Related
Stream TV has posted a new firmware.
http://elocitynow.com/support_downloads.shtml
Thanks for info...
Downloaded and loading now. I will report my experience with the new firmware in a while.
For anyone who has not upgraded, please let me know what the build number was on the old firmware. Nothing cosmetic, seems a little slower than the Dexter mod I was running, may have to revert back to that until something substantial occurs with the firmware. There is a new kernel if the previous one in Dexter's mod was based on the December 24th release.
I'm curious about the date of the release not changing although the description of what has changed is at the top of the page.
I just checked, it still says Dec. 24, 2010. I'm not seeing the 1/15/2011 update listed on their firmware page.
The same here ...is the file the new one or the one from December?...what is suppose to be a new build number?
It hard to say because the filename is update.zip. It would be useful if they changed the naming convention to something friendlier. Let us rename the file to update.zip. Anyway that would be a recommendation. Name the file by the release date.
It is the new firmware on the website.
Date is incorrect.
I installed but ido not see any difference...
The update is a new update. Below is the build number of the December update and the current one.
December - PBJ8000.2.0121
January 14/15 I guess depending on where you are - PBJ8000.2.0124
No visual changes, all under the hood. Ad-hoc works without modification I did notice that. I'll keep it installed since I have added the marked to it.
Still does not report external storage correctly.
Still looking for Cifs and some 3g usb dongle support. That would round it out for me.
POS updates...market and google apps are gone after the updates.....
rogconnect said:
POS updates...market and google apps are gone after the updates.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And you expected something different?
Unfortunately they can't include the Market or the google app as Google won't allow them. There is nothing they can do until Google changes the rules or releases a version of Android approved for tablets. This is the case with just about all the Android tablets currently on the Market.
I'm waiting for a ROM that includes the Market and Google Apps to be cooked up by the Devs here before I to the update.
rogconnect said:
POS updates...market and google apps are gone after the updates.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah if you don't understand that stream tv won't be releasing a firmware with market at least on froyo, I don't think you get it. Wait for Dexter of another dev to cook up a rom or learn how to get market on there yourself. before you start calling the updates a POS.
That said has anyone noticed any real changes? So far the only difference for me is that swype FCs on me now.
djyellowperil said:
Yeah if you don't understand that stream tv won't be releasing a firmware with market at least on froyo, I don't think you get it. Wait for Dexter of another dev to cook up a rom or learn how to get market on there yourself. before you start calling the updates a POS.
That said has anyone noticed any real changes? So far the only difference for me is that swype FCs on me now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe because of the WIFI fixes...but I am seeing much improved battery life... Before I would get about 4-5 hours... now last two days..about 6-7 hours..maybe a fluke.. but I will see over the next few days..
CPG
MyTabletLife.com
RojasTKD said:
Unfortunately they can't include the Market or the google app as Google won't allow them. There is nothing they can do until Google changes the rules or releases a version of Android approved for tablets. This is the case with just about all the Android tablets currently on the Market.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will just understand...
Is Google deny Market at any tablets with OS Android 2.2 only?
I heard Viewsonic Viewpad 7 has Google Market
Why eLocity has not?
5[Strogino] said:
I will just understand...
Is Google deny Market at any tablets with OS Android 2.2 only?
I heard Viewsonic Viewpad 7 has Google Market
Why eLocity has not?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Froyo was not designed for tablets. The only tablet, 7 inches or bigger, that comes with official market support is the galaxy tab. Well that I'm aware of being available anyway. Google is currently only approving market for phones on 2.2 and the only reason the galaxy tab got approval is a convoluted definition as a phone. or more likely in my mind some backroom dealings between samsung and google. Either way Stream TV has never promised market on the A7 and most of us jumped in knowing that. If you lost market el al by upgrading to the latest firmware that means you were previously running a mod... my guess being one of dexters since I'm not aware of any others.
It seems you were not aware that the mod you were running was not an official firmware from Stream TV and is not supported by them.
rogconnect said:
POS updates...market and google apps are gone after the updates.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's to be expected. You should be able to add them back pretty easy. How did you put them on there in the first place - via ElocityMod or Manually?
Billy
Can you tell me how to put the Market on my A7? I just got one and installed teh updated firmware. Looks like if I install Dexter's mod it will be going backwards on my firmware.
