Database Users

Cyanogen or froyo stock?

Hi, I just got my g2 from the free promotion thingy and im pretty much new to andriod. Should I stay on stock froyo or use cyanogen? And what are the advantages and disadvantages?
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App

I would root it. There are tons of things that are advantages, such taking some of the crapware that comes bundled on the phone, ability to put themes on your phone, and you get added features with cyanogenmod and other roms out there. The features you can check out for yourself, which can be found on changelogs, YouTube videos, forum post, etc. Spend some time, read that roms' forum thread and learn a few things along the way.
Sent from my HTC Vision

It can be a tough decision.
First of all I am coming from a g1 that was running the latest stable cyanogenmod so the G2 has been an amazing phone stock. It is super fast and the display is seriously amazing. I did root it because I wanted to check out the cm7 nightlies and also the stable cm6.1.1.
First of all I actually like some of the apps that came pre-installed on the g2. Quickoffice is amazing and an excellent ppt, pdf, doc viewer. I did miss that on cyanogen and I also preferred the stock 2.2 scheme and app drawer. However these are the main differences. Everything else is very similar just with added functionality. You can manipulate every aspect of the UI including the power widget on the notification bar (my personal favorite). You can also overclock your cpu to squeeze some more performance out (up to 1.8ghz but I hear 1.4 is safer). You can also use your current data plan for tethering instead of having to pay extra.
But all in all if you don't require or need this functionality, just stay stock. The stock experience is excellent. I come from the G1 culture where we rooted just so we could stay relevant and get some decent speed on our long forgotten phones. That was the only reason I rooted before and quite possibly the only reason I'll root in the future.
I went back to stock to get my quick office back and I really don't mind the loss of functionality (for now) however I do miss the cool radio tuner.

Quickoffice is in CyanogenMod...
Anyway, root your phone and flash CyanogenMod. The stock experience is great and all but so many things just work better with CyanogenMod.
When you root, you obtain so many more capabilities. How would you like to remove every single advertisement you see? Well you can't do it unless you root.
There are so many more things but I just can't get into it. You'll sit here all day reading my post. Just take me word for it and root. You won't go wrong but READ READ READ all instructions and understand them before you do anything.
Yes, it is risky but only if you're stupid and/or rushing. Make sure you have the correct files and always make a backup. I keep them in a special place on me computer. I still have my stock backed up for if I ever have a problem.
It's a fun thing to get into. You learn a lot and will continue to learn. If you don't find out something new everyday with your G2, there's really no reason to have it, IMHO...
Sent from me CM7 Nightly HTC Vision using XDA App that needs a thanks button implemented

Cyanogen is stock 2.3.2 with tons of extra features and extremely stable. Stock is 2.2.1 with a ton of bloat and no extra features. Seems like a no-brainer to me.

Root and flash cyanogen mod, awesome decision.

I am coming from a rooted G1 and I got my G2 from the free promotion and I rooted because I can't do without it. Once you have root, you won't ever want to go back. I rooted my G2 in the first 30 minutes that it was out of the box. Only down side that I can think of is that you can't have an inteligent conversation with a service rep. xD
You can get root and stay on the stock software/ROM but I don't recemend it, the whole Android experiance changes the moment you install a custom ROM.
The manufacturer and carrier has locked the phone down so much that they basically own the phone, they locked down the potential of the device so much that once you have root you'll be amazed about how much stuff you can now do on it.
YOU bought the phone, its YOURS, NOT the carrier's, NOT the manufacturer's but YOURS, why not make it so?
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App

I would also recommend that you check out some of the Desire Z/Sense ports (I'm using Virtuous). They're quite clean in terms of bloatware, but you get alot of extras, such as a superior camera/music player app, plugins (Facebook, Flickr, LinkedIn, etc), and more. You can still use ADW Launcher or Launcher Pro for your homescreen/app drawer.

root. install cyanogen. Obtain FM Radio = win

btate0121 said:
root. install cyanogen. Obtain FM Radio = win
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got mine last Friday and I rooted just to get rid of the bloatware and for overclock.
The FM radio is a bonus... that's sweet.

