Related
Most of the information in this post is covered in various threads but I was recently looking for various options for playing video on my XOOM and found it frustrating having to look all over the place. I'd like to try and make this a comprehensive guide to playing video on the XOOM, including streaming over wifi, playing directly from the device etc.
Before you read on...
This isn't always a necessary step, but whenever you plan to interact with your device via USB you should ensure you have the latest version of the USB drivers from Motorola. In my case I was able to access the XOOM and move files to it without any specific drivers, but it's a good idea to keep them up-to-date to avoid potential frustration. Of course if you need to use ADB, you will absolutely need the latest drivers or you'll have no luck at all.
Playing directly from the XOOM
This is obviously the simplest solution, copying the video files onto your XOOM and playing them directly. This won't be the most appropriate solution for those of you with extensive digital media libraries, but we'll cover solutions for that later.
Plug your XOOM into your PC using a micro-USB to USB cable, one of which is typically provided in the box. You'll see your device pop up under "Computer" (Windows 7 & Vista) or "My Computer" (Windows XP).
Double click the device and you'll see that you're able to directly access the device's internal storage.
Double click that and you'll now be looking at all the folders and files on your device
You can now copy files to the device as though it was any other folder on your computer. Feel free to create a folder (I use one called "Files from Computer") if you'd like to keep your copied files separate from the system created stuff.
Choose your player! With all the files copied over to the XOOM, you're ready to play them but you'll first need a decent player capable of playing a range of formats. A couple of my favourites are:
vPlayer
Rockplayer
If there are others that should be added to this list, let me know.
You're all done - either of the above players should be able to play most video files, though I can't say I've really pushed them as most of my files are just XviD avi's. In my experience I've found vPlayer to be slightly better than Rockplayer especially when it comes to seeking, but Rockplayer's free version is an ad-supported full version and vPlayer's is just a temporary trial so it comes down to preference and willingness to pay for a little extra functionality.
Streaming over Wi-fi
This is going to be the preferred solution for many people, since it doesn't involve any copying/moving of files and will allow you to access that media library that you've spent so much time meticulously organising. There's a few different approaches here, I'll cover the simplest approach first.
Streaming from TVersity
If you already have TVersity set up, then you won't need to do much at all and you can skip straight to step 3. Otherwise, you can follow these directions to get it up and running.
Head to TVersity.com and grab the latest version of TVersity. I won't go through the setup and so forth as it's all pretty straightforward and is covered well in TVersity's own documentation.
Once you have TVersity set up, add your video directories to the library and (optional, but preferable) give your computer a static IP address on the network.
Open up your browser on the XOOM and navigate to "YOUR-IP-ADDRESS:41952".
You should see a TVersity page load up with various navigation options. From here it's pretty obvious how to drill down through your folders and locate any file you'd like to play. When you click a file to play it, you will be able to choose which media player you'd like to handle the file in. I've found vPlayer is capable of seeking and will play it quite nicely, but Rockplayer works well also, just without the ability to seek.
Mounting a Network Share
This is more complicated for the novice user (me, for example) but it works well enough and the end result is a little more user friendly once you get there. The major drawback with this one is you must root your device for this method. If you don't want to root your device, you'll need to use one of the other methods discussed in this post. This method allows you to mount a folder that you've shared over the network so that it can be accessed on the tablet as though it's actually a part of the tablet's file structure. This means that almost all video players should simply play the files without too much trouble (at least, theoretically; I can confirm vPlayer and Rockplayer as working with this method).
There are two apps capable of mounting shares, but before we get into that we'll need to ensure you have a CIFS module installed. If you're like me, you're probably wondering wtf a CIFS module is. When you root your device (I used the "one click" process described in this thread) you'll need to find a "cifs.ko" file that matches the particular kernal you've installed. If you use the aforementioned method, you'll find a cifs.ko file you can use inside the zip file (inside the "timat" folder).
