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Here in this forum we discussed a lot about the Android upgrade issue and the facts, that we don't get the source codes. I thought it's Xiaomi's fault, other say it's Mediatek's fault. I still don't know. I just know that I want to get a new phone instead of that crappy device. So I checked for alternatives and discovered the Umi Z.
It looked interesting and not too expensive but when I read a review there was a point saying something about Android Updates. The Umi Z has MM and on their social media or website they announced, that the Umi Z will get an update to Nougat, but the problem is, that Mediatek didn't release the source codes yet to allow them to update their Android.
So that sounds very familiar and weird. Is Mediatek really so obsessed with their source codes and why do they do that? I mean, what do they lose? This kind of behaviour would rather make people stay away from Mediatek devices. But I guess there are enough people just happy without custom roms, updates and source codes.
Can it be, that Umi just said that to blame someone else for lack of updates? The difference between Umi and Xiaomi is that Umi has a normal Android surface and not an own like Miui. But at least they keep their customers up-to-date, inform them and show interest in updating. And they announced, that they plan an update for April. I don't know how they can be confident but I wouldn't wonder if they won't get their update in April, May or June.
So in conclusion, I think it's the fault of both, Xiaomi and Mediatek and I want to stay away from both in future. I'm thinking about getting a Sony, or if I get a chinese brand again then a Snapdragon and for sure no Xiaomi!
The answer to this is we are dealing with "fabless" companies i.e. they do not actually make anything themselves but outsource to companies that do.
It is the miriad of screens, sensors etc, that cause the problems with Android upgrades, not the use of MTK or Qualcomm SoC. MTK does release source code (occassionally) - users are disappointed when they find that it is almost useless because it does not include vendor blobs for their specific hardware platform - that is the fault of the vendor - not MTK. We have had MTK source for MT6795 for a long time now.
At least some China phone brands like UMI (but definitely excluding Xiaomi) have truth in their advertising and go to lengths to point out what brand and model of ancillary parts go into making the whole
My concerns about ROMs are exacerbated by the outcome of this attempt to host an official UMI ROM and also this attempt. If the report is true, one might presume that perhaps UMI have a good reason to seek to prevent people from hosting their official ROMs, but it still makes me wary ...
My X Style Pure (2015) was updated last Fall to the first version of Nougat (7.0) and has received nothing since October 2017. Moto/Lenovo isn't going to update the OS any further. I'd assumed that I'd still get the monthly security updates.
I know I can use an unofficial ROM to get the phone to Oreo. But will I get security updates? Is the carrier (Verizon) responsible or Moto/Lenovo? Would I have to do it myself, and if so, how?
Just curious as I don't think I've ever seen an answer to this.
The manufacturer is responsible for security updates for as long as they support the device. This assumes that there is no carrier interference with the process: something quite common in the US. Since this device is no longer supported, neither Lenovo nor the carrier is responsible for providing further updates. That now falls to the developer of the custom ROM you choose to use. Most developers are good about providing security updates, but they aren't required to do so either, unlike Lenovo or the carrier.
That's good to know--and a practice that needs to change. I think that the phone manufacturer should continue providing those updates far longer than they do.
TheHarbinger said:
That's good to know--and a practice that needs to change. I think that the phone manufacturer should continue providing those updates far longer than they do.
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LoL...I agree but in the Android ecosystem, it is unlikely to change. You want consistent regular timely updates for at least 2 years on date of release, then a Google phone (Pixel devices) is the only way to go. Ultimately, it is all about getting people to upgrade and therefore increasing profit. While batteries being "built in and not user replaceable" does lead to slimmer devices, it also means people will upgrade more as their battery life depletes over time. It seems there are a lot of people experiencing sudden battery problems shortly after 2 years on the MXPE. Strange...
That’s pretty quick: Xiaomi Mi 9T said to get Android 10 next month
The Xiaomi Mi 9T (or Redmi K20) is one of the better mid-range smartphones on the market right now, available in China, Europe, India, and several other regions.
Fortunately, it seems like you won’t have to wait too long to get Android 10 on your device, as Xiaomi told AusDroid that the Mi 9T will receive the update in October.
