Database Users

The android market is going to HELL

Hi guys,
Have you noticed a huge increase in spam apps in the market lately? Apps from developers like Michael Quach, Virtualtechs or Simpaddico, which literally count in the hundreds even though they really are the same app: a list of facts or quotes, with next / back buttons.
Apparently they also batch upload new versions of their apps regularly, just to get them to the top again. I'm getting sick of missing actual, useful apps because every time I check the market I only see these apps. Isn't there something we users can do to get rid of market spammers?

Proabably
There should be a "REPORT" button, right now its not a whole bunch of chronic spammer devies, they can get rid of them right away. BUNCH OF them are just scammers tryin' to make a quick buck.
frandavid100 said:
Hi guys,
Have you noticed a huge increase in spam apps in the market lately? Apps from developers like Michael Quach, Virtualtechs or Simpaddico, which literally count in the hundreds even though they really are the same app: a list of facts or quotes, with next / back buttons.
Apparently they also batch upload new versions of their apps regularly, just to get them to the top again. I'm getting sick of missing actual, useful apps because every time I check the market I only see these apps. Isn't there something we users can do to get rid of market spammers?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

ehBrY said:
There should be a "REPORT" button, right now its not a whole bunch of chronic spammer devies, they can get rid of them right away. BUNCH OF them are just scammers tryin' to make a quick buck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem is, taken independently those apps are not reportable. There is nothing wrong with a facts app, but there is with a developer releasing 100 of them. Yet I cannot report the developer, I can only report the app.

the biggest problem for me is the lack of search options in the market - unbelievable that google could leave it like that - there seems to be no intelligent search, no search by category or dev etc etc etc

Sorting options
czm said:
the biggest problem for me is the lack of search options in the market - unbelievable that google could leave it like that - there seems to be no intelligent search, no search by category or dev etc etc etc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is DEFINATELY missing sorting options like sort by rating!

Spam their email like they do our market

There does need to be some method whereby Google get notified if one developer uploads more than, say, 5 apps or they upload several at the same time and then someone at google has to physically examine them before they go up. That way these spam apps would be identifed as such and not turn up there.
I guess ultimately this is the price we pay for having an unrestricted market. At the moment it is still worth it to get the kinds of app that Apple would never allow but I think SOME control is needed.

This is where Apple's "managed" Store has it's benefits.

I would love to see a market proxy for rooted phones, allowing various developers and app categories to be removed from view. Regex pattern matching ...
I don't know if it's possible, but it would rock.

JTHM said:
This is where Apple's "managed" Store has it's benefits.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After using the Nexus one for a month, there are many aspect of iphone i think is superior to Android in general. There are some flaws on the iphone, but when compared to the N1 (or any android phone), it feel so much more polished.

joshyth1012 said:
After using the Nexus one for a month, there are many aspect of iphone i think is superior to Android in general. There are some flaws on the iphone, but when compared to the N1 (or any android phone), it feel so much more polished.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and that's "polish" comes at the cost of locking you away with everything u should have access for in the first place

Actually, I think these scammers/spammers/out-for-the-money people are NOT the problem...And in fact, they're actually a show of proof of just how open-ended the Android Market is.
The problem is that Google (The Internet Search Superpower) has crappy searching/filtering for their Android Market.
Ironic.

Could you guys please contribute to this petition?
http://www.google.com/support/forum...87&hl=en&fid=0514f909d7c71c8700047ff77f3d84e4
Let's see if we can at least get an answer.

Namuna said:
Actually, I think these scammers/spammers/out-for-the-money people are NOT the problem...And in fact, they're actually a show of proof of just how open-ended the Android Market is.
The problem is that Google (The Internet Search Superpower) has crappy searching/filtering for their Android Market.
Ironic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
qft. all they need to do is add filters like ratings, downloads, etc. Then these apps wouldn't be a problem.

sctx said:
qft. all they need to do is add filters like ratings, downloads, etc. Then these apps wouldn't be a problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. The 'legit' devs should be pushing for this as well as it would make it easier for end users to find and buy quality product.

