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As the title says. I'm looking to try out a wm7 phone. I have been on android and never used a wm phone before. Is it easy to flash roms onto them? (has anyone made a guide?). Also any opinions from you experience with the phone would be greatly appreciated.
It depends.
skathed said:
As the title says. I'm looking to try out a wm7 phone. I have been on android and never used a wm phone before. Is it easy to flash roms onto them? (has anyone made a guide?). Also any opinions from you experience with the phone would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It all depends how open minded you are for radical changes in some aspects, Android is a more messed up OS, you have plenty of options(many of which you never use) on the other hand WP7 is a more restrictive OS, you can't do many things here without a full unlock or in other cases (like notification center) even a full unlock won't help(well there is a notification center in the workings on this site(www.windowsphonehacker.com), but i'm on WP7 from the beginning and actually never quite needed one as live tiles are very functional and are capable of storing great amount of information(of course if the developer wasn't lazy and implemented this).
All in all, a fully unlocked device will give you the kind of freedom( sideloading apps, even installing apps from the browser, storing apps in the internal memory of the phone, messing up with the background colors, tiles of the screen, lockscreen customization, creating folders with apps on the start screen, changing values inaccessible for non unlocked devices(like adding *never* option to the lockscreen timeout, and many others).
But you will find and many things that you didn't experience on android, like the search experience, the integrated office experience(a very useful thing if you work with documents), facebook, twitter, linkedin and mail integration and the feeling of security you don't expect from another OS, no bloatware and the stability no other OS can offer, as the speed of the system isn't changing over time )).
Thanks that helps heaps. Im getting less confident in Androids safety since they have the largest slice of the consumer pie. I have ordered one from overseas (dont sell this model in my country) and hope to see it soon.
Some help.
skathed said:
Thanks that helps heaps. Im getting less confident in Androids safety since they have the largest slice of the consumer pie. I have ordered one from overseas (dont sell this model in my country) and hope to see it soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Well i can give you some useful advices )) , when creating your live id select your country as US or UK as this setting determines your marketplace region and if the marketplace isn't present in your country you will literally have no apps to install ))
2) As you get your device, don't bother with official updates, install a custom bootloader from here : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1485569 , but BEWARE --> check your device revision( 1.3 or 1.4) if you get a 1.3 revision device you're lucky as these usually get more custom love )) and after you install the bootloader you can install this great rom for revision 1.3 : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2016769
or this rom for 1.4 : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2024825
3) In settings of the device there is the Region+Language option, there you select your region for correct date/time/currency and other stuff BUT for the Browser & search language select English United States as this setting will give you the full Search experience( i mean Local Scout/Music/Vision and Voice, these functions are very neat, you'll understand ( search youtube for WP7 search )
4) Make sure you install these great homebrew apps :
- Bazaar
- Bt File transfer
- Blue Manager(requires the previous to work)
- Call Manager
- File Manager
- Folders( www.windowsphonehacker.com )
- Marketplace Config( helps changing marketplace settings so you can download other OEM's goodies )
- Nokia apps( must have)
- Program Manager
- WPH tweaks ( again www.windowsphonehacker.com )
5) The device has a microsd slot, but BEWARE, not any microsd will work for it, you will find a list of working cards here : http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/Samsung_Focus , i myself added there the A-Data 16GB Class 4 (AUSDH16GCL4-RA1) as this is what i use now in my Focus, and it's working fantasticly well for 2 years already.
And there is one more thing you need to know about the microsd, it will not work as it used to work on android phones, here you must install it from the beginning because the OS formats it and it merges with the internal memory, so in the end it behaves like one unified memory, you can't access it aside from your device, and you can't swap cards, ass swapping cards requires HARD REST of the device, so if you plan to put a microsd card doit from the beginning.
Well, good luck ))
If you really can't wait for a Windows Phone 8, Samsung Focus is still available on eBay for about $125. It's worth the money without doubt. The only problem is that it comes with no warranty whatsoever.
Wait and get a WP8?
skathed said:
As the title says. I'm looking to try out a wm7 phone. I have been on android and never used a wm phone before. Is it easy to flash roms onto them? (has anyone made a guide?). Also any opinions from you experience with the phone would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Focus is a solid phone (I'm still using mine and I've gone through 3 custom ROMS - I'm currently using Voluptuary's clean WP7.8 ROM), and it's pretty simple to root it and install a custom ROM on it. That said, it's probably worthwhile to get a WP8 device if you can manage the extra cash. Nokia has some cheaper WP8 offerings, if I'm not mistaken. I think the Lumia 620 is $250 or so.