Once you have the module use Root Explorer to copy it (or use adb to push it) to this location: /system/lib/modules/cifs.ko and then reboot your XOOM. If you have adb installed on your computer, you can use these steps to verify that it's loaded:
Code:
adb shell
lsmod
You'll be wanting to see the CIFS module in the list as a loaded module. If it's not loaded try typing:
Code:
insmod /system/lib/modules/cifs.ko
If you get an error like I did saying "exec format error" it means you've got the wrong cifs.ko for your kernal, so you'll need to poke around some more and locate the right one.
Congratulations, if you've made it this far you've completed the hardest part - the rest is easy.
Make sure you have an actual folder shared to "Everyone" on your network. Optionally, but preferably, give your computer a static IP address. If you don't do this you'll need to change your settings every time your computer gets a new IP.
Install "Mount Manager" or "CIFS Manager" from the android market. I'll give instructions for CIFS Manager but Mount Manager is just as good and works just fine if you'd rather use that.
Open CIFS Manager. You'll need to do this from the "My Apps" section of the market because for some reason it won't start from a shortcut or from the apptray - annoying!
Open the app-menu and select "Add New Share..."
Your share path should be: "IP-ADDRESS/FOLDER-NAME"
Your mount point will be the location you'd like to mount the share to on your internal memory. By default it likes to mount in "/mnt/cifs/FOLDER-NAME", but this is really up to you. Pick whatever you like here and then go to the next field.
Username/password will be a valid account you can use on the computer hosting the share. I just used my regular Windows 7 account here.
Click "Save Share".
Long-press the new share you've created and then select the option "Mount" when it comes up.
If all is well the icon on the right will turn green and you can now access your share by browsing to your mount point in your favourite video player.
Encoding video for optimal playback
-- COMING SOON --
Conclusion
As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, I had a lot of trouble filtering through all the different posts on this topic and it took a lot of time for me to eventually find and experiment with each of these different options. Hopefully I've saved you all some time and helped out with some of the sticking points you might encounter. If anyone has anything they think I should add, just let me know.
I do plan on adding a section for streaming over 3G, but since I haven't tried it myself (I have a wifi-only XOOM) I can't really contribute to that side of things yet.
If you catch any typos or errors in the above text, please let me know asap and I'll fix them right up. This is my first thread here, and I haven't even made 8 posts yet so I couldn't include external URLs, I'll go through and edit some useful links in as soon as I'm able.
Hi all, recently bought one of these nice little devices myself. This is how I got on, not all that's supposed to work actually does.
Rooting with Touchnnoter 2.1.31 was easy enough and I soon found SearchMarket to access Android Market. What does work: Kindle, QuickPic, AdAway, DropBox, GoodNews
So I could be reading books and news, but I'd like to have a bit more, namely web access!
- ReadItLater/Pocket is shown as purchased in Market, but can't be installed
- Stock browser shows starting page as Error404, directly opening another page works first time only, but links or scrolling don't. Plus it often crashes.
- pre-installed Opera Mini didn't work, so I uninstalled and reinstalled:
a) only clicking "accept" REALLY fast allowed me to open it at all, otherwise it'd crash
b) spiegel.de and BBCNews always crash, even with images turned off I only briefly see the page layout
- Opera Mini Next doesn't open,
- Opera Mobile and Evernote are supposed to work, but don't appear on SearchMarket
- Dolphin Browser often crashes as well, plus no add-ons can be found
Any ideas why this is happening?
Plus: can anybody tell me how to access the external sdcard? I tried several file managers, activated root access etc. but have never been able to access /mnt/ or external_sd or emmc. So I haven't been able to sideload any apk either.
Thanks!
I use Opera Mobile, I found the apk somewhere (not on Market).
The SD card appears as /sdcard in the system (i.e. shell or ADB).
It is the second device mounted on the USB (i.e. desktop).
If you are writing an application you need the permission android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE.
There's also Instafetch as an alternative clipper.
Regards market errors, it's nice to do adb installs anyway, just a matter of getting hold of the .apk, possibly from AppBrain. OperaMobile (not to be mistaken with the lighter streaming OperaMini) works well for me. Perhaps there's a apk direct from Opera available.
It sounds like you have a problem with market. Perhaps adblock could be interfering? As I say, check out alternative ways to install in the interim.