This is the exact reason why my Nexus One sat in its box for a week after receiving it. This is my first Android phone and coming from an Apple OS and a regulated app platform since the 2g was introduced, the marketplace had a very bad first impression with me. My N1 was bone stock and I experienced force closes on stock apps..I felt as if I was beta testing a device that was released too early. It was packed and ready to ship back. Then I decided to take another look and while 95% of the marketplace apps are pure garbage, IMO, the phone itself has its advantages which is why I choose the N1 as choice device as opposed to my 3gs in which I basically use as an ipod "with benefits."
Final thought. If the android market app regulation doesnt improve, it will fall..and it will fall hard.

ehBrY said:
It is DEFINATELY missing sorting options like sort by rating!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 def would like to see this

This is a problem, and I do think Google should priorities this A.S.A.P. As this will discourage most Iphone to Android users. I don't even look in the new tab any more.

its not like google knows a thing or two about how searching should be done....

Do what I do...only download apps you know about. Get recommendations from sites like this one.

just got a vibrant....oh my where to start! :)

Got a Vibrant yesterday to "try out" the android world for the first time. Must say I'm impressed by the phones performance out of the box even with all the bloatware and crap on it. I've been a windows mobile guy for quite some time now, so the people that know both platforms well, know they are two completely different monsters. My two options were the hd2 (since i know the WM world pretty well) or learn a whole new platform with the vibrant.
I like it so far, but also miss some of the things from WM (or rather miss knowing my phone well). I guess i just have to start from zero and get acquainted with it first.
Any suggestions on getting the bare down scoop of the platform and such as far as learning it from the ground up? The sticky explains how to do these things, but I need something more basic...I just wanna become proficient in the android world as I am in the WM world starting from zero.

Its hard to say where to start, the best thing about android is the customization. Playing with phone is the only way you are gonna learn, I have been an android owner since day one and am still learning new things everyday. If there is something I don't know I simply come here since this is the best android community on the web. Hope you enjoy IMO the best android phone on the market.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Yeah, really not that much to help with...everything seems pretty intuitive to me. When in doubt, long press or press menu.

My first questions were always like:
Sweet I have Avatar on here, what else Can I put on?
Oh damn, there's only a 2GB Card, and if I remove it, I lose Avatar.
WTF is amazon kindle for? I don't need this? How can I remove Bloats?
That's where I started off, you're most likely going to want to root it. Search the forums around. There's some great stickies to follow by and just go with that.
Can't wait for CM? Learn to make your own APP to have fun with ;p

phragg said:
My first questions were always like:
Sweet I have Avatar on here, what else Can I put on?
Oh damn, there's only a 2GB Card, and if I remove it, I lose Avatar.
WTF is amazon kindle for? I don't need this? How can I remove Bloats?
That's where I started off, you're most likely going to want to root it. Search the forums around. There's some great stickies to follow by and just go with that.
Can't wait for CM? Learn to make your own APP to have fun with ;p
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, kindle isn't that bad considering you can get a ton of free books for it.
Sent from my Galaxy S using the XDA App

phragg said:
My first questions were always like:
Sweet I have Avatar on here, what else Can I put on?
Oh damn, there's only a 2GB Card, and if I remove it, I lose Avatar.
WTF is amazon kindle for? I don't need this? How can I remove Bloats?
That's where I started off, you're most likely going to want to root it. Search the forums around. There's some great stickies to follow by and just go with that.
Can't wait for CM? Learn to make your own APP to have fun with ;p
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, you could always copy Avatar onto a larger card and then go wild! That's what I did, it will play lots of 720p mkv's that you might have laying around no problem!

Long press and menu are your friends. Other than that look here on xda and use the search function. The stickies typically have the most current info.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

phragg said:
My first questions were always like:
Sweet I have Avatar on here, what else Can I put on?
Oh damn, there's only a 2GB Card, and if I remove it, I lose Avatar.
WTF is amazon kindle for? I don't need this? How can I remove Bloats?
That's where I started off, you're most likely going to want to root it. Search the forums around. There's some great stickies to follow by and just go with that.
Can't wait for CM? Learn to make your own APP to have fun with ;p
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what is CM?
I am a programmer by profession. Maybe I could look into the world of android programming too while im at it

phragg said:
My first questions were always like:
Sweet I have Avatar on here, what else Can I put on?
Oh damn, there's only a 2GB Card, and if I remove it, I lose Avatar.
WTF is amazon kindle for? I don't need this? How can I remove Bloats?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't have those questions. I mean the first thing i did was move avatar to my 16gb msdhc into it and go wild with my music, photo, and videos...which I'm amazed how good of sound/video quality i get on this.
I thought more of like where do how do I view flash websites, how do i stream live .pls live music streams, or smaller things like hiding apps from the notification area at the top left when they are running, or resizing certain widgets, removing some of the applications that came with the phone from t mobile, mapping buttons to do different things based on holding them down or tapping a certain amount of times, things like that that aren't explained in the user manual. Or even like right now, I'm trying to make a call and it says: "Call not sent"...well? whyyyyyyyyy? so many questions!
I don't know, I guess all this is just part of the familiarization process and will sooner or later find them out whether by experience or hunting down resources why certain behaviors and actions happen.

speoples20 said:
Long press and menu are your friends. Other than that look here on xda and use the search function. The stickies typically have the most current info.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what is long press?

