Hey all, just wondering what the Fire experience is like in Canada? I just ordered one today, and having second thoughts after reading that Canadians aren't able to get through the registration phase on the device.
All I want is something that I can surf with, run apps/games that I install myself, and music/video streamed over wifi.
So, did I make a mistake, or what? I'm sure at some point soon there will be a custom Android ROM and everything will work then, but am concerned that the stock ROM won't be useful for me.
Thanks!
I have a kindle fire and I'm in Canada as well. I had no problems registering any US only kindle devices in Canada. I even got Prime to work, but I'm using a DNS re-routing service called Unblock US. You can install any apps that you like, however I couldn't install any apps from the amazon app store as it said that it was not available in my area. It must be because I didn't have a US credit card as my 1 purchase 1 click payment method. I installed Google's market and sideload everything that isn't there (facebook, twitter, etc). I'm using it to listen to Pandora and Netflix US in Toronto and I'm using Go Launcher EX. It's great! The kindle is a great device for Canadians, assuming that you're a bit technically savvy and you're willing to root the device. As Amazon released the source code for their port and ICS is also open source, it's only a matter of time until ICS is ported to Kindle Fire. You didn't make a mistake. I'm sure that you'll enjoy the device.
Thanks! I hadn't seen the Europe or Australia threads when I posted mine. Thanks for the confirmation though!
Does anyone know what the situation is with the Google play store? I believe they don't have it on Chinese phones.would it be on the global edition? Or would it be difficult to sort out if not? Thanks for any thoughts. I was thinking of trying this phone in the UK.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using XDA-Developers mobile app
The play store is usually preloaded on the Global ROMs that Xiaomi makes. From what I know, the only phones that get global ROMs are the ones that are sold outside of China. Even though the Mi Note 2 has a "global" variant, it's not being sold outside of China by Xiaomi directly. So I doubt they'll have a global ROM with Google play.
It's easy to add Google play manually though. It works just fine for me on their Chinese ROMs.
*KiD CuDi* said:
The play store is usually preloaded on the Global ROMs that Xiaomi makes. From what I know, the only phones that get global ROMs are the ones that are sold outside of China. Even though the Mi Note 2 has a "global" variant, it's not being sold outside of China by Xiaomi directly. So I doubt they'll have a global ROM with Google play.
It's easy to add Google play manually though. It works just fine for me on their Chinese ROMs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks very much for that information. Sounds good. I've never tried a Xiaomi device so didn't know how hard it would be to install if it wasn't preloaded. Out of interest, how do you enjoy the mui ROMs in general? Not as heavy as touchwiz I take it?!
Sent from my Nexus 6P using XDA-Developers mobile app
dwj said:
Thanks very much for that information. Sounds good. I've never tried a Xiaomi device so didn't know how hard it would be to install if it wasn't preloaded. Out of interest, how do you enjoy the mui ROMs in general? Not as heavy as touchwiz I take it?!
Sent from my Nexus 6P using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MIUI is pretty much a complete UI overhaul buy I enjoy it a lot. I like to think it takes the best design elements from both Android and iOS and merge it into one beautiful experience.
Sent from my MI NOTE Pro using Tapatalk
skw5115 said:
MIUI is pretty much a complete UI overhaul buy I enjoy it a lot. I like to think it takes the best design elements from both Android and iOS and merge it into one beautiful experience.
Sent from my MI NOTE Pro using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Mi Note 2 is listed as available in the U.S. on the Xaiomi USA site. It says it is the Global Edition, and that it does NOT come with Play store loaded. I'm not sure if that would be problematic, or if it can be loaded some how. I'd think any Android phone would have Play store ability.
ewingr said:
The Mi Note 2 is listed as available in the U.S. on the Xaiomi USA site. It says it is the Global Edition, and that it does NOT come with Play store loaded. I'm not sure if that would be problematic, or if it can be loaded some how. I'd think any Android phone would have Play store ability.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can side load it, it's fairly easy, or install a different ROM
Sent from my MI NOTE Pro using Tapatalk
well as many , i bought this from lenovo supposed official store on aliexpress and with a so called global rom
upon receipt i found that this version is a dissapointment in games while i expected 855 to run as expected 270k on antutu shows me that something is wrong with this , the rom is obviously a hacked hybrid rom with no rom upgrade capability ota. and i know this as i saw the chinese rom upgrade to july release.
the rom is here https://boycracked.com/2019/06/27/official-lenovo-z6-pro-l78051-stock-rom/
In the same boat here; Antutu is about 100k short of the norm, 3D mark scores (OpenGL especially) just as bad or worse.
