Database Users

brought a desire z nam, some questions

Hey guys,
I broought a desire z nam (Bell mobility branded) over the holidays. This is my first android device, so after a month of using it, I finally feel like I have my bearings for the platform (I'm coming from symbian). However, I have a few questions:
When I brought the phone, it came unlocked (I'm using it on AT&T's network in the US. Does this mean the phone has already been rooted? Is there an easy way I can check on this?
Since I am using the phone on at&t network, how will updates work for me? Is it possible for me to get any OTA updates? Or am I restricted to custom roms for updates? I am a little hesitant to use custom roms, as I need this phone to be reliable above all else, and I keep hearing about how unstable some of those roms can be.
What exactly is Cyberon Voice Commander? I always see it hogging a huge amount of memory in my running apps, and I'm wondering if its one of the base apps included with android. Searching around, it seems that it is used for speech to text, so if I remove it, will voice seach and voice actions no longer work?
Speaking of running apps, is it normal to have 50+ apps running at the same time? This phone boots with a ton of apps already running, and a lot of them seem like system processes. The phone does feel sluggish at time; however, this being my first and only android device, I don't really have a good reference to whether this is normal or not.
The touchscreen seems off. It always tends to register touches slighty above or below where my finger hits (super annoying when you're trying to select something on a list) is there any way to calibrate the screen?
On the subject of screens, is there a way to activate the screen other than pressing the power button? That button is a bit hard to reach for me, especially with 1 hhand operation
Htcsense.com doesn't seem to be working for me. It can't locate my phone, making the phone ring doesn't do anything, and I don't see the menu bar up top. Anyone know what's up with it?
And finally, I'm trying to find a good chinese handwriting input method; the phone comes with pinyin and wubihua input methods on the default htc keyboard, but no handwriting reconginition. The only app I found on the market for it is terrrible at picking up my strokes (HanWriting IME), can anyone recommend anything for it?
Thanks a bunch

I have the same device running on ATT as well.
The phone does not come 'rooted' even if it is an unlocked version. Root allows you to write to the 'OS Partition' on the phone memory in addition to other things. To check if you have root, you need to boot into the recovery mode of the phone. The first line in recovery will read either S-OFF (root obtained) or S-ON (no root). I suggest reading up on 'GFREE' and using that method to obtain root. Visionary is also an option, but doesn't appear to be as 'safe' as GFREE.
As far as I know, we are on our own for OTA updates. I have been using Custom ROMs on my device since about day 3 of owning it and it was the best decision I have made. I currently run CyanogenMod 6.1 and it runs great. Much better than stock. It is VERY stable and I haven't had any issues, everything is working. They are currently developing CyanogenMod 7 (Android 2.3) but it not officially released as stable version yet.
I am not familiar with that Voice Commander app. Check Google.
I don't have 50+ apps running but do have quite a few. Froyo 2.2 (shipped on phone with HTC Sense Skin) is designed to automatically shut down applications that are not being used so they do not eat up system resources. I didn't use stock for long, so I can't say how it performs but I have no lag issues with Cyanogen.
I do recall a 'calibration' option on Stock, but again I didn't use it for long and can't remember where it was.
In Cyanogen mod you can wake up the screen by pressing the track pad. Search in the Themes and Apps section of the Desire Z/G2 forum and there is an application you can install that does the same thing. I think its called Trackpad Wake.
Sorry never used HTCsense.com or any chinese writing apps. For the writing app, you can check the Android Themes/Applications thread from the main forum page. There are lots of other apps discussed there that are no in the Desire Z forum.
Welcome to Android!