Does rooting still void the warranty?
I waited until my warranty had run out with my G1 before I rooted it. Just afraid the phone'll break or so and I wont have any options.

metamet said:
Does rooting still void the warranty?
I waited until my warranty had run out with my G1 before I rooted it. Just afraid the phone'll break or so and I wont have any options.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Technically, yes. However, it's pretty easy to flash a stock ROM back on if you break something.

I preordered my G2 after a long, rooted 2 years on the G1. When I first got the G2, I said I wouldn't root because it didn't need it. My G2 did everything the G1 did but much, much faster. Then I got tired of not having full control of my phone. I had apps I would never use running in the background plus numerous other things that I just had no control over. Then, the brilliant developers found root and I haven't looked back.
I have a lot of people with unrooted android devices around me and they are always blown away by what I can do with my G2. For me, rooting turned my smartPHONE into tiny PC that does calls.
I have a guy I work with who just picked up the new nexus. He was showing it to me and commented on the GB light when you hit the bottom of a page. Well he griped that he wanted the overscroll bounce back. I then showed him that with root and cyan, you can have both. He wasn't ammused as he is afraid to root.
I say read up on everything that is involved with rooting and flashing custom bits. When you feel comfy with it. Unlock that bish and make that G2 your own.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App

[Q] How to get stock ICS/Honeycomb on fire

A couple of guys in my office got fires for Xmas, and they want to put a stock rom on them so they can use it like a normal tab and get the google market place.
Can someone point me to a tutorial for putting a new rom on a fire and a link to stock ICS or stock honeycomb for them?
Thanks.

derricks2 said:
A couple of guys in my office got fires for Xmas, and they want to put a stock rom on them so they can use it like a normal tab and get the google market place.
Can someone point me to a tutorial for putting a new rom on a fire and a link to stock ICS or stock honeycomb for them?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no honeycomb port to the Fire (at least not yet anyway).
As for ICS, there is a port-in-progress that is in pre-alpha stage here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1411895
There is a stable (good for everyday use) port of CM7 (Gingerbread) here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1390773
As for how to flash ROMS, take a look at this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1399889

we are pretty much stuck with gingerbread right now as said above.
I'm using the CM7 that he linked to above. Downsides to this are that you loose the ability to use amazon prime videos and lending. Basicly, you loose the stock amazon app (which is integrated into the OS), so these are not available. You can however use the Amazon app from google apps, which allows you to read amazon books.
The ICS builds that are in progress still have to many issues for me to try them. Occasional issues with accessing SD card, no hardware video support and patchy sound.

Like what the above poster stated, your best bet at thee moment is cm7 if you are looking for a good, stable, daily os with marketplaces access. I personally am using the pre-alpha ICS build and am loving it despite the issues but it really is just for testing at this point.
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire using Tapatalk

Also the ICS builds do not support USB. So you would have to boot to TWRP to mount the SD card to load files from your PC to your Fire. Then boot back to the OS to use the device.

If they just want the google marketplace then you can root and install the market on the stock ROM. If you want a custom rom, your best bet right now is CM7. If you give it a month or two I'm sure there will be a decent ICS daily driver out.
It sort of depends on how far you need to go before they consider it a "normal tab." I use mine on the stock rom for stuff I would expect out of a normal tab.. watching video, reading, listening to music, some web browsing, every now and then some robo defense or the like, etc. It works fine like that for me.

[Q] why root the kindle fire

Like the tittle says... I love customizing everything and making it work my way... but after reading page after page to root my device, I don't find it worth it.
So why did you want to root mainly to benefit from and not just to play with a new toy?
All I have is go launcher on mine and I am done... what else do I really need to gain more from my kindle by rooting?

