[Q] New to Android and Confused about few things - Wildfire General

Hello everyone,
I'm chiaotzu and I'm from India. I bought HTC Wildfire a week ago and still learning the things. I must say I'm impressed with everything in it, but I still think I'm missing few points so I'd appreciate if someone can focus on few things. Here are few questions:
1. My Android Version is 2.2.1, does this means I have froyo?
2. I haven't upgraded anything, I've got above version when I bough the phone, so will I able to root the phone? (Sorry no idea why I wanna do that, just coming from iPod Touch, I presume it's something similar to Jailbreak)
3. If I'll be able to root, what is the procedure and are there any risks involved?
4. People are talking about CM7, Openfire and other stuff, what are they? Are they custom firmwares like sn0wbreeze for iPhone?
5. Will I be able to overclock my HTC Wildfire? If yes, How?
6. Is there any software which will make "Google Maps" to cache the data with the specified diameter and level, I'm not looking for any third party software. Because most of them are not easy to use or not working properly. If there is any software which can download maps for offline use and still able to locate me using GPS without internet connection, kindly mention it, I'll give it a go.
7. While using handsfree, when I get call from someone or SMS, is there any software which will read out the name of the calling person if from contacts list, if not, just read out the number and contents of the message if its a text message.
8. Any book reading software which can read ePub format and has the same interface as iBooks with support for Audio books and PDF books?
9. Any alternatives for Awesome note?
10. Best dictionary out there? It was wordbook for iOS?
11. What application should I use to get the best combination of size and quality. I convert my DVD movies using MeGUI using x264 and Nero AAC with MKV Container using 535 Bitrate for Video and 32 for Audio. But I think MKV won't go well with Android, so kindly let me know any application, free or paid? Also kindly share with me your best settings of bitrate that you think are sufficient or okay to have.
I must say, I'm impressed with HTC Sense giving us the full control over the screens, its like desktops of Linux, all 7 of them, but more awesome. I have no words to express my joy and screen resolutions isn't bad at all as many people say, which is a good thing because it saves battery I suppose.
Also for people who have installed Winamp, kindly remove it because it makes handfree button obsolete which starts winamp music instead of receiving calls.
Thanks and looking forward to answers.
PS: xda-developers, I thought it's a community for developers with hardcore programming, but thank god we have general section here.

1. Yes, you have froyo
2. Sorry, but you can't root your phone yet, the Froyo version of WIldfire has something different, just wait/
3. You'll lost warranty, and guest what, anything can happen.
4. Yeah, they are popular custom ROM for Wildfire
5. You can, flash OC kernel or custom ROM and install setCPU
6. Lastest Google Maps can cache for offline use afaik, or you can use many other app in the market
7,8,9,10: I don't have answer now

Funnnny said:
1. Yes, you have froyo
2. Sorry, but you can't root your phone yet, the Froyo version of WIldfire has something different, just wait/
3. You'll lost warranty, and guest what, anything can happen.
4. Yeah, they are popular custom ROM for Wildfire
5. You can, flash OC kernel or custom ROM and install setCPU
6. Lastest Google Maps can cache for offline use afaik, or you can use many other app in the market
7,8,9,10: I don't have answer now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Thanks for confirming.
2. Oh, guess I'll have to wait then. Fair enough, I'll just get myself familiar with Android stuff before jumping into something like that.
3. Ohh, but I want to know if something wrong happens at the time of rooting or flashing the Wildfire with new custom ROM (Firmware or Modified OS?), will I able to switch back to whatever I had previously? If my phone crashed at the time of rooting or flashing, will I able to install the original 2.2.1 OS from somewhere somehow?
4. What is ROM? I presume its a modified version of Software or Firmware or OS of Android. Am I correct?
5. What do you mean by flash? Does flash means just erasing previous data from chip and installing new ROM? Or just changing few files in the OS to suit our requirements?
6. Google maps can cache the maps that we view or get directions for. I want to cache the whole city map so I'll get home safely if I'm lost or will be able to find some address easily.
Thanks a lot for answering the questions and yes, I have one more question.
What application should I use to get the best combination of size and quality. I convert my DVD movies using MeGUI using x264 and Nero AAC with MKV Container using 535 Bitrate for Video and 32 for Audio. But I think MKV won't go well with Android, so kindly let me know any application, free or paid? Also kindly share with me your best settings of bitrate that you think are sufficient or okay to have.
Thanks a lot, I know I type a lot, but I'm excited a lot about my Wildfire.

i'm kind of new too, so for the application question, I'll leave it to other people.
The flash process (install OS or install patch...) is pretty safe now, and you can get original ROM to go back to the original Froyo, but I pretty sure you'll not have to do this.
The ROM = the kernel, OS and the core system app, flash a new ROM means you install a new OS into your phone (similar to firmware on iPhone ? I don't have iPhone)
The whole flashing process is automatic for the end user like us, when rooting, you will have a new recovery call clockworkmod, in this you just have to choose the zip file of the ROM you want.
The newest version of Google Maps cache your data for offline use, and there's ton of app in the market that has offline access and navigation too, so you don't have to worry