^ you should read the sticky. A lot of the things you mentioned, are addressed in the sticky.
Also, flash is only on Android 2.2, which we do not have yet.

achild said:
Got a Vibrant yesterday to "try out" the android world for the first time. Must say I'm impressed by the phones performance out of the box even with all the bloatware and crap on it. I've been a windows mobile guy for quite some time now, so the people that know both platforms well, know they are two completely different monsters. My two options were the hd2 (since i know the WM world pretty well) or learn a whole new platform with the vibrant.
I like it so far, but also miss some of the things from WM (or rather miss knowing my phone well). I guess i just have to start from zero and get acquainted with it first.
Any suggestions on getting the bare down scoop of the platform and such as far as learning it from the ground up? The sticky explains how to do these things, but I need something more basic...I just wanna become proficient in the android world as I am in the WM world starting from zero.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Congrats on your new phone. Let us know how your GPS works, since that seems to be a hot issue. you can test using google maps, google navigation and GPS Test downloadable from the Android Market.

SamsungGalaxySVibrant said:
Congrats on your new phone. Let us know how your GPS works, since that seems to be a hot issue. you can test using google maps, google navigation and GPS Test downloadable from the Android Market.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
haha that seems to be a problem with any gps enabled phone nowadays. Happened with the fuze and after months and months of tweaking and tweaking we got a hang of it. I tried the GPS yesterday on my way home from work yesterday and did not get a lock, i went ahead and downloaded gps test today to see if that will unlock it before using the gps software. We shall see! Thanks for the heads up tho!
edit: I guess gps test on android works differently than on WM. On WM it scans through your COM ports and gets a fix for you to then use your gps navigation software.

achild said:
what is CM?
I am a programmer by profession. Maybe I could look into the world of android programming too while im at it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
please do!
we could always use more programmers.

achild said:
what is long press?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Instead of tapping on something you hold your finger down for a few seconds. A menu will pop up giving you options like copy and paste.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

If your phone won't play a video format, try RockPlayer
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

I would recommend the market as the first place to go. Just start searching and downloading apps and play with your phone. You'll get accustomed to it very quickly!

Droidicus said:
I would recommend the market as the first place to go. Just start searching and downloading apps and pay with your phone. You'll get accustomed to it very quickly!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah thats what ive been doing. Thats another thing that amazes me about android, soooo many apps, and they are all centralized into one easy, convenient location. In wm you would find a few in the marketplace, and the rest u had to hunt down either on the forum or the web. This is slowly growing on me
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Coming from WM myself, (and just recently and very reticently turned over my beloved Wizard to my mom) the fun and unfun I have with Android:
Apps are so dratted cheap. Have at it.
Cloud connectivity. I use Picasa all the time now. It took me a while to get used to Google contacts, especially first name alphabetization, but I like it now.
You might want to look at subscribing to CompanionLink. It reliably syncs everything Outlook with your Google account (thus your phone).
Almost nothing was built into Android 1.0. Not much was added through 1.5. Some stuff has been added since, like Facebook sync, but custom ROMs don't add stuff. There's an app for everything. There has to be.
The app drawer is a hassle. I use FolderOrganizer (and ADW Launcher) to quell my addiction to organization beyond alphabetical.
It's fun to watch a few things catch up with WinMo and hear all the Android users brag about how great it is. Like app-specific auto-rotation. There's an app for it out now, but it actually costs something you'll think about, and it eats a hunk of RAM. They're just getting into animated GIFs. Lists and their apps aren't anywhere near ListPro, but they almost all have some way to sync to the cloud.
Office documents created on a PC don't always work with the Office apps that are out there. Don't bother with DocumentsToGo, but Sheadspreet is good (you have to convert first) and I'm trying OfficeSuite, and it seems the best. 30-day trial, $15. It's still not WinMo, though.
For those things you don't sync with the cloud, you can't just throw stuff in your My Documents Folder and rely on that backup. DropBox is a good app/service, and GoogleDocs is your friend. Most apps back up thier specific data to your SD, but on this phone, it's on the internal SD. You have to manually handle your backups, or do Nandroid backups (another worthwhile Google).
You have to install an app to install apps not from Market. Instead of exes their apks.
There's no Total Commander. I like Root Explorer. Astro is feature-filled. There are a million file explorers, and every one of them will have its advocates.
Flashing ROMs is tons easier, but you have to root first.
The Android world moves a lot faster. If you're off the forums for a week you'll feel like you've been in a coma for months. On the flip side, if you're waiting for something to get developed, waiting a few days feel like eternity.
Android devs work harder for a lot less, or no money; it's truly inspiring.
Before you go buying the first app that does what you want, check Market for more that do the same thing. I've found that there's a free alternative to almost everything. The paid versions/apps are more luxurious in one way or another, usually, but a little research can save you a bunch of regret.
Widgets suck RAM. Before you know it you've got 25 and you're wondering why your Home screen is lagging. Phones are finite. Even these.
CM is CyanogenMod. Google it, it's worth it. They started on XDA and it got out of control, so they have their own site now, although the threads still hanging on XDA re CM are a much more interesting read. It seems to be the most popular set of ROMS for a variety of devices. I follow and flash them (the ROMs, that is. I dont want the devs to hate me).
Double entendres are rampant. It's Google.
Once you get your apps organized, you'll be surprised at how smoothly your phone useage goes. Frankly, it's just more fun, and much cheaper, to play with.