Why I rooted
I chose to root and install a custom rom. I loved the name ICS and since I read about it some time last year I wanted to try it out. The Kindle gave the best device to try it out on a small budget. Me knowing if I messed it up I would be upset with myself but I could have lived with it. There is a lot you can do after rooting. You can install what ever app you want. Install the market and get out of Amazon slow apps that just don't do the device justices. With adb services running you dont even have to copy apk file over just install it as root. I have tried 4 different ROMS for the kindle and CM9 just has to be about my favorite. I know there are a few bugs left to work out, but over all it is great. If you need help installing TWRP to install CM9 let me know I wrote my own simple how to for myself.
Thanks,
JohninLex

There are a lot of benefits to rooting. However, my main reason was to install custom roms (using CM7). I never intended to use this as an Amazon portal from day one.
Sent from my Kindle Fire using xda premium

There are many reasons to root. Rooting is very easy. The KindleFireUtility does everything for you, just be sure to read the thread to avoid some of the problems people ran into. You can keep the basic e-reader functionality with the Kindle app from the Android Market but customize the experience a lot more than what GoLauncher offers. Amazon gave us a pretty poor stock ROM in the sense that it's very limited. I like having full control over my devices and the user-developed ROMs here are really great

Android Market access, popular apps that require root (Titanium Backup, Droid Wall, the Swype beta, etc), installing custom ROMs based on newer, better Android versions with performance tweaks, and soon with luck and a lot of developer sweat, USB OTG. Also it makes you more attractive to the opposite sex.
Sent from my Kindle Fire (CM7) using xda premium

I had this same thought when I first got my Fire. I even put Go Launcher on it and thought it would have been good enough, until I got frustrated with the lack of apps in the Amazon Appstore. I never rooted anything so I was a little nervous. After doing a lot of research I decided to give it a try. I also wanted to experience ICS and you can only do that by installing custom ROMs. I feel like I have unlocked so many possibilities for my Fire by rooting it and I am happy I did it.
Sent from my GT-P1000(Kindle Fire) using XDA

I got frustrated having go launcher but not being able to readily access the Android market for widgets. I tried CM9 and its awesome but I got the kindle for YouTube and Netflix so I can't leave CM9 on there for to long before I revert back to stock or CM7.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

kindlefireuser said:
Like the tittle says... I love customizing everything and making it work my way... but after reading page after page to root my device, I don't find it worth it.
So why did you want to root mainly to benefit from and not just to play with a new toy?
All I have is go launcher on mine and I am done... what else do I really need to gain more from my kindle by rooting?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You answered it in the second sentence of your question:
"I love customizing everything and making it work my way..."

There's a reason the new root market (fire place) exists...

Honestly, after just going through the process, access to Google Play is probably one of the weakest reasons for rooting. Outside of getting the Google developed apps such as Google+, Gmail, Drive, Sync Framkework...etc...the Market is even weaker than the Amazon App Store due to Google segregating you to a very small amount of apps because of incompatibility issues.
Having compatible gapps provided through snazzy utilities such as KFU is pretty sweet, though.
I have no plans of flashing a custom ROM because it's not solely my device. I am also a Prime member, so the Amazon sandbox is beneficial. I did however root, simply because I am a geek and couldn't resist the temptation to try it out and see what benefits it provides.
If anything, it is nice to be able to explore root with ES File Explorer.

I have rooted every android device that I have ever owned (G1, G2X, NX700p and the Kindle Fire). Mostly for the "new toy" aspect. I love flashing new ROMs and interfaces when I get bored with one. Play store is nice to have (along with other gapps).
Rooted my Kindle Fire within 2 hours of opening the box (got stuck in fastboot and thought I bricked it, good times). I am not a fan of the Kindle Launcher (or even Silk browser, really).
So yeah, new toy to play with for a small fee (rooting is free but can take time and effort) is my main reason.
Plus it makes me more attractive to the opposite sex =]

I've rooted and changed the roms on all of my previous phones but I haven't had the itch to root and rom the Fire. I personally like it the way it is stock. Simple to use and does what I need it to do(web browsing, reading, and media). I just sideload the apps that I can't find in the Amazon App store. Maybe one day I'll root and rom it.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using XDA

I thought you didn't have to root to install custom roms.
I rooted first to get the Play Store. Then I installed custom roms after I got bored of using gingerbread.