The last couple versions of opera mini don't work but luckily I backed up my apps via airdroid and have a version that works. Readitlater/Pocket does not work because their recent updates have dropped android 2.1 support. Have you tried es file explorer? In ES you tap the home icon on the toolbar and select Phone the sdcard should then appear as a folder
PatchMeUp said:
- Opera Mobile and Evernote are supposed to work, but don't appear on SearchMarket
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see both Opera Mobile and Evernote through SearchMarket.
Try to see if you can find Opera Mobile directly from Market (not SearchMarket)
Market -> App -> Communication -> Top Free
Opera Mobile is on the second page.
Alternatively you could go to Google Play on your desktop/laptop
and see if the Nook shows up on the devices (its called Phone).
Then install them on the website for the device, and a few seconds later you will see them install on the nook.
--
PatchMeUp said:
- Opera Mobile and Evernote are supposed to work, but don't appear on SearchMarket
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
play.google.com/store/apps
Browsing and installing from the webstore is definitely way faster than on the Nook.
Also, I use another app called Quick Search Widget. Launch it as an app or from the widget. It can search the Market, and also doubles as a Google/wikipedia/... search widget.
Wow, thank you all for your tips - quite a kick-start and steep learning curve!
SD card: my bad, as "sdcard" was available. But as I recently formatted this drawer on my SGS (wanting to format the external sdcard, but wiping the OS...) I was extra cautious. Settled.
I downloaded adb and installed apks, great! I still don't get it how to do this on the Nook itself. There's something in NookColorTools about the app having to be in /system/apps/ or else it won't work...
And I'm quite proud to have figured out why Market didn't work! There was something wrong with the content filter: although set to "all", a lot of apps were blocked. Having switched to "mature", I'm in business with Evernote and trying out Instafetch.
BTW: @Schneicw, you're the best! The working OperaMini.apk was the best birthday present (couple of days early)! You wouldn't happen to have an old ReadItLater.apk lying around as well?!?
Next, I'll give the ebooklauncher a shot. Fingers crossed!
PatchMeUp said:
W
I downloaded adb and installed apks, great! I still don't get it how to do this on the Nook itself. There's something in NookColorTools about the app having to be in /system/apps/ or else it won't work...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You probably do not have install of Non-Market apps enabled.
Bring up NookColor Tools, and you will see check box with "Allow Non Market Apps". This might be checked (but still not working).
So you need to uncheck this box and recheck it.
Also try out remote install of apps from the google play website play.google.com/store/apps from a laptop (you need to login with the same account as on your nook), I find that really convenient...
--
I've got my Nook Simple Touch rooted with latest Touchnooter. The thing is, I don't want to use the Android Market at all. I want to install the F-Droid repository instead, as it has nothing but Free Software Apps, and has satisfied all my needs on my Droid phone, and I would prefer to keep as much of my data away from google as I can.
I have the FDroid.apk file. But I can't understand how to install it. I have the box (about allowing install of outside apps) in NookColor Tools checked. But I don't know how to get to the file on the SD card to start installing it.
What is this I've been hearing about installing with adb? Does that mean you can't just go to a file manager, select the apk, and begin installing? Because that is essentially how F-Droid installs its apps. Just does it all on its own, you just click "Install". But if that method doesn't work on the NST. Than F-Droid won't work
Any help would be very appreciated. God Bless ya guys!!
P.S. also the stock browser doesn't really work right. just goes to a black screen after a couple different web pages. And Opera (the one installed by Touchnooter) won't open at all. Just flashes the screen once, then stays on the home screen.
We really need a custom made CyanogenMod Rom!!! I get the feeling it would solve alot of our issues.
clem11388 said:
I have the FDroid.apk file. But I can't understand how to install it. I have the box (about allowing install of outside apps) in NookColor Tools checked. But I don't know how to get to the file on the SD card to start installing it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should be able to connect the nook to your Windows machine and copy the .apk onto the sdcard.
For browser Opera Mobile works for me.
TouchNooter also has the Amazon Market, which you could use.
--
cbay said:
You should be able to connect the nook to your Windows machine and copy the .apk onto the sdcard.
