope!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why do you think android will perform better ? Because of some magic "google spell" ?
qtopia does not work properly because there are several hardware features not implemented in the kernel.
Ah ok, showing my ignorance there!
So, the problem is that the kernel for the Artemis is incomplete, so no matter what other software gets layered on top of it, certain parts of the hardware can't be accessed?
I guess this is down to HTC not being open about their hardware?
Ok then, I'll rephrase my question, is there any hope of a fully functioning kernel becoming available for the Artemis, and is anyone working on it at the moment?
I have tried some different version for other mobiles but can just come to the red dot moving left to right and back again forever :O
//drakfisken
i too am a linux user and been crying out for android. my main reason is the inability of wm6 to sync with linux. (have you spent hours messing around with synce and all the rest of it to no avail as well?)
can i assume that android will talk to linux???
i too have no expertise but would happily devote time to assisting in testng etc.
there are kindred spirits...
any news about android on artemis? i googled for a long but i didnt find anything newer than october 2008...anyone know something?
I'm new to Android but not new to Linux and wondering what is necessary to get these ROMs (and others) working on the CDMA Hero. What are the major differences, proprietary drivers? Kernel modules?
New Cyanogen ROM, just released
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=567610
In other words, what's stopping us from running these ROM's right along with G1/Dream users?
I'm curious also... would love to try his roms...
Since Android 1.6 was supposed to add CDMA support I would think they should work as well as 2.0 unless the developers have taken the cdma support out of the code in their roms to shrink the size to fit on the G1's.
If I had a Hero I would be giving it a try most likely. I might try picking one up this week since Best Buy has them down to $99. I just wish it had a keyboard.
I'll try when I get home from work.
On a side note, even if this rom doesn't work, I should be able to boot into the recovery rom no matter what... riiiiiiight?
herzzreh said:
I'll try when I get home from work.
On a side note, even if this rom doesn't work, I should be able to boot into the recovery rom no matter what... riiiiiiight?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct! The recovery image isn't touched by normal ROMS typically.
I'm tempted. Can this be applied right over the MoDaCo ROM?
I have tried a couple things with these. I tried flashing it outright. Wouldnt get past the initial htc boot screen. So I replaced the kernel in the boot.img of Cyans rom with ours, that still didnt work. Then I tried replacing the entire boot.img and still no boot working. I think Donut uses the 2.6.29 kernel or whatever it is. Ours is .27 so I think we would need to recompile the .29 kernel and pray our drivers work with it. Please, someone else try it too and see if they can get it working. I would love you forever if you could. If not, we will just have to wait until HTC gets us Eclair.
Thanks
Thanks for trying this, chuckhriczko and others.
I'm mainly coming at this from the pure Linux point of view: shouldn't these ROM's run anywhere (barring proprietary bits)? Shouldn't we be able to "share and share alike" between platforms, Hero/Dream/G1/whatever? If there is a chip architecture difference, fine then we need a recompiled kernel. Obviously there is also the question of firmware, but that's a given on all phones.
Otherwise, shouldn't these ROM's be fairly universal? Or if they are not, I'd like to know what makes ROM building such a unique endeavor for each phone.
5tr4t4 said:
Thanks for trying this, chuckhriczko and others.
I'm mainly coming at this from the pure Linux point of view: shouldn't these ROM's run anywhere (barring proprietary bits)? Shouldn't we be able to "share and share alike" between platforms, Hero/Dream/G1/whatever? If there is a chip architecture difference, fine then we need a recompiled kernel. Obviously there is also the question of firmware, but that's a given on all phones.
Otherwise, shouldn't these ROM's be fairly universal? Or if they are not, I'd like to know what makes ROM building such a unique endeavor for each phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe it's mostly the proprietary drivers for some of the hardware as well as needing a kernel recompile...once HTC releases the CDMA kernel, I'm sure we'll see a lot more (that or some genius will reverse engineer it...either way!)