I am somewhat confused about Android's support for multiple users. The Galaxy S4 comes with Android 4.2.2. I thought the multi-user support (not just Accounts but users with separated data for apps) was part of the system. It works flawlessly on my Nexus and is easy to find in the settings. With the S4, the settings are somewhat "cleaned up" by placing them in tabs. However, I cannot find how to set up and use multiple users. It seems I can only add new Google accounts as in older versions of Android. Has Samsung disabled this feature? Or can it be found somewhere?
alex_uz said:
I am somewhat confused about Android's support for multiple users. The Galaxy S4 comes with Android 4.2.2. I thought the multi-user support (not just Accounts but users with separated data for apps) was part of the system. It works flawlessly on my Nexus and is easy to find in the settings. With the S4, the settings are somewhat "cleaned up" by placing them in tabs. However, I cannot find how to set up and use multiple users. It seems I can only add new Google accounts as in older versions of Android. Has Samsung disabled this feature? Or can it be found somewhere?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I beliece Samsung plans to use Knox software for user management and enterprise security. That software could not be included from the beginning, and is expected in a future update.
http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/24/full-launch-of-samsung-knox-delayed-until-a-later-date/
I though Knox was just for security and other enterprise features. So is it correct that there is no normal Android multi user support although Samsung is using Android 4.2.2? I cannot imagine that Samsung's implementation will be similar or compatible with Android's implementation. Does anybody know more?
If anyone if still interested, I found something: It seems that the multi-user feature of Android is only available for tablets at this time. Hence it is not present on the Galaxy S4. I just posted this for reference so people could find this in future.
alex_uz said:
If anyone if still interested, I found something: It seems that the multi-user feature of Android is only available for tablets at this time. Hence it is not present on the Galaxy S4. I just posted this for reference so people could find this in future.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes... but I'm having the same problem on my galaxy tab 2 7". Cant find an option to set up multiple users either
Re: Multi User support
Actually multi user is available, although hidden, for any phone with 4.2 or later. Although you need to be rooted. Add "fw.max_users 4" to the end of your build.prop and reboot. When you enter your settings you'll see clear as day "Users". Only bug I found is that you can't switch back and forth. You need the AOSP lockscreen for that.
MorrisC2010 said:
Actually multi user is available, although hidden, for any phone with 4.2 or later. Although you need to be rooted. Add "fw.max_users 4" to the end of your build.prop and reboot. When you enter your settings you'll see clear as day "Users". Only bug I found is that you can't switch back and forth. You need the AOSP lockscreen for that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where are the options for the switching?
I have the latest AOSP kitkat update and don't see how I can do it.
djboy said:
Where are the options for the switching?
I have the latest AOSP kitkat update and don't see how I can do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're on an aosp rom, You can switch either from the lockscreen(you may have to enable lockscreen rotation and rotate the phone sideways), the power menu, or the status bar profile icon
hi guys,
is there any possibility to use multi user without flashing a rom ?
any ideas ?
thanks
mephisto20 said:
hi guys,
is there any possibility to use multi user without flashing a rom ?
any ideas ?
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
in case anybody is interested ... her is a solution which works fine with y stock rom android 4.4.2
http://forum.xda-developers.com/xposed/modules/xposed-multiple-users-phone-t2676516
Hey guys, I plan on creating an app but I need some tips and/or tricks to help me get started. I do plan on releasing the app on here (Using XDADevelopers) first to get some attention, then release it on the Google Play store. Here are the details of the app:
App Type: Lockscreen Customization
Minimal SDK: API 16 (JellyBean)*
Testing Device: Samsung S6 Edge (Rooted, running Android Marshmallow)
IDE: Android Studio
Key Components:
The app must be able to detect weither the home button is being pressed (which makes the phone access to the launcher, we dont want that) and quickly intercept the action and return back to the locker
Allow to lots, and I mean LOTS of customability (Much like C Locker, which is the app that has inspired me ^^), some of these customizations include the following:
App widgets and custom widgets like images, text, sprites, etc
LED/Vibration/Notifcation settings for apps
Change speed of animations (Like NovaLauncher does), also be able to choose different types of animations for the lockscreen
Customize colors in app
Integrate Android Wear (make the watch vibrate or ring your phone is low on power, or when the connection is lost)
Different lockscreens that show whenever the conditions configured are met, similar to C Locker (like bluetooth connections, music playing, WiFi, SmartLock conditions ,etc)
This is the cricual part: MUST have several different unlock unlock, like fingerprint (Thanks to Android 6.0.1), pattern, pin, SmartLock, Slide-To-Unlock, and Gestures
Be able to integrate as a plugin for Tasker, like have tasker check for launched apps
Intregrate voice assistants like Google Now/Google Assistant, S Voice, and such others
Have high and steady performance for all phones like. Also not be a resource hog!