SamsungGalaxySVibrant said:
Congrats on your new phone. Let us know how your GPS works, since that seems to be a hot issue. you can test using google maps, google navigation and GPS Test downloadable from the Android Market.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tested it. Google maps got no lock. However, gps test gave me 3 satellites, when I held it in front, under the windshiels it jumped to five satellites, but it wasn't enough for google maps to lock or get my location.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

What the benefit for rooting a tablet?

Just need Pros and cons about rooting a tablet.
My htc hero is rooted so i can do wifi tether,so why i should i root my tablet?

Eventually, new kernels and ROMs will be released that you can install if rooted. Some of the features of these are over/underclocking, ability to remove preinstalled apps, performance and battery life tweaks, ability to run certain apps such as backup apps, screenshot apps, etc, etc, etc.
All in all, it's def worth it.

So far one con would be not being able to use Google's movie rental service.

I agree its worth it but you have to also note that when we get services like Google's movie rental service or Netflix, they don't currently work on rooted devices.

adfree

Framedtrash said:
adfree
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Definitely a plus.

That's not entirely true, Netflix has been running on my rooted CM7 Evo 4G for quite awhile. Google Movies definitely doesn't work on rooted tablets/phones though.

for me, the answer is obvious - peace of mind.
everyone's different though
Edit: also, only a-holes use adfree. developers put a lot of work into their applications and all they ask is that you use a bit of screen space for an ad. is that really too much to ask? if you really can't stand it, most apps have a paid version that remove the ads. just pay the 2 dollars(or whatever) and move on with your life. you were able to spend 5-6 hundred bucks on a device that has no real purpose(maybe there's a few who really need an android tablet, but most people could do almost everything on their phone and they could do everything+more on the computer) so I'm sure you can spend a few bucks on apps. I, for one, like to actually support the developers for my platform. If we don't, people will either not make apps or they'll make them all cost money. I'd much rather just have an ad seeing as how it makes basically no difference to my life.
I'd actually like to see a lot more open-source apps with donation options but that's probably not going to happen..

RCCola85 said:
That's not entirely true, Netflix has been running on my rooted CM7 Evo 4G for quite awhile. Google Movies definitely doesn't work on rooted tablets/phones though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh OK, for some reason I thought Netflix checked for root access.

adfree, major reason to root it

Instead of using adfree, try buying your apps more often. How is it fair to hard working app devs when you download their free, ad included versions of apps and then run adfree to remove them and have the paid app at no cost? How does that make you any different than a warez using pirate?

iamsupreme said:
Instead of using adfree, try buying your apps more often. How is it fair to hard working app devs when you download their free, ad included versions of apps and then run adfree to remove them and have the paid app at no cost? How does that make you any different than a warez using pirate?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
my thoughts exactly.

iamsupreme said:
Instead of using adfree, try buying your apps more often. How is it fair to hard working app devs when you download their free, ad included versions of apps and then run adfree to remove them and have the paid app at no cost? How does that make you any different than a warez using pirate?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
why don't you blame the dev who made adfree rather then those that use it. besides i pay for my apps, however i don't like ads when browsing...so who are you to tell us how to use our devices. we paid for them and we can use it anyway we like.

