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I am constantly seeing blogs about fragmentation and how it is poisoning the well for developers. I personal think it is a load of crap, but i thought i would ask the developers.
What do you guys think?
Is fragmentation an issue?
YES, it could be an issue if Google did nothing to fix it, but they are:
http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/29/exclusive-android-froyo-to-take-a-serious-shot-at-stemming-plat/
Not pretending to be an expert, or even a developer, but plenty of apps didn't cross well from various WinMo builds, or devices. WinMo fragmentation hasn't been trending. It's a rhetorical buzzword sustained by iPhanbois, imo.
bwhite82 said:
YES, it could be an issue if Google did nothing to fix it, but they are:
http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/29/exclusive-android-froyo-to-take-a-serious-shot-at-stemming-plat/
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Click to collapse
Yea I saw that too
It's just today we are suppose to be in fragmentation hell... It's just i don't see it.
Once in a while i will tell my friend with a Samsung Moment about an app, and for some reason he does not see it in the market, but this is few and far between.
I chose yes but I doubt it will kill android. It is annoying though to have a phone that is way behind because the maker of the custom UI is too lazy to do anything.
It did not kill the pc, or Windows for that matter. It will probably be gaming benefiting the most of future power increases.
Yeah, iFanboys are the most common people to critizise android for fragmentation - but they are not safe either.
Now with 2g, 3g, 3gs and ipad - and all having diffrent hardware in one way or another - they will also experience fragmentation. Esp. now that OS4 wont be feature-complete on 3g vs 3gs - and ipad wont get it until later.
Just because android got 3 res (320, 480 and 800) doesnt mean that it will be problems since 1.6 came out. Sure they need to fix/force vendors to upgrade handsets to latest android, so that people wont be left out - but since 1.6 that problem is much smaller, and there aint many handsets left out there with builds earlier then 1.6.
It's a problem.
Why do you think there are so many apps that are rated lowly on the market because of incompatibilities.
If there was only 1 phone and 1 version of android to code for, then bugs and compatibility would nearly be a thing of the past.
I think it's an issue, but a minor one. I'd rather them improve the OS rapidly and deal with not being able to use some apps, than sit with a stagnate OS but have more apps.
Like the other poster said though, they are going to try to fix it after 2.2 and work on making apps more compatible with all OS versions.
Hell, at least they realize it's a problem. Microsoft sure didn't give a ****, and doesn't now with 7 series.
Because of the "vendor delay" and the frequent Android releases, Android phones seem to have a 5-month lifecycle (my 1.5 Magic is 6 months old now, and I still can't use Donut/Eclair apps like Goggles, Maps w/ Buzz and many new apps that require 1.6+).
Access to applications is what makes most people buy smartphones. Remove or limit this, and people will switch to other vendors or platforms.
For people that root and switch custom roms, this doesn't seem like a big issue. But the majority of the users won't have access to all the new 1.6/2.1 apps being released on the market.
clamknuckle said:
I think it's an issue, but a minor one. I'd rather them improve the OS rapidly and deal with not being able to use some apps, than sit with a stagnate OS but have more apps.
Like the other poster said though, they are going to try to fix it after 2.2 and work on making apps more compatible with all OS versions.
Hell, at least they realize it's a problem. Microsoft sure didn't give a ****, and doesn't now with 7 series.
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@Clam*, you're right about them realizing it's a problem and working on it.
I believe they plan to have every phone running the same version of android, but with many add-ons available from the market.
This is surely a desirable route. Might it never happen? I haven't the slightest.
Alternatively a big pack of goodies you can get from online or preferrably the market that has all the addons depending on the sufficiency of phone hardware.
Hell, better yet! It could be part of the "first use tutorial" we all know and love
The first time the user turns on the phone after entering google info etc. they can check all the options they want and it will automatically download them from googles servers and set them up on the phone.
Very reminiscent of certain linux installations with addons from repositories.
OpenSuSE comes to mind.
Or to speed that process up, the phone retailer can install the addons specific for that phone.
Though it would still be nice to have the option to checkmark features at our own whim, allowing the system to discard the rest for example.