That’s a pretty quick turnaround time for Android 10 compared to other manufacturers, although the Redmi K20 series has apparently received the update in China already.
EDITOR'S PICK
Android 10 review: The most personal Android yet
We’re glad to see Xiaomi reportedly slap a launch window on the update though, and it means they’ll be part of the first wave of Android OEMs to offer Android 10. The update will bring a system-wide dark mode, Smart Reply for messaging apps, overhauled privacy controls, and security updates via the Play Store.
Hello!
I am again, after just 2 years, in a phase of searching for a new mobile device with a good official LineageOS support. And hopefully long support. But somehow I do not know on what my decision should be based. Maintainers are picking up support and dropping it by their own choice and for users there is no predictability.
I find this very problematic, specially if you are determined to use only official LineageOS and you base you purchase merely on that.
Official LineageOS wants to be a trusted, long-lasting system and also available on many devices. But this picking up and dropping of support for an individual phone models is sadly making LineageOS just one of many costum ROMs.
In my opinion, they (stuff, leadership,..) should (maybe even with contributions to few specific developers) "commit" to support FEW devices for a LONG PERIOD. Maybe even just for 1 device in a budget range, 1 in a middle class and 1 a in high class. I would be even prepared to pay for such support. On the other hand, other devices could be further supported in a way that are now - someone picks it up and supports it until the support is dropped. Developer's choice, their kindness, their time, their device choice. But for few devices, more predictable support would be very welcome.
This right there, an insurance of a long-time support (maybe at least 3 or 4 years (?)) for just few devices, would in my opinion rise LineageOS above all other costum ROMs.
In my case, 2 years ago I picked myself a device based merely on a LineageOS statistics website. I wanted to degoogle myself, so official LineageOS (more specifically, LineageOS for microg, which is dependent on official LineageOS, because I needed push messages for 1 specific app) was the best or even only choice. But how to select a device. On a FIRST place on a website stats.lineageos.org has been Mido (Xiaomi Redmi Note 4), so I selected it, of course, in a hope for a good, long term support. It was the device with most official LineageOS installs, good specifications and good P/P value. Even now, it is still very high at 14th place, but support has been dropped 2 times until now. But sure, I cannot complain about developers, they are doing it for free. I am truly grateful for their time, I have even donated to Lineage few times.
I hope the leadership of LineageOS will read this. In my opinion, they will be only able to expand and to exist for a long time, if they provided "guaranteed" long time support for few selected devices. Right now, I am searching for such device, but do not know, which one to pick. Because now, it is just a question "Which device do you think has good and long support?".
Now most of users say Pocophone F1 (or Xiaomi Mi A1) is best budget choice for great support, but hey, this model is from 2018 and in 1 year support could be questionable, just like it was with Mido, even thou it was on the first place as the most used device. I do not want to look again for a new device in 1 year. I could, but would rather have one for as many years, until it breaks. I have small needs, I do not care, how device looks, I do not need new flagship every 2 years (it is a consumerist idiocy), I just need a working, safe, updated, private, deegoogled phone, few specific trusted apps and a case. And a long, official Lineage support, because I trust you guys.
Please consider my suggestion, I am sure it is not a new one. I am sure it would be good for everyone.
Thank you for all good work and greetings!
Full ACK! I have the same problem.
Maybe, the "e Foundation" is a solution? (Google after "e Foundation")
I think exactly the same. Something like 3 phones in 3 three different price ranges but with long LineageOS support. Possible payed version of LOS.
Is there any way to flash the Wear OS global onto the Chinese Oppo Watch? Love the watch but not need wear OS
Nope, it has different hardware.
Sent from my Mi 10 Pro using Tapatalk
There will be a way - technically it's the same hardware, only the model number is different.
The issue is that there is no fastboot, OEM unlock or root available. Once we can write to the system volume, we can put the WearOS apps in there just as we can with the Mobvoi.
I've been searching the Chinese forums and there is no unlocked bootloader yet, once this happens - we are golden.
IseeBrickedPhones said:
There will be a way - technically it's the same hardware, only the model number is different.
The issue is that there is no fastboot, OEM unlock or root available. Once we can write to the system volume, we can put the WearOS apps in there just as we can with the Mobvoi.