Some good answer in the post above. Just to add some additional info:
The Vision Wiki describes how to verify root
http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/index.php?title=HTC_Vision
But your phone is likely not rooted. When you buy a phone unlocked, that usually means SIM unlocked, so you can use other SIM cards besides Bell. Cell phone dealers usually just have ways to get the SIM unlock codes for phones, same as the paid SIM unlock services you find on eBay and other places.
All ROMs have bugs, including the "official" ones. In my experience, the custom ROMs usually are more stable and less bugs than the official ones they are based on. In any case, I wouldn't worry too much about OTA updates. If you want to flash an official ROM, they get posted on here faster then you would get them OTA.
I just checked, and I have exactly 50 apps running on my Bell Desire Z (running on AT&T like you). I wouldn't worry about it. As mentioned in the previous reply, Android is designed to keep processes open in the background until the memory is needed, then it kills idle processes as needed.
I've never used a Symbian phone. But the Desire Z is one of the fastest Android phones currently on the market. It gets bogged down a bit by the Sense UI in some conditions (especially if you have lots of widgets loaded). But this is minor, and I have found the performance to be very good overall. If you want some more speed, you can root and overclock the CPU. Overclocking to 1 GHz does not even increase voltage to the CPU, so the effect on battery life and risk is minimal.
HTCSense.com is still a work in progress, unfortunately. The features not working is normal, its not just you.
Cyberon Voice Commander is bloatware pre-installed by Bell. Its supposed to allow you to command the phone (with your voice, obviously) without having to touch the screen to perform certain functions (call or find a contact, play a song, etc.). But its pretty useless, and pure crap, IMO. Even when it recognizes your command, it will often still require touch input to make the selection, which completely defeats the purpose! Its faster to just access the functions the normal way.
Bloatware is part of the ROM, and therefore not completely straightforward to remove. All methods require the phone be rooted, AFAIK. The following thread has a method (using Titanium Backup) to remove most of the bloat.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=831584
I've also found a paid app ($1.99) on the market called Absolute System Root Tool removes the bloatware successfully
As mentioned, there is a hack to make the trackpad button wake the phone. But I couldn't tell if the feature could be removed or turned off, so I haven't tried it yet, personally.

Aha, a fellow Symbian convert! Welcome to the greatest phone ever - like an N97 that doesn't suck. I used to run Symbian-Guru.com - please feel free to PM me with *any* questions, I still love to help folks.
I would *highly* suggest you root your phone, if for no other reason than to dump the bloatware that comes with it and be able to take screenshots and that sort of thing. You may also want to look at the Virtuous ROM - it's a port of the Desire Z ROM that has some extras built-in. I've been using it on my G2 pretty much since I got it and it's fan-freakin-tastic. I easily get 12-15hrs of battery life, and that's with normal usage. It also has trackpad wake built right in - it's awesome.
Most of your other questions were answered above. In any case, welcome to XDA, and to Android.

Thanks for the replies. I'm loving the phone so far; just there's a lot of quirks in android that I'm not used to. That's to be expected with any transition to a different os, so I'm sure ill adapt.
you mentioned offical roms are also posted there as well; will flashing those roms require S-OFF? I might be in the minority, but I actually like senseUI. The only thing I wish I could change would be replacing the customization button on the dock with a browser shortcut. I've tried adw and launcherpro, but everytime I end up missing the htc widgets and going back to sense.
Ill probably start looking into some custom roms. I'm really holding out for the offical 2.3 update though. Ill also have to find a way to revert to the original rom should I not like the new one. I can't seem to find a copy of the original rom from bell to download anywhere; so is titanium backup my only option? Finally if I flash in a new rom, (offical or custom) will I lose my carrier unlock?
Thanks

Before you flash any different ROM you should do what is called a "nandroid" backup of your current ROM via Clockwork Recovery/ROM Manager (which you can install once you have root and S-OFF).
No, flashing a different ROM will not lose your SIM unlock.
If you have SuperCID from gfree, then you will be able to flash different official ROMs, not just the Bell one.
Sent from my HTC Desire Z

makken85 said:
Thanks for the replies.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please hit the "thanks" button on the responses that were helpful to you. So those of use that took the time to answer can increase their thanks meters!
You're not completely alone. I like Sense also! FYI, the Virtuous ROM recommended by orange bandit is a custom one built on the Sense UI. Although I'm probably going to wait until a Gingerbread Sense ROM myself.