Funnnny said:
i'm kind of new too, so for the application question, I'll leave it to other people.
The flash process (install OS or install patch...) is pretty safe now, and you can get original ROM to go back to the original Froyo, but I pretty sure you'll not have to do this.
The ROM = the kernel, OS and the core system app, flash a new ROM means you install a new OS into your phone (similar to firmware on iPhone ? I don't have iPhone)
The whole flashing process is automatic for the end user like us, when rooting, you will have a new recovery call clockworkmod, in this you just have to choose the zip file of the ROM you want.
The newest version of Google Maps cache your data for offline use, and there's ton of app in the market that has offline access and navigation too, so you don't have to worry
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot mate for the explanation, really appreciate it. Your elaborated explanation cleared out so many things and feeling secure now about the whole process.
I'd appreciate if someone answers rest of the questions.

If you root and install a custom rom you lose the warranty, but if you can still flash a RUU ROM (aka original rom) from http://shipped-roms.com/shipped/Buzz/ you have an 90 % chance of the service guys not knowing that you have modified your phone.
6. Mapdroyd has some good offline maps and it`s very simmilar to Gmaps, I highly encourage you to test it, just dowload the country you are interested it and you`re done.
8. For PDF files I recommend Repligo Reader, brilliant piece of kit. For Epub I`ve heard of FBReaderJ, but I don`t really know if it work on QVGA, you`ll need to test it out.

1. Yes.
2. No. Froyo has a new HBOOT (eqt. of bootrom on an ipod touch) which is not rootable currently.
4. Custom ROMS, since android is open source, its very easy to customize. so different "flavors" exist. sorta like distros on linux. Although, you cant get these either thanks to not having root.
5. Since you can't root, no.
6. No. I've tried a lot.
7. i dont know, maybe.
8. Laputa book reader, and Aldiko book reader
9. i dunno wat that is, sorry. If its a note taking app, then theres color note, springpad, etc.
10. ColorDict. Dictionaries are plugins, has pronunciation, thesaurus, etc. get it.
11. mp4 works fine, but movies arent really good or enjoyable on our crappy screen Make sure the resolution is QVGA (320x240) not sure abt bitrate settings, sorry

Thanks a lot guys for the answers, definitely cleared some doubts.

I upgraded to Android 2.2 on my Wildfire and now I feel like a Jack Ass !
This topic cleared many of my doubts as well.....Since I am also new to Android !
Thanks for the help !

Related

[Q] About to jump to Android :)