tq745 said:
why don't you blame the dev who made adfree rather then those that use it. besides i pay for my apps, however i don't like ads when browsing...so who are you to tell us how to use our devices. we paid for them and we can use it anyway we like.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. Adfree isn't just for apps.

smaskell said:
for me, the answer is obvious - peace of mind.
everyone's different though
Edit: also, only a-holes use adfree. developers put a lot of work into their applications and all they ask is that you use a bit of screen space for an ad. is that really too much to ask? if you really can't stand it, most apps have a paid version that remove the ads. just pay the 2 dollars(or whatever) and move on with your life. you were able to spend 5-6 hundred bucks on a device that has no real purpose(maybe there's a few who really need an android tablet, but most people could do almost everything on their phone and they could do everything+more on the computer) so I'm sure you can spend a few bucks on apps. I, for one, like to actually support the developers for my platform. If we don't, people will either not make apps or they'll make them all cost money. I'd much rather just have an ad seeing as how it makes basically no difference to my life.
I'd actually like to see a lot more open-source apps with donation options but that's probably not going to happen..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. I'm a developer and yell at my friends that use adFree on their devices. They even use my apps and still have adFree on. I know some apps neither need nor deserve to have Ads but a lot of them out there do. Its the only way we make any money developing FREE apps. We spend 100's of hours making these apps. The least the users can do is deal with a small ad on the screen or purchasing a $.99 app. Pay the freaking dollar. You obviously use the apps.

LordFuzzy024 said:
Thank you. I'm a developer and yell at my friends that use adFree on their devices. They even use my apps and still have adFree on. I know some apps neither need nor deserve to have Ads but a lot of them out there do. Its the only way we make any money developing FREE apps. We spend 100's of hours making these apps. The least the users can do is deal with a small ad on the screen or purchasing a $.99 app. Pay the freaking dollar. You obviously use the apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't ever use this app, but I have in the past. I seem to recall it just making the add a blank white box. Does this affect your profits directly, somehow? Or do you mean, that stops people from clicking the ad and buying whatever was showing?

Ahh, the whole ad-blocking debate again.
Personally, as long as unsavory types are still using ads as a way to deliver malware (it started on PCs and now it's moving to Android), I will block them, period. I pay for apps though, so I don't really see what's with the whole 'ad blocker = anti-capitalist free loading scum' attitude, but okay.

Adfree is a gimmick. Not only does it break certain apps, but it still has the placeholder of where the add would come up. However, instead of the image/banner/etc, you get a "?". No thanks! I don't mind helping the devs out!

Rooting as a whole

Seems after getting the Note 4 I have found my self wondering how I was ever with out root. Its crazy I cant stand this phone with out root. Its maddening to know I have Ads and apps I don't need. If Verizon didn't offer this phone at Christmas for 150.00 I would have never got it. #1 Reason no root was out yet but I took a chance. I know now or always have that you DEVS work hard to get stuff done. This was just a big ....
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK!

Root will be out soon. I had no patience and switched to the Dev edition. I HATE ads and clustered samsung status bar with passion...

WhiteReign said:
Seems after getting the Note 4 I have found my self wondering how I was ever with out root. Its crazy I cant stand this phone with out root. Its maddening to know I have Ads and apps I don't need. If Verizon didn't offer this phone at Christmas for 150.00 I would have never got it. #1 Reason no root was out yet but I took a chance. I know now or always have that you DEVS work hard to get stuff done. This was just a big ....
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Articulated very nicely. I too long for Root and full control of my phone restored in my hands.

Op is the one who has joined XDA since 2011 and more than 400+ thanks (out of 500+ posts ) Posted this in the wrong forum accidentally or didn't know this is development forum

This is exactly why I sold my Verizon n4 and got a nexus 6. I have never had a phone without root. It was driving me nuts as well. I love the phone but couldn't deal with no root. I check back periodically to see if root has been achieved. Maybe one day I will have a n4 again.

Meh... You can disable the bloat with the stock app manager... Yeah, not 100%, but I am not gonna obsess about 4 or 5 tiny apps or services running in the background that I don't see or notice anyway... I am not that much of a control freak... It's a phone, not the center of my universe that I feel compelled to bend 100% to my will.. hehe
Root would be nice I guess, but on these newer phones, the appeal is less and less. I can skin it however I want with dozens of launchers, and debloating a few extra apps with root won't make it any faster...
By the time root comes out, the devs will have moved on to newer phones so the ROM support will suck anyway...

