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Hello. I'm new to Android. I recently bought an S4 after 5.5 years with various iPhones. The ability to customize my phone is awesome, but daunting given all of the different apps and rooting knowledge that are required. Unfortunately, after having my phone for months, I've made little progress in learning how to do what I want to do with it because I work a ton of hours. Thus, I will pay someone to set up my phone the way I want. I live in Los Angeles, so I prefer someone who can do this in person. But I am happy to do this over Skype or the phone if possible. I have no idea how much to pay for this, so I'm open to bids.
I have an S4 on AT&T. It's not rooted. Let me know what other phone information you need. I would like the following from you:
(1) my phone rooted, and an explanation of which ROMs are available so I can pick the best one for me
(2) customized lockscreen setup, including the ability to run various apps/widgets with a numerical lock code, but not having to unlock my phone first (as I understand it, I need a customized ROM to do this because certain widgets run only without a lock code being used on the phone)
(3) customized home screens. Not just one though. I am envisioning a different theme for each page (maybe around 5 pages total). Thus, I want to be able to use a different picture on each home screen and potentially use different size icons and text on each home screen.
(4) some tasker automation (I already have a few ideas myself, but am open to suggestions from you to automate my phone)
I am not asking you to come up with the design ideas for my lockscreens and homescreens. I already have most of what I want in my head, and have downloaded the appropriate pictures. I'm going for a minimalist design. I just need someone to help me execute my ideas (which may include some photo editing), though if you have any design suggestions I would like to hear them.
Please send me a private message, including how much you'd charge for your help, and we'll go from there. Thank you very much.
Paul
Before you ask, what firmware are you running? The newest firmware blocked root access and is impossible to downgrade or root
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
You should look into SSLauncher. It's not what I use, but I played around with it for a few days. It is definitely the most customizable launcher on the Play Store.
This is not what a bounty is. You are looking to pay for work. This is not allowed on XDA and violated the free sharing spirit of XDA.
I am sorry for an inconvenience
Friendly Neighborhood Moderator
I'm just curious why every custom ROM comes with several apps hard-coded into them? I think Greenify is an awesome app and I bought it long before I Rooted my phone but I find it odd that in a lot of ROMs it comes pre-installed and you can't remove it. Not that you would want to, I'm just using that as an example. I'm more annoyed by having web browsers, file managers, music players, etc... forced on me. Is there a reason for this? It seems counter intuitive to the whole "take control of YOUR phone" philosophy behind custom ROMs.
Pulprat said:
It seems counter intuitive to the whole "take control of YOUR phone" philosophy behind custom ROMs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can build your own rom. This is what it means. You are not forced to use any of them.
You can also use TiBu to remove any app you don't like.
Because they want u to use their services.So their branded developers can make some cash or u use their rundown alternatives of? the same app.not all though ?.and carriers just draws data on contract (in case u didn't know)
Sent from my SM-N750 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Pulprat said:
I'm just curious why every custom ROM comes with several apps hard-coded into them? I think Greenify is an awesome app and I bought it long before I Rooted my phone but I find it odd that in a lot of ROMs it comes pre-installed and you can't remove it. Not that you would want to, I'm just using that as an example. I'm more annoyed by having web browsers, file managers, music players, etc... forced on me. Is there a reason for this? It seems counter intuitive to the whole "take control of YOUR phone" philosophy behind custom ROMs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
they arent hardcoded LOL, they are basic packages, because some people DONT RUN GAPPS, in fact its one of the points in using a custom rom. you can remove any time you want by using a root explorer and deleting their apks at /system/app and /system/priv-app (you can also disable them if you like)
and some apps even, if you dont like, are necessary to the phone start(i.e the launcher)
they cant know that you run gapps or you like X app, the team will build the rom per their standards, and to be functional in every case, using gapps or not, using x 3rd party or not
sure there are roms that dont come maybe with browser or music, but in these case, either the developers tell that they just use 3rd part ones or their gapps or recomendation already install a replacement for those
and no, custom roms arent for your total control, want total control? build your own,even google itself have a tutorial for that
Upon first launch these apps are installed
Apollo
Browser
Calculator
Calendar
Camera
Clock
Dev Tools
Documents
Downloads
DSP manager
Email
Gallery
Messaging
Movie Studio
OmniSwitch
People
Phone
Search
Settings
SIM Toolkit
Torch
Voice Dialer
I'd like to know which of these are actually supported.