This may is maybe feature: Be able to do functions like override the system settings and bypass system lock via root
Utilize Material style (this is a personal preference tbh)
I will add in some more ideas I have for the app.. Actually, I haven't gotten a good name for the app, but I'm thinking of Trinity Locker.
As you can see, I have numerous of ideas for this app.. all I need is some help with creating it. I will warn you guys this, I am pretty new to Android development (I typically code on Minecraft, even created some pretty decent mods), so I need some guidance on what and how things work with the Android system. I do have some coding experience from coding mods for Minecraft and taking a class on the basics of C++. If you guys have some ideas or tips and tricks to give, I'm all ears. Thank you!
NOTE: Anything with a * means that it is subject to change!
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, I did also have a chance of using MIT App Inventor so I have a small foundation of the Android development. But I am new to Android Studio, so I need some tips with using that as well.
ALSO, to crucially note, I am in high school.. So I may not have time to respond to everyone/program the app since I have majority of my classes are cross college (or to most known as Dual Enrollment or Advanced Placement (AP)) courses :crying:. Oh and I live in the Central US Timezone, so my time will be different (or the same) for most
NovaViper said:
Hey guys, I plan on creating an app but I need some tips and/or tricks to help me get started. I do plan on releasing the app on here (Using XDADevelopers) first to get some attention, then release it on the Google Play store. Here are the details of the app:
App Type: Lockscreen Customization
Minimal SDK: API 16 (JellyBean)
Recommended SDK: API 23-24 (Marshmallow and Nogaut)
Testing Device: Samsung S6 Edge (Rooted, running Android Marshmallow)
IDE: Android Studio
Key Components:
The app must be able to detect weither the home button is being pressed (which makes the phone access to the launcher, we dont want that) and quickly intercept the action and return back to the locker
Allow to lots, and I mean LOTS of customability (Much like C Locker, which is the app that has inspired me ^^), some of these customizations include the following:
App widgets and custom widgets like images, text, sprites, etc
LED/Vibration/Notifcation settings for apps
Change speed of animations (Like NovaLauncher does), also be able to choose different types of animations for the lockscreen
Customize colors in app
Integrate Android Wear (make the watch vibrate or ring your phone is low on power, or when the connection is lost)
Different lockscreens that show whenever the conditions configured are met, similar to C Locker (like bluetooth connections, music playing, WiFi, SmartLock conditions ,etc)
This is the cricual part: MUST have several different unlock unlock, like fingerprint (Thanks to Android 6.0.1), pattern, pin, SmartLock, Slide-To-Unlock, and Gestures
Be able to integrate as a plugin for Tasker, like have tasker check for launched apps
Intregrate voice assistants like Google Now/Google Assistant, S Voice, and such others
Have high and steady performance for all phones like. Also not be a resource hog!
This may is maybe feature: Be able to do functions like override the system settings and bypass system lock via root
Utilize Material style (this is a personal preference tbh)
I will add in some more ideas I have for the app.. Actually, I haven't gotten a good name for the app, but I'm thinking of Trinity Locker.
As you can see, I have numerous of ideas for this app.. all I need is some help with creating it. I will warn you guys this, I am pretty new to Android development (I typically code on Minecraft, even created some pretty decent mods), so I need some guidance on what and how things work with the Android system. I do have some coding experience from coding mods for Minecraft and taking a class on the basics of C++. If you guys have some ideas or tips and tricks to give, I'm all ears. Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can only choose one minimum or target API level
Sent from my GT-S7580 using Tapatalk
DodoGTA said:
You can only choose one minimum or target API level
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What I meant by the recommended api is the api I'm starting on first (since that's what Android Studio defaultly sets mento the develop on the latest first)
Hey I have gotten the first bits of the app started! I'm trying to work on the setup phase of the app (where the app asks for permissions and basic settings to start). I even got the code uploaded on Github. Oh also, I might create a XDA Developer project and start adding some info there
Hey guys! I've been adding lots of stuff to the app! If you guys notice something off with the coding, please let me now at Github! Thanks!