It's unfortunate. I would love to have root access on this phone for various reasons . My next phone will have it, even if I have to leave Verizon.
Sadly, the Verizon Note 4 is never going to see it...at least not before the next round of Note flagships

First post, just got a note 4. Had a rooted lg g2 before it. I'm loving the note so far (only had it about a week), but I use limelight to play computer games on my phone and it doesn't support mouse input very well without root access. . . As has been said I've disabled most of the bloat, but it would be nice to be able to just get rid of it. Also Sixaxis controller requires root to pair a ps3 or 4 controller to my phone... I hope root comes soon, maybe I should become a developer to help the cause. I too thank you for all your work.

SquireSCA said:
Meh... You can disable the bloat with the stock app manager... Yeah, not 100%, but I am not gonna obsess about 4 or 5 tiny apps or services running in the background that I don't see or notice anyway... I am not that much of a control freak... It's a phone, not the center of my universe that I feel compelled to bend 100% to my will.. hehe
Root would be nice I guess, but on these newer phones, the appeal is less and less. I can skin it however I want with dozens of launchers, and debloating a few extra apps with root won't make it any faster...
By the time root comes out, the devs will have moved on to newer phones so the ROM support will suck anyway...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can disable any app you want using adb shell.
This issue around root has been interesting for me. For awhile, I was like you, OP and many others who feel they must have root. However, after about 5 weeks of use now, I find myself perfectly happy with the Note 4 just the way it is and I wonder if I'll even take root-ability into consideration when making my next phone purchase.

mlin said:
You can disable any app you want using adb shell.
This issue around root has been interesting for me. For awhile, I was like you, OP and many others who feel they must have root. However, after about 5 weeks of use now, I find myself perfectly happy with the Note 4 just the way it is and I wonder if I'll even take root-ability into consideration when making my next phone purchase.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am with you. Root used to be mandatory IMHO, as phone makers just didn't seem to be able to get the phone's to work properly out of the box... slow, clunky, missing things, instability, outdated software, etc...
Nowadays, I just don't see that. Typically it is the ROMs that are unstable, miss features, etc... I see thread after thread of this great new ROM! But the camera is flunky, doesn't have data, or the IR blaster doesn't work, etc...
I had an LG G2 and the ROMs didn't impress me much. Went to a GS5 and was even less impressed. None of the ones that I tried were measurably faster than stock, none were 100% functional, or if they were, they were just tweaked stock ROMs and so what's the point? Risk warranty issues or bricking it, or not able to get OTA's, for what? Just to be able to brag to my nerd friends that I had a transparent status bar because a regular one bothers me SOOOO SOOOO much? LOL
The Note 4, is amazing. Debloat it with ADB or with the app manager, install your favorite launcher and icon pack to get the look and feel that you want, and know that it will work 100%, it's fast, stable and no warranty issues, no being left out when Lollipop drops and you want it but it breaks root again so you have to stick with the old software, etc...

I'm with you guys. I come from a Nexus4 and still have a Nexus7. I miss root for Titanium backup and that's about it. Sure I'm going to once it drops but the note is a very capable device able to stand on its own.

SquireSCA said:
Meh... You can disable the bloat with the stock app manager... Yeah, not 100%, but I am not gonna obsess about 4 or 5 tiny apps or services running in the background that I don't see or notice anyway... I am not that much of a control freak... It's a phone, not the center of my universe that I feel compelled to bend 100% to my will.. hehe
Root would be nice I guess, but on these newer phones, the appeal is less and less. I can skin it however I want with dozens of launchers, and debloating a few extra apps with root won't make it any faster...
By the time root comes out, the devs will have moved on to newer phones so the ROM support will suck anyway...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
4 or 5 apps? You must be oblivious to the hundreds of services and dozens of apps that are running on your phone. Don't forget about hundreds of intents that must all be doing something in your favor.
Big Red just wants your phone to run smooth and they want your battery life to be even more fabulous.

xdadevnube said:
4 or 5 apps? You must be oblivious to the hundreds of services and dozens of apps that are running on your phone. Don't forget about hundreds of intents that must all be doing something in your favor.
Big Red just wants your phone to run smooth and they want your battery life to be even more fabulous.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can disable any app on the phone with this.

xdadevnube said:
4 or 5 apps? You must be oblivious to the hundreds of services and dozens of apps that are running on your phone. Don't forget about hundreds of intents that must all be doing something in your favor.
Big Red just wants your phone to run smooth and they want your battery life to be even more fabulous.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can disable most of the things in the app manager. There are only a few that you can't, but then you can do that with ADB. Either way, you can debloat the phone, without root, and without risk of messing up your warranty or the ability to get the Lollipop OTA in a few weeks.
Also, a lot of reviews have shown that disabling everything under the sun to free up RAM, can actually slow your phone down, not speed it up.
Getting the true crap disabled, is the biggest thing and anyone can do that without root today.