Devs - I have been following the android development here on and off. I feel I've had enough of WM 6.5 and want to jump over to android. I have been doing lots of reading lately, but am not getting answers to few questions - Please let me know if android supports the following, I'm continuing my research as well
1) Exchange support: My office e-mail is also synced to my HD2. Does Android allow this?
2) Geo-tagging of pictures
3) Do we have any equivalent of Microsoft myphone? It feels good to have all data backed up to the cloud each night.
4) Twitter / Facebook - no worries here. official apps available
5) Compatibilty with MS Office apps? Can we view/edit excel, ppt's and word docs?
6) RSS feed readers? I use the one that comes with Sense
7) Facebook / Contacts integration
8) What is the best way of exporting PIM data (appointments, messages, contacts) from WM and importing it into Android?
9) Do we have complete media support? I have a good collection of songs and movies on my phone now. Also, does android support hardware acceleration for movies like the HTC photos app does?
10) Does GPS and the digital compass work? does the Google maps app on Android make use of the GPS receiver?
More questions as and when they come up.
I am on the following:
ROM version: 1.48.720.2 WWE
Radio version: 2.05.51.05_2
I am running the stock ROM that came with the phone, and I've got only the official hotfixes from the HTC site. Anything else I should be aware of while upgrading?
thanks in advance for all the help!
I have just installed my first android rom and I don't think you are going to get all you are hoping for. Most things work, depending on which build you go for but as I found you only have about half the functionality you get from WM6.5 - not because of the operating system, android is very slick and pretty, but it's the software you've accumulated over the years that makes the difference.
I think if I spent a few weeks accumulating all the apps then things might get close but android feels a little restrictive after so many years using WM.
You are best off trying it, it will run alongside WM with a little effort.
Upgrading to another ROM & radio is your first step, I'm using the latest stock 3.14 with no problem. Format a fresh SD card and start to load it, make sure all your WM apps are shut as windows exits very fast.
I have to say that the browser in android is the best I have ever seen on any device, flash works, videos play, browsing is almost the same as a desktop - it makes WM look it's age.
1. Yup, Ecxchange ActiveSync is part of android.
2. I've never really used it on Darkstone's FroyoStone, but it's part of the settings in the camera, and it activates the GPS.. So I guess so.
3. I use Gmail. It syncs mail, contacts and calendar. Really haven't searched for anything else, since I used gmail in WinMo.
4. You said it, man.
5. No idea.
6. Plenty on the market, and lots of them are free.
7. Works like a charm, and imho better than WinMo.
8. Again, I used Gmail. It doesn't export messages, but that didn't bother me.
9. No idea.
10. Yes. I'm having a feeling that sometimes my digital compass is acting a little weird, but I'm not sure. Maybe its my sense of orientation thats a little weird
I must say that I feel the exact opposite of boomboomer, android doesnt feel the slightest restrictive to me. The android OS as a whole took a couple of days to get used to, but the plethora of possibilities available just in the android market seems just awesome to me. I spend two days on finding the equivalent WinMo apps on the android market, and stumbled upon a lot more awesome apps in the process. (Even found my beloved Chuck Norris app!
But I do agree on the browser. It really is lightning fast!
You can use Sprite Migrate to move contacts and anything else from WM to Android. Ill post the steps later is necessary but you should be able to just Google it.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
Klovnecaspar said:
1. Yup, Ecxchange ActiveSync is part of android.
2. I've never really used it on Darkstone's FroyoStone, but it's part of the settings in the camera, and it activates the GPS.. So I guess so.
3. I use Gmail. It syncs mail, contacts and calendar. Really haven't searched for anything else, since I used gmail in WinMo.
4. You said it, man.
5. No idea.
6. Plenty on the market, and lots of them are free.
7. Works like a charm, and imho better than WinMo.
8. Again, I used Gmail. It doesn't export messages, but that didn't bother me.
9. No idea.
10. Yes. I'm having a feeling that sometimes my digital compass is acting a little weird, but I'm not sure. Maybe its my sense of orientation thats a little weird
I must say that I feel the exact opposite of boomboomer, android doesnt feel the slightest restrictive to me. The android OS as a whole took a couple of days to get used to, but the plethora of possibilities available just in the android market seems just awesome to me. I spend two days on finding the equivalent WinMo apps on the android market, and stumbled upon a lot more awesome apps in the process. (Even found my beloved Chuck Norris app!
But I do agree on the browser. It really is lightning fast!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
boomboomer said:
I have just installed my first android rom and I don't think you are going to get all you are hoping for. Most things work, depending on which build you go for but as I found you only have about half the functionality you get from WM6.5 - not because of the operating system, android is very slick and pretty, but it's the software you've accumulated over the years that makes the difference.
I think if I spent a few weeks accumulating all the apps then things might get close but android feels a little restrictive after so many years using WM.
You are best off trying it, it will run alongside WM with a little effort.
Upgrading to another ROM & radio is your first step, I'm using the latest stock 3.14 with no problem. Format a fresh SD card and start to load it, make sure all your WM apps are shut as windows exits very fast.
I have to say that the browser in android is the best I have ever seen on any device, flash works, videos play, browsing is almost the same as a desktop - it makes WM look it's age.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes all of those things are functional in hyperdroid 1.6. This is what I run. I have posted my directions here. Easy to follow:
http://leoandroid.com/viewtopic.php?f=212&t=168
Thanks everyone for your feedback.
@ Klovnecaspar - how do you sync messages and pics to the cloud? gmail takes care of contacts, mails and appointments
@Zynro - Thanks. I will try it out.
@AMCjungle - Looks like a pretty detailed procedure. I don't have a T mobile HD2. It's a T8585 model. Would there be any change in the procedure?
Okay. I've made the jump. Installed the stock 3.14 ROM followed by the darkstone froyo build. Everything's good so far, still setting up everything ....
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Don't hesitate to post your feelings about it when you get used to android... I loved wm, but use android on my hd2 for months and honestly I can't go back.
My first tips are:
don't use a task killer it will be counter productive
Use an alternative home, launcher pro is highly recommended
For a business use, calendar widgets like pure calendar and pure grid calendar are very readable and customizable
Titanium backup is able to backup all your programs and their data on your sd card. You can after upload them in a dropbox account. Indispensable in case you have a problem or want to change build
For editing office files, the best I found is documents to go. Give it a try its great.
The only drawback I found is that you can't sync your notes with onenote. There are some great apps for notes that can sync to cloud like catch but I prefer use a simple text document with the powerful search features of the file editor Astro.
Oh for playing videos rockplayer is free, and play all kind of videos without a glitch, even with subtitles if you want.
hope that will help your experience
Wow...thanks a ton...will get titanium backup asap.
I've started to encounter the data corruption issue...missing files some of them appear in the "lost. dir" folder.
Another issue is with the data connection...it drops intermittently ans I have to switch on the airplane mode and then turn it off to restore the connection.
Any thoughts?
Overall, it has been a fabulous experience. It would be wonderful if HTC released an official rom for the hd2
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