I've been searching the Chinese forums and there is no unlocked bootloader yet, once this happens - we are golden.
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Chinese version use Snapdragon wear 2500 which doesn't support wearos (Qualcomm decition), Global version use Snapdragon wear 3100 which natively supports wearos.
Sent from my Mi 10 Pro using Tapatalk
Qualcomm changed the naming conventions when the launched the 4100 series chips.
The actual processor core in the 2500 & 3100 is the same. The difference is that the 3100 uses its a Qualcomm low power co-processor (QCC1100 / Blackghost) where the 2500 can be paired with any micro controller. It's all about marketing and product management decisions, there is not technical differences.
Oppo watch comes with the Apollo 3 co-processor which is the same that powers their stand alone fitness bands.
I expect we will be able to flash a WearOS ROM to the Chinese hardware, or at least - once bootloader is unlocked - put the WearOS / Google apps into the system volume.
That would be amazing, my understanding is the hardware is essentially the same as well. Hopefully will have a bootloader unlocked soon
i got also the chinese oppo watch 46mm here in austria ... really great looking watch!
Hopefully someone can figure out how to get wear os running on it ?
I just bought mine here in China and at the moment it is one of the few if not the only Chinese smart watch from big brands that can actually reply to wechat messages here in China. Apart from the apple watch or course.
I'm also looking up to the day when we can start installing wear os and custom apps. I only have a Chinese assistant breeno and that doesn't help me out very much atm
That would be amazing, my understanding is the hardware is essentially the same as well. Hopefully will have a bootloader unlocked soon
I would also be quite interested in flashing a wearOS version onto the ColorOS 46mm edition. Happy hunting for an effective method!
Hopefully, we'll able to...
I linked this discussion over to a thread in the WearOS subreddit with the same title, so hopefully that will bring in some participation and interest as things move along.
41mm here in Canada also scrubbing the web for methods.. hopefully something comes out soon! Overall awesome watch, but now I really want the 46mm
Just curious if anyone has gained any traction on this topic since it was last discussed. Happy upcoming new year!
Hello everyone and happy new year. Stay safe..
According to Oppo...
"the Oppo watch has the security boot function, so even if the kernel is compiled successfully, the unsigned kernel cannot run directly on the watch".
I am thinking to retur my Oppo watch 46mm back. I can't get the compiled kernel to run on this watch. No custom kernel, twrp for this device.
janjan said:
Hello everyone and happy new year. Stay safe..
According to Oppo...
"the Oppo watch has the security boot function, so even if the kernel is compiled successfully, the unsigned kernel cannot run directly on the watch".
I am thinking to retur my Oppo watch 46mm back. I can't get the compiled kernel to run on this watch. No custom kernel, twrp for this device.
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Click to collapse
Hi, thanks for the info.
I'm just thinking tho, oppo wouldn't exactly promote any kind of boot loading or hacking so isn't it normal that they said that there's a security boot function to prevent unsigned code to run?
Just thinking that no company would out right say it's ok to do it unless it was open sourced right?
Of course correct me if I'm wrong cos I ain't a hacker or developer haha, just a tech lover
I actually have a couple things in the works. I have two OPPO watches. You can actually get into EDL mode by turning the watch off, holding the secondary button while connecting it to the cradle when plugged into the computer. Im just trying to find the right bootloader file to be able to modify the system and dump the filesystem. Any help is appreciated
Perseu5 said:
I actually have a couple things in the works. I have two OPPO watches. You can actually get into EDL mode by turning the watch off, holding the secondary button while connecting it to the cradle when plugged into the computer. Im just trying to find the right bootloader file to be able to modify the system and dump the filesystem. Any help is appreciated
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This is exciting, and I think you're right about the EDL mode. I was able to engage that on my oppo watch (Chinese version). Just hoping for a way to get wear os flashed next. Thanks for sharing this info.
mottys said:
Is there any way to flash the Wear OS global onto the Chinese Oppo Watch? Love the watch but not need wear OS
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with a bootloader maybe we can
shanicejohnson said:
with a bootloader maybe we can
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You already know how to get into the bootloader?
enable usb debugging, comnect via adb and run command "adb reboot bootloader"