I believe many of them have been abandoned by upstream, like Email, Calendar, Gallery, Messaging, etc.
Search should be removed, seeing as it hasn't been updated since like 1.5. Same with Movie Studio.
I disabled Apollo, Browser and Email within minutes, as there are better apps for their purposes.
VLC instead of Apollo, Firefox instead of browser and K-9 Mail instaed of email.
For some reason, Apollo, a third party app by Cyanogenmod gets included but not any other third party apps.
If third party apps are going to be included, there should be some kind of system as to what is included.
Is omnirom going to come with everything included or just what you need to get started?
bump
There are some open-source apps I'd like to include, but there are some issues (regarding package signatures) that make it difficult to properly include stuff that is also available on the Play Store.
Apollo's inclusion is mostly from inertia, I think that really needs a nuke and repave. Once it was submitted to CM it kind of just sat there. (I'm wondering if it was the victim of shady manuevering by the CM leadership like Focal was...)
Most of the other apps are included as part of AOSP - fixing these apps is something pulser is working on organizing in conjunction with some other projects.
In general, if an app doesn't automatically start a background service and is part of AOSP, we don't put significant effort into removing it since free space in /system achieves nothing for the user.
Frankly most of these apps are useless as Google has alternate in market eg.
Calendar
Browser
Voice dialer
Apollo
Camera
Dash clock widget
I generally freeze them after installing. Might use a script to flash and remove these after install
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
shri_chanakya said:
Frankly most of these apps are useless as Google has alternate in market eg.
Calendar
Browser
Voice dialer
Apollo
Camera
Dash clock widget
I generally freeze them after installing. Might use a script to flash and remove these after install
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But a solid rom *must* include apps to cover that basic functionality, regardless of what else is availabe in the market. Preferrably it should include excellent apps to cover the basics like that. No calendar? No camera? No browser? Those are *must-have* apps to be included with any rom). Unless there's a replacement baked in, it would be a major slight to cut them out. It'd be better to leave what essential apps in as placeholders until superior replacements can be developed/incorporated, instead of just shipping with gaping holes in the ROM and telling users, 'You don't like a barren, crippled build? Ha! Go fish!'
That kind of thing reminds me of so many Linux distros who spend tons of time on slick graphics, but don't even include basic functionality (*cough-elemental-hack*), leaving users to fend with a half-assed barely functional experience. That is just an atrocious way to go about things, IMO.
shri_chanakya said:
Frankly most of these apps are useless as Google has alternate in market eg.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To add to what Culot said a post above: an AOSP ROM should include apps to cover that basic functionality, and provide a fully functional and useful experience, not only regardless of what else is available in the Play Store, but mostly because an AOSP ROM should be usable without even having Google Play Services.
Hey guys, I plan on creating an app but I need some tips and/or tricks to help me get started. I do plan on releasing the app on here (Using XDADevelopers) first to get some attention, then release it on the Google Play store. Here are the details of the app:
App Type: Lockscreen Customization
Minimal SDK: API 16 (JellyBean)*
Testing Device: Samsung S6 Edge (Rooted, running Android Marshmallow)
IDE: Android Studio
Key Components:
The app must be able to detect weither the home button is being pressed (which makes the phone access to the launcher, we dont want that) and quickly intercept the action and return back to the locker
Allow to lots, and I mean LOTS of customability (Much like C Locker, which is the app that has inspired me ^^), some of these customizations include the following:
App widgets and custom widgets like images, text, sprites, etc
LED/Vibration/Notifcation settings for apps
Change speed of animations (Like NovaLauncher does), also be able to choose different types of animations for the lockscreen
Customize colors in app
Integrate Android Wear (make the watch vibrate or ring your phone is low on power, or when the connection is lost)
Different lockscreens that show whenever the conditions configured are met, similar to C Locker (like bluetooth connections, music playing, WiFi, SmartLock conditions ,etc)
This is the cricual part: MUST have several different unlock unlock, like fingerprint (Thanks to Android 6.0.1), pattern, pin, SmartLock, Slide-To-Unlock, and Gestures
Be able to integrate as a plugin for Tasker, like have tasker check for launched apps
Intregrate voice assistants like Google Now/Google Assistant, S Voice, and such others
Have high and steady performance for all phones like. Also not be a resource hog!