makken85 said:
Thanks for the replies. I'm loving the phone so far; just there's a lot of quirks in android that I'm not used to. That's to be expected with any transition to a different os, so I'm sure ill adapt.
you mentioned offical roms are also posted there as well; will flashing those roms require S-OFF? I might be in the minority, but I actually like senseUI. The only thing I wish I could change would be replacing the customization button on the dock with a browser shortcut. I've tried adw and launcherpro, but everytime I end up missing the htc widgets and going back to sense.
Ill probably start looking into some custom roms. I'm really holding out for the offical 2.3 update though. Ill also have to find a way to revert to the original rom should I not like the new one. I can't seem to find a copy of the original rom from bell to download anywhere; so is titanium backup my only option? Finally if I flash in a new rom, (offical or custom) will I lose my carrier unlock?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Virtuous ROM is basically the same as what you're running now, but fully rooted with some improvements here and there (trackpad wake, a bit of overclocking, etc).
There is a Rosie hack to be able to replace the right dock button with whatever you want, here's the link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=876464
I did it on my Virtuous ROM, works great, though I couldn't stand the simplicity of Sense and went back to LauncherPro, myself.

nook touch answer

hello, today i have receive my nook touch...
i have a question... how do i see a photo (jpg, jpeg ecc...) and read .txt? ?
and, another question... if i root my nook, at startup i can choose the normal mode (with 2 month battery) or do I keep it roored (and the battery does not last long)

Regarding rooting, once you root, it won't go back to original unless you go though the 8 failed boot attempts. But you still can use the original nook reader, social, etc.
I use astro to click on pics and txt, and it opens the proper app (or list all that are able to do so, and I can choose the one I want).

you wiil know when barnes & noble relase a new updating?
the bluetooth has some use?

I'm also waiting for some upgrade, maybe 2.2, not for flash, but for being able to download some extra software. But I haven't seen any news around about this.
Browsing through this forum, I've learned that maybe bluetooth is non-existant, it exist only in the os as a leftover from NC. Gotta wait a little bit more on that.

Perhaps I have not explained well.... i'm waiting for OFFICIAL UPDATE from barnes ad noobles(no android update)....
and one thing I never understood
if i root my nook, at startup i can choose the normal mode (with 2 month battery) or do I keep it roored (and the battery does not last long)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks a lot!!!!!

The official update can go in two directions:
- Apps update: better browser, fixing some problems with reader, etc., but still using Android 2.1 - Eclair (which is in use right now) or
- OS upgrade with apps update: the same as above, but also changing to Android 2.2 - Froyo, in which you have also the benefit of having some improvements over previous OS version, but may be a little slower, due do increase demand on CPU (if any), or use more battery.
Well, I haven't heard of different battery life from rooted and unrooted version, the only thing is that you may use more battery consuming apps on rooted version, as not all apps are improved to best battery life as the B&N ones.

I'm doubtful they'd go to Froyo with an update because they'd be doing everything they can, at least I hope, to make things such as battery life extensive as possible, so if Froyo is going to use more battery that's unlikely to be a method of progression on the Touch.
There is no Bluetooth on the device, the hardware just isn't there for it, the same way there's no hardware for headphones, or sound of any sort.
Rumor has it that they may be removing the browser completely in the next release, as the initial release was apparently rushed, this would mean that what little of a crappy stock browser is there would be gone completely from the device. Another method they may take with this, may be like the N1E in which the browser became official and more integrated within the system, with official support.
It's doubtful we'll see access to the app store, even though I imagine there could be several apps that could be used even with the e-ink screen. If you want some idea of what might appear or would want to give suggestions for possible update stuff with the next version check out:
http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com...sion/N2E-Wishlist-for-1-1-Update/td-p/1056104
None of it's official, but often updates will take a few things from the wish list and add them through the update.
There will be a problem updating if you've rooted. Like with the NC I'm sure that when the update comes, side-loading the update will be broken as it needs a clean /system partition to upgrade to. Also things like TouchNooter won't work until it's been updated with a newer framework.jar

but... if i rooted my nook... can i returmn to official SO? and upgrading? with this guida i can solve? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1176783
what do you advise me?
why i can views and download picture but i can't views them in my microsd?
you have an advice for this? for correct heading?
://img94.imageshack.us/img94/1436/22072011296.jpg
and
://img842.imageshack.us/img842/5285/22072011295.jpg
(on link ad <http> )