Of course if the addons were discarded or never installed by phone retailers in the first place they could still be downloaded from googles servers automatically.
**To Google Gods: It would be nice to have such options in the settings where we could enable and disable features and have them download or be discarded in the background**
There are so many methods out there to make fragmentation nothing more than a bygone.
I hope Google can turn this OS into what I've dreamed (figuratively) that it could be..
Ahh how I concieve ideas that will likely never occur..
Sorry.. i could write volumes about my futile ideas for the world, though I'm too hopeful and eager.
I'm sad to say..
"Such is our reality serving as the torrent thrusting back creative thought." -me
I have about two weeks experience with Android OS and as a software developer I will be interested to know the technical details behind the Android OS.
I have already noticed this is possible to upgrade applications ported with the handset's ROM i.e. the Market app. This raised the question to me why can't I uninstall applications from the ROM without rooting or risking my handset's warranty to achieve this?
Is my expectation as a user of computers for 20 years unreasonable to think in 2010 with all software development and technological advances the uninstall feature should have been in Android OS from day one?
This is not exactly like Google is the first company in the world developed an OS to just the lack of experience with what users would want. From what I have seen so far in world of Android is that, the first thing users would want to know how to root their handset to remove packages that they have no use for.
My guess is that Google doesn't want users removing Systems apps. I'm assuming that they think that these applications are core and thus don't want you removing them. Remove the market, no more apps... or way to get it back etc.
Applications installed by you can be uninstalled, I'm just thinking it is the same as in windows, you can't uninstall the task manager etc (Bad example but meh =P)
Very simple - to prevent lay users from removing critical components.
Can you imagine the service costs involved in reparing devices that that have been damaged by people trying to remove bloatware?
They still give you the option to restore.
OK DISREGUARD THIS AS I MISSED THE PART ABOUT NEEDING TO ROOT!
They can be removed but its not recommended to do so without know EXACTLY what your removing and weather is vital to your phones operating system.
BUT in order to do so your phone needs root access, and root explorer installed. There are several forums on just about all android support sites that explain how to root, install the manager, and which apps/files NOT to remove.
J_HaX said:
They can be removed but its not recommended to do so without know EXACTLY what your removing and weather is vital to your phones operating system.
BUT in order to do so your phone needs root access, and root explorer installed. There are several forums on just about all android support sites that explain how to root, install the manager, and which apps/files NOT to remove.
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Ye u can remove almost every stock app but this may affect the stability of your phone, modifying your phone always comes with the option restoring it back to default. If something goes wrong with moding (something really hard and extraordinary rare ) u can restore it. Browsing through Xda might solve many questions, we all didn't wanted stock rom (not because it was bad, because we can have s omething better. This community has VERY VERY good developers.
Androids own!!!
One thing I still don't get is...
How can Google upgrade Market app without the su privilage but the rest of the world has to root their phones to remove bloatware such as 'amazon mp3'?
@ftgg99: How much bloatware in Windows cost Microsoft or PC manufacturers? None in fact they get paid to include them with your hardware. However, I see an issue with mobile devices. You have already paid for the ROM storage, the bigger ROM size is the more expensive your handset would be, then the manufacturer uses your already paid ROM to make even more money by installing bloatware. I would be a fool to think manufacturers would pass on a percentage of the bloatware earnings by reducing the cost of their products to the consumers in this model.
The way I see it, the burden has been put on the communities such as xda. Users wouldn't ask the manufacturers how to root their handsets and this is left to the dedicated individuals to overcome the mess compnies normally leave us with. I'm not going to say the mess is a cost saving measure by companies.
The thing is that there are a lot more people buy and use phones than computers. After someone buys a smart phone with intention to use for calls, text, web and to use some apps, they realize the possibilities of the smart phone, they start digging in to the files, therefore Google blocked the root folder from modifying, otherwise Google would have to repair warrantied phones that didn't have to end up there just because people didn't know or care what they did. But if you got passed ROOTING, you must know what you are doing and from this point you can modify files and apps, but now ROOTING becomes too easy.
Basically just because too many juveniles got their hands on the equipment.
