Database Users

[Q] Kernel update/modification

I finally decided to ask a question that's been bugging me for a few days now, with all android development going around in a very impressive pace.
Now I am completly new to kernel concept so don't me too harsh if I said something wrong.
The question: Isn't there really a way to modify/update our kernel since we have locked bootloader?
As far as I understood, most of us are running ICS UI on top of GB kernel (even some on top of Froyo kernel) but this does not give us the advantage of running ICS on it full force and take full advantage of your harware.
I know Endless7 had a method to downgrade kernel, and I thought may be there can be a similar way to upgrade it.
With JB just around the corner, that would be a great improvement IMHO for our device.

Megalith27 said:
I finally decided to ask a question that's been bugging me for a few days now, with all android development going around in a very impressive pace.
Now I am completly new to kernel concept so don't me too harsh if I said something wrong.
The question: Isn't there really a way to modify/update our kernel since we have locked bootloader?
As far as I understood, most of us are running ICS UI on top of GB kernel (even some on top of Froyo kernel) but this does not give us the advantage of running ICS on it full force and take full advantage of your harware.
I know Endless7 had a method to downgrade kernel, and I thought may be there can be a similar way to upgrade it.
With JB just around the corner, that would be a great improvement IMHO for our device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm no expert but I think this has to be done by motorola, since the kernel is the one responsible for the hardware management, and given the bootloader is locked we can't put custom kernels in our phone

Caesarivs said:
I'm no expert but I think this has to be done by motorola, since the kernel is the one responsible for the hardware management, and given the bootloader is locked we can't put custom kernels in our phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. I do realize that and as Moto stated clearly that MS2 will not see official ICS there is not hope to get it from Moto.
But I thought maybe it can be ported from other device, or some modules, which share same CPU.
I am pretty sure our devs have looked into this but since we even got HWA working lol anything is possible these days.

There is a new bootloader hijacker called kexec which allows loading custom kernels. Hashcode is doing it for the Droid 3, and if I'm not wrong, it's designed specially for Motorola Phones with locked bootloaders. But you have to implement new drivers for video and such, so it's a lot of work.
Sent from my XT860 using xda app-developers app

elleypo Ière
Megalith27 said:
Thanks for the reply. I do realize that and as Moto stated clearly that MS2 will not see official ICS there is not hope to get it from Moto.
But I thought maybe it can be ported from other device, or some modules, which share same CPU.
I am pretty sure our devs have looked into this but since we even got HWA working lol anything is possible these days.
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Click to collapse
The problem is that it's not *only* a "same cpu" problem, it's the whole hardware solution.... camera, sound, gpu, and so on.
It's one of the reasons the dev on MS2 is so "slow", with the locked bootloader, non support from Motorola, the multiple versions (Droid2/Droid2 Global, MS2 EU/CH/NA and so on), getting the hardware to work (specially with newer android like ICS/JB is/was a pain, and most of the work was done "porting" those from the Defy/Atrix and so on who have, somewhat, partially the same hardware and can be adapted.
On top of that, changing the kernel as already said would mean to find a security flaw/hole in the bootloader that could be exploited for that.
(the downgrade solution was patched/fixed with the latest european, and now Latin America bootloader/kernel upgrades if i remember well, hence why most europeans who upgraded to the latest OTA don't really have a working CM7, since it requires to flash fixed sbf and other things to make it work (a patched recovery partition i think)).
But really, having the dev (forgot his name, danthingyabak ) getting full HW acceleration, and a working ICS port and pretty much everything working now, while LA and China starts getting remotely the same versions, we might see more develeoppement coming, since it's no longer "region specific" devs. Maybe even one day Droid 2/Droid 2 Global and MS will share the same developpements, who knows (or, maybe by Miracle, now that Google owns Motorola, maybe one day we will see unlocked bootloaders for all phone yeah i'm dreaming ).