I found enabling "Force GPU rendering" and especialy "Disable HW overlays" in Developer options an improvement. But this rom needs updates.
The Chinese rom has had a bunch of updates, reportedly fixing lots of bugs, improving camera quality and performance.
I'm waiting to hear back from the AliExpress 'official' Lenovo store if there will be official OTA updates for this phone. That's what they advertised with, so they can expect a dispute when they come up empty.
May be it's need open Lenozo Z6 forum, it seems that many people buy it and need forum to discuss about it
alexeei said:
May be it's need open Lenozo Z6 forum, it seems that many people buy it and need forum to discuss about it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with You. Lenovo z6 pro will need dedicated subforum.
For now i have seen 2 rom upgrade tutorials global and chinese version. As well as some issues reported like: notifications not working properly due to battery optimization issues. We need this subforum to make discussion possible.
So, how do we get a dedicated Z6 Pro subforum?
I think we need write to moderators xda
Hi guys,
I am considering buying this phone as it's the cheapest SD855 phone right now.
Just a few questions,
1. Is the global ROM an "official" Lenovo Z6 Pro Global ROM or it's only a rooted device running a stock-ish looking Android like Motorola?
2. In Aliexpress, there is a seller called "Lenovo Aliexpress Store"
https://lenovotech.aliexpress.com/store/5015097?spm=a2g0o.detail.100005.1.17ed620exNtnAc
- is this the "official" Lenovo store in Aliexpress?
3. I'm reading complaints about Global ROM having lower antutu benchmark scores but in real-life usage, is the performance like a midrange device (laggy, delay response when opening apps, etc).
I hope someone can help me decide if i should give it a go.
P.S. I bought the Motorola P30 (ZUI-based) from Aliexpress last year and in all honesty, ZUI s*cks.
There are too many bugs like
1. Special access to apps (accessibility, draw over apps), you NEED to give access every.single.time you open the app. ZUI will DISABLE access once you exit or turn off your phone!
2. Notifications will NOT work on 3rd party apps (even if you disabled battery optimizations, allowed notification per app etc).
3. Problem changing wallpaper of your 3rd party launcher (ex Nova launcher).
4. You can only watch 360p videos on Facebook
5. You can only upload 360p videos on Instagram stories
4&5 -- means, all the videos you watch on Facebook/Instagram are PIXELATED.
Too many bugs that I have decided to give it to my mom.
Regret buying this so called global version of Z6 Pro, with 8gb ram from a dodgy official seller on AliExpress as the purchase invoice that I received is from an unknown reseller.
Well this Z6 Pro unit has visible chromatic aberration on screen and warm tone which cannot be corrected from display options, FHD videos are not sharp or realistically 1080p enough. Has third class cheap user interface, 3D rendering is also jurky.
There are lots of other issues and bugs in it. To summarize I think ROM requires a major overhaul and the features that Lenovo marketed are not at all of any flagship handset but of a midranger.
If only Lenovo will just stop customizing their software and leave it as stock a la Motorola, at least for their global ROM.
Mainland Chinese consumers are different from the rest and i get that ZUI is important.
The bugs are due to ZUI not compliant to Google Services.
Anyway, I still think Lenovo Z6 Pro is a good buy among all other SD855 devices just because it's the cheapest.
And take note, you CAN install GCam apk with the device and the quality is comparable to a Pixel 3.
I do own a Z6 Pro (official Firmware): it is nice (if you can use the english firmware), but you have to configure and personalize a lot and even then it is not comparable with other (more known) Smartphone brands. Launcher und UI is different. Battery and & Display is very nice. If you rely on WhatsApp/Telegram or other Push services: simply don't buy it.
AnTuTu is 359528, latest firmware is 11.0.575
My review (in German): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uThSfE9riv8
I also own a Lenovo Z6 Pro aqcuired from from Lenovo official store (aliexpress /store/900160001) With so called Global ROM (11.0.211 ST). No OTAs after arrival, around 2 weeks ago.
It punctuates low on Antutu (~278k) because of GPU problems, but quite high on Geekbench (3.5k single, 10.5k multi).
Doesn't seem laggy to me.
I don't have problems with notifications on Whatsapp or Telegram.
Photos are quite good in rear camera, and good to average with tele and wide-angle. Don't use front camera, can't tell.