Blacklight17 said:
I've rooted and changed the roms on all of my previous phones but I haven't had the itch to root and rom the Fire. I personally like it the way it is stock. Simple to use and does what I need it to do(web browsing, reading, and media). I just sideload the apps that I can't find in the Amazon App store. Maybe one day I'll root and rom it.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same boat here. I actually haven't rooted my Amaze either as I realize as much fun rooting and flashing was, IMO stock does just enough...
I like you just sideload apps and good to go.
I also have Prime and use their video services more than Netflix.
Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using Tapatalk 2

There's few reasons why I have rooted and, most important - installeld custom ROM (Energy CM9 Kang) on my Kindle:
1) Need for Google Play App store (I am in Europe and for me all the US based services does'nt work)
2) On/of button on the bottom. I like to us emy Kindle flipped to keep the button and earphones plug on top, but when screen is locked i get the lock screen with the password keyboard flipped on the stock OS.
3) Was unable to transfer apps from the app to the files partition. Flashing custom ROM fixed this.
4) Having ICS on a Kindle was so tempting... and soooo worth it.

Mostly for adblock and to get off the stock ROM which isn't so great if you just want a tablet without any restrictions. I also had no intentions of using this how Amazon originally meant people to use it.
I also have a problem with a manufacturer telling me i can't do something with my own device.

JohninLex said:
I chose to root and install a custom rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup. Same hereI just rooted yesterday to install CM9 (some version of it). It was very simple. Now I can have Google Maps, Google Voice, and Gmail on it as well as Path (keep in mind that the kindle fire does not have a gps or a microphone).

Just a Couple reasons to start with...
The first one is, I like security and backups, so I use TWRP so I can back up my apps and data.
Second, any Android device can collect a SERIOUS amount of memory-hogging cache, so I use Cache-Mate to clear it all.
Third, I personally hate the default status bar, so I currently have CM7 on it with a smaller design.
Fourth, I also dont like the keyboard, so I replaced it with this nice split keyboard.
Fifth, I like making my device run faster, so I overclock when im using it and underclock when im not.
Sixth, volume adjusting requires going through menus, so i use Volume Control to change it easily. (Does this require root?)
Thats about it

one word answer: ICS

[Q]

Wife has a nook color, stock unrooted wanting to view email/ webrowsing more effectively than what she can now. I am looking at rooting the device and wondering what opinions are out there. Should I wait until ICS roms are more stable or should I jump in with something out there now? If I should go now what do you recommend?

Well, if you are asking should you wait for ICS to be further developed before installing a custom ROM on the device, the answer is'a no, from me.
CM9 is plenrty far along to my mind and getting better every day. But if you don't intend to keep up with the updates with any regularity, then try CM7 which is Gingerbread.
It's great and stable. And most of what she learns about operating it will still apply whenever you decide to upgrade to ICS.
ICS s really great at this point, but flash still doesn't work and is probably a little ways away. That means no internet videos of any quality, at the minimum. If she wants a better browsing experience, stick with CM7 for a while.
I personally had nothing but a pleasant experience using the Mirage 7.2 Kang. MiRaGe is pretty good about support as well, although only if you flash the ROM internally (to emmc). Which, unless you are planning to dual-or-more boot, there is no reason to install by sdcard. Go ahead and flash to emmc. Supposedly you void your warranty by doing that, but there are a million threads about going back to B&N stock. It's really easy.
So flash whatever looks good. You can always try something else later. The first one is hard. Everyone after that is easy as it gets. Oh, and root access is now a user-defined option. You don't have to be rooted while running Cyanogen.