For browser Opera Mobile works for me.
TouchNooter also has the Amazon Market, which you could use.
--
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well as a first note, I would like to say I have no Windows machines at all. I am 100% Linux
But I already have the apk file on my SD card. Its just I have no idea how to get to the file to install it. I thought that the app "Super Manager" was a file explorer/manager of some sort. But it does the same thing as Opera, I click on the icon in the App drawer, and the screen just flashes once or twice. Then returns the the home screen. No thing saying that it has crashed or anything.
So that is where I'm stuck.
Also, as a side note, I wish to use the F-Droid repository, because I want to use nothing but Open Source (Also known as Freedom Based) Software. Including markets. It's the number one reason why I use nothing but Linux on my machines. Linux is also faster than Mac or Windows, but won't get into that can of worms right now. hahaha.
You could write your own file explorer Jk
adb install seems to be the way for you.
Google "ADB download install", there should be a ton of links.
However now you will have software created by google installed/running on
your linux machine. (ha ha).
--
cbay said:
You could write your own file explorer Jk
adb install seems to be the way for you.
Google "ADB download install", there should be a ton of links.
However now you will have software created by google installed/running on
your linux machine. (ha ha).
--
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol Well I have next to zero programming knowledge. But when I find the the best open source file explorer I'm definitely gonna throw the dev more than a few bucks for his hard work.
I'll look into adb installing for now. Just really hope and pray we get a Cyanogen or some other real Rom ported to NST soon. I think would solve all our issues with a totally different rom on it.
P.S. yes, having proprietary google software is gonna bug the crap outta me!! lol
God Bless ya guys!
I haven't been using my HD2 in quite awhile & when I went to use it last the touch screen stopped responding. I use to have this app you install on Windows where you would run the app & it would connect to your phone. Can anyone please tell me what that is called? There are a ton of people that use it I just can't recall what it was. I want to download it again so that I can connect my phone to it & get my pics & stuff off it. I wish I could give you a better description but all I can remember is it had tons of features to it. It is a windows program you install on your computer so that you can connect your phone & see everything on your computer. I think you could do debugging, move folders, install stuff to certain locations, maybe it even had a emulator with it but I am not sure on that 1. It would be very useful so that I can get this stuff. Thanks for any help.
It is not the Android SDK but I think it may have had Android in the name.
Never mind, I found it. It was called Droid Explorer.
I just received this watch yesterday, bought it through Aliexpress (search "SWatch K2" or "Kingelon K2").
Review: http://www.gizmochina.com/2014/05/22/star-kingelon-review-of-smart-watch-android-os-4-2/
@@ Pandawill also stock this now @@
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AP3q_ZIZkYM&feature=kp
This is a complete replica of the Galaxy Gear. Build quality is excellent, looks like they use all the same screen, shell and band (with camera) of the original GG. Sealed non-replacable battery in a relatively thin body (about 11mm, same as GG1).
It uses MTK6572, has 4G ROM (about 1.1G usable), 512MB RAM. Pity there is no microSD slot to expand the memory.
It has only one button (to switch on watch / wake screen, and be the Home button). To navigate, swipe down from top = back, swipe up from bottom = menu.
There is a true Android 4.2.2 device and not some cheapo phonewatch with Java apps. There is access to Developer's options and USB Debugging (mine was set "on" already). This allows use of ADB to install apks.
No there is no Google Play store, no built-in web browser or video player. I am sure you can install these apps manually (I dunno how to install the Google Play package and I dont intend to do that).
Yes there is wifi, bluetooth (connects to my BT keyboard and working) and GPS (not tested).
I have not really tried out the apps, but they are pretty standard ones. I have also not tested the connection manager to the phone.
What I have done is so far are:
(1) Root the watch - after many failures using MTK Droid Tools, Framaroot, eroot etc., a friend gave me a tip about this chinese root tool called Kingroot. It is very successful in rooting most if not all chinese phones particularly those using Mediatek chips.
It installs its own version of superuser called kinguser, and its own version of su binaries. I thought what the heck lets give it a try, and it rooted the watch on the first run, and has no problem since.