The other thing to consider is that most of these ROMs are based on something...they take what's existing and tweak the heck out of it (I'm willing to bet that the vast majority of ROMs can trace their roots back to an official vendor image at some point).
I'm actually trying to setup a build environment and poke around but I'm starting from ground zero on the mobile platform side of things so I wouldn't hold out for me (and finding a Java 1.5 runtime is surprisingly hard these days ).
I'm noticing that we're seeing more and more ROM's pop up (primarily gutted ROMs focussed on eeking more speed as opposed to MoDaCo who went for more features).
thecodemonk said:
I believe it's mostly the proprietary drivers for some of the hardware as well as needing a kernel recompile...once HTC releases the CDMA kernel, I'm sure we'll see a lot more (that or some genius will reverse engineer it...either way!)
The other thing to consider is that most of these ROMs are based on something...they take what's existing and tweak the heck out of it (I'm willing to bet that the vast majority of ROMs can trace their roots back to an official vendor image at some point).
I'm actually trying to setup a build environment and poke around but I'm starting from ground zero on the mobile platform side of things so I wouldn't hold out for me (and finding a Java 1.5 runtime is surprisingly hard these days ).
I'm noticing that we're seeing more and more ROM's pop up (primarily gutted ROMs focussed on eeking more speed as opposed to MoDaCo who went for more features).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What OS are you using? If your using a Debian based linux then you can get it from the Debian Lenny repositories. One word about this though, it killed my existing Java 1.6 so I had to reinstall it when I needed it. Otherwise that works.
And yeah, we are primarily doing gutted roms because that is all we know up to this point. It is very difficult to find help from those who know all about recompiling a kernel and things like that. Like I said, I couldnt get Cyanogen to even boot on my phone but obviously, it should at the very least do that. But only one dev on these forums ever helped me with my CDMA roms and that was Mlign from the Dream forums. Everyone else (understandably busy) ignored me. Im not saying anything bad about them but it's just harder for people to learn. Patience will give us what we desire though.
vendor tree for cyanogen heroc
im a noob and dont know how to build it but its here:
http://github.com/darchstar/vendor_cyanogen_heroc
Thread gravedigging much?
yes haha i want cyanogen on my hero lol
Hello all,
This post is meant so we can get to know each other before the dev community gets going. This way we learn what each other's strengths are and can maybe get things going better.
My name is Chuck and I am a well versed XDAer. I came from the HTC Wizard and WinMo and then moved on to the G1. There I learned from guys like JF, Haykuro and, everyone's hero, Cyanogen. I didn't really do any devving there though. I then moved on to the Hero and since we didn't really have any devs I stepped up and learned how to cook roms. Then I learned how to compile AOSP and kernels. I built the Gutted Hero rom, which I eventually abandoned due to time restraints but I know that won't happen here. I am attempting to learn more about linux exploits and gaining root so that hopefully I can help root this beautiful device when it comes today.
So anyone else who wants to please join in and let us know your background.
Hi Chuck!
I'm pretty much a n00b when it comes to the dev environment, but I want to jump in and get my hands dirty I started reading XDA back when the HTC Titan (Mogul) first hit the scenes, but then jumped into a Blackberry... Since jumping, I haven't really looked back into wanting to learn until news of Android... Then mentions of the HTC "Supersonic" coming to a CDMA carrier (I have Sprint btw) and as well as the N1 possibly releasing a CDMA version. That caught my attention and now I really want to learn and jump into developing!
Now I'm trying to read up as much from the different Android forums, but it's all so much... Trying to take it one step at a time. I'm not a complete n00b when technology is involved, as I used to build boxes back in the day of Pentium II/III, AMD T-Bird days, PC Tech for Gateway (when they had stores), and the sorts...
