Database Users

[DISCUSSION] HD2 + Android or WP7, real talk.

Hello everyone!
I'm new here, but have been lurking and scouring the forums for a while now. I'm not a dev or anything, so I'm a total noob when it comes to cooking up roms and such... although I've done pleanty of flashing on different devices. I'm treating myself to a new phone as a late birthday present, and the HD2 looks like the best offering at the moment (or anytime soon) from T-Mobile. I just don't want to be stuck with such awesome hardware, running an OS that will be mostly obselete in a few months.
I've read that MS will continue to support WM 6.5, but we all know their deal... it'll be an afterthought once WP7 is released. I would be fine with upgrading to WP7, but unfortunately the HD2 has two too many buttons to meet the HW requirements (according to MS at this point.)
The main thing that makes me believe porting Android would be more plausible, is the upcoming release of the EVO. The hardware is so similar, it's hard for me to believe that it's not possible. Once the EVO is released, could someone use the Android 2.1 image from it, and modify it to run on the HD2? Again, I'm not a programmer, so I'm probably completely wrong... but would love to be proven otherwise.
I'm just looking for some of you with more knowledge and experience to give me some technical insight before dropping $450 on a new phone that will be out-of-date and no longer supported (for the most part) in 6 months. I would also like to keep this thread on topic, so please don't bother slagging the HD2 and suggesting other devices.
Thanks!

and another thread pops up =(
search the forum there are literally tons of threads about this
TONS especially on android
for wp7 there is no news since march 28th announcement so that means nothing more to report than the initial issues had
this is also in the windows phone 7 forum
if you want the phone, get the phone. Winows mobile is a good and highly customizable operating systme on its own and I like it.

you won't regret getting this phone, I sold my nexus one for it, and I don't even miss N1 (simply because it is not the best android phone anymore, HD 2 the best winmo up to date).
I am also a noob, but I encourage myself very often. Now android can run on iphone, what else would stop those geniuses from creating such miracles on HD2. All I have to do is enjoying the phone from the minute I have it, and stick to the forum.

I wouldn't buy the HD2 purely on the speculation of an Android port. There's no certainty that it will ever happen, and if it does, who knows how long it will take.
There are ports for older HTC models and the iPhone, but you have to keep in mind that those handsets have been out for a while, and have had many months, if not years, of development behind them. The HD2 and the snapdragon processor are relatively new, and development is starting from the ground up. It may take up to a year or more before a functional android port is available, and by then, there will more than likely be better hand-sets out there.

domineus said:
and another thread pops up =(
search the forum there are literally tons of threads about this
TONS especially on android
for wp7 there is no news since march 28th announcement so that means nothing more to report than the initial issues had
this is also in the windows phone 7 forum
if you want the phone, get the phone. Winows mobile is a good and highly customizable operating systme on its own and I like it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply!
I've actually searched many times, and read tons of threads on this topic. The problem is, most of them are cluttered with TONS of vague info and flaming, with a tidbit of useful info here and there. I was hoping to open some discussion and spark some ideas or interest, maybe try and centralize the info.
Sorry for stepping on any toes, but this is the "T-Mobile USA HD2" general discussion forum, so I figured this would be the best place to start. I just searched the development forum and found a similar thread. I just didn't check there, as I was intending to discuss the possibility and such, not actual developing. Mods, if I'm out of line here, please move or lock this thread appropriately.
Thanks!
Edit- to the other posters, thanks for sharing experiences with me! I wasn't planning on buying the HD2 soley in hopes of porting Android, I guess I'm just looking for reassurance from folks that I'm not getting myself into a device that isn't worth the effort. I love modding my phones, but would rather not be stuck beating a dead horse in a few months. The feedback is greatly appreciated, and makes me feel much better about my decision.