Kingroot download page (Google translate) - choose "Kingroot PC ..." version
The program is in chinese. Installation was full of funky unreadable characters but most of the responses eg yes / no are the highlighted buttons. After installation, there is only one button to press. Just like all other one-click root programs, enable USB debugging on the watch, plug into USB cable and click the button, and it will do it all for you. Your watch should have rebooted when the process finishes.
(2) Back up the firmware using MTK Droid Tools + SP Flash tools - I followed this guide:
http://pinoyscreencast.net/how-to/get-full-rom-dump-stock-rom-mt6572-mediatek-smartphones-using-spft-mtk-droid-root-tools/
CONCLUSION:
This is a great find!! Excellent build quality, lightyears ahead of ZGPAX and SmartQ ZWatch. The hardware is similar to the Omate Truesmart / InWatch Z, except it is 4G ROM / 512 RAM with about 1.1Gb internal memory usable. I can live with this for the price of < USD 100.
You should go and buy this watch now because it is going to sell like hot potatoes. I am not going to test all the apps or answer questions about them, because they should work the same as Omate TS.
I am NOT a developer so dont ask me to do this and that cuz I dont know how to. I only back up the firmware in case I screw the watch up.
Hope that someone more knowledgeable would buy this watch to tweak and develop it. Then you can ask him questions.
I noticed this watch as well a couple of days ago. It looks pretty good, but the thing that still concerns me is the capacity of the battery, which is only 350mAh.. What are your experiences with the battery life so far?
was looking at getting one of these.
few questions:
is the camera quity okay?
are the photos saved to the phone or on the watch?
is the watch readable outside?
thanks bud
Sent from my C5303 using Tapatalk
Bought one waiting for it
Sent from my GT-I9295 using Tapatalk
!! Major setback !!
!! MAJOR SETBACK !!
[ ORIGINAL POST DELETED ]
Thank you doner03 for the solution - keyboard on smartphone will automatically pop up when you need to type something eg. click on writing aread of notepad app, when watch is connected to phone by BT and SWatch manager (smartphone companion) app running.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=53405588&postcount=16
(1) Don't bother installing a virtual keyboard on the watch - there is no input menu in Settings to change keyboard settings and set default keyboard. If you use a keyboard switcher app eg. Quick Keyboard Switch, it will force close when you run it.
(2) Although BT keyboard works with the watch, once you install SWatch manager app, the BT keyboards will stop working. You cannot delete the paired BT keyboard from the BT menu, and if you paired BT keyboard and your smartphone, it may make SWatch manager stop working. If you can use your phone to type on the watch, there is no point pairing your watch with another BT keyboard anyway.
timtop said:
!! MAJOR SETBACK !!
The watch does not come with any virtual (onscreen) keyboard. I also discover it is NOT possible to use an onscreen keyboard, because the input functionality has been removed by the manufacturer:
If you go to Settings, there is only "Language" (normally this says "Language and Input" in the usual Android devices). There are no options to enable, change settings on, and set default to keyboards.
I googled and found a post describing how to use ADB shell to enable and set (as default) keyboards. I followed the instruction but it does not work.
I asked in that same forum (the respected Android Stack Overflow website), and I got an answer confirming my suspicion that this function has been removed on this watch.
It is not as simple as the access menu has been hidden or missing.
It would be nice to have an onscreen keyboard, and I guess either BT keyboard or phone keyboard via the phone companion app have to do!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have this watch i just installed google search .apk and use the voice typing on search bars it doesnt always work but most of the time it does
---------- Post added at 01:52 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:46 AM ----------
92jacko said:
was looking at getting one of these.
few questions:
is the camera quity okay?
are the photos saved to the phone or on the watch?
is the watch readable outside?