Stinks that the N1 is not coming to Sprint, but I am planning on getting the Evo. Definately wanting and willing to learn as much as I can!
admin over at SDX-developers.com
wrote my own root exploit for the samsung moment on android 2.1
modified/tweaked an open source recovery
with released open source linux kernel 2.6.27 and 2.6.29, compiled many custom kernels
strong suite, linux. decent with java. terrible with being creative like theming.
excited to work together on the EVO!
edit: for those interested - my android 2.1 resume all with the Samsung Moment
Root Exploit for Android 2.1
Online Kitchen
Linux 2.6.29 Android 2.1 Custom Kernel
Hey guys,
Ok, i have background what so ever... But im slowly learning java so i can start coding and so on with android. So basically my cup is empty...
just wanted to say hi !
Oh and another thing i wanted to add, I was always the guy that devs get files and stuff to for testing and made guides on how to install things and so on ^.^
side note
Themer
Well this is a nice way to meet each other and see what we can assist each other with. I began with editing files, back in the Apache the small fridge looking device . I've been in the windows scene for about 3-5 yrs or so and modded, and mostly created themes. In that time frameI learned to edit manila files,make cabs, and learned how to edit all different software ui apps, windows, and shell. The Vogue had the android files arranged and worked with to use in the sdcard and have the android working with it working I found out how to edit files and do some soft modding. I then learned how to theme but with family and biz I've still got the need to sit down and learn to package, and the rest of the guru qualities as some of you may have. Here is a thread I've begun as I did with the Hero for all creations, mods, themes etc to be shared. I've enjoyed learning and being a part of XDA, looking forward to the fellowship. I've begun editing the Evo files and created some clock's and will continue with rosie, taskbar and apk's you can view it here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=685537
Apache-Mogul-Vogue Touch-TouchPro-Hero-Evo soon
Thanks to you all that played a part in rooting, roms, modding and making it possible for themers to give it a touch of class to share with everyone as you have with your work.. Thank you
Good idea for a thread.
I'm Justin--but it's easier to go by Shidell--and I'm moving over from the Vogue community. Within the last two years I've gotten serious about development, and have a strong .NET background with a (growing) C/C++ background. However, linux is still pretty foreign to me, which makes development on that platform somewhat challenging.
With the Vogue, I compiled my own build of Eclair for it from AOSP, and worked with Dzo, mssmison, jnadke (and others, all the names evade me right now) on updating/fixing the GPS library.
I'm fairly clueless when it comes to the bootloader, the kernel, how one would go about exploiting either to achieve root (or even how to go about doing so), but I'm eager to learn and help.
I plan on keeping my Vogue and continuing to learn by using that as a test device for more serious ambitions (kernel development/flashing, etc.) But I'll be actively involved in this community as well. Please feel free to ping me with questions, requests for assistance, etc.
(Also, I do have an Evo via Google I/O, so if you're looking for data a bit early, I'd be glad to help.)
Hello all- I have no experience with this stuff at all other rooting & running different roms/hacks on my former devices (g1 & mt3g) so I was debating whether to even post this here...however I am very interested in learning as much as I can about everything mentioned above & more- it is fascinating to me!
So any suggestions on where to start learning (books/links/etc)?
6/4/10 can't get get here soon enough!
tester here
i am willing to begin testing you may send me a pm and we can discuss over gtalk.
i have years of experience of flashing my phone numerous times back in the ppc6700 days and have had a moment since january and always flashing off sdx and am glad to be back on xda! hit me up ill work with you and tell you what bugs i find etc after i know your phone wasnt bricked
Hello, im a loyal follower of joeykrim from sdx-developers. No experience in writing or creating, but MORE than willing to be a test dummy, guide writer, as i can be quite explicit (the good kind), or a noob helper. pm me and i can get you my email address, phone number, or we can chat through facebook. not currently using any other methods of communication but im willing to switch to anything else more universally accepted by these fine forums.
EDIT: joined xda because the evo is coming out, and i hear this is THE place for htc devices. want to give all the assistance i can
My name is Dan, though I also go by Q. I got an EVO at Google I/O, and want to get it rooted while I still can (an NDA may get in the way soon)
I've been hacking on Linux for 8 years now, and know the entire system very well. I'm also not particularly afraid to solder (which is unfortunate, because I'm also not particularly good at it), so that may be an option. I also have a Droid and a Google ION.