THX
Bob
bsedor said:
Can you tell me how to put the Market on my A7? I just got one and installed teh updated firmware. Looks like if I install Dexter's mod it will be going backwards on my firmware.
THX
Bob
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, Dexter's V1.1 is based on the latest (1/15/11) firmware. If you install that you get the latest firmware plus the Market and Gapps.
Hi, I heard on the news that russian and chinese phones may be stuffed with rootkits and backdoors straight from the factory. One reporter mentioned mob/gangs involved.
Can this be true? People have so much personal info on their phones that would be interesting to thieves. And hardly a way to keep them out or to check if you're safe.
I know that there's always a risk, and I'm not going back to a dumbphone. Just wondering if the russian and chinese phones could be the greater risk here.
Not that I particularly trust Apple, Google or Samsung, but I do trust them not to take my phone hostage by ransomware or steal my creditcard info.
The brand Yotaphone is new to me, I really like the idea of the EPD. I tried to get a YD201 a couple of weeks ago, but they're sold out. Now I am considering to buy the Yotaphone 3 when it arrives. But this rumor has me rethinking if I should. Any thoughts on this?
The yotaphone was actually cleared for use in USA a couple of years ago.
joepie67 said:
Hi, I heard on the news that russian and chinese phones may be stuffed with rootkits and backdoors straight from the factory. One reporter mentioned mob/gangs involved.
Can this be true? People have so much personal info on their phones that would be interesting to thieves. And hardly a way to keep them out or to check if you're safe.
I know that there's always a risk, and I'm not going back to a dumbphone. Just wondering if the russian and chinese phones could be the greater risk here.
Not that I particularly trust Apple, Google or Samsung, but I do trust them not to take my phone hostage by ransomware or steal my creditcard info.
The brand Yotaphone is new to me, I really like the idea of the EPD. I tried to get a YD201 a couple of weeks ago, but they're sold out. Now I am considering to buy the Yotaphone 3 when it arrives. But this rumor has me rethinking if I should. Any thoughts on this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have a link to these sources?
Its probably just paranoid people speculating.
I own a YD206, and is great.
If you really are convinced that there are rootkits and backdoors, just install an antivirus of your choice and run a full scan.
I heard it on the news, so no links unfortunately. It's not like I made up the news either, but it's not so unthinkable if you ask me. I do wonder about my data, and don't mind asking somebody else's opinion.
IIRC it was BLU phones sending user data back to China and that was only because of a third party service called adups which provided the OTA. BLU doesn't make hardware they rebrand existing phones from China, and I remember reading somewhere they don't make the firmware either which is how this fxxk up occured.
Both the actual yotaphone hardware and firmware are unique and not rebranded like BLU. Yota also can't go to another company like BLU did and ask them to make the firmware since their phones have the EPD. I'm confident yota is safe, and besides it's Facebook and Google you have to worry about since they actually collect a fxxk ton of your data.
TL;DR Yota is most likely safe. It's BLU, Google and Facebook you need to worry about.
I own a YD201 (Yotaphone 2) btw.
Hi LeslieKawiti,
That makes sense. Besides, if Yota would be caught that would be the instant deathblow for the brand. It being a niche phone, maybe it's not the best target for a money scam.
It's this stupid Russian hackers bull**it.
But I did once buy a Chinese IP cam, that was infected. Firmware had a virus that enables them to use your internet for DDOS. I updated it with the official firmware and that fixed it. It was something a seller or somebody in transport did, I don't think manufacturer could afford to do something this 'evil'. But who knows what tomorrow brings.
LeslieKawiti said:
IIRC it was BLU phones sending user data back to China and that was only because of a third party service called adups which provided the OTA. BLU doesn't make hardware they rebrand existing phones from China, and I remember reading somewhere they don't make the firmware either which is how this fxxk up occured.
Both the actual yotaphone hardware and firmware are unique and not rebranded like BLU. Yota also can't go to another company like BLU did and ask them to make the firmware since their phones have the EPD. I'm confident yota is safe, and besides it's Facebook and Google you have to worry about since they actually collect a fxxk ton of your data.
TL;DR Yota is most likely safe. It's BLU, Google and Facebook you need to worry about.
I own a YD201 (Yotaphone 2) btw.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you get the googlesearch removed?