This may is maybe feature: Be able to do functions like override the system settings and bypass system lock via root
Utilize Material style (this is a personal preference tbh)
I will add in some more ideas I have for the app.. Actually, I haven't gotten a good name for the app, but I'm thinking of Trinity Locker.
As you can see, I have numerous of ideas for this app.. all I need is some help with creating it. I will warn you guys this, I am pretty new to Android development (I typically code on Minecraft, even created some pretty decent mods), so I need some guidance on what and how things work with the Android system. I do have some coding experience from coding mods for Minecraft and taking a class on the basics of C++. If you guys have some ideas or tips and tricks to give, I'm all ears. Thank you!
NOTE: Anything with a * means that it is subject to change!
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, I did also have a chance of using MIT App Inventor so I have a small foundation of the Android development. But I am new to Android Studio, so I need some tips with using that as well.
ALSO, to crucially note, I am in high school.. So I may not have time to respond to everyone/program the app since I have majority of my classes are cross college (or to most known as Dual Enrollment or Advanced Placement (AP)) courses :crying:. Oh and I live in the Central US Timezone, so my time will be different (or the same) for most
NovaViper said:
Hey guys, I plan on creating an app but I need some tips and/or tricks to help me get started. I do plan on releasing the app on here (Using XDADevelopers) first to get some attention, then release it on the Google Play store. Here are the details of the app:
App Type: Lockscreen Customization
Minimal SDK: API 16 (JellyBean)
Recommended SDK: API 23-24 (Marshmallow and Nogaut)
Testing Device: Samsung S6 Edge (Rooted, running Android Marshmallow)
IDE: Android Studio
Key Components:
The app must be able to detect weither the home button is being pressed (which makes the phone access to the launcher, we dont want that) and quickly intercept the action and return back to the locker
Allow to lots, and I mean LOTS of customability (Much like C Locker, which is the app that has inspired me ^^), some of these customizations include the following:
App widgets and custom widgets like images, text, sprites, etc
LED/Vibration/Notifcation settings for apps
Change speed of animations (Like NovaLauncher does), also be able to choose different types of animations for the lockscreen
Customize colors in app
Integrate Android Wear (make the watch vibrate or ring your phone is low on power, or when the connection is lost)
Different lockscreens that show whenever the conditions configured are met, similar to C Locker (like bluetooth connections, music playing, WiFi, SmartLock conditions ,etc)
This is the cricual part: MUST have several different unlock unlock, like fingerprint (Thanks to Android 6.0.1), pattern, pin, SmartLock, Slide-To-Unlock, and Gestures
Be able to integrate as a plugin for Tasker, like have tasker check for launched apps
Intregrate voice assistants like Google Now/Google Assistant, S Voice, and such others
Have high and steady performance for all phones like. Also not be a resource hog!
This may is maybe feature: Be able to do functions like override the system settings and bypass system lock via root
Utilize Material style (this is a personal preference tbh)
I will add in some more ideas I have for the app.. Actually, I haven't gotten a good name for the app, but I'm thinking of Trinity Locker.
As you can see, I have numerous of ideas for this app.. all I need is some help with creating it. I will warn you guys this, I am pretty new to Android development (I typically code on Minecraft, even created some pretty decent mods), so I need some guidance on what and how things work with the Android system. I do have some coding experience from coding mods for Minecraft and taking a class on the basics of C++. If you guys have some ideas or tips and tricks to give, I'm all ears. Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can only choose one minimum or target API level
Sent from my GT-S7580 using Tapatalk
DodoGTA said:
You can only choose one minimum or target API level
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What I meant by the recommended api is the api I'm starting on first (since that's what Android Studio defaultly sets mento the develop on the latest first)
Hey I have gotten the first bits of the app started! I'm trying to work on the setup phase of the app (where the app asks for permissions and basic settings to start). I even got the code uploaded on Github. Oh also, I might create a XDA Developer project and start adding some info there
Hey guys! I've been adding lots of stuff to the app! If you guys notice something off with the coding, please let me now at Github! Thanks!