I'm a jack-of-all-trades. I know some C, mediocre C++, C# expert, some java (easy to pick up), php, vb.net, etc. I know hardware, but not embedded stuff. I'm the geek that other computer geeks come to. You get the idea.
But, what skills are you using to modify the Android kernel? Do I need to know assembly? C++? I know I need to know C and the Linux kernel, but how much of the kernel do I need to know? Beginner, so-so, professional, expert? Do I need to know embedded Linux specifically? Do I need to know Linux drivers?
Just point me into the right direction, thanks!
I currently have the G1 from 2 years ago. I'm put my deposit down, and getting my EVO on 6/4/2010. I look forward to learning from you guys.
im well... toastcfh been through a lot with linux for sure. it all started with my old Dell Axim X50. i began working on linux for that device before android was a real deal. then i got a HTC Diamond and did a lot of kernel work for the support of linux on it and other HTC devices. got my HTC Heroc by a streak of luck and smooth talking for free (sprint can be dumb) . anyhow, on the Heroc i managed to be a big part of root,porting and development for it. the main things im known for is my work on Eclair for the Heroc and more recently my port of Eris 2.6.29 kernel source to the Heroc. creating my own board files through a lot of creative debugging and previous struggles with backporting drivers from .29 to .27. at the moment its the only .29 source for the Heroc as Sprint/HTC hasnt even released the .29 source for the device yet. also my work with overclocking the Heroc, but those are just notable contributions to the community ive made. im also the kind of person that is willing to help almost anyone. ask anyone whose ever asked for my help. i believe in the idea of open source and helping others. i also believe in giving credit where credit is due. or at least giving it the boyscout effort anyhow i cant promise ill be ablee to make ur EVO turn into a skynet and cleanup the oil spill in the Gulf. but i can promise that ill damn sure try. im not one to be told it cant be done, nor will i ever except that statement unless it can be proven without a shadow of a doubt (btw its pretty hard to prove to me )
anyhow im looking forward to root, as we need that first and for most. im happy to know we got some awesome devs here and coming soon.
as a single developer i am nothing. but together we can have everything.
toastcfh said:
im well... toastcfh been through a lot with linux for sure. it all started with my old Dell Axim X50. i began working on linux for that device before android was a real deal. then i got a HTC Diamond and did a lot of kernel work for the support of linux on it and other HTC devices. got my HTC Heroc by a streak of luck and smooth talking for free (sprint can be dumb) . anyhow, on the Heroc i managed to be a big part of root,porting and development for it. the main things im known for is my work on Eclair for the Heroc and more recently my port of Eris 2.6.29 kernel source to the Heroc. creating my own board files through a lot of creative debugging and previous struggles with backporting drivers from .29 to .27. at the moment its the only .29 source for the Heroc as Sprint/HTC hasnt even released the .29 source for the device yet. also my work with overclocking the Heroc, but those are just notable contributions to the community ive made. im also the kind of person that is willing to help almost anyone. ask anyone whose ever asked for my help. i believe in the idea of open source and helping others. i also believe in giving credit where credit is due. or at least giving it the boyscout effort anyhow i cant promise ill be ablee to make ur EVO turn into a skynet and cleanup the oil spill in the Gulf. but i can promise that ill damn sure try. im not one to be told it cant be done, nor will i ever except that statement unless it can be proven without a shadow of a doubt (btw its pretty hard to prove to me )
anyhow im looking forward to root, as we need that first and for most. im happy to know we got some awesome devs here and coming soon.
as a single developer i am nothing. but together we can have everything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes! youre getting an evo 4g! we're going to have a nice group of devs here ..i having a feeling toast is going to be the one to port froyo
Cheers to all the great devs speaking out. I've been watching the android game from the sidelines since the G1... I've been a palm loyalist for the longest time, but I'm finally dropping the Pre to jump onthe EVO.
Can't wait to get into customs roms (bleh to Sense, hoping for vanilla froyo).