What about us now?!
http://androidcommunity.com/motorola-finally-unlocking-bootloaders-for-real-this-time-20120726/

I hope it's true!
PS. But if it's not about us again, we hope that this method will work even be

xenusr said:
I hope it's true!
PS. But if it's not about us again, we hope that this method will work even be
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that thing was just a false alarm...or early celebration...
Sent from my MotoA953

Looks like we're finally getting there
http://androidcommunity.com/motorol...live-finally-can-unlock-bootloaders-20120817/

Motorola is pleased to provide the open source software used in the Ultra-Family devi

I haven't seen this posted anywhere else yet. Looks like this is the source for the Droid Ultra/Maxx line.
Hopefully using this and the AOSP 4.3, we can get a 4.3 ROM brewed.
Announcing the release of open source for the Ultra family of products
And if you want the source for the Moto X it's there as well:
Announcing the release of Open Source Software for Moto X

Sorry for the noob questions but how does this effect the bootloader? Will it completely unlock the device for recovery/kernels/ROMs? TIA.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 4

dr_acula said:
Sorry for the noob questions but how does this effect the bootloader? Will it completely unlock the device for recovery/kernels/ROMs? TIA.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This won't effect the bootloader but could be used for kernels and ROMs on the developer editions where the bootloader is unlocked.
Sent from my XT1080 using xda app-developers app

rowland007 said:
This won't effect the bootloader but could be used for kernels and ROMs on the developer editions where the bootloader is unlocked.
Sent from my XT1080 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
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Does that mean there's no hope still for locked devices? I got my Maxx and am now questioning if I should return it for a device that can be unlocked. I really love everything else about this phone though.

From what I have read around the forums, if you are looking for unlocked then this phone line isn't the way to go.
Sent from my XT1080 using xda app-developers app

Yep, the developer edition will probably be less headache for you in the long run.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

I don't really have 650$ lying around though :/
Sent from my XT1080 using xda app-developers app

Safestrap for moto X released, likely for maxx soon

rowland007 said:
I haven't seen this posted anywhere else yet. Looks like this is the source for the Droid Ultra/Maxx line.
Hopefully using this and the AOSP 4.3, we can get a 4.3 ROM brewed.
Announcing the release of open source for the Ultra family of products
And if you want the source for the Moto X it's there as well:
Announcing the release of Open Source Software for Moto X
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you for the links.
thread moved to general section

Toledo_JAB said:
thank you for the links.
thread moved to general section
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
is this phone is locked to verizon only? how about the gsm? it's locked too?

The phone can be used globaly. That includes GSM networks.

Out of curiosity, is there any development going on with the Droid Maxx developer edition right now? I realize that some of the Moto X stuff works OK, but until someone figures out how to get the capacitive buttons working we're not going to see any ROMs. I'm willing to shell out the extra money for the Maxx Developer Edition if it meant I wouldn't be forced to wait for Verizon to approve firmware updates, but right now it's not looking promising that anyone is going to bother with Droid Maxx DE ROMs. Unless, of course, someone figures out how to unlock the bootloader on the non-developer version.

I haven't seen any activity in the known channels but then again it may be too early to expect anything.
On another note, it would be nice if you could port the Google Edition ROM over to the non Google Edition phones, without having to unlock the bootloader, maybe?

Yeah, I'm surprised at the complete lack of development on this phone. I realize that developer edition devices won't have communities nearly as large as other devices, but I expected at least SOME basic AOSP ROM's.

Wouldnt this being a offical source thats made for our phones atleast allow us to put 4.3 into our phones? Id guess it runs the stock kernel which is signed.

sfreemanoh said:
Yeah, I'm surprised at the complete lack of development on this phone. I realize that developer edition devices won't have communities nearly as large as other devices, but I expected at least SOME basic AOSP ROM's.
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Click to collapse
Yeah, I particularly expected some basic ROMs too, since the Maxx will essentially run Moto X ROMs (apparently someone just needs to figure out how to get those ROMs to use the Maxx's capacative buttons). But, there's not a ton going on with the Moto X, either. I'm guessing that's mostly because the Moto X is already mostly a stock ROM. You could build your own AOSP ROM, I suppose, but then you'd lose some of the major features of the Moto X and Droid lines. They're working on CM 10.2, though.