Hi guys,
Although I usually switch to a more vanilla experience on my devices, I'm testing a Galaxy Tab A for a work project I'm putting together. It's a clinical study and investigators will use tablets for data entry, so I need to make the tablet fool-proof and prevent most users from installing anything, browsing etc to preserve battery.
In Settings > Users, clicking "add user" only proposes to add a normal user, and not a restricted one. Did Samsung really ditch the "restricted profiles" from their rom ??? I hope it's just me and I'm missing an obvious place to look at. The tablet is running 6.0.1 MMB29K build.
Thanks !
edit: I just ran on this topic: https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/nexus/47Qffy996As that states that Restricted Profiles are only available for "tablets". Since there's a 4G port on my tablet, is that it ?? That's just plain stupid ??
Hello everyone,
I've got a Smart TV with stock Android TV (v 11, can't disclose client , at the moment).
Is there any way to add a super minor customization to android tv ?
It's literally minor, it's adding an entry point for an App, which is not an App Icon Launcher, because they want it to look like integral part of the OS.
It could be anything like an Icon (next to the other system icons like settings, input, profile), or an Entry in system settings menu' , or something like that, to launch the Application.
It's so minor that redo all the work and get into AOSP is way too overkill, it would start a completely different project.
No, the client exclude the option to just have the App installed, they want the App as it was integral part of the Operating System.
I've read several documentations :
- Aosp : Way too many cons for such a small customization.
- Android Operator Tier with Custom Launcher : Could be viable to do a custom launcher, but the Smart TV is not eligible for operator tier (Not sold in leasing, do not sell any pay/linear channel, it's just a plain Smart TV)
- Custom Launcher on stock Android TV : Not viable, it would still be an Application with its launcher or would need some tricky configuration which wouldn't look like integral part of the OS at all.
- TIF (TV Input Framework) : Would just modify and recompile the TV App work ? I'm not sure if it is possible and how difficult it would be and if it is possible to "overwrite" just the TV System App on a Stock Android TV OS.
Do you have any suggestions how to achieve the desired "customization" without loosing all the built in supports/services that come with stock Android TV OS ? The simpler the better.
Thank you so much in advance!
from what you're explaining isn't a minor customization.
what you want is to customize the android tv launcher, however that launcher is an app just like everything else on the tvbox including your iptv app, youtube app, netflix app, etc...
so for your to achieve what you want, you'll need to have some dev knowledge, and you'll need to disassemble, modify and reassemble the launcher app + do whatever customization you need done.
it's not impossible, however it's not easy at all.
option2: you can hire a developer to develop your own tv launcher with whatever customization you want, probably won't be cheap, but will achieve exactly what you want.
option3: find an open-source tv launcher, use it, customize it as you like, you may or may-not need to hire a developer to do extra customizations, your cheapest, easiest, and quickest way to achieve what you're looking for. just google open source tv launcher, i'm sure you'll land on a few.
example:
Code:
https://gitlab.com/flauncher/flauncher
donmega_icecube said:
from what you're explaining isn't a minor customization.
what you want is to customize the android tv launcher, however that launcher is an app just like everything else on the tvbox including your iptv app, youtube app, netflix app, etc...
so for your to achieve what you want, you'll need to have some dev knowledge, and you'll need to disassemble, modify and reassemble the launcher app + do whatever customization you need done.
it's not impossible, however it's not easy at all.
option2: you can hire a developer to develop your own tv launcher with whatever customization you want, probably won't be cheap, but will achieve exactly what you want.
option3: find an open-source tv launcher, use it, customize it as you like, you may or may-not need to hire a developer to do extra customizations, your cheapest, easiest, and quickest way to achieve what you're looking for. just google open source tv launcher, i'm sure you'll land on a few.
example:
Code:
https://gitlab.com/flauncher/flauncher
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello!
Thanks so much for the answer, Don Mega.
Damn i hope there was an easier way to add an icon.
I see...
No need to hire a developer.
I'm a Senior android engineering and I got a skilled team but we never had to work on the android TV OS system itself tho ( we're specialized on mobile apps and iot solutions, not tvs).
Btw .. I could develop a custom launcher but it may take time and as I said as far as I've read on documentation, a custom launcher would still need AOSP if the manufacturer want to override the system one.
Doesn't it ?
I ask 'cause AOSP is too much of an effort (at least just for an icon!) and several manufacturer who started on aosp and various customizations are now abandoning it (I already worked on a STB for British telecom and yeah, i didn't work on their custom OS specifically but i know they changed their mind in the end).