jmhatch23 said:
Wife has a nook color, stock unrooted wanting to view email/ webrowsing more effectively than what she can now. I am looking at rooting the device and wondering what opinions are out there. Should I wait until ICS roms are more stable or should I jump in with something out there now? If I should go now what do you recommend?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If that's all she wants, and she's otherwise happy with the device running B&N firmware, you should consider just rooting it. Everything will work as it does now, including the nice B&N features (read-to-me, free in-store reading, automatic subscription updates, etc.), but you can add as much or as little additional functionality as you want. If she subscribes to any B&N periodicals or reads enhanced ebooks from B&N, this may be important.
If you run CM or any alternate firmware, be aware that the B&N Android app does not have the same full functionality of the B&N firmware. Some books and periodicals can, at least today, only be read using native B&N firmware. Hopefully, they'll update the app soon to address this.

I'm Sticking to Stock, Why Don't You?

I have been using my Nexus 6 ever since I abandoned Apple. I owned every iPhone from the 3GS to the 6. I picked up my 64GB Cloud White from Amazon when they were $250 and haven't looked back since. I've always been a big techy and can't believe I stayed on boring IOS so long.
That said, when I first got my Nexus 6 of course I started trying out some custom ROMs. Pure Nexus ended up being my favorite. I just liked being able to mod my status and nav bar really. It was fun trying out ROMs, Kernels, etc. It was all new to me.
Now, I've come to the point where it just doesn't really matter to me. I prefer Android to IOS regardless. The damn App drawer is enough to make me never go back. I like stock Android the way it is. I also like using and having the ability to use Android Pay. So I roll stock. I take my OTAs and Security updates as they come and call it a day.
So, why do you prefer custom ROMs / Kernels and having ROOT to stock Android? Like, what are your deal breakers that pull you from stock to rooted / custom ROMs and Kernels?
EDIT:
Thank you all for your responses. I was in no way trying to down people for modding out their own property, I was actually looking to see why some people feel root / roms are required. I just read through all of the responses and I seen quite a few that I didn't even know about or think of. Interesting.

Techbyte said:
I have been using my Nexus 6 ever since I abandoned Apple. I owned every iPhone from the 3GS to the 6. I picked up my 64GB Cloud White from Amazon when they were $250 and haven't looked back since. I've always been a big techy and can't believe I stayed on boring IOS so long.
That said, when I first got my Nexus 6 of course I started trying out some custom ROMs. Pure Nexus ended up being my favorite. I just liked being able to mod my status and nav bar really. It was fun trying out ROMs, Kernels, etc. It was all new to me.
Now, I've come to the point where it just doesn't really matter to me. I prefer Android to IOS regardless. The damn App drawer is enough to make me never go back. I like stock Android the way it is. I also like using and having the ability to use Android Pay. So I roll stock. I take my OTAs and Security updates as they come and call it a day.
So, why do you prefer custom ROMs / Kernels and having ROOT to stock Android? Like, what are your deal breakers that pull you from stock to rooted / custom ROMs and Kernels?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mostly due to the locked down nature. You have to remember where you are. This site was made by and for developers that take what they are given and want to make it better. You will find that most people here dont run stock software on anything. Be it their router, PC, PS4, X1 or anything else they can get their hands on.
Personally Android pay is not big for most of us. It is unsecure and not really handy when you have to carry your wallet anyway.
In the end it is all about choice. Many of my homescreen set ups require root to run.
The biggest thing for me is to theme it. Android stock just looks too ugly for me to even think about using.

Techbyte said:
... from stock to rooted / custom ROMs and Kernels?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Layers and blacked out apps of the TBO-team.
For better readability and battery life I prefer a black/dark background.
Without root this configuration is not possible.
A child knows that a white background on devices with an amoled display causes battery drain. Apparently Google does not know that .