I'd be happy with an AOSP ROM with touchless controls and active notifications
Sent from my XT1080 using xda app-developers app

I have to say since SS came out and we have exposed as well as modules like gravity box etc I don't see a huge need for ROMs. This phones is almost stock android as it is. I would be happy with a deodexed system so it would be easy to install inverted apps and such. I think that is all this phone needs. Other than a ROM that looks or acts completely different from stock what would be the benefit. Without an unlocked boot loader I have always noticed kexec Roms to run glitchy. I don't want a glichy phone when I can do what most Roms do using exposed etc. I think the time would be better spent on creating themes that could be flashed to the stock system. This is just my opinion based on using the maxx for the last 2months.

bigv5150 said:
I have to say since SS came out and we have exposed as well as modules like gravity box etc I don't see a huge need for ROMs. This phones is almost stock android as it is. I would be happy with a deodexed system so it would be easy to install inverted apps and such. I think that is all this phone needs. Other than a ROM that looks or acts completely different from stock what would be the benefit. Without an unlocked boot loader I have always noticed kexec Roms to run glitchy. I don't want a glichy phone when I can do what most Roms do using exposed etc. I think the time would be better spent on creating themes that could be flashed to the stock system. This is just my opinion based on using the maxx for the last 2months.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree..seems as thow, if I had this stock ROM with a gray gapps to match system colors, maybe even a transparent status bar option, I'd be tickled..I do like some of the Apps. that come with this ROM, games I'm not into, and the "Amazon" stuff, nor the NFL, Ingress I would delete, BUT..The Droid Zap, Touch less Controls, NFC and others I'd like to keep..I do enjoy this device and for the most part, like the stock ROM..
Oh..and be able to turn GPS Off and On without having to give permission ever time ( check or uncheck the box)..
SafeStrap ver. 3.63a
System > 12.7.7.obake-maxx_verizon
Android > 4.2.2
Baseband > MSM8960PRO_BP_2323.011.75.00R
Kernel > 3.4.42
Build > 12.9.0Q2.X-160-OBK_TA-14-7
XT1080M (aka) Droid Maxx
(#2)

I'm perfectly happy with stock MotoX/Droid ROMs too, particularly since they are so close to stock Android. But, I don't want to have to wait for Verizon to approve firmware updates. I got a Galaxy Nexus hoping to avoid some of the headaches associated with flashing ROMs, That didn't exactly turn out as expected (though probably how I should have expected it).

Root & nexus 6 adaptation pledge / sponsor thread!!!!!

:laugh:
So I wanted to get this out there early and of course we will not know until the Nexus 6 is released, but I was hoping to start a pledge thread for the development of root for the Turbo and also the possiblity of adapting the Verizon Nexus 6 ROM to work or replace the Turbo's ROM. Now, I am no programmer and don't know if this can even be attempted or done, but from an analytical view, once the Droid Turbo is rooted and hopefully the bootloader can be unlocked, I would think there would be some possiblity of the Nexus 6 ROM to make it to the Turbo.... Let at some of the facts:
Just from stats alone the Turbo is basically the Nexus 6 with a smaller screen. RAM, Cameras, Processor, Screen Resolution, etc. are the same
One would have to believe that many of the internal components will match especially when it comes to the Verizon variant of the Nexus 6. Without teardowns of both, I would believe that the radios too would be very similiar, which would be one of the major hurdles for adapting the ROM to Turbo...
I know none of these similiarites may actually amount to anything that makes root or trying to bring the Nexus 6 ROM to Turbo possible, but hell I can take the amount of flames I may get for throwing the idea out there
Of course, someone will probably make a ASOP ROM as well, but I thought I might throw it out there and spark some interest from developers that are way more knowledgable in all things android than me. Plus, I know the Android L from Kit Kat makes it a difficult challenge as well.
Not going to offer a bounty but just mad praise. :good:
Thoughts?:silly:

I'll throw in $40 and more to come.

Ill pledge $25 bucks to that.