[ROM] Nils' Business GingerSense 3.5 - GB 2.3.5 - (11/13/11 v2.2)

Can't post in the right forum yet, maybe I should talk about the weather or something? Or maybe even a mod can move it over there.
Anyways, I cracked the screen on my first Incredible, doing a backup was worthless compared to my Treo as it didn't backup everything. So I rooted it and my new phone and did a nandroid backup. Lo and behold Gingerbread arrives and I can't update since I have clockworkmod still installed.
I'm out of warranty as it is so thought I'd go the ROM route and see whats out there. As such I've installed Nils' Business GingerSense 3.5 - GB 2.3.5 - (11/13/11 v2.2) and have been pretty happy with it except for a few odd quirks.
For one, I can't read the text for some of the apps in my notification screen, Lookout is a dark grey and the weather is completely black. Maybe I'm missing a setting somewhere? If I use a pattern lock screen, there's some extraneous lettering above the pattern box. And yeah, the preview screen doesn't work for wallpapers and such, neither in the HTC hub area.
Sometimes upon first unlocking if I swipe the screen, it does a full 360 through all the home screens. It also looks like this ROM is based on 4.06 and not the newer 4.08, would this fix some issues?
I do like Sense 3.5 so I think I'll be sticking around with this one and stuck here till I get enough posts in.

Hello hello,
Glad you rooted your Incredible, trust me you aren't missing anything in the way of features if you were on Verizon's stock GB update. The XDA community is literally MONTHS ahead of that haha but you can always unroot and wait for Verizon's OTA prompt if you desire but alas...
1) There is not a setting to change the notification bar's color. I have the same "feature"/problem as well. I just deal with it, not ideal I know, I just prefer launching into whichever app once I know the notification is there. Maybe try your hand with using the android kitchen that Nils has linked in post #3 of that thread. Also, I would suggest sending Nils a pm if nobody in the community has a solution for this. Sorry I can't help you any further but just everyone who uses the rom has the same all black notification bar. I like it cuz it sort of acts as a security blanket as nobody can view the notification's content.
2) As for the pattern lock labeling, I am not aware of a solution but I have heard this occurring on other Sense 3.5 roms. I do not have a solution simply cuz I prefer using the pin code which is more secure. Again, hopefully someone has a fix for this if there is one.
3) Wallpapers: you must hit "Menu" then select "Grid." That is addressed in post #2 of the thread.
4) The unlock spin is actually a function introduced with HTC Sense 3.5 and it effectively serves no person, rhyme, or reason. This should be disabled by going to Settings/Incredible Tweaks/Display Options and uncheck "Enable Unlock Animation." However, you cannot disable the spinning animation if you move through your homescreens too fast (i.e. flick your finger left/right quickly) as that's built into HTC Sense 3.5.
5) The 4.06.501 vs. 4.08.501 differences are moreso software (non-UI) fixes. The rom is based off of a different phone so your issues derive from the base that NilsP utilizes and the way he customized the rom. Don't get too hung up over the differences as it is inconsequential. The version of Android is more vital as Google incorporates fixes that you may/may not notice.
6) Not sure if you're aware but XDA has a ten post limit before allowing users to comment in the development section. Just post a few more comments and try helping others and you'll be at the minimum in no time.

Thanks for the heads up on the notification bar, I hadn't read anything elsewhere about it so I thought it was something I wasn't aware of for a fix. I actually thought of sending a PM, but wasn't sure if I was locked out of that also being a noob poster. (yep, read about the 10 post pre-qualification, how about this weather were having?)
Odd, I just pulled down my notification bar and my weather text now shows up in white, Lookout is still in a dark grey though.
I'm not worried about the pattern lock, I used to use it when it first came out, not so much anymore, was just playing around with different things. I didn't want to install a bunch of stuff and then have to do it all over again if I installed another ROM (I had 104 apps on it beforehand, did I mention android backups suck?).
Yep, did read about the wallpaper issue, I just put it in there for some odd reason.
Unlock spin? Or left/right swipe? Currently I pull the ring up to unlock the screen, and I did get that zoom in animations. But sometimes, like 1/20 times, swiping to the right (or was it left?) it will spin through all the screens and stop on the middle one. And I didn't think I had swiped it that fast, I just tried it, and I see what your saying if you swipe it fast. Maybe I did swipe it fast after unlocking, but it usually surprises when it does it so I must be thinking I didn't swipe it that fast. It only seems to do it right after unlocking though, other times it just does the one screen at a time.
Ok on the 4.06-4.08 issue then, I just read that the OTA 4.06 was real buggy and 4.08 fixed a lot of issues. I didn't get the OTA notice till about 3 weeks ago and didn't investigate as to why it wasn't taking until last week.
I'm trying the V6 Supercharger next as sense reloads after I exit some applications, not always, but enough times to be annoying.
My contract is up in mid January, most likely will be looking into a new phone then and ICS.