[Q] Newbie needing advice please

Wow, talk about confusing, the A7 is a whole new world to me.
I've had computers for years, currently I have two running XP & 7, plus I have two laptops running XP & 7. I understand a lot when it comes to computers, but the A7 is so different.
I've downloaded & printed the User Manual and I have read it several times. I've read numerous posts on this forum and now I'm confused. I feel so dumb. Too many words that I don't understand. I want to learn everything I can about running every aspect of this tablet, but it's like just as I learn one thing, the next time it doesn't work that way.
I need more reading material. Whether it be links to posts, books to read, anything to help me understand what I am doing. I make notes of things I have read so that I will remember what to do next time. Post something to help me, PM me or even email me.
I will be so greatfull for any help given.
Thank you
The user manual you can download on elocity's site is useless because there is a lot of things that were never edited out to match the actual release version of the tablet.
As far as computer knowledge and relating it to the a7 or android in general, windows knowledge will not get you very far. A good working knowledge of Unix/Linux will give you a much better idea of what's going on behind the scenes since android is based on Linux (loosely, in my opinion) but still functions very similarly.
If you have any programming or web design experience, I would recommend downloading the android sdk and do some playing around with simple programs. Also with the sdk you can make a virtual android device to monkey around with without fear of messing up your new $300 toy I use eclipse as my development environment in Linux, not sure what a good windows alternative would be, but the structure of an android app is pretty easy to follow. There are example programs and source available on the android developer site developer.android.com if I remember correctly (same place to get the sdk). And the language itself tends to be pretty similar to writing a Java app.
I've probably missed the mark completely on the information you were trying to find, but if you are anything like me, you'll find hours (years if it gets you going down the Linux/Unix path lol) of obsession with just this info.
Hopefully it gets you on the opensource band wagon (the reason I love Linux/Android)
Wow...where to start? Well, you got that you turn it on and slide the lock to the dot to unlock. Then you are in a "home page". There are 5 of them. there are dots at the top of the screen showing which home page ur on. Usually the center one. Touch the screen and slide one way or the other to move the home pages.
If you touch the square whitish pad at the right of the screen with a bunch of darker squares in it, it takes you to your apps - the programs that do what you want.
If you touch an app it runs. Touch the return arrow just to the right of the screen to close the app and go back. It always takes u back.
You have to "root" the machine to get the good apps. Usually with Dexters mod. This is easy. You download the file, rename it to upgrade.zip, place it on a micro SD card, and go to settings/About Device/System Updates/ then touch update device.
The home button at the right side of the screen always takes you to the center home page. - It DOES NOT close the app you have open at the moment.
you should get an app closer to close all of the un-closed apps for you.
Oh yea, android market place is the app you want to add all of the apps you want.
You get it with Dexters Mod (4.1 right now)
and there is tons more...............
Based on Linux ... now I understand why this is confusing to me. I've never worked with it before, but I understand from fellow users, they like it better than Windows OS.
I've never done any programming or web design, but maybe it's not too late to learn something new.
I thank both of you for your info and appreciate everything you have said.
mrpete2u I really appreciated the details of your instructions. I know I'm a dummy at this, and I'm sure there are more of you guys out there to help.
Thanks
mrpete2u said:
You have to "root" the machine to get the good apps. Usually with Dexters mod. This is easy. You download the file, rename it to upgrade.zip, place it on a micro SD card, and go to settings/About Device/System Updates/ then touch update device.
you should get an app closer to close all of the un-closed apps for you.
Oh yea, android market place is the app you want to add all of the apps you want.
You get it with Dexters Mod (4.1 right now)
and there is tons more...............
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Another newbie jumping in....and trying to figure this out. To "root" the machine do I need to update the firmware from the elocity site or can I jump to Dexters right away. If so, where do I find that?
Thanks for your advice.
your a7 is rooted already with dexters mod or elocity firmware.
My Kernel version is 2.6.32.9-svn2514
[email protected]#1
And Build # PBJ8000.2.0124
And ECv is 0.14
Would you mind explaining what these numbers mean, please?
Thank you
koalaw said:
My Kernel version is 2.6.32.9-svn2514
[email protected]#1
And Build # PBJ8000.2.0124
And ECv is 0.14
Would you mind explaining what these numbers mean, please?
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are one version in the rear, version now is 2.0133, most member her are running Dexter Mod 1.41 include myself an entirely different beast, stock Roman won't let me load Asphalt5 game so Dexter it is...A7 come from factor rooted Don't think any other tablet come out already root...
Your saying I need to upgrade one version
and that my A7 is already rooted??
Thank you for the answers.
koalaw said:
Your saying I need to upgrade one version
and that my A7 is already rooted??
Thank you for the answers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
look here for Dexter mod forget about the stock rom ....
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=890042
I have now updated to 2.0.0133
Now I need to figure out how to get the market icon so I can start looking for more apps & games. Tried downloading earlier and it keeps telling me that I have downloaded to my phone? I don't have a fancy phone to download to.
Here I am again confused, but what's new about that!!
There is a thread in the device section on adding market to stock rom.
Or you could just run elocitymod by Dexter.
I did run the elocity mod 1.41 and my firmware was updated to 2.0.0133
When I am on market.android's site, they want my phone number so they can download the app to my phone.
I'm trying to download the app to my tablet.
Am I confused or what
Thanks for answering me.
koalaw said:
I did run the elocity mod 1.41 and my firmware was updated to 2.0.0133
When I am on market.android's site, they want my phone number so they can download the app to my phone.
I'm trying to download the app to my tablet.
Am I confused or what
Thanks for answering me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, yes you are lol
For all intents and purposes (as far as Google is concerned at least) your tablet is a phone.
Install market enabler on the a7 and fake a cell provider. The a7 should show up on the Google market website after that.
You didn't install dextermod and then apply eLocity update over it did you? Just want to be sure.
Your laughing at me .... that's ok ... right now I'm so new at this, I really don't care, in fact I am laughing at myself for being so dumb.
I went to dexter's site and downloaded a file called elocitymod1.41 and renamed it to update.zip and that is what I installed.
OK I will install market enabler
Thank you again for helping this dummy .... LOL
From the perceived tone of the post prior to my last one, I thought you were already at the laughing stage. I thought I was just laughing along, sorry for the mix up.
Sounds like you are doing everything right. I just wanted to make sure that we were dealing with a clean install of elocitymod, and not something mixed together by trying to ally another update on top of it.
Needless to say ... I am still confused.
Installed the market enabler, but I am not getting anywhere.
Why I try to install an app I get a message telling me there is no phone attached to this account and they want me to log in with another account. When I try creating a new account, there is no place to give a phone number and I get all those stupid messages again.
Just wondering if I am too dumb, because you all make this seem so easy, that maybe I should give up and figure out other ways to get apps and leave the android market site alone???
Sorry if I have frustration in my voice, but I guess I thought this would be easier.
koalaw said:
Needless to say ... I am still confused.
Installed the market enabler, but I am not getting anywhere.
Why I try to install an app I get a message telling me there is no phone attached to this account and they want me to log in with another account. When I try creating a new account, there is no place to give a phone number and I get all those stupid messages again.
Just wondering if I am too dumb, because you all make this seem so easy, that maybe I should give up and figure out other ways to get apps and leave the android market site alone???
Sorry if I have frustration in my voice, but I guess I thought this would be easier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why not just use market from the tablet? I wouldn't stress so much about trying to get it to work and remotely install from the web site.
Each time I go to the site, I am on my tablet. Mainly because it has a direct install button and not a download, so I want to be on the tablet to install on it.
koalaw said:
Each time I go to the site, I am on my tablet. Mainly because it has a direct install button and not a download, so I want to be on the tablet to install on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So are you hitting the Market icon (opening the Market app) or are you trying to open http://market.android.com/ in the web browser?