It doesn't have to be the center of someone's Universe for them to enjoy changing it and making it their own, people do this will all types of things. Some would call it a "hobby" or an interest. Lots of people enjoy spending hours on Facebook or playing video games, others enjoy tinkering with their devices.
I went for a while with a retail Note 4 and ended up getting a DE. There are too many things that I missed, here are some of them:
Add WiFi HotSpot Toggle and Bypass Subscription Check
Add Flashlight Toggle
AdAway
Titanium Backup
Viper4Android
Root Explorer
Xposed Framework with the following modules:
-Youtube AdAway
-Play Store Link In App Info
-Wanam
-Swype Keyboard Tweaks
-Notify Clean (Clean notification area)
-No Map Tips (Disable Google Play Maps location accuracy tips)
-Google Play Music Listen Later (Change the default Google Play Music pane and tabs)
-Disable Clear Defaults Dialog
Chrome Pie (Add Pie control to Chrome)

SquireSCA said:
Meh... You can disable the bloat with the stock app manager... Yeah, not 100%, but I am not gonna obsess about 4 or 5 tiny apps or services running in the background that I don't see or notice anyway... I am not that much of a control freak... It's a phone, not the center of my universe that I feel compelled to bend 100% to my will.. hehe
Root would be nice I guess, but on these newer phones, the appeal is less and less. I can skin it however I want with dozens of launchers, and debloating a few extra apps with root won't make it any faster...
By the time root comes out, the devs will have moved on to newer phones so the ROM support will suck anyway...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And whats even better you can block every single possible app with adb !
Until we get root its live able without it.
Sent from my SM-N910V using XDA Free mobile app

SquireSCA said:
You can disable most of the things in the app manager. There are only a few that you can't, but then you can do that with ADB. Either way, you can debloat the phone, without root, and without risk of messing up your warranty or the ability to get the Lollipop OTA in a few weeks.
Also, a lot of reviews have shown that disabling everything under the sun to free up RAM, can actually slow your phone down, not speed it up.
Getting the true crap disabled, is the biggest thing and anyone can do that without root today.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
like I said, oblivious

The Note 4 is so sick the way it is! Do I wish we had root? Check. Do I wish we had unlocked bootloader? Check. Am I gonna give up on THE best phone out right now because I don't have those things? Hell NO! The phone is a beast! And I'll keep waiting, maybe for nothing....... but if it is for nothing, I'll live. Love the Note 4! And sticking with it no matter what.

zounduser said:
The Note 4 is so sick the way it is! Do I wish we had root? Check. Do I wish we had unlocked bootloader? Check. Am I gonna give up on THE best phone out right now because I don't have those things? Hell NO! The phone is a beast! And I'll keep waiting, maybe for nothing....... but if it is for nothing, I'll live. Love the Note 4! And sticking with it no matter what.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Phone sucks without root. Seems like you don't need your xda account anymore
Sent from my SM-N900V using XDA Free mobile app
---------- Post added at 11:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:20 PM ----------
I can't use a phone without pie controls. Comes in handywhen laying in the bed
Sent from my SM-N900V using XDA Free mobile app

I miss being able to use better battery stats to follow wakelocks. I haven't had any real issues with wakelocks so far, but it really is just a matter of time.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

To root or not to root? What are the pros and cons of rooting?

Im thinking of rooting my note 3 (sm-n900) and installing CM 12.1. The main reason to do this is to eliminate the bloatware, increase the speed, get the latest updated (improvements, updates, security fixes, etc). By doing this, I will loose some cool features I love (like the smart stay, s view cover, S pen features, etc). So, what do you think? To root or not to root?

I can't possibly think of a day without an unrooted phone!
At the same time I can't possibly think about putting CM or anything like that anywhere near my phone.
Hope you get what I am trying to say.

THpubs said:
Im thinking of rooting my note 3 (sm-n900) and installing CM 12.1. The main reason to do this is to eliminate the bloatware, increase the speed, get the latest updated (improvements, updates, security fixes, etc). By doing this, I will loose some cool features I love (like the smart stay, s view cover, S pen features, etc). So, what do you think? To root or not to root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tell me how it goes if you go through with it because I'm unsure about doing myself.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

devilsdouble said:
I can't possibly think of a day without an unrooted phone!
At the same time I can't possibly think about putting CM or anything like that anywhere near my phone.
Hope you get what I am trying to say.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry... why don't you like CM?