Probably because once you go that route, you loose all the support and services out of the box, and you need to take care of too many things to keep it up to date.
So they usually prefer to stick to Android tv stock version (wise choice).
If that's the case I suppose the manufacturer will be better find a more standard way to launch their app
Nimx said:
Btw .. I could develop a custom launcher but it may take time and as I said as far as I've read on documentation, a custom launcher would still need AOSP if the manufacturer want to override the system one.
Doesn't it ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no need for flashing a different OS or Custom Rom to be able to install a custom developed app.
so if you make your own apk, all you need to do on the existing tvbox, enable unknown sources, to be able to install your own apk on there, it should be pretty straight forward.
put the apk on a usb stick, plug it into your box and navigate to any file manager app, you'll be able to find your apk, click on it and install, on your remote control press the HOME button, it should popup a msg asking which launcher you want to load, since now you developed your own launcher and the old launcher is still there, choose which launcher you want to be default. you can always go into settings > apps and disable the old launcher so if anyone presses the HOME button again, it always defaults to the new one you developed.
so short answer, no you don't need AOSP or any type of Custom Rom
donmega_icecube said:
no need for flashing a different OS or Custom Rom to be able to install a custom developed app.
so if you make your own apk, all you need to do on the existing tvbox, enable unknown sources, to be able to install your own apk on there, it should be pretty straight forward.
put the apk on a usb stick, plug it into your box and navigate to any file manager app, you'll be able to find your apk, click on it and install, on your remote control press the HOME button, it should popup a msg asking which launcher you want to load, since now you developed your own launcher and the old launcher is still there, choose which launcher you want to be default. you can always go into settings > apps and disable the old launcher so if anyone presses the HOME button again, it always defaults to the new one you developed.
so short answer, no you don't need AOSP or any type of Custom Rom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The manufacturer obviously don't want users to do this procedure to choose the new launcher, but should be able to persistently active it overriding the system one. And that's why I thought custom ROM was needed.
If that's not true then your solution is the perfect one
donmega_icecube said:
no need for flashing a different OS or Custom Rom to be able to install a custom developed app.
so if you make your own apk, all you need to do on the existing tvbox, enable unknown sources, to be able to install your own apk on there, it should be pretty straight forward.
put the apk on a usb stick, plug it into your box and navigate to any file manager app, you'll be able to find your apk, click on it and install, on your remote control press the HOME button, it should popup a msg asking which launcher you want to load, since now you developed your own launcher and the old launcher is still there, choose which launcher you want to be default. you can always go into settings > apps and disable the old launcher so if anyone presses the HOME button again, it always defaults to the new one you developed.
so short answer, no you don't need AOSP or any type of Custom Rom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to keep you updated.
Custom launcher need user to set the new one.
But we found a possible solution without the burden to do a custom Rom.
Adding a new Ad-Hoc button on the Remote controller to launch their ecosystem settings app and/or a custom launcher (since this Smart Tv is a new model that will initially be delivered to several europe countries).
In this way it will look quite integrated in the android tv system, and the android TV OS will be always kept up to date from regular google updates, without all the issues plaguing custom roms like it does for other manufacturers.
Thank for your help
Nimx said:
Just to keep you updated.
Custom launcher need user to set the new one.
But we found a possible solution without the burden to do a custom Rom.
Adding a new Ad-Hoc button on the Remote controller to launch their ecosystem settings app and/or a custom launcher (since this Smart Tv is a new model that will initially be delivered to several europe countries).
In this way it will look quite integrated in the android tv system, and the android TV OS will be always kept up to date from regular google updates, without all the issues plaguing custom roms like it does for other manufacturers.
Thank for your help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sometimes i wish i was a developer, glad you found an easy solution.
thank you
It's still quite easy to become a developer due to high demand.
Not sure how old are you but I started when I was 34 yo by myself with no prior experience.
Nowadays, 5 years later, I Interview many candidates and I can tell the discriminating factor is not prior studies but dedication, high IQ (logic and abstraction wise) and learning speed.
Good luck if you'll ever decide to get into it
i'm 44 i have no patience for programming in general, I never did, I'm a full time network admin, and really into hardware a lot more than software.
but when it came to Android, i got my hands dirty flashing custom roms on all my phones. i started to customize my own roms for tv boxes.
but I kinda wish I did have some android dev skills, it's the only thing i end up outsourcing when needed.
thank you