thanks bud
Sent from my C5303 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes camera is nice (5mp)
photos are saved to watch but can very easy be beamed to phone with a click threw manager app (comes with watch) same with video
yes the screen is the same quality as of the gear it is ok outside
---------- Post added at 01:54 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:52 AM ----------
UntoldStories said:
I noticed this watch as well a couple of days ago. It looks pretty good, but the thing that still concerns me is the capacity of the battery, which is only 350mAh.. What are your experiences with the battery life so far?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
full charge and with you not playing with it every min last about 6 hours or less give or take heavy use (Pandora running) under 5
Keyboard is a BIG problem
[ ORIGINAL POST DELETED ]
Thank you doner03 for the solution - keyboard on smartphone will automatically pop up when you need to type something eg. click on writing aread of notepad app, when watch is connected to phone by BT and SWatch manager app running.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=53405588&postcount=16
(1) Don't bother installing a virtual keyboard on the watch - there is no input menu in Settings to change keyboard settings and set default keyboard. If you use a keyboard switcher app eg. Quick Keyboard Switch, it will force close when you run it.
(2) Although BT keyboard works with the watch, once you install SWatch manager app, the BT keyboards will stop working. You cannot delete the paired BT keyboard from the BT menu, and if you paired BT keyboard and your smartphone, it may make SWatch manager stop working. If you can use your phone to type on the watch, there is no point pairing your watch with another BT keyboard anyway.
timtop said:
I dont believe it, THERE IS NO VIRTUAL KEYBOARD in the SWatch Manager (smartphone companion)!! And why the FRAK did they take keyboard input access away from the watch so that we cant install KBs outselves?
How the hell do I type?? (sorry voice search is slow inaccurate and need BT connection). Without KB, you cannot use the watch to browse the internet or make notes etc.
The SmartDevice (maker of SmartQ ZWatch) scores in SW development - they actually think and add useful things such as (1) keyboard input (through the phone and watch companion) and (2) "auto screen on / show time when you raise your wrist to look at the watch" (by gyro sensors).
(1) keyboard problem - although I can pair BT keyboards with the watch, as soon as I pair the smartphone with SWatchManager app, I cannot get the BT keyboards to pair and work anymore.
(2) auto screen on / show time when you look at the watch - I tried both "Autoscreen on off" and "Gravity Screen" from Play store, which should provide this function. However, both apps force close when I run them. I suspect the watch only has simple gravity sensor but not the more sophisticated accelerometer and/or gyroscopic sensors.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well my google voice search is very accurate on this watch it just doesnt work on all apps it does on facebook in the watch and chrome browser and it does not require bt it required wifi on
coolkid893 said:
i have this watch i just installed google search .apk and use the voice typing on search bars it doesnt always work but most of the time it does
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you install apk's on this watch?
timtop said:
(2) auto screen on / show time when you look at the watch - I tried both "Autoscreen on off" and "Gravity Screen" from Play store, which should provide this function. However, both apps force close when I run them. I suspect the watch only has simple gravity sensor but not the more sophisticated accelerometer and/or gyroscopic sensors.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might need to install an older or earlier version of "Autoscreen on off" and "Gravity Screen" if available, search for it via google. You won't get it from the default app store.
Earlier version might not force close.
timtop said:
i just received this watch yesterday, bought it through aliexpress (search "swatch k2" or "kingelon k2").
Review: http://www.gizmochina.com/2014/05/22/star-kingelon-review-of-smart-watch-android-os-4-2/
@@ pandawill also stock this now @@
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ap3q_zizkym&feature=kp
this is a complete replica of the galaxy gear. Build quality is excellent, looks like they use all the same screen, shell and band (with camera) of the original gg. Sealed non-replacable battery in a relatively thin body (about 11mm, same as gg1).
It uses mtk6572, has 2g rom (about 1.1g usable), 512mb ram. Pity there is no microsd slot to expand the memory.
It has only one button (to switch on watch / wake screen, and be the home button). To navigate, swipe down from top = back, swipe up from bottom = menu.
There is a true android 4.2.2 device and not some cheapo phonewatch with java apps. There is access to developer's options and usb debugging (mine was set "on" already). This allows use of adb to install apks.
No there is no google play store, no built-in web browser or video player. I am sure you can install these apps manually (i dunno how to install the google play package and i dont intend to do that).
Yes there is wifi, bluetooth (connects to my bt keyboard and working) and gps (not tested).
I have not really tried out the apps, but they are pretty standard ones. I have also not tested the connection manager to the phone.