Hello everyone,
I've got a Smart TV with stock Android TV (v 11, can't disclose client , at the moment).
Is there any way to add a super minor customization to android tv ?
It's literally minor, it's adding an entry point for an App, which is not an App Icon Launcher, because they want it to look like integral part of the OS.
It could be anything like an Icon (next to the other system icons like settings, input, profile), or an Entry in system settings menu' , or something like that, to launch the Application.
It's so minor that redo all the work and get into AOSP is way too overkill, it would start a completely different project.
No, the client exclude the option to just have the App installed, they want the App as it was integral part of the Operating System.
I've read several documentations :
- Aosp : Way too many cons for such a small customization.
- Android Operator Tier with Custom Launcher : Could be viable to do a custom launcher, but the Smart TV is not eligible for operator tier (Not sold in leasing, do not sell any pay/linear channel, it's just a plain Smart TV)
- Custom Launcher on stock Android TV : Not viable, it would still be an Application with its launcher or would need some tricky configuration which wouldn't look like integral part of the OS at all.
- TIF (TV Input Framework) : Would just modify and recompile the TV App work ? I'm not sure if it is possible and how difficult it would be and if it is possible to "overwrite" just the TV System App on a Stock Android TV OS.
Do you have any suggestions how to achieve the desired "customization" without loosing all the built in supports/services that come with stock Android TV OS ? The simpler the better.
Thank you so much in advance!
from what you're explaining isn't a minor customization.
what you want is to customize the android tv launcher, however that launcher is an app just like everything else on the tvbox including your iptv app, youtube app, netflix app, etc...
so for your to achieve what you want, you'll need to have some dev knowledge, and you'll need to disassemble, modify and reassemble the launcher app + do whatever customization you need done.
it's not impossible, however it's not easy at all.
option2: you can hire a developer to develop your own tv launcher with whatever customization you want, probably won't be cheap, but will achieve exactly what you want.
option3: find an open-source tv launcher, use it, customize it as you like, you may or may-not need to hire a developer to do extra customizations, your cheapest, easiest, and quickest way to achieve what you're looking for. just google open source tv launcher, i'm sure you'll land on a few.
example:
Code:
https://gitlab.com/flauncher/flauncher
donmega_icecube said:
from what you're explaining isn't a minor customization.
what you want is to customize the android tv launcher, however that launcher is an app just like everything else on the tvbox including your iptv app, youtube app, netflix app, etc...
so for your to achieve what you want, you'll need to have some dev knowledge, and you'll need to disassemble, modify and reassemble the launcher app + do whatever customization you need done.
it's not impossible, however it's not easy at all.
option2: you can hire a developer to develop your own tv launcher with whatever customization you want, probably won't be cheap, but will achieve exactly what you want.
option3: find an open-source tv launcher, use it, customize it as you like, you may or may-not need to hire a developer to do extra customizations, your cheapest, easiest, and quickest way to achieve what you're looking for. just google open source tv launcher, i'm sure you'll land on a few.
example:
Code:
https://gitlab.com/flauncher/flauncher
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello!
Thanks so much for the answer, Don Mega.
Damn i hope there was an easier way to add an icon.
I see...
No need to hire a developer.
I'm a Senior android engineering and I got a skilled team but we never had to work on the android TV OS system itself tho ( we're specialized on mobile apps and iot solutions, not tvs).
Btw .. I could develop a custom launcher but it may take time and as I said as far as I've read on documentation, a custom launcher would still need AOSP if the manufacturer want to override the system one.
Doesn't it ?
I ask 'cause AOSP is too much of an effort (at least just for an icon!) and several manufacturer who started on aosp and various customizations are now abandoning it (I already worked on a STB for British telecom and yeah, i didn't work on their custom OS specifically but i know they changed their mind in the end).
Probably because once you go that route, you loose all the support and services out of the box, and you need to take care of too many things to keep it up to date.
So they usually prefer to stick to Android tv stock version (wise choice).