mahst68 said:
:laugh:
So I wanted to get this out there early and of course we will not know until the Nexus 6 is released, but I was hoping to start a pledge thread for the development of root for the Turbo and also the possiblity of adapting the Verizon Nexus 6 ROM to work or replace the Turbo's ROM. Now, I am no programmer and don't know if this can even be attempted or done, but from an analytical view, once the Droid Turbo is rooted and hopefully the bootloader can be unlocked, I would think there would be some possiblity of the Nexus 6 ROM to make it to the Turbo.... Let at some of the facts:
Just from stats alone the Turbo is basically the Nexus 6 with a smaller screen. RAM, Cameras, Processor, Screen Resolution, etc. are the same
One would have to believe that many of the internal components will match especially when it comes to the Verizon variant of the Nexus 6. Without teardowns of both, I would believe that the radios too would be very similiar, which would be one of the major hurdles for adapting the ROM to Turbo...
I know none of these similiarites may actually amount to anything that makes root or trying to bring the Nexus 6 ROM to Turbo possible, but hell I can take the amount of flames I may get for throwing the idea out there
Of course, someone will probably make a ASOP ROM as well, but I thought I might throw it out there and spark some interest from developers that are way more knowledgable in all things android than me. Plus, I know the Android L from Kit Kat makes it a difficult challenge as well.
I will throw in $50 for root. And $50 for Nexus 6 ROM. :good:
Thoughts?:silly:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A few things to note here....
There are no carrier specific versions of the Nexus 6. There is simply a US and International version. That being said, VZW isn't even selling them. You can buy them from the Google Play Store and take them to Big Red for activation, however.
The Nexus "should" be running an almost completely "vanilla" version of Kit Kat or Lollipop. So there wouldn't really be a benefit to porting the Nexus ROM when an AOSP build would achieve the same results.
Either way, unless a root / bootloader unlock happens (Chinese Middleman is about the only hope right now), there will be no point.
That being said, I won't pledge anything toward root until it happens.

I'll pledge a high five and some bragging rights to the man who achieves root and unlocking.

XDA barely tolerate pledge threads. You should follow open1your1eyes0 template for the OP and the collection of the bounty.

mahst68 said:
:laugh:
...And $50 for Nexus 6 ROM. :good:
Thoughts?:silly:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What exactly from Nexus ROM do you want on Turbo?
Turbo firmware is as plain as it can be - except the bloat. With no root - disable the bloat to get 99.9% vanilla Android. With root - remove bloat from system partition to get 100% vanilla Android.
I don't think this was thought through.

What exactly from Nexus ROM do you want on Turbo?

Honestly I want it all the way around, bring the Kit Kat ROM from the Turbo to the Nexus 6.

Moto maxx(turbo int variant) already have root and recovery, i really hope devs port anything aosp like for nor devices

ROM development and tweaks?

It is my understanding that the development of ROM for this phone may be limited since it won't be available in the US. Right now, I'm wondering if there's anything we could do to try to jump start development? I don't have enough knowledge to develop anything on my own but maybe I could supply data using my Moto X Play? I know enough to install stuff like TWRP without bricking the phone. Anyway, at least, we don't have to suffer the atrocities of an ugly skin like TouchWiz since Motorola adopted a bare to the bone attitude with its firmwares. I also heard that these Motorola phones will be among the first to receive an official Marshmallow update.

I'm in the same boat. I don't know what's all involved with custom kernels or anything, but would love to see how we could tweak our phones.

It's being released over there as a droid variant is it not?
Sent from my Vodafone Smart ultra 6 using Tapatalk

On Verizon, which is quite different from a cellular radio standpoint (not to mention good luck getting the bootloader unlocked (I'm sure Verizon won't let you use Moto's unlock tool)

Xa1 ultra repository

I will be creating a repository of root methods and guides, recoveries, roms and stock files. This will be a one stop shop for all your developer needs.
So far the only development. Is by Janjan, providing root, and a twrp recovery
https://forum.xda-developers.com/xa1-ultra/development/g3221-built-sources-t3622886

idontwanttobeanoob said:
I will be creating a repository of root methods and guides, recoveries, roms and stock files. This will be a one stop shop for all your developer needs.
So far the only development. Is by Janjan, providing root, and a twrp recovery
https://forum.xda-developers.com/xa1-ultra/development/g3221-built-sources-t3622886
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Click to collapse
considering all development for this device, from the only dev that ever worked on it, has stopped. I regret buying this device. I thought for sure Sony would have better action than this. I had a note 2 before this, and they were still developing for that phone when I stopped using it 2 months Ago. I think im going to try to sell it. it's really pathetic. but it is what it is
Sent from my Xperia XA1 Ultra using XDA Labs

I am in the process of moving but once that is done I will be working on porting a few roms so that we have some choices. Don't give up yet. I have faith in the community

idontwanttobeanoob said:
I am in the process of moving but once that is done I will be working on porting a few roms so that we have some choices. Don't give up yet. I have faith in the community
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just bought this coming from a Nexus 6P and was surprised that nothing had really been done with it it seems to be a good phone, just some of the stock options suck lol. I saw your thread for root and custom recovery and am going to try it I'm the next couple days.
You said you are going to be porting some Roms over, any ideas which you will be attempting? If you are taking requests I wouldn't mind Pure Nexus.. It's pretty kickass from a well known dev.. Or maybe even crdroid (lineage based)? Thanks for your work so far and keep at it.. Like I said, pretty good phone, just no development much yet.