I have issues on 6.1 update,
# pm disable com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox
for example does not work and I can not deactivate it in user mode as well.
cyanID_ said:
How did you get the googlesearch removed?
I have issues on 6.1 update,
# pm disable com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox
for example does not work and I can not deactivate it in user mode as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are talking about the persistent search box, I installed Nova Launcher and ditched it in no time.
---------- Post added at 04:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:57 PM ----------
…although, that’s a bit out of track, me thinks.
Thanks for the temporarily fix
Yes sir, you are correct. Thanks for the advice of installing another launcher.
Still though disabling/hiding softbricks the phone by either bootloop on disabling or freezing on removing
this google system app by force.
It is very sad to have no control about the phone in that aspect.
-> Further the app is occasionally asking different data from phone which can be seen with xprivacy.
Under these internet, serial, activites, location/list and phone/listen. (without using search or audio input)
This sounds creepy to me.
Hey guys,
I just hopped on the $50 deal Amazon was having for Fire HD 8" tablets, and I cringe at the idea of dealing with Amazon's proprietary bs.
Ideally I'd like to install a custom ROM, but it looks like that isn't an option regardless of my software version or generation. So, I'd really like to root at the very least, if possible.
Assuming that maybe the model ships with an OS version less than 5.6, is there anything I can do before first boot that could enable me to root or do something helpful?
I hope that all makes sense. Thanks so much for the help you guys.
I'm in the same situation with that $50 deal. Well I've actually booted mine up, but without internet connection, to avoid any updates from which I may not be able to backtrack. Judging from mine, it looks like these are shipping with Fire OS 5.6.0.0 which is dated as 28 Nov 2017. I gather that so far there's nothing in the way of unlocking to be done for this version, and that downgrading seems to risk the device bricking. I wish there was a separate xda section for the 2017 versions, it would save a lot of searching and disappointment
Honestly, unless you want to maintain the remote possibility of gaining root, just pay the $15 to Amazon to remove ads, install Google Play Store and Launcher Hijack and your launcher of choice, and it will feel as close as you're going to get to a standard Android tablet.
pastorbennett said:
Honestly, unless you want to maintain the remote possibility of gaining root, just pay the $15 to Amazon to remove ads, install Google Play Store and Launcher Hijack and your launcher of choice, and it will feel as close as you're going to get to a standard Android tablet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You see the date of the thread you replied to right?...
Questions:
1. Are security patches a concern if I am not downloading 3rd party apps, not going to questionable websites (like porn), not doing any banking and mainly using the phone as an actual phone for calls, texts, and Whatsapp?
2. I came across this thread https://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-g7-thinq/how-to/guide-how-to-flash-stock-firmware-lock-t3820888 about flashing (near) stock firmware. Where do these files come from? Are they officially published by LG? And how do updates work if you flash your phone?
3. Is there any reason to not get the unlocked Amazon Prime version? People have stated that the Amazon apps can be disabled (though not deleted) and that Amazon no longer puts ads on the phones.
Backstory:
I've been an iPhone user since the 5 but my first smartphone was a Samsung Galaxy. It seems that Android has come a long way and I want to break out of the Apple ecosystem. I like the width of the V35's keyboard and those extra columns for apps is really cool. However, I do value Apple's security updates. I don't want my mail to be compromised. Given the questions above, would I be okay (with regards to cybersecurity) with getting a V35?
Mini-rant
OK, so I have to rant (just briefly) about the whole state of Samsung phones at the moment. Basically, we spend gobs of money on expensive devices and get locked down pre-loaded junk in return. Oh, they are physically impressive, have good specs, and are aesthetically nice gadgets. But would you spend $1600 bucks on a new laptop that came with software you couldn’t remove and could only be upgraded for the next 4 years?!?!
I have wanted to experiment with LineageOS for years. I bought a used Samsung S8+ in 2018 and quickly found out that LineageOS was a no go because Samsung locks the bootloaders on all US and Canadian models. So, that was never going to happen unless some guru found a hack.
Now, five years later, I went out of my way to find a Global/European S10+ (an SM-G975F) specifically so that I could install LineageOS. Now, I managed to do that easily enough. But now I am stuck with a phone that has poor reception and slow LTE speeds because it is missing LTE bands used in Canada (i.e. the SM-G975F uses different bands than the SM-G975W).