CSharpHeaven said:
One thing I still don't get is...
How can Google upgrade Market app without the su privilage but the rest of the world has to root their phones to remove bloatware such as 'amazon mp3'?
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Click to collapse
I'm also very interested to read the answer for this one!
CSharpHeaven said:
One thing I still don't get is...
How can Google upgrade Market app without the su privilage but the rest of the world has to root their phones to remove bloatware such as 'amazon mp3'?
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Click to collapse
RAMMANN said:
I'm also very interested to read the answer for this one!
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The answer, from my point of view, is quite simple: they just upgrade the application on /data/app ON TOP of the /system/app default Market version. So, you can always go back to your "default" version just by "uninstalling updates".
Summary: they do not upgrade the Market form ROM, just install the new version on top.
CSharpHeaven said:
I have about two weeks experience with Android OS and as a software developer I will be interested to know the technical details behind the Android OS.
I have already noticed this is possible to upgrade applications ported with the handset's ROM i.e. the Market app. This raised the question to me why can't I uninstall applications from the ROM without rooting or risking my handset's warranty to achieve this?
Is my expectation as a user of computers for 20 years unreasonable to think in 2010 with all software development and technological advances the uninstall feature should have been in Android OS from day one?
This is not exactly like Google is the first company in the world developed an OS to just the lack of experience with what users would want. From what I have seen so far in world of Android is that, the first thing users would want to know how to root their handset to remove packages that they have no use for.
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Click to collapse
Have you tried to work with iPhone(don't know about iPhone 4)? They build fortress around their system and even the apps you install cannot be uninstalled until you gailbrake it and use 3rd party installer to uninstall. And not talking about the "MONOPLY" they run with AT&T.
Edit: Important: The newer V4 version of LeSec may no longer be usable for non-Chinese speakers. See this post #17 here, also to discuss alternatives
For all you Lenovo users out there,
I wanted to (re-)introduce this application. Because I have the impression that many Lenovo phone users rather quicly move on to migrated ROM's from for example APKHOT/Smileyvvv/Etotalk etc, where this app is cooked out.
You may want to reconsider going back to it, if it will still work on your phone with whatever ROM you have. It is really a very useful utility:
Firstly, it is a virusscanner. Not sure how useful a virusscanner is on Android, and as I want to avoid that discussion in this thread, that is the last I say about it.
It is also anti-spam. You can black- or whitelist SMS and Calls. See screenshots for an impression. Very useful.
Anti-theft is there. Send SMS upon SIM change, or remotely instruct the phone to send location or self-destruct. I suspect, but did not try, the SMS instruction is stored in /system, so a data-wipe will not undo this. But a good hacker will fully flash, so it only protects against noob thieves, like all anti-theft apps.
But those are common functions, readily availible in other apps. But now for the interesting feature:
It has a firewall. If that is the correct name. Or an app-wall. An permission-wall? You know those apps that you download that for some reason want permission to send SMS? Why does it need that? Or why does it want to read my contacts?
Well, you can per-app decide to block a permission. This app does not need to read my contacts. That app does not need to send SMS. And it will show you if an app tried to anyway. How cool is that?
Guest- and Childmode. Hide some apps. After all, we do not want junior to see daddies tripple-X rated apps. Or the wife. Which is why you can also hide certain contact's and call-history entries (wink, wink). It may also apply to banking apps and your bookie, though that is a bit more boring. Oh, and in Child mode the radio turns of as we want to protect junior from radiation...
Some of you that use Etotalk or APKHOT ROMS may have noticed the notification area buttons to these last two that were dead because this app was missing.
We could of course worry about whether this app in itself is not a spy, reporting everything you do to the Chinese government. But you may not be aware that this is true for *any* Chinese clone you buy. Typically those clonemakers do not release the kernel or framework source, so such a spy would be in there, not in a de-installable app. And if you are really worried about it, make sure you get a phone where you can install CyanogenMod compiled from source.
Personally, I doubt either Lenovo or China is interested in me, and if they do it means they have a Infinitesimals bigger datastore to clog their machinery before they find something on people like Liu Xiaobo or Tenzin Gyatso, which is actually a good thing. But I suspect the app is simply without such sinister intentions.