I'll be everyone's testpig, I promise
Hey guys, I'm Kyle. Currently a computer science major at Berkeley. I haven't really messed around with Android before, but I attended I/O and received an Evo. I really want to get this thing rooted, but I have no idea where to even start. If anybody has some pointers, that would be great.
Happy hacking
Adam / apristel - Live in Green Bay, WI, 15yr computer tech, mostly windoze and linux.
Started phone hacking when the RAZR came out. I helped get modmymoto.com going and spent alot of time being a mod there. I also created some very popular roms aka monsterpacks for the GSM V3 RAZR, then moved to the V6 MAXX....few years later got onto the WM Scene, got a TP and eventually a TP2. I made personal roms, never shared them, but I shared tons of hacks and cabs I made. I got sick of WM and got a moment and a hero. ..now the EVO in a few days.
I'm willing to put in what I can, I know I'm not at the level of you linux pro's but I'm not scared to try anything.
Glad to see familiar names here - this should be an exciting time. Glad to share it with you fellas.
Welcome me in!
I've done a lot of themes for HTC devices throughout the years. I've owned mainly windows mobile devices, such as i930, Apache, Titan, Touch Diamond, Touch Pro, and the Touch Pro 2. I've always been flashing ROM's and helping ROM dev's with hexing things, changing some layouts here and there, registry edits and of course testing it before it went public. I also host all this stuff online for free since I HATE countdown sites for a download.
I helped with MightyROM themes and we had over 7TB of data pulled from the servers, which is pretty amazing, but I'm all Android now!
I hope to learn Android quickly and hope that some of my tools will also work with it. I have good hosting capabilities if a dev needs it, and I'm more then willing to help. I've done work for over 10+ cooks, on over 8 different devices since 2003.
Background: BSCE, Machine Language on MIPS, x86 / arm / mot / att assembly, C/++ on Posix and Win32. PIC / HC11 system design. GCC cross compiling. Have a JTAG, digital storescope, and an HP protocol analyzer. Been using Linux exclusively at home since '99.
Projects:
- Open source contributor on a few Linux projects (mainly device driver / interface development)
- Helped with the Agenda Vr3 (Snow rom)
- Hacked around with the IPAQ Linux (hardware and software)
- Helped with the Zaurus FBVnc effort
- Helped with the IOpener hack / USB problems
- Helped with the EPOD Windows CE hack / drivers
- Helped with various efforts on the Palm Pre
Future Projects:
- Root (someone will probably beat me to this)
- WebKit over HDMI (not sure where it stands on launch day)
- BT HID Keyboard (sounds like we need some back porting here)
- BT HID Mouse (virgin territory from what I have seen)
- Video recording bitrate (fun project on the side)
The EVO is my first android phone, not my first HTC though. So hopefully I can help a little bit here and there.
Hello,
I work with a small company and develop everything from boards to firmware to full-blown desktop applications for interfacing with different sensors and devices.
I've started at both ends of the computer world and am working my way towards the middle. On one hand I know my way around assembler (although I prefer C...) and write firmware for AVRs and PIC microcontrollers and on the other I'm a fluent .Net developer and have built some pretty complex .Net applications, some PHP applications, and fiddled around with the Google web toolkit.
I've reverse engineered hardware before but nothing close to the complexity of the EVO. I've never developed for Android before but I'm eager to break out the SDK and learn. I have some limited Java experience (my philosophy is once you know one managed language you know them all and I have some extensive experience with it's cousin, C#).
Very eager to start tearing into the EVO and Android system and see if I can't contribute to the effort to root and expand this device!
I've never been a huge contributor to a community effort but I hope to change that in the coming years and see if I can't contribute something back to the communities I have learned so much from!
I'll be getting my EVO June 4th
Relative rookie here in terms of mobile devices. I've put together a few custom WinMo ROMs for co-workers and myself. I've quite a few devices, but currently have the ones in my sig. I'm a professional computer geek. I write apps in C++, various .NET, PHP, etc. and work primarily with server systems (Windows, Linux, Solaris, etc.).
Looking forward to contributing to the Android world soon. Lots of great stuff here.