So here we are… making tradeoffs again.
And while I like fiddling with things like this, I have to wonder... why are we here in the first place? I just want a phone that doesn’t come preloaded with junk that I don’t want. I don’t want Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, TikTok or even Office 365 pre-installed and non-removable. It is like moving into a new house and finding out that the builder picked out furniture for the living room and, while you can push it off to the side and cover it with a blanket, you can never actually remove it. Why is the builder picking out furniture for me in the first place?
Some will say they like the furniture the builder picked. Most will say they don’t hate it or that they found a way to cover it up sufficiently that they don’t really notice it anymore. That isn’t really the point though, is it?
LineageOS on the other hand comes with nothing that it shouldn’t. Oh, and you can have LineageOS if you like (if you stand on your head and find a way to order a phone from another market) but then you have crummy reception forever. Oh, and when you are done you are a 2nd class citizen who can't use the NFC chip on his/her phone to pay for things because you were a "bad person" who found a way to remove the builder's sofa from your living room.
Oh, there are tricks… download this tool or that… but some don’t work anymore because of update XYZ…
Why can’t I just turn on the LTE bands I need??!?! Like, seriously, why not?!?!
Or better yet, why doesn’t my phone do it for me when it sees the Bell SIM card?!?!
Whose phone is this anyway?!?!
The state of Samsung phones in North America is garbage. Full stop. Pure garbage. No, I am not being too harsh.
1) All phones should come with basic firmware that makes the phone work and nothing else. The phone should not be used as an on-ramp into whichever ecosystem is paying the manufacturer more. OEM apps (i.e. Samung Calculator, Samsung DeX, etc.) are fine but no 3rd party junk like Facebook and Instagram. That is what the store is for.
2) All bootloaders should be unlockable and re-lockable once custom firmware is loaded if that firmware is itself signed. No "tripping Knox" or this nonsense.
3) All radio/LTE/carrier settings should be accessible and customizable with easily selectable presets for major carriers worldwide.
Anything else is a closed ecosystem that doesn't respect your basic property rights.
OK, done ranting... Maybe someone from Samsung will notice and maybe it will make a difference.
Best regards,
The Fish
I run two stock N10+'s, a N975U and a N975U1.
Running on Android 9* and 10 respectively. Neither have had their firmware upgraded. I use Package Disabler to block about 70-80 apks and settings are heavily optimized. Both run fast, stable and fullfill their mission with almost no issues and little maintenance. Excellent SOT and standby time.
Both are compatible with AT&T and as such there are no reception issues. You check and verify this before you purchase. Slam the sim card in and they're good to go. Once optimized and running well, don't upgrade firmware or update apps and it will run fine for years. Don't do the above and you will need to find work arounds... if they exist.
Current load on this N10+ will be 3yo this June. No malware during that time. Still looks, feels and runs like new. Only repair has been a battery. After a steep learning curve I'm very pleased with these devices. They are still a joy to use. However I can't say the same for the proceeding Samsung flagships and will never own one of them for a litany of reasons*.
Samsung phones with/in this SOC/generation can run well in capable hands, stock, if used as described.
*has last Android 9 firmware update
**lol, don't get me started
blackhawk said:
Neither have had their firmware upgraded. I use Package Disabler to block about 70-80 apks and settings are heavily optimized. Both run fast, stable and fullfill their mission with almost no issues and little maintenance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This kind of proves my point. I am not saying there isn't a way to get your Samsung phone running the way you want it. I am saying that the hoops we have to jump through and the tradeoffs we have to make are unacceptable.
Why do you have to use Package Disabler to block about 70-80 apks?!?! Why should you have to block *any* APKs at all?
Why do you have to stick with old, outdated firmware? Why do you have to make this tradeoff? Why do we have to have a hostile relationship with Samsung?
Why can't we have a nice phone, no bloatware, no junk, no apps we don't want. Get updates for a reasonable amount of time (i.e. till the hardware no longer supports it)?
blackhawk said:
Both are compatible with AT&T and as such there are no reception issues. You check and verify this before you purchase. Slam the sim card in and they're good to go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure. And I knew ahead of time when I purchased the Global S10+ (the SM-G975F) that it didn't support all the same LTE bands as the Canadian model (the SM-G975W). But again, I had to make tradeoffs because I wanted to run LineageOS. Again, why do we have to choose between two crummy options?!?! Where are the good options?!?