mystik610 said:
There are ports for older HTC models and the iPhone, but you have to keep in mind that those handsets have been out for a while, and have had many months, if not years, of development behind them. The HD2 and the snapdragon processor are relatively new, and development is starting from the ground up. It may take up to a year or more before a functional android port is available, and by then, there will more than likely be better hand-sets out there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is true. android on the iphone only works on the iphone 2g as far as i can tell, and that phone is over 4 years old i believe. building linux kernels for a specific phone takes time, and most likely it'll take years to perfect. the ports out now for older winmo phones are useable but obviously not perfect.
i bought my hd2 mainly because it looks like pure sex to me. hehe. windows mobile didnt bother me at all since ive been using windows mobile phones since 2007. dont get me wrong, android is pretty good too. used that for about a year. each os has its own pros and cons i guess.
gilla409 said:
to the other posters, thanks for sharing experiences with me! I wasn't planning on buying the HD2 soley in hopes of porting Android, I guess I'm just looking for reassurance from folks that I'm not getting myself into a device that isn't worth the effort. I love modding my phones, but would rather not be stuck beating a dead horse in a few months. The feedback is greatly appreciated, and makes me feel much better about my decision.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you wont regret getting this phone. in my opinion htc did a good job with sense, making windows mobile user friendly and whatnot, but if you dont like sense, it can be easily disabled. also the stock rom to me works fine right now but there are a lot of other roms made for the hd2 already so its pretty customizable as is already.

caffeinejunky said:
this is true. android on the iphone only works on the iphone 2g as far as i can tell, and that phone is over 4 years old i believe. building linux kernels for a specific phone takes time, and most likely it'll take years to perfect. the ports out now for older winmo phones are useable but obviously not perfect.
i bought my hd2 mainly because it looks like pure sex to me. hehe. windows mobile didnt bother me at all since ive been using windows mobile phones since 2007. dont get me wrong, android is pretty good too. used that for about a year. each os has its own pros and cons i guess.
you wont regret getting this phone. in my opinion htc did a good job with sense, making windows mobile user friendly and whatnot, but if you dont like sense, it can be easily disabled. also the stock rom to me works fine right now but there are a lot of other roms made for the hd2 already so its pretty customizable as is already.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool, thanks for the info!
I usually try to keep from modding straight away, but after checking some roms in the development forum, I'm sure I'll start flashing sooner than later, hehe. The main thing I'm liking about the HD2 is it comes stock with the apps I'm most likely to use. I had a 2g iPhone a while back, but found I didn't use most of the apps I installed, and gave it up for a 3g device. Most of what I'm looking for is games/entertainment and themes, and I believe I've found what I'm looking for. If I'm not happy, I may try to cook up something of my own... there's certainly pleanty of resources here to get me started!
Again, I apologize for the redundant thread, but I appreciate all the feedback. This is exactly what I was looking for!

gilla409 said:
Hello everyone!
I'm new here, but have been lurking and scouring the forums for a while now. I'm not a dev or anything, so I'm a total noob when it comes to cooking up roms and such... although I've done pleanty of flashing on different devices. I'm treating myself to a new phone as a late birthday present, and the HD2 looks like the best offering at the moment (or anytime soon) from T-Mobile. I just don't want to be stuck with such awesome hardware, running an OS that will be mostly obselete in a few months.
I've read that MS will continue to support WM 6.5, but we all know their deal... it'll be an afterthought once WP7 is released. I would be fine with upgrading to WP7, but unfortunately the HD2 has two too many buttons to meet the HW requirements (according to MS at this point.)
The main thing that makes me believe porting Android would be more plausible, is the upcoming release of the EVO. The hardware is so similar, it's hard for me to believe that it's not possible. Once the EVO is released, could someone use the Android 2.1 image from it, and modify it to run on the HD2? Again, I'm not a programmer, so I'm probably completely wrong... but would love to be proven otherwise.
I'm just looking for some of you with more knowledge and experience to give me some technical insight before dropping $450 on a new phone that will be out-of-date and no longer supported (for the most part) in 6 months. I would also like to keep this thread on topic, so please don't bother slagging the HD2 and suggesting other devices.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They have been working on porting linux and android to the HD2 for months now. It's not an easy process, as I have stated in the many threads that get started about this. The EVO rom cannot just be ported over. The N1 is just as close hardware wise... they actually used the N1 as a starting point for creating the linux kernel. The Evo may help a little with some drivers.
You have to understand... the kernel for the msm72xx devices (touchpro, TP2, kaiser, etc.) was started over 3 years ago... and they still don't have a fully-functional android port. There will be an android port eventually, but by time theres a fully functional port, there will be many nicer android phones out. Expect it to take a year or more for a fully-functional port, if it's ever FULLY-functional. Search the Rom section in the original Leo section for the official linux project thread.
Get the phone if you like WinMo 6.5. If not, wait for another phone. Trust me, there will be just as nice Android phones for tmobile in the next few months, and WinPhone 7 phones by the end of the year.