Let me start by saying I'm fairly new to Android, and that this probably should go in a general Android forum, but since I'm a Fascinate user, this seems appropriate to me. I've searched, but haven't found a real explanation, and I'm not one to take things as fact without a reasonable explanation.
So it seems like everyone is waiting for an official 2.2 release for the Fascinate, flashing 2.1 ROMs but not capable of upgrading to 2.2+; but I'm wondering why we can't just compile our own OS for our phones? Android is a Linux-like OS, and I know Linux users would never stay on an old version if a newer (better?) version was available. I'm talking down-and-dirty tweak-every-option-by-hand Slackware here. Is the source available for download? If so, why can't we do something with it? Is something in the phone completely locked and unhackable? Is it the fear of having a $500 paperweight? Is it difficult to regain Verizon network connectivity?
Again, forgive the noob question, and thanks in advance for any help you can give me!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=792986
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=883004
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=882946
There is currently work being done by jt, birdman, and the other skew of developers trying to develop a working AOSP version of 2.2/2.3. The biggest struggle that they have encountered was the RIL (Radio Interface Layer) binaries. Samsung produced some bogus complex proprietary binaries with no properly working source code. Because this phone is CDMA and not GSM, we can't simply use galaxy s files.
Anyways, the point is that there is work being done to bring it to our phone. They have a working AOSP 2.1 that is currently in alpha stage. Jt basically built his own RIL for this phone to get it working.
If this RIL works, we may end up with 2.3 sooner than later.
eulipion2 said:
Let me start by saying I'm fairly new to Android, and that this probably should go in a general Android forum, but since I'm a Fascinate user, this seems appropriate to me. I've searched, but haven't found a real explanation, and I'm not one to take things as fact without a reasonable explanation.
So it seems like everyone is waiting for an official 2.2 release for the Fascinate, flashing 2.1 ROMs but not capable of upgrading to 2.2+; but I'm wondering why we can't just compile our own OS for our phones? Android is a Linux-like OS, and I know Linux users would never stay on an old version if a newer (better?) version was available. I'm talking down-and-dirty tweak-every-option-by-hand Slackware here. Is the source available for download? If so, why can't we do something with it? Is something in the phone completely locked and unhackable? Is it the fear of having a $500 paperweight? Is it difficult to regain Verizon network connectivity?
Again, forgive the noob question, and thanks in advance for any help you can give me!
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You obviously have not searched hard enough, as this has been discussed in many places. I would suggest you start by searching this forum (edit: or seeing the links and posts above).
I will say, however, that recent achievements by (edit: the developers mentioned above) have made your suggestion quite possible. If you want to get a taste of what is to come, see the aosp alpha sticky located in the development section. The rom still has bugs, but it is a giant step forward for the Fascinate.
Sent from my Galaxy-S Fascinate
Florynce said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=792986
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=883004
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=882946
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^^^^^
10char
I must add/point out that the work these guys are doing could easily pave the way for Cyanogenmod- and other well-featured roms to be compiled/ported and used on Fascinate as well.
I've read the above links, but they didn't really quite answer my question. I guess I'm wondering why a Linux-based OS isn't acting/being treated like a Linux-based OS.
Let's say I go out and buy a new computer today. I want to put Linux on it. I get the machine home, download my distro of choice and make an install cd. As I'm installing, I configure the installation either for my specific hardware or I can use a generic profile if my hardware isn't listed.
Now say a new version of the Linux kernel comes out. I can upgrade without having to wait for a version for my hardware. Or if I install MyDistro v1 when I get my machine, and MyDistro v2 comes out the next day, I don't have to wait for someone to develop a version to work with my hardware.
So my question is more of a why can't we upgrade our distro like other Linux variants? Is it because there's no generic replacement for the Samsung RIL? If I were to download the source and do a generic build, or even a specific one, I wouldn't be able to install it because...?
Sorry to be a pain, but I genuinely have no clue. Again, thank you for the insight!