I am daring to imagine a world where this is better. Really, we used to have phones locked to service providers and 5-year contracts. Those were the bad old days. But these days right now (with the bloatware, etc.) are also not great. It reminds me of the Windows XP era of PCs where you would buy a new PC and be prompted to sign up for 100 different services upon initial bootup. Only difference then was you could re-install the operating system on your PC and free yourself from the OEM bloatware. But now, with phones, they make even that impossible with locked bootloaders.
Basically, if I could unlock the bootloader of a Canadian SM-G975W that would be ideal. Any why isn't it like that anyway?!?! Isn't that the way it should be to begin with?
Locked bootloaders with no option to unlock should be illegal.
The Fish
thefish123 said:
This kind of proves my point. I am not saying there isn't a way to get your Samsung phone running the way you want it. I am saying that the hoops we have to jump through and the tradeoffs we have to make are unacceptable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm a pragmatist, I use what works.
thefish123 said:
Why do you have to use Package Disabler to block about 70-80 apks?!?! Why should you have to block *any* APKs at all?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's only blocking what I consider bloatware. 10 or 15 of those apks are apps I installed but chose to kept disabled 99% of the time.
thefish123 said:
Why do you have to stick with old, outdated firmware? Why do you have to make this tradeoff? Why do we have to have a hostile relationship with Samsung?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's your choice to upgrade and there's no reason to upgrade if the firmware is fulfilling its mission if you're running Android 9 or higher. If you lack wherewithal you pay a price...
thefish123 said:
Why can't we have a nice phone, no bloatware, no junk, no apps we don't want. Get updates for a reasonable amount of time (i.e. till the hardware no longer supports it)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Updates and upgrades aren't needed on an optimized device that's running well. New phones with the newest firmware are running like crap in case you didn't notice. Very little speed increase in most routine activities and horrible SOT on most.
thefish123 said:
Sure. And I knew ahead of time when I purchased the Global S10+ (the SM-G975F) that it didn't support all the same LTE bands as the Canadian model (the SM-G975W). But again, I had to make tradeoffs because I wanted to run LineageOS. Again, why do we have to choose between two crummy options?!?! Where are the good options?!?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well you knew there be connectivity issues and that should have flagged it. Custom roms have custom problems with a limited user/support base.
thefish123 said:
I am daring to imagine a world where this is better. Really, we used to have phones locked to service providers and 5-year contracts. Those were the bad old days. But these days right now (with the bloatware, etc.) are also not great. It reminds me of the Windows XP era of PCs where you would buy a new PC and be prompted to sign up for 100 different services upon initial bootup. Only difference then was you could re-install the operating system on your PC and free yourself from the OEM bloatware. But now, with phones, they make even that impossible with locked bootloaders.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not that bad if you shop smart. I bought out my AT&T N10+ at 2 years. It's almost identical to my carrier unlocked variant. I want the boot loader locked for security. No way I'm touching the firmware as these are premium flagships that run extremely well as is. I have very little to gain and lots to lose... including time.
thefish123 said:
Basically, if I could unlock the bootloader of a Canadian SM-G975W that would be ideal. Any why isn't it like that anyway?!?! Isn't that the way it should be to begin with?
Locked bootloaders with no option to unlock should be illegal.
The Fish
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You buy Samsung flagships for the premium hardware and then work within the framework that's available and what works best for you. You can root the Exynos variants but their hardware is almost always inferior to the Snaps. Consequences.
At this point both Samsung and Android newest products are so out of line that they are unusable to me. I don't care what they do, screw them. I'm in a holding pattern for 3+ more years happily using my N10+'s... I don't care. All my issues are worked out because I threw time at them to do so and I'm very satisfied with the outcome.
In 3+ years I will reevaluate the situation and decide what to do. Right now as things stand I don't reccomend any new Samsung's or anything Android version above Android 10. Unfortunately I have no easy solutions for you other than what I did. Even that isn't simple fix but it's a zero risk fix. I refuse to risk damaging these N10+'s by mucking with their firmware unless its needed for repair.
blackhawk said:
Well you knew there be connectivity issues and that should have flagged it. Custom roms have custom problems with a limited user/support base.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The reason I purchased this specific model was so that I could run a custom ROM. But the connectivity issues are not caused by the custom rom. They are caused by the fact that I am using a phone designed for a different market where different LTE bands are used.