If that's the case I suppose the manufacturer will be better find a more standard way to launch their app
Nimx said:
Btw .. I could develop a custom launcher but it may take time and as I said as far as I've read on documentation, a custom launcher would still need AOSP if the manufacturer want to override the system one.
Doesn't it ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no need for flashing a different OS or Custom Rom to be able to install a custom developed app.
so if you make your own apk, all you need to do on the existing tvbox, enable unknown sources, to be able to install your own apk on there, it should be pretty straight forward.
put the apk on a usb stick, plug it into your box and navigate to any file manager app, you'll be able to find your apk, click on it and install, on your remote control press the HOME button, it should popup a msg asking which launcher you want to load, since now you developed your own launcher and the old launcher is still there, choose which launcher you want to be default. you can always go into settings > apps and disable the old launcher so if anyone presses the HOME button again, it always defaults to the new one you developed.
so short answer, no you don't need AOSP or any type of Custom Rom
donmega_icecube said:
no need for flashing a different OS or Custom Rom to be able to install a custom developed app.
so if you make your own apk, all you need to do on the existing tvbox, enable unknown sources, to be able to install your own apk on there, it should be pretty straight forward.
put the apk on a usb stick, plug it into your box and navigate to any file manager app, you'll be able to find your apk, click on it and install, on your remote control press the HOME button, it should popup a msg asking which launcher you want to load, since now you developed your own launcher and the old launcher is still there, choose which launcher you want to be default. you can always go into settings > apps and disable the old launcher so if anyone presses the HOME button again, it always defaults to the new one you developed.
so short answer, no you don't need AOSP or any type of Custom Rom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The manufacturer obviously don't want users to do this procedure to choose the new launcher, but should be able to persistently active it overriding the system one. And that's why I thought custom ROM was needed.
If that's not true then your solution is the perfect one
donmega_icecube said:
no need for flashing a different OS or Custom Rom to be able to install a custom developed app.
so if you make your own apk, all you need to do on the existing tvbox, enable unknown sources, to be able to install your own apk on there, it should be pretty straight forward.
put the apk on a usb stick, plug it into your box and navigate to any file manager app, you'll be able to find your apk, click on it and install, on your remote control press the HOME button, it should popup a msg asking which launcher you want to load, since now you developed your own launcher and the old launcher is still there, choose which launcher you want to be default. you can always go into settings > apps and disable the old launcher so if anyone presses the HOME button again, it always defaults to the new one you developed.
so short answer, no you don't need AOSP or any type of Custom Rom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to keep you updated.
Custom launcher need user to set the new one.
But we found a possible solution without the burden to do a custom Rom.
Adding a new Ad-Hoc button on the Remote controller to launch their ecosystem settings app and/or a custom launcher (since this Smart Tv is a new model that will initially be delivered to several europe countries).
In this way it will look quite integrated in the android tv system, and the android TV OS will be always kept up to date from regular google updates, without all the issues plaguing custom roms like it does for other manufacturers.
Thank for your help
Nimx said:
Just to keep you updated.
Custom launcher need user to set the new one.
But we found a possible solution without the burden to do a custom Rom.
Adding a new Ad-Hoc button on the Remote controller to launch their ecosystem settings app and/or a custom launcher (since this Smart Tv is a new model that will initially be delivered to several europe countries).
In this way it will look quite integrated in the android tv system, and the android TV OS will be always kept up to date from regular google updates, without all the issues plaguing custom roms like it does for other manufacturers.
Thank for your help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sometimes i wish i was a developer, glad you found an easy solution.
thank you
It's still quite easy to become a developer due to high demand.
Not sure how old are you but I started when I was 34 yo by myself with no prior experience.
Nowadays, 5 years later, I Interview many candidates and I can tell the discriminating factor is not prior studies but dedication, high IQ (logic and abstraction wise) and learning speed.
Good luck if you'll ever decide to get into it
i'm 44 i have no patience for programming in general, I never did, I'm a full time network admin, and really into hardware a lot more than software.
but when it came to Android, i got my hands dirty flashing custom roms on all my phones. i started to customize my own roms for tv boxes.
but I kinda wish I did have some android dev skills, it's the only thing i end up outsourcing when needed.
thank you