[Q] Acer a500/ Android Newbie! Help me get started!

Hi,
I am new to the world of Androids, I posses a Acer a500 Tab and a Nexus S phone. I know the basics like how to download apps and navigate trough most of the basics stuff but I am new to all the more ''advanced'' stuff. So I had a couple of questions and if you want to give me any tips on the apps that I should get let me know as well!
1) Root - What are the main reasons you need to root your tablet for, from what I understand it gives you extra permissions to change your setting but does it give you free apps as well like jail breaking?
2) Can you un-Root your tablet if you ever need to bring it back?
3) From what I understand you can link your computer, your phone and your tablet all together so what is the best way to do that and what does that let you do?
4) What is the best internet browser to download? ( I have downloaded both firefox and opera so far)
5) When people are speaking about the ROM does it mean the '' hard drive'' of the tablet?
6) I heard of this website on a another forum: tegraowners.com
What does it do? It looks like it could be usefull to me and do you need to be rooted to use it?
7) Finally, any apps most have suggestions ( I downloaded the most popular one like : Pulse, TED, Skype Barcode scanner etc... I also find wizz bar and wizz widget pretty cool apps)
Thank you for your patience and to making me less newb!
I'm also new with Android. I have had my a500 for about 2 weeks, but I have learned a lot .
1/ Root mean giving yourself full control of the tablet (well, with right software, you can control everything, cpu clocks, voltages, which stock apps you want to keep, much more). With root, you can install/ apply bunch of useful tweaks like ah-hoc support, 3g dongle support.
If your "free app" means "free paid app" or simpler "pirated app", well, pirating is not good, but that's your choice. You don't need root to pirate. Just uncheck an option in setting\application then you're good to go. Download the apk, browse to it with file browser then install.
2/ From what I read, it's possible. Even when your tablet is bricked, you can still manage to install stock ROM before send it to service.
3/ For mobile storage, Dropbox seem very good. There are also many app to share folders between Android devices and with PC via Wifi.
4/ Personally, I use Opera Mobile and sometimes, default browser and Opera Mini (it's very powerful to have access to forbidden websites, like Facebook in my country). I heard that Dolphin Browser is also good, but I haven't tried yet.
5/ Well, ROM stands for "Read-Only Memory" . Just imagine you buy a PC with pre-installed Windows, like that. You can install another version yourself, can re-install it if it got broken. You should think about it like an image of customized windows. You can choose which is suitable for you and install it. It stands as system partition on our device. When people talk about ROM, they care about which customizations that ROM has.
6/ tegraowners.com is the site of legendary thor . He is a good modder. We own him a lot for his work on a500. Some problems about the source code of his amazing kernel stop him from posting here, it's rumor . So you have to visit that site to get his ROMs and Kernels. His forum is also very good, you can see many of XDA members there .
You need to root to install custom ROMs. Yes, root it, and try Thor's ROM v14, it's really sweet.
7/ I recommend QuickOffice HD Pro, Temp+CPU, Thumb Keyboard, Titanium Backup Pro, Pimp my CPU/ SetCPU (only if you want to show your tablet who is the boss ), don't forget to get BetterBatteryStat. JustPicture is also good for browsing photos, for comic, I prefer Perfect Viewer. File Manager HD (honeycomb) is also very good. If you love analog clock, you can get Analog Clock Collection, very handy and lightweight.
WOW
yes lots of Questions...
Well answered above.. only issue is rooting alone will NOT allow you to overclock your Kernel needs to be one from a custom dev or a cooked rom with custom kernel..
Just please read read and understand whats going on before you start flashing.. To avoid bricking your device and causing headaches..