To get EIS on videos taken with main camera I use Google Photos.
To make rear camera great instead of very good I use arnova8g2 's Gcam 6.2.030 advanced mod.
I've claimed a dispute with AliExpress over the global Z6 Pro from the 'official' AliExpress Lenovo store. I'm offered a €70,- refund, or the option to return the phone for free for a full refund.
I'm not sure what to do. I like the phone, but if it wont be updated from the current 11.0.211, or gains any community mod support, I'd rather return it.
What would you guys do?
Regards,
Marc
---------- Post added at 09:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:12 PM ----------
dragon-tmd said:
I do own a Z6 Pro (official Firmware): it is nice (if you can use the english firmware), but you have to configure and personalize a lot and even then it it not comparable with other (more known) Smartphone brands. Launcher und UI is different. Battery and & Display is very nice. If you rely on WhatsApp/Telegram or other Push services: simply don't buy it.
AnTuTu is 359528, latest firmware is 11.0.575
My review (in German): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uThSfE9riv8
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry if this was answered in your review, but you are running official Chinese firmware which has an English language option? Were you able to install google play store?
Just watched your review, very informative I must say. I wish I had opted for the Chinese version, as that seems to work just fine in your review. English language suits me nicely, and installing Play store seemed quite straightforward in your review.
Anyone know of a way to install an official chinese rom on our global versions? Because that would make my Z6 Pro a lot more desirable.
To answer my own question; I found the below thread on how to flash an official chinese Lenovo rom on our Global Z6 Pro's.
I'm away from home for another week, but will hang on to my Z6 Pro for a bit to see how I like it with the Chinese rom and manually added Google Play store.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/help/rom-lenovo-z6-pro-l78051-qpst-edl-t3947149
the Chinese rom is arguably better than the global hacked so I do not advise buying the device with the global rom. you can install the play store and everything works correctly.
Below is a short video of the mobile phone's desktop and setup.
alexeei said:
I think we need write to moderators xda
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please refer to this thread https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1660354
Rivaven said:
the Chinese rom is arguably better than the global hacked so I do not advise buying the device with the global rom. you can install the play store and everything works correctly.
Below is a short video of the mobile phone's desktop and setup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have installed and WhatsApp does not notify with sound and phone apk do does not initiate call from recent or contacts
Any hopes for the custom rom devs to support the Z6 lineup?
nakarmkir69 said:
I have installed and WhatsApp does not notify with sound and phone apk do does not initiate call from recent or contacts
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes no sound for WhatsApp and I use the phone app to make calls.
Same issue here. Chinese rom, amazing performance, but no notification sound for Whatsapp. And sometimes i have to open Whatsapp to receive messages, even with the app locked (configured in Security). If someone has the original global rom please share with us.
guys, who have 11.0.211st pseudo global version, do not update it to 11.0.257st, it brings lots of troubles. The navigation buttons work wrong, the cellular connection is unstable. All that makes the phone as a tool tp crack the nuts. I do not know how to downgrade the firmware back to 211, because Lenovo does not give the firmware.
All pushes in whatsapp and other apps fixed, if you have root and installed microG (use signature spoofing with magisk module) instead of preinstalled Gapps. I install it, set doze mode for whatsapp, send message after 1 hour of sleeping phone and message successfully showed.
Hi friends,
Background: I have DirecTV Streaming Service for my home because it offers 5.1 surround.
I HAD their mobile app on my Sprint Note 4 but before Sprint was purchased by T-Mo I was prompted to update the app in the Play Store.
When I tried a dialog popped up saying that my Android 6 Marshmallow phone was no longer compatible and that DirecTV Stream now required Android 7, Android 8 recommended.
If I successfully flash an OREO 8.1 ROM will the Play Store permit me to update my app or will they see that I am a Note 4 and deny me ?
And although YTTV/Hulu etc apps still work on Marshmallow they have poor audio for my home surround system .
No, it will only see the actual version of Android.
I actually flashed CRDROID Oreo 8.1 and was then able to download the latest apk from the playstore.
Installed and ran perfectly...
BUT, my WIFI connection repeatedly disconnected.
So did my bluetooth.
And my S-Pen was neutered.
Battery life abysmal.
Also, OREO was simply baffling to me.
Nothing like the Marshmallow that I am used to.
I wish that there was a way to "spoof" my android version and APPEAR as Nougat 7.
