Database Users

version decriptions

I wanted to root my phone and also have a different skin but there are so many different versions like rc33, rc32, cupcake...etc what are the differences between the versions and which is the best version I should use and also the benifits of reflashing different radio versions.

The RCxx builds are based off of the official released (OTA, or Over The Air) that T-Mobile sent out to G1 owners. The xx numbers are the release version numbers. Rc29 had the 'root bug' that was patched in RC32. That is why the first step in rooting your phone is to go back down to that version, so that you can get root.
If you want to stick to the official releases from there, you just want to go to the highest RC version that's out.
You may also see the 1.1 and the 1.5 version numbers.. these are the versions of the android OS itself. Currently, all of the OTA versions released have been 1.1 - the newest update to android is 1.5, which will start to be released by T-Mobile via OTA this week.
From here it get's tricky. Since HTC makes the phone, Google (sort of) makes android and T-mobile releases it for their phones... there are multiple avenues by which the android OS can be obtained (and I'm sure as more manufacturers come on board, there will be more)
As these different flavors of the new 1.5 version (nicknamed cupcake) have been released in official and non-official ways, different developers have tried to create their own released.. this is how all the different versions have appeared. Karkuro relased different versions based on the HTC code and the Google code respectively. TheDudeOfLive released a couple versions based on the Google code... You'd have to read the individual forum threads on each versions to get the gist of the actual differences.. the first post of the threads will usually list what the major differences are.
Basically, like any open source project, there are several forks of the base code - expect this to get even more interesting/complicated in the near future.

Is there a good breakdown on the differences anywhere?
I already asked on AC, but no luck so far.

Is it possible to install 'standard' Android on the Hero?

This may be a silly question, but if I were willing to forgo the benefits of the Sense UI, would it be possible to root my HTC Hero and install the stock Android operating system?
I would imagine that would enable me to upgrade the phone to the latest version of the OS without having to wait for HTC to update the Sense version?

there is (at least one!) a thread in the devs section about this.

Possibly not so. If you do succeed in having a virgin Android os on the hero, updates are posted over the air and your provider will not post to yours as you have a hero. I would also think that the flat file update would have to be modified as well.

Is it necessary to upgrade to official 2.2 if already on non official 2.2 firmware ?

Hey Guys and Gals,
I currently have 2.2 Froyo 1.2 Running on my Dell Streak Unlocked, Seeing how the official 2.2 update will be out soon, I'm wondering if I should update when it comes out, I have only been in the scene for 2 weeks, So i don't know whether he 2.2 update will block the ability to root, or install unofficial apk's...
Any suggestions and and info is much appreciated.

Great question. Guidance on how to handle greatly appreciated. If OTA of 2.2 from Dell is downloaded, can we immediately root on Streak?

From what i've read, the method will be different but you should be able to (of course, that may change if certain things have changed since the leaked beta was seen in the wild)

I know I won't be. Stephen's FroYo builds are currently better and will stay better than anything Dell will ever put out.
Besides that I've heard that the leaked Dell build is only getting ~850-950 scores on Quadrant, while mine runnning Stephen's 1.2 gets ~1100-1200.

Mr Kyle said:
I know I won't be. Stephen's FroYo builds are currently better and will stay better than anything Dell will ever put out.
Besides that I've heard that the leaked Dell build is only getting ~850-950 scores on Quadrant, while mine runnning Stephen's 1.2 gets ~1100-1200.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the input Mr. Kyle, Looks like i will be staying on Stephen's Build, I don't see any reasons why I should upgrade to the official one, and I don't want to risk the root method, I'll wait and see what other members who will upgrade will say about it later on ...

[Q] Android API Choice

This probably sounds like a stupid question BUT, when developing for Android, should I just use the latest google api/SDK available or should I install them all on eclipse? I'm grabbing them all from 2.0 onwards atm but is there any point?

No. Just get the latest. It will be able to handle the latest kernels and older ones so it would make sense to just get one (the latest one). Good luck in your development.

[XT1053] 4.4.4 update, full release notes (link), and explanation

Note to moderators: Due to the content, I believe this warrants its own thread. We have a separate thread for the OTA (for manual download), and a separate thread dealing with The X/G/E 4.4.4 rollout as a whole, which has long since devolved from there. I didn't see any release notes for our specific update posted, other than the false and regurgitated 4.4.3/4 hybrid notes for carriers. If you still feel that this post should be rolled into one of those separate threads, I can respect that.
https://motorola-global-portal.custhelp.com/app/answers/prod_answer_detail/a_id/100863
ENHANCEMENTS
After installing the software update you will notice numerous enhancements and changes, including:
Android™ 4.4.4, KitKat® Android 4.4.4, KitKat, is the latest release of the Android platform and includes enhanced security updates to OpenSSL.
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Click to collapse
As expected, it's primarily just an OpenSSL security fix, though there are other hinted enhancements, likely bug fixes to any of Motorola's under the hood differences from AOSP.
I know that there were many people who were concerned with the delay in this update. It's because Android 4.4.4 wasn't really needed for our device, just as not all Nexus devices got 2.3.7 or 4.3.1 (device-specific changes).
The actual AOSP changes from 4.4.3 to 4.4.4 was literally one OpenSSL security fix. HTC backported this fix to their 4.4.3 software, hence why they're not rolling out 4.4.4 on their devices. Google also made changes to Google Play Services to mitigate this security issue, so any device from Android 2.3 to the present has this fix (to a degree, see * for details) with or without Android 4.4.4.
So, why did Motorola update the carrier variants to 4.4.4 ahead of the unlocked and developer editions? The unlocked/developer editions got 4.4.3 while most of the carrier variants were still on 4.4.2. Moto's 4.4.3 update provided new features for the Moto X such as pause while video recording, as well as the new Android dialer and some camera enhancements. By the time that 4.4.4 was released, most carriers delayed their update to have this security fix incorporated, while the unlocked/developer edition models were already good to go.
Most of the carrier-branded 4.4.4 variants have a Motorola software version beginning with 212, but this variant got 213. So it's likely that this update has some other Moto changes that will eventually filter out to the carriers, or be incorporated into their L-updates.
*This security fix plugs a security hole. The update to Google Play Services acts more like an anti-virus. It does two things. First, it prevents the upload of apps to the Play Store that would exploit this loophole, and it scans your devices side-loaded apps (if enabled by the user) for apps that use this. Basically, if you have Google Play services installed and up to date, you cannot be affected by this bug. If you're running a pure AOSP-based OS modified on a Chinese handset without Google Play Services, then you need 4.4.4 to avoid this security issue.

I got my 4.4.4 on Sunday. (Dev Edition)
Tapatalked from my G PAD 8.3

If it's not a major update, I'd rather wait for the next major release (L?), instead of doing all the revert to stock - reroot procedure.
Is there a way I can stop getting the OTA notifications? They are really intrusive, and it wants to install itself, but I don't see any options to not get it.

TheSaw said:
If it's not a major update, I'd rather wait for the next major release (L?), instead of doing all the revert to stock - reroot procedure.
Is there a way I can stop getting the OTA notifications? They are really intrusive, and it wants to install itself, but I don't see any options to not get it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can freeze the OTA apk its called something like moto ota or Motorola ota

it is so annoying that it prompted me to move away from stock. geez. that damn thing popup in themiddle of you typing an email!
Also, why the heck that is not available on the site? i can only download 4.4.2 and .4.2.2! not even 4.4.3... motorola support for a dev phone is sad. absolutely no help. not to mention not a word on how to integrate all the nice hardware on the custom images. sigh... sucks to be a sucker.