looking to buy a focus

As the title says. I'm looking to try out a wm7 phone. I have been on android and never used a wm phone before. Is it easy to flash roms onto them? (has anyone made a guide?). Also any opinions from you experience with the phone would be greatly appreciated.
It depends.
skathed said:
As the title says. I'm looking to try out a wm7 phone. I have been on android and never used a wm phone before. Is it easy to flash roms onto them? (has anyone made a guide?). Also any opinions from you experience with the phone would be greatly appreciated.
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Click to collapse
It all depends how open minded you are for radical changes in some aspects, Android is a more messed up OS, you have plenty of options(many of which you never use) on the other hand WP7 is a more restrictive OS, you can't do many things here without a full unlock or in other cases (like notification center) even a full unlock won't help(well there is a notification center in the workings on this site(www.windowsphonehacker.com), but i'm on WP7 from the beginning and actually never quite needed one as live tiles are very functional and are capable of storing great amount of information(of course if the developer wasn't lazy and implemented this).
All in all, a fully unlocked device will give you the kind of freedom( sideloading apps, even installing apps from the browser, storing apps in the internal memory of the phone, messing up with the background colors, tiles of the screen, lockscreen customization, creating folders with apps on the start screen, changing values inaccessible for non unlocked devices(like adding *never* option to the lockscreen timeout, and many others).
But you will find and many things that you didn't experience on android, like the search experience, the integrated office experience(a very useful thing if you work with documents), facebook, twitter, linkedin and mail integration and the feeling of security you don't expect from another OS, no bloatware and the stability no other OS can offer, as the speed of the system isn't changing over time )).
Thanks that helps heaps. Im getting less confident in Androids safety since they have the largest slice of the consumer pie. I have ordered one from overseas (dont sell this model in my country) and hope to see it soon.
Some help.
skathed said:
Thanks that helps heaps. Im getting less confident in Androids safety since they have the largest slice of the consumer pie. I have ordered one from overseas (dont sell this model in my country) and hope to see it soon.
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Click to collapse
1) Well i can give you some useful advices )) , when creating your live id select your country as US or UK as this setting determines your marketplace region and if the marketplace isn't present in your country you will literally have no apps to install ))
2) As you get your device, don't bother with official updates, install a custom bootloader from here : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1485569 , but BEWARE --> check your device revision( 1.3 or 1.4) if you get a 1.3 revision device you're lucky as these usually get more custom love )) and after you install the bootloader you can install this great rom for revision 1.3 : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2016769
or this rom for 1.4 : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2024825
3) In settings of the device there is the Region+Language option, there you select your region for correct date/time/currency and other stuff BUT for the Browser & search language select English United States as this setting will give you the full Search experience( i mean Local Scout/Music/Vision and Voice, these functions are very neat, you'll understand ( search youtube for WP7 search )
4) Make sure you install these great homebrew apps :
- Bazaar
- Bt File transfer
- Blue Manager(requires the previous to work)
- Call Manager
- File Manager
- Folders( www.windowsphonehacker.com )
- Marketplace Config( helps changing marketplace settings so you can download other OEM's goodies )
- Nokia apps( must have)
- Program Manager
- WPH tweaks ( again www.windowsphonehacker.com )
5) The device has a microsd slot, but BEWARE, not any microsd will work for it, you will find a list of working cards here : http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/Samsung_Focus , i myself added there the A-Data 16GB Class 4 (AUSDH16GCL4-RA1) as this is what i use now in my Focus, and it's working fantasticly well for 2 years already.
And there is one more thing you need to know about the microsd, it will not work as it used to work on android phones, here you must install it from the beginning because the OS formats it and it merges with the internal memory, so in the end it behaves like one unified memory, you can't access it aside from your device, and you can't swap cards, ass swapping cards requires HARD REST of the device, so if you plan to put a microsd card doit from the beginning.
Well, good luck ))
If you really can't wait for a Windows Phone 8, Samsung Focus is still available on eBay for about $125. It's worth the money without doubt. The only problem is that it comes with no warranty whatsoever.
Wait and get a WP8?
skathed said:
As the title says. I'm looking to try out a wm7 phone. I have been on android and never used a wm phone before. Is it easy to flash roms onto them? (has anyone made a guide?). Also any opinions from you experience with the phone would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Focus is a solid phone (I'm still using mine and I've gone through 3 custom ROMS - I'm currently using Voluptuary's clean WP7.8 ROM), and it's pretty simple to root it and install a custom ROM on it. That said, it's probably worthwhile to get a WP8 device if you can manage the extra cash. Nokia has some cheaper WP8 offerings, if I'm not mistaken. I think the Lumia 620 is $250 or so.