For the same reason you rooted and rom'd in the first place: customizations.
I'm quite picky on how everything is laid out and stock android doesn't give me most options that current roms like pure nexus offers while still having amazing performance.
Simple things like rearranging the quick drawer wasn't even available on stock until marshmallow came out while custom roms could do it way before then.
Dpi settings and xposed modules are enough for me to root.

roms/kernels, and so on.. not really important to me. sure, they are nice to have, but not a necessity. the only thing thats necessary to me is root. not because of what 98% of you are thinking, but for what root actually is, to have access to all the administrative rights. stock or custom rom, as long as i am #1 in deciding the fate of my device.

simms22 said:
.....to have access to all the administrative rights. stock or custom rom, as long as i am #1 in deciding the fate of my device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I like that. The principal. But the majority accepts the fact of paying a lot of money for a device with reduced functionality.

NLBeev said:
I like that. The principal. But the majority accepts the fact of paying a lot of money for a device with reduced functionality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the majority also do whatever their neighbor(or friend, family member, and so on..) does, just because. im not in the majority, nor do i ever want to be.. :angel:

simms22 said:
the majority also do whatever their neighbor(or friend, family member, and so on..) does, just because. im not in the majority, nor do i ever want to be.. :angel:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ill drink to that!:good::good:

At this point the biggest reason for root for me now, is app backups. Google has gotten a better, but being able to back up my apps and data for easy restore is a must. Sat what you will about Apple, but since day 1 you could plug your iPhone into iTunes and make a complete backup of it.

but who was xposed? almost unlimited customizations, need root but you can do it over a stock base
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

I use stock ROMs, but custom kernels for access to kcal color control especially. I read a lot on my nexus including at night, and I like being able to control light color (which relates to eye strain and can affect sleep) with precision. Reading apps have gotten better about offering at least some blue light-free reading modes, but back when they didn't, I got accustomed to having complete control and it's too late for me to settle for Amazon's presets or anyone else's, I can achieve the same color experience no matter what app I use (incl browsers, news readers etc). Second, I prefer the LED for notifications. Third, I like undervolting. Fourth, titanium backup for multiple reasons, but if an app update ever breaks something, I don't have to sweat it, I can roll that back to a working version no trouble.

Add blocking is important to me.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

Pie controls, adjustable screen dpi, adjust screen colors and vibration strength, skip songs with volume button, titanium backup, custom recovery. I'm sure there are more but those are the ones I can think of right now. I just like tweaking the device to make it a more effective tool.
I use a light stock rom and lean kernel which is close to stock as well. Just gotta have root and xposed.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app

Let me answer with another question. Do you expect people, especially in a place like XDA, to be content with locked down device?

I have my own hobby project, to make my own custom rom, so that's why I'm not stock, but the only thing I really need is to have root.
All the changes I made were mostly to put my stamp on it, to make it mine, but I've also fixed some stupid things like you can only invoke the Clock application from the status bar if there's a scheduled alarm, instead of tapping any clock or date fields.
Also I brought back the old Electron beam screen off animation, because that was cool. Now I can choose between None, Electron Beam, and the new Color fade. And allowed the dismiss all button, of course.

I don't for the same reason I use Arch I want what I want and no more.

I recently rooted again, primarily because I missed the flexibility that comes with rooting. Deleting apps that you never use. Clear themes. Ad Blocking. If my credit union had Android Pay, I would probably still be stock unrooted.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

Tethering without blowing up my data... I am looking at you Verizon. Gotta give the man a finger. Root coz I can.
Plus ads. If they come up with a way to filter the ads and allow tethering without forcing me to pay extra I would I would gladly stay stock.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

Katt50 said:
I recently rooted again, primarily because I missed the flexibility that comes with rooting. Deleting apps that you never use. Clear themes. Ad Blocking. If my credit union had Android Pay, I would probably still be stock unrooted.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on dp3 and rooted with su2.74. I was able to load cards in android pay and it passed that safety net app. I'm going to try and make a purchase tomorrow. If it works, hooray for DP3.
I used Android pay on rooted N. I hope they leave that feature available with root in the final release.

I'm currently running stock N preview 3 but when I was running rooted it was mainly to access the notification led.
Sadly I have a few streaming apps that refuse to work while rooted and I got tired of fighting them.