mikeandjaimie said:
I just bought this coming from a Nexus 6P and was surprised that nothing had really been done with it it seems to be a good phone, just some of the stock options suck lol. I saw your thread for root and custom recovery and am going to try it I'm the next couple days.
You said you are going to be porting some Roms over, any ideas which you will be attempting? If you are taking requests I wouldn't mind Pure Nexus.. It's pretty kickass from a well known dev.. Or maybe even crdroid (lineage based)? Thanks for your work so far and keep at it.. Like I said, pretty good phone, just no development much yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The option for root and recovery is done by JanJan who has stopped working on this device. Please give him a thanks and your credit. Mid level phones have a habit of taking a few months to really get development going. But this phone should have plenty in the coming months!

I'd like to jump in for kernel and recovery development, but the problem is I don't have experience and I have to setup a dedicated Linux machine from one of unused laptop. Also, I have to work like everybody. I have four Xperia (Z Ultra, XA Ultra, XA1 Ultra, and L1). I just need other developers to help me get started.
Note: I only have US version except Z Ultra (C6833).

Hii
Just to give my opinion too on this topic
I did the mistake.. Usually I do my own research by google-ing all the reviews
Then I read some opinions, then i look also on you tube and then the most important
I do look at xda forum to see the support of the device
And i saw all that...but than I saw the forum is not like I am used to..its like dead .. not
just there are no one posting things..but the custom rom support is not there...
Well, I said to me also... ok its a 6 inch.. not everybody likes phablets..
Like, 5 inch is more popular.. maybe that is the reson there are no development..
And then I said..ok announced in Feb/March but just got to the market about May..
So..new device..should be some development..
Unfortunally I got one with bootloader unlock NO status..
And now I can not even get root..
But still... It was weird to have such an phone on XDA with dead forum all at all
Did a bit more research last few day after I got the device
As It looks like all the X series from the Sony Xperia... has no support..
Like there are 7 or 8 devices from the X series and the only one is the X Performance Model wich has like 4 to 5 custom roms
and a few stock modified kernels..
All the other phones do not have anything..
Or let me say the best example the XA Ultra also 6 inch from last year 2016 Model
Has not evan 1 thread or commend under xda forum for custom roms or kernels or what ever..like
more then one year and what?? Nothing..
So I do not hope we will have anything...not to get fooled its a new devices it will be in time and
we will need to wait ... bla bla bla.. nothing will happen
The best thing is to fool yourself with different launchers so that after some of use of the phone
You get sort of a feeling you did flash something..and get the feeling you changed the phone
Thats all...
Would point to NOVA laungher..and some others wich have much settings to modify the looks and
the way it works...
I really to not think anything will happen.. ever

i bought the regular xa1 thinking that there'd be insane development going on for it. looking back, i shouldn't have unlocked bootloader, and looked at getting different phone. if i try to take it back to the store now even though it's under 1 year warranty, they'll just say, "oh we can't replace it, we got to send it off to sony" in which case they won't do anything as sony will see that the bootloader is unlocked

Not to say custom ROMs aren't great and all, I too was here for the good stuff, but people complaining and taking phones back is a bit dramatic.
The stock ROM is great. It doesn't really need a custom ROM. It's a perfectly reasonable phone by itself.
A custom ROM makes sense in phones such as Samsung, Huawei and Xiaomi, where they botch everything to make it "unique", but Sony phones tread the line carefully to keep it pure as possible whilst adding actual useful features.
If you're picking up phones just to hack them, maybe you should try to start your own development on them. Get the toolchains, bring up a Linux system and get creative. Then you can be the hero of your own story.

What is the best way to return to fully stock? Relock the bootloader and flash the latest firmware? Might sell mine too and get an Essential PH-1.

So since this is my first Sony device and may be my last for a few reasons question I want to return everything to stock, and I use the method that was provided it won't relock bootloader right? I have to manually relock it like any other device? I just wanna return to stock so I can try and see what it take to get a Oreo rom once the update comes through.

Actually maybe do some research when this phone first came out with had start of support. We have twrp and custom kernel. There's a search button. Try it out.

I know that this thread seems to be dead but I was wondering if someone could share the sound file for plugging in the charging cord