Oh yea, go ahead and send a pm if you ever need assistance. I'm sure that is open to every user regardless of post count. Best part is, NilsP is a very responsive dev so I'm confident he'll help you out if you post in any of his threads or send a pm.
That is odd but hopefully someone can assist with the notification bar color. I agree with you about checking for bugs in a rom, it is an investment since you want "stable" and "working 100%" the moment you install a rom. When you run the V6 script working bulletproof the launcher. Ever since I bulletproofed the launcher I haven't had an HTC Sense reload in weeks and it works great. I have the same idea as well, I'm likely purchasing the Nexus this spring.

Thanks, ill send him one when I get a chance, getting pulled in a couple directions at the moment (shouldn't even be typing this!)
Man, that V6 install takes a lot! Dependent on other things installed which are also dependent on other things installed, have my work cut out for that!
I installed battery minder last night (one of the few I found that says how many hours I have left) and it's the same thing in the notification screen, black and dark grey text. Lighter grey then Lookout though.
I'd even wait on an upgrade a little, but my compass isn't working right, skymap has me moving all over the place. I forget what HTC is coming out with 2012, I'm sure things will keep going crazy.

where can i get beats audio from????

Drifta12 said:
where can i get beats audio from????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Either flash a Sense 3.5 rom and use the stock HTC music player app OR purchase a new HTC phone.

If you want to try the Gingerbread OTA release, you can flash Stock Plus Gingerbread. The ROM is almost completely stock, with a few fixes and a little bit of the bloat removed. Also, you won't lose root as you would with the update installed OTA.
DInc with CyanogenMod 7.0

[Q] ROM Selection: Which ROM goes "just beyond" stock with OTA updates?

Hi all,
I've been a long-time Cyanogenmod user, and been very happy overall. However, as they expand to so many devices, and time their final updates together, I no longer benefit from quick access to new versions of Android since I've only got Nexus devices (for example: https://plus.google.com/+CyanogenMod/posts/HpXkXU98R7q)
Realistically, I only use a few CyanogenMod features that go beyond a stock Nexus ROM:
Root
Numerical Battery
Clock Widget
Bluetooth Tethering
Expanded Desktop (Might not be required with KitKat)
Pie Controls (With Expanded Desktop, might not be required with KitKat, either)
Given that, and KitKat's full screen capabilities, it brings me down to Root, numerical battery and BT tethering, which are pretty easy to enable on a stock ROM. However, every time I OTA update, I loose it all. And to get root back, many times I have to re-unlock which causes a hard-reset, loosing all my data, too.
So, the question: Is there a ROM that's close to stock, with root, that either has or would be easy to add the above features? Or, is there an easy way to create my own. I'm also looking for something that could be repeated across multiple Nexus devices (4/5/7/10).
Thanks,
Ben

Although I don't use it, so I'm no expert, I think the Xposed Framework would do the things you want.
Sent from my Nexus 4