[Q] What are the steps to install Android on HTC Surround?

What are the steps pls?

Not possible yet.

it MUST be possible! Pleeeeeease, port Android on Surround :'(

Not possible, try Mango

Chinese developers are working on an Android port for HD7... the hardware between the two devices isn't very different
c'mon!! it WILL be possible, if only devs WOULD to do the os porting.
It's easy to say "that's impossible, buy a native android phone" or "try Mango.." etc
isn't this forum for developers? so, why don't they develop?
they simply don't want to do this, I suppose...... :\

no one work on it now

This was the most childish post I've ever seen. 1st you ask for something and then learn you can't have it so you whine.

it's Difficult.no one want to work it now!

Delux9364 said:
Chinese developers are working on an Android port for HD7... the hardware between the two devices isn't very different
c'mon!! it WILL be possible, if only devs WOULD to do the os porting.
It's easy to say "that's impossible, buy a native android phone" or "try Mango.." etc
isn't this forum for developers? so, why don't they develop?
they simply don't want to do this, I suppose...... :\
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know about you but as a person who has written many apps for a few different Operating systems (e.g. Windows, OSX, Linux (Mono,Java), Andriod, Windows Mobile 6.X, and Windows Phone 7) I can tell you the its not hard to get the OS for it since it already exists. The real problem is making drivers for the specific hardware most of the drivers for old windows mobile devices running andriod were just pulled from other phones and modified. However it seems that its not as simple this time other wise we would have something that we would be able to use. I've seen the video from the Chinese forums and I have yet to see any other windows phone 7 devices run Andriod. So as a logical guess i would bet that, that video was a HTC Thunderbolt (or some other similar device) put inside of a Surround Case. Another thing about the video is that the device is extreamly smooth which seems outlandish unless there is a direct port of the drivers from another device. I doubt this as we probably would have a nand version of andriod already. Your right about the hardware being similar but do you see an Andriod port for the HD7? I took a quick glance and didn't see anything about it.
TLDR verion; HD7 is similar but no one has a working version for HD7. Other then Xda.cn and i think that, that video is of another phone in a surround case.

I would just buy an android phone, the Surround's battery is too small anyways.

The usual response, if you want an android device go and buy one.
jeje... I know ny comment do not sound polite but it's the truth.

[EXCLUSIVE ON WPF..!!] Android for HTC Surround [BETA TESTERS REQUIRED]
its available at windows
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Windows Phone Forum
Windows Phone Development & Hacking
[EXCLUSIVE ON WPF..!!] Android for HTC Surround [BETA TESTERS REQUIRED]

please people be positive about this its just like when the hd2 came out many said they couldn't and then devs did it and the negative ones dont say scrap so please let be positive we just need a dev to really try it will save many lives

quite impossible becuz of the hardware compatibility and the build structure of this phone. but who knows one day it can be done?

Meego

Hello all.
So I've been around the forum for a few weeks now, and so far we have booted Kubuntu mobile, Debian, a custom Android version and Ubuntu on our devices.
Maybe they won't work completely, but the people who started it are still working on it.
Now it got me thinking.
Meego, a linux based OS developed for mobile use (example the N900 which also uses ARM chipset) created by Nokia and Intel, could, in theory, work on our devices.
At the moment I don't have any access to a PC where I can try some stuff out ( maybe in a week or so, I'm on vacation).
But maybe someone else could look into it?
I would really like to see the Handset version, and later on the Tablet version of Meego on our devices.
Dympy-

I would love that too. I have used a maemo tablet before my archos and think that meego is way better than android, so I really welcome any efforts to port it.
The openaos guys are working part time on a port but there hasn't been much to use yet.