2.2 will boot on the I500 just nothing works. If you would like to help http://opensource.samsung.com/
The source code can be found there. Please feel free to help the development along.
I suggest you read through the reply's to your question and pay special note to those bringing up the RIL as that seems to be the biggest hurdle right now.
I think maybe the answer you are looking for is that it is possible to do it, it's just extremely difficult because Samsung's open source is very shoddy and isn't based on AOS, which is what is used for most other phones.
Since the developers don't have a build that works, they have to work from the ground up with AOS and get every last feature on the fascinate working without using Samsung's code (TouchWiz, widgets, etc).
The links they gave you explain most of it but you have to sift through the posts. There is a dev named jt (amongst others) who is working on a ROM that is upgradable based on AOSP and it looks very promising.
edit: It's also worth noting that when I say "not based on AOS" I mean that it is proprietary software used by Samsung-only phones and is not coded by Google. It still, of course, is based on Android OS. It would be akin to a ROM coded by Samsung for their phones rather than generic ROMs that could be downloaded by other phones.
Perfect, thanks!
Try thinking of it as buying an Ubuntu laptop from dell. Sure its " Ubuntu" but not stock. It so full of bloat and badly written drivers that aren't supplied openly for the user that it would be hell trying get the latest version of ubuntu to run on it.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
For clarification.... so I can wrap my brain around this. Is this situation kinda like having bought a new computer that's running an os, but has no installed device drivers and nowhere to download them from, so they have to be written by hand?
Edit: that last post came thru while I was writing this one, I think it basically answers my question...
So what the devs on here are trying to do is develop a "generic" profile that can work on our phone (as well as others?), creating a solid base to allow users to upgrade and change at-will without having to wait for official releases?
See, that's the part I'm having a hard time with. No generic profile built into the OS to use in the absence of a hardware specific one?
LoverBoyV said:
Try thinking of it as buying an Ubuntu laptop from dell. Sure its " Ubuntu" but not stock. It so full of bloat and badly written drivers that aren't supplied openly for the user that it would be hell trying get the latest version of ubuntu to run on it.
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On a sidenote, I bought a Dell netbook witih Ubuntu. Didn't waste time with Ubuntu, but I chose it because I didn't want MS to get money from a license fee. Installed Mac OS X on it the day it arrived
Ya know, I tried to do the same thing with my inspiron 1525 notebook, with snow leopard 10.6.3 since I have a spare hard drive. Spent a whole day with numerous guides, trying this n that. Got it to actually boot to the desktop once, bit as I was putting the drivers in, it went into KP and from that point on, I could never even reinstall back to the desktop again.
Well, Samsung is giving us a simple/reliable update to Froyo with unique functionality, as soon as possible.
Source: (Twitter, About 12pm 1/2/2011 from Samsungtweets via Cotweet - http://twitter.com/Samsungtweets/samsung-usa )
Samsungtweets We are working to make the Android 2.2/Froyo upgrade available to all U.S Galaxy S owners as soon as possible.
Samsungtweets We want Galaxy S owners to have simple/reliable upgrade. We r running tests due to complexity/unique functionality
EDIT: gave more specific time and source of tweets. Post is meant to be objective, without definition of ASAP for this context.
Swyped w/ XDA App. When in doubt, mumble.
soba49 said:
Well, Samsung is giving us a simple/reliable update to Froyo with unique functionality, as soon as possible.
Source (Twitter, 6 hours ago):
Samsungtweets We are working to make the Android 2.2/Froyo upgrade available to all U.S Galaxy S owners as soon as possible.
Samsungtweets We want Galaxy S owners to have simple/reliable upgrade. We r running tests due to complexity/unique functionality
Swyped w/ XDA App. When in doubt, mumble.
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I'm not sure if this is meant to be funny or not haha. Are those recent tweets?
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
They seem to post the same things over and over, of course this is also because people constantly ask when is froyo coming, and every time they say there is no definite date. It is coming soon that that is all they will say; yelling, moaning and crying isn't gonna make it come any sooner, just sit back and it will eventually come.