12-11-14 Update

I have seen posts in other threads about the update and I feel that a post about the update in any of those threads would detract from that threads purpose. So I made one instead.
I 'm on Boost and the update itself is just under 25MB, and per the Apps list it appears that half of that went to the new Contacts app based on size (not sure if download was compressed or not). It took roughly 10 minutes to completely install and it slowed waaaaayyy down when it reached 70+% on "Phase 1." "Phase 2" was fairly quick. I couldn't get a picture of the screen but it is a plain black background with only white text denoting information and progress. "Phase 1" would slowly blink on and off during that installation cycle. I was on battery and it ate roughly 5-6% during the process.
Bloat: it's hardly there. All I noticed was the addition of adding your Yahoo account credentials to work with the new Contacts app (I'm assuming), and after removing it it does not appear in the Add an Account menu. The new Contacts and Data Collection Tool app (the two are most likely associated) cannot be removed, but can be disabled. Also, there are some new wallpapers, being "Magic Smoke" and "Music Visualization." I don't know what they look like since I have no need for them and disabled them too. There may be other additions that I have not caught. I really wish we have root to get rid of the Connections Optimizer. It re-enables itself after the update and is more aggressive in wanting to be used.
Battery life: I have seen an improvement in SOT with Data/Wi-Fi, but still have drainage while the phone is not in use/asleep. I have uninstalled my Battery app (Battery Solo Widget Pro) and disabled the Battery notification in Power Toggles (never set it to poll to begin with) to see if they could have been the culprit. For context I actively use Greenify and set it for all apps I don't need to be constantly running, and turn Data/Wi-Fi/etc . off when I am done using that feature and have location set to Battery Saving.
I don't know how many of youz guys have installed the update, but I'd be happy to help with any questions I can answer.

Battery settings detail is now showing up when it would force close previously. I'm going to assume they also may have fixed the WIFI cert issue some people where having.
I save most of the logcats logs if anyone wants to have a peak at those. OTA updates were provided via Redbend.

Won't update with a low battery
I just when to try the update to see if there is a resolution to the Wifi 802.1xEAP certificates bug and it downloaded very quickly. However, when I clicked OK to install, it came back and said the Battery was too low and to install later. Even with the phone plugged into the USB port! (Yes the battery was down to about 1/4). Fortunately it looks like it kept the download.
The only concern I have with this upgrade is the google security update. I'm just wondering if I'll be closing a hole needed to root this phone.

ivanthec said:
Battery settings detail is now showing up when it would force close previously. I'm going to assume they also may have fixed the WIFI cert issue some people where having.
I save most of the logcats logs if anyone wants to have a peak at those. OTA updates were provided via Redbend.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good thing Sharp fixed the Battery detail bug. I can confirm that Sharp has not fixed the cert issue. jh2015 posted in the thread about the issue that Sharp told him/her that it will not be fixed.

Did anyone actually captured the OTA URL and the update zip file?
Tapatalked

kozmo2k4 said:
Did anyone actually captured the OTA URL and the update zip file?
Tapatalked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can't say I'm well versed in Android but when capturing the logcat file the only file name I could find after the download was
f_SG306SH_S8216toSG306SH_SA300.shdiff
the only two URLs I could find were
http://0946f61c52f05cb871ea-d87d123...47.r71.cf3.rackcdn.com/2640182142_dpD/APP_JNI
http://dm-sharp2.redbend.com:8080/DPInfo?DPID=19707282191852963928245725944266165918D/APP_JNI
Could not access /cache/ or /fota/ after the download since there is not root access. I personally was unable to find or rewrite the download to a different location due to permissions.

Smart Contacts and Phone
The new smart contacts and phone app is very Lollipop. I wonder if this is an indication that the Aquos Crystal will get an 5.0 update, maybe no time soon, but in the future.

Chameleon become sharp.
Sent from my 306SH

Can we get show of hands who took the update? And please share your experience with it...
Sent from my TF300T using Tapatalk

I updated it the day it came out and I don't use the new bloatware added haven't used it. If you haven't noticed when you take a picture the shutter noise was always on or something like that. With the update the shutter noise can be turned off now, glad they fixed it.

Eh, great one, the shutter sound was pretty loud.
Edit: where you find the option?
Sent from my 306SH

baii said:
Eh, great one, the shutter sound was pretty loud.
Edit: where you find the option?
Sent from my 306SH
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think there's an actual on/off option but if your phone is on vibrate or silent then you shouldn't hear the shutter sound.

Ting still working?
Has anyone on Ting using the Boost (white) version installed the update?
If so: (a) Is everything still working on Ting? (b) Is Spark LTE still working on Ting?