Accidential Double Post

The guys from openaos did this already on the Archos Gen7 (A5IT)
I think they could answers many questions about this
But my opinion is, why many developers work on many projects?? Many developers on one project is way better think about this...

After owning and using an N900, I am very reluctant to have any OS developed by Nokia on any hardware. I had such a bad time with Maemo (another OS that Nokia heavily invested in and then dropped in less than a year) that I had to install a hacked Android (NITDroid) OS onto my N900.
Nokia just doesn't seem to make good software these days. I don't know if they ever did.
I think LennB is right. We need more devs working on things like Cyanogen or Ginger/Honeycomb ports. Or even full root without the need for SDE.

That's the "Problem" with open source.
Everybody thinks that his solution is "the cure" and that others are doing the wrong thing.
Thats why most OS Projects are not advancing as fast as they could or will be crap.
Look at OO vs. Libre, so much manpower wasted.

I have to disagree about more devs on one project.
The devs themselves decide what they want to develop, if anyone feels like developing Meego, he (or she) should do that.
Right now I'm reading the ARM wiki of Meego and will see if I can find anything useful.
Dympy-

This is exactly what i was just thinking! I've had my a70 for about a month and i've been busy with school i just started looking through these hacks and i've tried debian. its nice and I was about to start to try to create a ubuntu version but Meego would be much better!
Not sure how far i can get but this is going to be my goal for the summer! =)

First of all, try to build an IMG that can work with the Angström Kernel, after that, you'll be able to boot on it with the OpenAOS Boot menu ^^

[Q] Help Me Understand Y HD2 Considered A "Legend"?

(Lengthy)
Phone HD2
Software = OS version 5.2.21913.5.0.94
Manila version = 2.5.20181424.0
Rom = 3.14.531.1 (04666)WWE
Rom date = 9-29-10
Radio version = 2.15.50.14
Protocol version = 15.42.50.11U
1st I would like to point out I am not extremely knowledgeable in understanding allot of the technical information xda developers has to offer & provides.
However pointed in the right direction, and explanations( mostly in laymen's terms) I can usually muddle my way through some fixes & updates.
Actually xda developers helped me in the past with a phone issue, and through the kind help of its members I was able to get my issue resolved.
So now I have returned, because while using Google to look up some information about my HD2 I ran across numerous articles and posts proclaiming the HD2 as "Legendary" and still one of the best phones being used today.
So this brings up my question/s as to why?
My last phone took a swim with me and I pulled this out of the closet until I decided on what phone to purchase next.
Truthfully I considered this phone a step above my boat anchor and could not wait until I got something else.
NOW, with all the praise that seems to follow this phone, the need to know why and what makes it special has had me thinking that maybe the thing this phone lacks the most is my inability to use it properly and update it into something I would enjoy to use.
I've owned many phones in the past, starting with a bag phone, along with Windows phones, Android phones and a Iphone4.
In the past basically I used my phone as just what it was designed to be, a phone to make calls.
Currently I still use my phone for mostly making calls and texting. I'll use it to look things up on the internet, but still prefer a computer and my large dual monitors when doing most other things.
So after this long winded intro and maybe useless information, here are the things I would like to get out of this post if possible:
#1- What changes can I do to make the phone more current and enjoyable ? (keeping in mind simple instructions for a simple mind )
I'm looking for insight on what people have done.
Maybe changed the phone to Windows 7?
Maybe making the phone android ?
ROM changes?
Software /Hardware changes?
ANY and ALL information anybody would share would be appreciated. I'm really hoping I can make some changes to the phone and start enjoying what I am currently missing out on.
However, on any recommended change could you please provide me a link or a starting point where step by step instructions are available as to how to make the change/s?
Again,many thanks in advance

Hi!
HD2 is a legend simply because it is a device that can run almost all the mobile operative sistems that are available (and not only)
as users often say, it's just like it refuses to die.
if you want to try the magic of HD2, i suggest you to start with this guide, the one I followed when rooted mine...
also, search for HD2Toolkit and for adb/fastboot drivers, very useful tools... I don't provide links because it's full of threads about this, just look around
hope I've helped and ready to help again
p.s. after installing android, for example, you'll realize how powerful HD2 is and how limiting Windows Mobile is