[Q] Corporate Android Usage

Hello Guys,
before I start: My apologies for this, I am not quite sure if I am even in the right Topic.
I think of myself as pretty new to Android, but got some experiences in Rooting, Custom Roms and such. But that is already as far as it gets.
Now my Problem: We lost our BES and now my Company decided to go with Android (SG4 I9505) and I have to make it happen :angel:.
1. I Need some Kind of Freeware tool to administer Android Devices (Basic: find device, delete data, restrict Apps)
2. If something like this dont exist (which I dont think-I just havent found it)), I would Need to know if I can use CM 10.2 as our Standard Rom and before you start rolling your eyes with experimental and such....
I have to restrict the phone solely to Telefone, Exchange and some preselected (mostly travel)Tools. NO GAPPS!!! and I think that nightly CM provides this with no problems
To realize this I downloaded the nightly from 18th, I think. I then added some APK´s into \System\app Folder and installed the ROM. This actually worked fine until I updated to phone afterwards via build in updating tool - all Tools were gone.(what did I miss?)
Now, our Standard is SG4 I-9505.
Any ideas on how I could do this? (I couldnt find what I was looking for)
1. Adminster a fleet of androids (free)
2. Customize a Custom ROM for corporate Identity (How to pre-setup Exchange Boot Logo, Lockscreen, etc.)
3. or customize a ROM to the Point it cannot do much except what is in the \System\app Folder and turn off updates
Any link is much appreciated. Sadly there is sooooo much andoid articles out there that I seem to get lost while searching for the right one. Thanks in advance!!!!
AccEss-dEniEd said:
1. Adminster a fleet of androids (free)
2. Customize a Custom ROM for corporate Identity (How to pre-setup Exchange Boot Logo, Lockscreen, etc.)
3. or customize a ROM to the Point it cannot do much except what is in the \System\app Folder and turn off updates
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My guess is I'll get flamed for saying this - but here goes.
Android corporate (MDM) leaves a lot to be desired next to iOS, at least as far as I've been able to find. We manage a lot of iPads and obviously minus the custom ROM we've been able to do it all for little to no cost. We've shied away from Android a lot because of the limited MDM control.
But, since you asked:
1. Meraki Systems Manager (and the accompanying app from Google Play)
2. Good luck with that
3. See number 2
I think the reality is you're going to need to do something to the effect of either cook your own ROM and deploy it or use a tool like CWM to create an "image" that you would then restore to the devices. I did that with a batch of 60+ Nexus 7s and it worked out pretty well.
Edit:
With all that said - I would urge your management to reconsider their approach as the world has changed since Blackberry was the only game in town. Yes, still stick with MDM, device location, remote wipe etc. But unless you're dealing with highly sensitive information (exp banking), let people actually USE the device you're giving them. Don't lock it down to where its basically a first generation iPhone. I'm a big fan of giving someone a good tool and letting them use it the way that works best for them, while still keeping the device and more importantly the data under corporate control.
Assuming you have Exchange, does this not provide the management part?
AccEss-dEniEd said:
Hello Guys,
before I start: My apologies for this, I am not quite sure if I am even in the right Topic.
I think of myself as pretty new to Android, but got some experiences in Rooting, Custom Roms and such. But that is already as far as it gets.
Now my Problem: We lost our BES and now my Company decided to go with Android (SG4 I9505) and I have to make it happen :angel:.
1. I Need some Kind of Freeware tool to administer Android Devices (Basic: find device, delete data, restrict Apps)
2. If something like this dont exist (which I dont think-I just havent found it)), I would Need to know if I can use CM 10.2 as our Standard Rom and before you start rolling your eyes with experimental and such....
I have to restrict the phone solely to Telefone, Exchange and some preselected (mostly travel)Tools. NO GAPPS!!! and I think that nightly CM provides this with no problems
To realize this I downloaded the nightly from 18th, I think. I then added some APK´s into \System\app Folder and installed the ROM. This actually worked fine until I updated to phone afterwards via build in updating tool - all Tools were gone.(what did I miss?)
Now, our Standard is SG4 I-9505.
Any ideas on how I could do this? (I couldnt find what I was looking for)
1. Adminster a fleet of androids (free)
2. Customize a Custom ROM for corporate Identity (How to pre-setup Exchange Boot Logo, Lockscreen, etc.)
3. or customize a ROM to the Point it cannot do much except what is in the \System\app Folder and turn off updates
Any link is much appreciated. Sadly there is sooooo much andoid articles out there that I seem to get lost while searching for the right one. Thanks in advance!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I currently work in the infrastructure of a good sized corporation. We're using IOS with a mixture of android hardware and there's some good news and bad news for what you want to do.