What i have done is so far are:
(1) root the watch - after many failures using mtk droid tools, framaroot, eroot etc., i came across the omate truesmart root tool:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2713183
this is the only root tool that works on this watch, probably because the ts (aw414) uses the same mtk6572 and android 4.2.2. I used root checker to make sure root is working.
(2) back up the firmware using mtk droid tools + sp flash tools - i followed this guide:
http://pinoyscreencast.net/how-to/get-full-rom-dump-stock-rom-mt6572-mediatek-smartphones-using-spft-mtk-droid-root-tools/
after the rom dump process went through smoothly, i tried to reload the backup firmware: All the different parts of the firmware are there except "uboot.img". The author of the above guide also mentioned this file was missing, but he found out that it was renamed to something else. In my rom dump, there is no additional file which is unaccounted for and might be the image file. I dunno if you absolutely need this "uboot.img" to unbrick the watch.
Conclusion:
This is a great find!! Excellent build quality, lightyears ahead of zgpax and smartq zwatch. The hardware is similar to the omate truesmart / inwatch z, except it is 2g rom / 512 ram. I can live with this for the price of < usd 100.
You should go and buy this watch now because it is going to sell like hot potatoes. I am not going to test all the apps or answer questions about them, because they should work the same as omate ts.
I am not a developer so dont ask me to do this and that cuz i dont know how to. I only back up the firmware in case i screw the watch up.
Hope that someone more knowledgeable would buy this watch to tweak and develop it. Then you can ask him questions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i am very knowledgeable with this watch and i warn you all do not try this root he is tellING you that works and iT very well might but the risk is exetremely high unless your a dev and will soft brick you phone even possibly hard brick please wait for a experienced dev makes a root tool and
ps if you soft bricked your watch doing this root
adb into your watch an erase cache and reboot
coolkid893 said:
i am very knowledgeable with this watch and i warn you all do not try this root he is tellING you that works and iT very well might but the risk is exetremely high unless your a dev and will soft brick you phone even possibly hard brick please wait for a experienced dev makes a root tool and
ps if you soft bricked your watch doing this root
adb into your watch an erase cache and reboot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I lost root after doing factory reset, and I could not regain root using the same method (Omate Truesmart root tool).
However, a friend gave me a tip about this chinese root tool called Kingroot. It is very successful in rooting most if not all chinese phones particularly those using Mediatek chips.
It installs its own version of superuser called kinguser, and its own version of su binaries. I thought what the heck lets give it a try, and it rooted the watch on the first run, and has no problem since.
Kingroot download page (Google translate) - choose "Kingroot PC ..." version
The program is in chinese. Installation was full of funky unreadable characters but most of the responses eg yes / no are the highlighted buttons. After installation, there is only one button to press. Just like all other one-click root programs, enable USB debugging on the watch, plug into USB cable and click the button, and it will do it all for you. Your watch should have rebooted when the process finishes.