The Note 4 itself proved that it can run the app A-OK.
When Sprint died I just assumed that the latest Samsung offering would be better than my 7 year old phone.
So I bought a brand new A52 in August 21.
$450.00 wasted.
I hate it.
Stupid aspect-ratio results in black bands while streaming.
The display IS an inch wider (in landscape mode), 6.7 inches vs 5.7 inches.
BUT, considerably shorter (in landscape mode) which translates to LESS screen area.
As a result, typing is nearly impossible on the diminished keyboard.
No replaceable battery.
No S-Pen.
Overall, a big step BACKWARD !
<rant off>
Maybe try https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...experience-pie-trlte-tblte-trlteduos.3925885/ (PixelExperience 9)?
There are tons of roms and at least 1 will suit your needs
traman124 said:
Maybe try https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...experience-pie-trlte-tblte-trlteduos.3925885/ (PixelExperience 9)?
There are tons of roms and at least 1 will suit your needs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks pal...I have only flashed the OREO I mentioned so I am a very green newbie.
I have seen positive comments about Pixel so I will give it a shot.
Android 9 > 8. Any apps for 8 will work on 9 (or 10 and 11 and so on)
Hi Gang,
I thought that I'd update my results for those who are interested.
I eventually got comfortable flashing the Custom ROMs/GApps and tried many variants from 7(Nougat) up to Lineage 18.1(Android 11).
I tried a Pixel Experience package with included GApps that was very nice but on THIS particular ROM the DTVS(DirecTV Stream) APK would not install.
I suspect that the very comprehensive included GApps somehow betrayed my device's true identity.
All the other ROMs that I successfully flashed permitted the installation of the DTVS APK and it streamed flawlessy on each of them.
I do not understand why Marshmallow 6.0.1 is no longer considered sufficient.
Anyway, in the end I was really enjoying CRDroid 10 but something I had not considered made this entire exercise moot.
My home has terrible cellular reception and WIFI-Calling is indispensible for phone connnections.
What I had not realized was that WIFI-Calling is associated with each carrier's customization and cannot be incorporated into Custom ROMs as it is closely held proprietary information.
And so I have returned to the stock T-MO ROM I started out with.
Like anyone else I must be able to reliably contact emergency services for police, fire, medical, etc.
So my current solution is to leave my Mint Mobile SIM Card installed in the Note 4 while I am at home.
And if I wish to stream DTVS(via cellular) while I am out and about I must transfer the SIM to my Huawei Mate 10 which runs EMUI 12 (Android10).
It lacks WIFI Calling so it cannot be my home phone, BUT, it streams DTVS perfectly on a nice 16:9 display (no black bands on each side).
Swapping the card is a hassle but it's the best option I could think of.
I hope other users can somehow profit from my experience.
Weird. The app is not looking for the phone model; it's looking for the Android version.
Correct !
I can only assume that the model and droid version are conflated since the Note 4 was last updated in 2015 (marshmallow 6.0.1) and no further updates were/are authorized.
And so if the app sees Note 4 it can only be 6.0.1 max.
Just guessing here.
I spent alot of time studying build.prop mods to spoof my version but that never panned out.
I feel like I need to restate this: it doesn’t care if you have a note4 and limit based on that. It only limits based on version of Android.
Weird that PixelExperience didn’t work….
Lord_Ligonier said:
Correct !
I can only assume that the model and droid version are conflated since the Note 4 was last updated in 2015 (marshmallow 6.0.1) and no further updates were/are authorized.
And so if the app sees Note 4 it can only be 6.0.1 max.
Just guessing here.
I spent alot of time studying build.prop mods to spoof my version but that never panned out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2016. That's when Marshmallow was released. 2015 was Lollipop
I Recently learned of a Magisk Module called "Hide Props Config"
that promises to fake my version...
How To Spoof/Fake The Android Version On Your Device
How to Spoof/Fake the Android Version on your device
In this comprehensive guide, we will show you the steps to spoof/fake the current Android version on your device to an older one.
droidwin.com
Trying to understand how this might work to make MY android version masquerede as a newer version that would permit the installation of the DTVS APK.
It appears that having rooted via Chainfire that I would need to unroot and then start over with Magisk.
Something about the stock boot.img being patched creating an obstacle to the installation.
Has anyone successfully installed Magisk while previously rooted ?
I tried and the app installs but two critical buttons are grayed out at the bottom of the app.
SU and Modules.
Anyone ???