Good news is, like Jpcurrie said, exchange will handle remote wiping and locking the phone down. you can require the phone to use a PIN, remote wipe and and a bit more. As for locating the phone, Google actually has finally built in remote locating of your device and remote wipe as well. There's a couple good apps out there (lookout) will turn on your GPS and allow you to locate the phone and they're free. If you happen to have a virtualized environment with VMware, you could also use VMware View Horizons which builds in a secure sector on the phone and you can remotely manage which apps and files the user can use. the best part of View is you can use a BYOD model and keep corporate data secure. The biggest issue is if you don't happen to already use a VMware architecture it gets pricey quickly.
Here's the rub now. you want to install your own logos on the bootup which you could do by installing a custom ROM. This will void your warranty on the hardware and as it isn't 100% stable you'll be spending a LOT of time trying to keep a consistent environment.
Like netsyd said, talk to management about an MDM, and the branding of the devices, maybe even talk to them about using a BYOD to reduce costs of hardware and administration of that hardware.
Isn´t Knox supposed to allow administrators to only delete the data that belongs to the Corporate account (emails, calendars, tasks, etc.), or an administrator can still force a full device wipe? Sorry if the questions is too basic, I've tried searching around for info on Knox but couldn't find anything besides press releases.
I'm not a network administrator, I'm just a user and my school secure wifi installs a device administrator.
I'm sorry to deviate the topic a little bit from the original.
At Delta we use Air Watch but it's far from free. You can however manage devices and remote wipe. You can also view installed apps and remove what should not be there. Options for device profiles also. I help maintain these devices everyday. Not Free but an MDM is your best bet.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
long time - no see
Hiya,
sorry I didn t answer - kinda was overwhelmed with this Task.
Wanted still to thank you: I did what you suggestet and wanted to let you know where I am now.
1. Meraki = implemented - now runnning 160+ devices. (at no costs)
2. CM12.1 implemented (without GAPPS/no SU)
3. Standard Image/w Apps defined. (Mostly Offline capable Tools like "here" etc.(which actually reduced costs))
4. Since Android has limited capability to be administered in a "real" professional Fashion we mitigated this issue by creating a policy to forbid the user to temper with the device (e.g. Installation of Software/SU etc) yet to allow the Installation of Software manually by us via creating a ticket. We check the Software mainly for "sanity" and malware and install it if ok.
This has been working so far like a charm for us. None of the user were happy to loose the Gapps obviously - but once they had their Software and settled in, all was ok. For the Administering part: Meraki can tell me if Software is beeing installed without our Knowledge, also we see if SM doesnt speak with us anymore. So, for now, we got the most out of the System and I am happy to say: I got minimal Control in a Quality sense. No no more "KO Critera" - and we have implemented Android. Tracking etc. is forbidden in Germany anyway - so we use Meraki mainly to wipe if lost and to check if someone goes against policy.
What is still open:
- I am still working on a way to have the user enter his credentials and automatically enter These in all respective config files. (haven't had much luck - with the absense of SU obviously.
- a Little cosmetics still open (I am still trying to figure out how the theming really works ... I usually f**k up the Pictures and sounds.... but so far making Progress
- with less and less good Android devices coming out (now, I am probably beeing flamed now ) that suits our needs (open bootloader, known/supported CPUs, removable battery, SD Card Slot) - I think we might Switch by Q4/2016.
netsyd said:
My guess is I'll get flamed for saying this - but here goes.
Android corporate (MDM) leaves a lot to be desired next to iOS, at least as far as I've been able to find. We manage a lot of iPads and obviously minus the custom ROM we've been able to do it all for little to no cost. We've shied away from Android a lot because of the limited MDM control.
But, since you asked:
1. Meraki Systems Manager (and the accompanying app from Google Play)
2. Good luck with that
3. See number 2
I think the reality is you're going to need to do something to the effect of either cook your own ROM and deploy it or use a tool like CWM to create an "image" that you would then restore to the devices. I did that with a batch of 60+ Nexus 7s and it worked out pretty well.
Edit:
With all that said - I would urge your management to reconsider their approach as the world has changed since Blackberry was the only game in town. Yes, still stick with MDM, device location, remote wipe etc. But unless you're dealing with highly sensitive information (exp banking), let people actually USE the device you're giving them. Don't lock it down to where its basically a first generation iPhone. I'm a big fan of giving someone a good tool and letting them use it the way that works best for them, while still keeping the device and more importantly the data under corporate control.
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Click to collapse

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