THpubs said:
Sorry... why don't you like CM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Multiple reasons, really don't want to type a long list, don't have time.
If you are into that sort of stuffs then why don't you try and let us know. I hate it, doesn't mean you would too.
But a FACT won't change, we are not using some crappy old device where the official support is ended and we are stuck with Jelly Bean or something. I prefer stability and a fully featured ROM more than any buggy nonsense. However there are people who don't listen to songs, take pictures or videos or talk on a mobile phone, for them display, sound those don't matter, only if Facebook opens with some decreased animation times they are happy, but I am so fortunate to be not one of them, if you get what I am saying.

devilsdouble said:
Multiple reasons, really don't want to type a long list, don't have time.
If you are into that sort of stuffs then why don't you try and let us know. I hate it, doesn't mean you would too.
But a FACT won't change, we are not using some crappy old device where the official support is ended and we are stuck with Jelly Bean or something. I prefer stability and a fully featured ROM more than any buggy nonsense. However there are people who don't listen to songs, take pictures or videos or talk on a mobile phone, for them display, sound those don't matter, only if Facebook opens with some decreased animation times they are happy, but I am so fortunate to be not one of them, if you get what I am saying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great... Now I got what you are saying! And I agree! But I use the phone a lot specially for work and use less for facebook, photos, etc. Since I use it a lot I need more speed and don't like samsung apps getting in my way like the s planner (Can't uninstall it and install google calendar). I also need the latest updated on my phone because I think they have the latest security fixes and bug fixes. Usually when I face a bug, I need to wait for months to or nearly an year to receive a fix with the stock rom. And I like to see how vanilla Android feels like. So If I make up my mind (hard ) I'll try and let you know.
By the way. Can we trust the roms in `sammobile`? They say those are the original stock roms? If I fail, I can use that to revert back right?

dracinn said:
Tell me how it goes if you go through with it because I'm unsure about doing myself.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure I will let you know if I manage to make up my mind to do it. Still it's 50 - 50

THpubs said:
By the way. Can we trust the roms in `sammobile`? They say those are the original stock roms? If I fail, I can use that to revert back right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh yes, sure, you can trust sammobile.com absolutely.
One more thing, you can uninstall any app you want, just install Root Uninstaller. I have uninstalled ****e apps like S Voice, Trip Advisor, Google Books etc. and all those apps I don't need.

devilsdouble said:
Oh yes, sure, you can trust sammobile.com absolutely.
One more thing, you can uninstall any app you want, just install Root Uninstaller. I have uninstalled ****e apps like S Voice, Trip Advisor, Google Books etc. and all those apps I don't need.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool! But one more thing... how does they get the original firmware if samsung doesn't offer it on their site?
Hehe great thanks!
<Mod Edit> I like to have different view points!

THpubs said:
Cool! But one more thing... how does they get the original firmware if samsung doesn't offer it on their site?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Umm, probably sammobile.com is Samsung's site? Can't say really
<Mod Edit>

devilsdouble said:
Umm, probably sammobile.com is Samsung's site? Can't say really
I am not fighting with anyone dude, fighting only happens between two matured people :laugh: I simply am stating a FACT.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hehe cool! Thanks!

Thread Cleaned. Stay on topic. Like OP said, everyone has their own view points AS WELL AS ways to use their phone. Rule 2.3 requires you to show respects to fellow members
2.3 Flaming / Lack of respect: XDA is about sharing and this does not involve virtual yelling (flaming) or rudeness. Flaming or posting with a lack of respect is unacceptable. Treat new members in the manner in which you would like to have been treated when you were a new member. When dealing with any member, provide them with guidance, advice and instructions when you can, showing them respect and courtesy. Never post in a demanding, argumentative, disrespectful or self-righteous manner.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just because someone likes the convenience and familiarity of Stock Touchwiz does not mean they are wrong. Also Just because phone is rooted does not mean custom recovery and Custom roms HAVE to be installed. Its all about individual preferences.
On the other hand, please do understand, this site is about Development and FOR DEVELOPERS. If you think certain rom has issues, then either fix it yourself since the code is already published. Or raise it to the Developers attention with clearly identified Logcats or bug reports. Blanket statements do not help.
If the argument continues, I will close the thread.