Two things:
1. Great specs for its time, one of the first phones with 1GHz Snapdragon processor that still holds up not that bad considering it's almost 4 years old now. I'm not complaining about performance with my HD2. That's because I'm either used to the slowness or it's not that bad or I don't have money for a new device.
2. WinMo, WP7 and Android - all available and stable on pretty much latest versions (Android can take some time to be working 100%, but it's not so behind other native Android devices which often don't get any updates at all) - this device isn't bound by the system, so when you hear two people arguing that WP7 or Android is better or discussing if they should buy an Android or WP7 phone you can just say "**** you, I can have both of them".

lukes91
I appreciate you bringing this thread to my attention.
Before I opened my thread I had run across this (and did not read all the way through) but with my limited knowledge due that it dated back to 2011 I was unsure of it's relevance.
So based on your post you prefer android vs Windows 7 install, or just using that as a example?

Thanks Spaqin,
Although now I am a little confused (then I was :laugh
You state the phone has a 1GHz Snapdragon processor
Is that the same as CPU QUALCOMM(R)8250B ?

exautomgr said:
lukes91
I appreciate you bringing this thread to my attention.
Before I opened my thread I had run across this (and did not read all the way through) but with my limited knowledge due that it dated back to 2011 I was unsure of it's relevance.
So based on your post you prefer android vs Windows 7 install, or just using that as a example?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do prefer android because it's open source and developers can prepare better roms in my opinion and you can personalize it
If I were you, I would install different android roms and try to find the one that bests fits my needs and my wishes...
Let me give you 2 more suggestions:
1) on this site (maybe you already know it) you can find many different roms and different versions of android
2) try not to judge a rom as you installed it, but let 4-5 days pass and perform some reboots: this way battery stats and the whole rom will succesfully settle on you device and it will give you the best performances it will be a pleasure

You make it multiboot, with WP7 and 2 or 3 android rom ( one Sense, one JB and one MIUI for example ). So you just reboot to change the OS and you can decide which one you like best.

exautomgr said:
You state the phone has a 1GHz Snapdragon processor
Is that the same as CPU QUALCOMM(R)8250B ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, that's the CPU. Without the B at the end though if I'm not mistaken, but that's QSD8250. So at least it's very similar to that your model.

Some good news from LineageOS for Note 4 users.

Taken from LineageOS website. I hope they can get this working.
Br0Zip: a new era of ROM building
We know our users; their biggest desire is to be able to get a stable custom rom on their device. Painlessly.
Lineage supports a lot of devices, but this big number is still small when compared to the amount of the devices available in the market.
One of our main goals is to bring the latest Android version to all those forgotten devices, but we also focus on user experience and security improvements.
The main problem with this cool thing is that you need a developer that builds and fixes all the bugs. It’s a pain, we’ve done it many times.
But these days are gone now. We’re deprecating maintainers. Yeah - you read it right.
We’re proud to annouce our AI-powered revolutionary product called Br0zip.
Br0zipperEngine, is a powerful AI that powers Br0Zip. Given any .zip ROM or .img kernel of any device (yeah - any device) it’ll be able to generate a properly working ROM.
It’s cool, isn’t it? But wait - there’s more: we believe customization is important, and that’s why we implemented a feature selector in the ROM builder wizard, so you can make your ROM truly yours.
Anyone, including those who have never touched a single line of code now can be a talented developer and create their own bugless custom ROM for their device in seconds.
The best thing? It runs directly on your phone - you don’t even need a supercomputer.
Br0zip trial will included for free in the LineageOS builds.
We can’t wait to see what you’ll build with it.
Keep romming,
The Lineage Ink. team

....Did you check the date on the post?

;~) What's life without a little humor?

However there is this thread over here for a very well working unofficial LineageOS port for our N910T https://forum.xda-developers.com/note-4/snapdragon-dev/rom-lineageos-14-1-t3536401