And yes, I knew that ahead of time. And I am not regretting that. But you are missing the point. The radio in my phone is perfectly capable of using the LTE bands that my carrier uses. So why shouldn't there be a straightforward way to enable them?
What if I used to live in Europe and moved to Canada? Should I be forced to buy a new phone just because Samsung doesn't let me change LTE bands? Or if I travel between Europe and Canada on business then I just have to suffer with crummy reception?
My point is one of ownership, property rights.
thefish123 said:
The reason I purchased this specific model was so that I could run a custom ROM. But the connectivity issues are not caused by the custom rom. They are caused by the fact that I am using a phone designed for a different market where different LTE bands are used.
And yes, I knew that ahead of time. And I am not regretting that. But you are missing the point. The radio in my phone is perfectly capable of using the LTE bands that my carrier uses. So why shouldn't there be a straightforward way to enable them?
What if I used to live in Europe and moved to Canada? Should I be forced to buy a new phone just because Samsung doesn't let me change LTE bands? Or if I travel between Europe and Canada on business then I just have to suffer with crummy reception?
My point is one of ownership, property rights.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Connectivity is paramount. Regardless of what your user rights should be, you need to work within the limits of the options available. The square peg round hole thing...
You may be able to enable those bands and that's probably where you should be directing your energy. I purposely try to avoid having to do that as much as possible and never had to. You dove down the rabbit hole, hopefully it's not too deep. Try looking at the hidden phone user settings first... I guess.
blackhawk said:
Connectivity is paramount. Regardless of what your user rights should be, you need to work within the limits of the options available. The square peg round hole thing...
You may be able to enable those bands and that's probably where you should be directing your energy. I purposely try to avoid having to do that as much as possible and never had to. You dove down the rabbit hole, hopefully it's not too deep. Try looking at the hidden phone user settings first... I guess.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I agree. Being a phone is the most important thing that a phone does. And I am directing my energies in that direction as well. But in the process, it occures to me that a messed-up antagonistic anti-customer ecosystem this whole thing is. We would *never* accept this from a computer company, a car manufacturer, or a home builder. Yet, for some reason, we accept it from phone makers like Samsung and that we need to work within these [artificially imposed] limits.
Anyway, yes, there used to be a hidden phone menu (why hidden?) that would have let me enable the bands that I need. But Samsung removed it sometime last year with an update. Again, why?!?!
I'll keep looking. I'm sure I will figure out something in time inspite of Samsung, not because of them.
The Fish
What OS version are you on?
The band selections are probably still there although means of access may have changed.
My knowledge in this area is very limited. The sim card always configured it perfectly for me.
Best to check with your carrier to be sure that phone model is on their white list.
You could try seeing if someone help you from your carrier tech support...sometimes you get lucky if you try enough.
blackhawk said:
What OS version are you on?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am running LineageOS 19.1.
blackhawk said:
The band selections are probably still there although means of access may have changed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The band selection app is categorically *not* there anymore because it A) it was part of the Samsung firmware and B) even if I was on Samsung firmware it wouldn't be there anymore either because Samsung removed it.
There used to be a tool you could download that would allow you to access the "hidden" band selection app. But it stopped working because Samsung removed the hidden app altogeather. Like I said in my original post on this thread "Oh, there are tricks… download this tool or that… but some don’t work anymore because of update XYZ…"
My point is that the whole nonsense of disabled bands and locked bootloaders is infuriating. I is like buying a computer that can only access the internet at full speed in Europe and if you fly to Canada and use it there you get penalized with 1/2 speed. Oh, and even through you could change it with the flip of a switch that switch is buried, disabled, hidden behind locked doors.
The Google Pixel 7 Pro has all the bands turned on (i.e. there is one phone for the whole world) and the boot loader is unlocked. Just saying...
At some point I will probably prevail in getting the bands I need turned on. And then I will likely be very happy with this phone for the next 5+ years. But none of that changes the fact that this anti-consumer predatory behavior on the part of Samsung is unacceptable.
The Fish