coolkid893 said:
i am very knowledgeable with this watch and i warn you all do not try this root he is tellING you that works and iT very well might but the risk is exetremely high unless your a dev and will soft brick you phone even possibly hard brick please wait for a experienced dev makes a root tool and
ps if you soft bricked your watch doing this root
adb into your watch an erase cache and reboot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just ordered one of these. any tips tricks or advice would be appreciated
Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk
coolkid893 said:
i have this watch i just installed google search .apk and use the voice typing on search bars it doesnt always work but most of the time it does
---------- Post added at 01:52 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:46 AM ----------
yes camera is nice (5mp)
photos are saved to watch but can very easy be beamed to phone with a click threw manager app (comes with watch) same with video
yes the screen is the same quality as of the gear it is ok outside
---------- Post added at 01:54 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:52 AM ----------
full charge and with you not playing with it every min last about 6 hours or less give or take heavy use (Pandora running) under 5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello,
How do you install google search on this watch
Thanks
bab1c said:
Hello,
How do you install google search on this watch
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
download the google search .apk (newest version) to phone (i like to use the download folder in phone its makes it easyer to find in phone) with your phone open the smanager app use remote file manager
click the three white dots at the top right click send file select sdcard0 then find were you placed the google search.apk (in my case i told it to go to teh download folder) in your phone
when you find the apk click it it will bluetooth transfer the apk to your watch when it is done
Part 2 go into your watch opens apps look for file manager in watch click phone storage look for were you put the search apk (remember i used the download folder) then click the apk then it will prompt you to install app click install the there you go
p.s dont install every app you see because some apps will crash the watch even popular apps (mostly apps that look at your contacts these apps really screw the watch up) skype works but contacts in watch will no longer work once installed (untill you uninstall)gmail works chrome works google maps works (do not turn on gps you can only look at the maps you can not do a gps search with google maps) it will crash the watch gps function is kinda of a joke in this watch
or
in watch under dev options turn on usb debugging
unplug then replug in the watch to pc it will ask to turn on usb storage click it then the watch files will pop up on the pc drag the apks to the watch then just follow
part 2
---------- Post added at 05:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:51 PM ----------
akira712 said:
Just ordered one of these. any tips tricks or advice would be appreciated
Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes dont try to root it its pointless at this point and risky
install google search apk it is the only app that comes close to a keyboard that can work in this watch
do not leave wifi on in watch if your not using wifi it will kill the watch very fast
i know when you first get it its a new toy and your gonna play with it for awhile but they ship the watch completely dead so let it fully charger before you play and remember if you try to use this watch as a extra android device to browse the web or emails 30 times a day and not just as a watch it will only last about 4 hours if that
If anyone wants to type on a field on the swatch, when you are on it , on the swatch manager on the phone will open a window to type on the phone keyboard , it is not necesary to have a keyboard on the swatch
doner03 said:
If anyone wants to type on a field on the swatch, when you are on it , on the swatch manager on the phone will open a window to type on the phone keyboard , it is not necesary to have a keyboard on the swatch
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol ya we know that but its a pain in the a** were talking about a keyboard in the watch
Can anyone verify this? Kingo root? I've tried everything frama root can't get to the method button Idk if it's DPI or what.
Major mayhem works perfect. Couldn't connect moga pro had idea if I could use hid mode that I could get the methods no luck.
Sent from my XT907 using xda premium
Picture I took with swatch
Sent from my XT907 using xda premium
So I fount a ton of interesting things about it I got it rooted and it appears to already have google framework just missing play store and and input the build prop also has a lot turned off anyone tried this? I hate to break but I even fount the time format and I believe it be changed from 24 to 12
Sent from my XT907 using xda premium
So that's an Intel processor inside, I wonder if there are limitations on available apps from the store, or if I will be able to continue using all my preferred apps from my previous Tab.
That would be a reason to buy it or not!
This
Very few limitations. I just scrolled through "my library" on the play store and found only the following without an "install" button (implying incompatibility):
- Starbucks (I think more because of screen issues than processor -- which doesn't really matter for Madrid in any case!)
- MyScript NEBO
- Fast Finder
- Quick Settings for Android
- Do It Later
- MS Office Mobile (a screen-size issue, because Word, Excel, & Powerpoint apps work OK)
- Voice Search
- Adobe Flash Player 11
I can use NEBO.
Getting it set up is reasonably easy.
On my phone I installed it BUT did not activate it because it asked me to write on the screen – I have no stylus for it to recognize.
I then extracted the apk file with one of the free apk extractors
I then copied the apk over to the Yoga book and ran it (make sure you have developer mode set up).
When you run it for the first time a box will pop up asking you to write on the screen with your stylus. With our Yoga Books we have to switch over to “stylus” mode to do that then scribble on the pad. That’s it …. Done and good to go.
I had to do this each time a new update happened. Still doing it actually.
Hope that helps.
Thanks, guys, I've bought it and seems to run every app I need!!
I am unable to run "sandblast protect" on the Yoga Book I recently purchased. It's running the latest 7.1.1 software. It goes through the install process and then I get the dreaded "Protect has stopped" error when I attempt to launch it. Can someone try to install and run this app and let me know if works for them?
My IT department requires sandblast mobile to be running on any android devices that access our corporate email so this is an important app for me... Thanks.