Anyway, attached is the version I got from my phone. From a Lenovo A750 ICS 4.0.3 S306. But I suspect it works with any phone that uses the Lenovo Framework, so any Lenovo ICS phone that has a not too heavily modded ROM. It did also work on the ICS 4.0.3 Lenovo P700 ROW S113 (Rest Of World edition) edition.
I provide update.zip installers for MT6575 and MT6577 (because I know their partition table). It probably also works on Lenovo Framework phones based on MT6573/MT7513 or even MSM7227/MSM7527, maybe even GB ones. But then you need to take the two *.apk files from inside the zip file, and copy them manually into /system/app, as the update.zip installer will not work for that.
But do try, and please report back if it does or does not work on your phone/rom. There is also an uninstall package. Oh, and you are messing with /system, so as always, at your own risk, ensure you can always flash back a working ROM or have a Nandroid backup before you experiment.
Your zip didn't work on my A789, which is using the apkhot based rom available on forum.china-iphone.ru. After extracting the apk files, copying to /system/app and manually setting permissions, it's working like a charm.
Thanks, I really missed it. On the most recent cooked roms, I miss many things available on the Lenovo official ones, like the fm transmitter, or the butterfly-like widget on the default home screen. Some cookers tend to leave out any non standard apps without even taking some time to know what they do. Not all Chinese apps are rubbish or impossible to understand, and Lenovo is a serious company.
Ok, here you have the FM radio and transmitter of the A789, but it probably does not work, as it is Odex'ed.
And I uploaded seperate installers for MT6575 and MT6577
Also, on your APKHOT, please confirm it actually blocks permissions and blacklists SMS. I am not sure how much the APKHOT deviates from the Lenovo Framework, so merely being able to install and configure may be too soon to tell.
PS: why not try my factory-cleaned A789 ROM? It comes with all those apps by default, and I now have 3 positive feedback.
Come to think of it, why did I take this security app from A750, when A789 is newer....
Edit: Because they are both the same version. In fact the LeSec has not changed since Dec 2010, according to the internal dex binary.
I have tested call blocking and it works, but it isn't so important, since call blocking is a built in feature of the Mediatek framework. You can block calls from any contact you have on your Google account just out of the box, and it works great. I've tested older phones which used older Mediatek chipsets and that feature has been part of the Mediatek framework since MT6573.
The FM transmitter won't work that way, since it is odexed. But it doesn't work deodexed, either. I've just got a deodexed version of the app, thanks to a friend from another forum, and it doesn't work very well. It works, but I had to stick the phone to the antenna on my radio in order to hear something. People I've talked to say that the transmitter works great on the stock Lenovo roms, so maybe it's just some incompatibility with the apkhot roms.
The only reason I'm not using your rom (which I have downloaded) is that I wanted to setup the phone in Spanish, and the rom I'm currently using is the only one I've found which contains that language. Just a quick question: is there any noticable performance increase on the s227 based roms? If so, I don't care using the phone in English, since I just want the most feature rich rom.
Thinking it twice, I've remembered another reason. One of the things I like most about the apkhot rom I'm using is that the external sdcard is mounted on /sdcard and not /mnt/sdcard2, which avoids problems with many apps. I tried one of the newest apkhot roms, based on s227, and none of the tricks to exchange /sdcard and /mnt/sdcard2 worked with it.
I'll reply to that in the A789 thread, as we seem to deviate from the security app.
cybermaus said:
Edit: Because they are both the same version. In fact the LeSec has not changed since Dec 2010, according to the internal dex binary.
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Click to collapse
I remember there was an update of that app on my A750 with your ROM. Now with apkhot I installed that package posted above and I have the older / original version. But there is no update offered...
That was probably on the S148 Gingerbread ROM. That one has an older version. I know, because I messed up trying to install it, as I had that older GB version and the new ICS one both in my Titanium backup. Also, the Dec 2010 date is probably false, I just got OTA ROW_S114, and it too had all files timestamed to Dec 2010. But I am certain the LeSec from S306 and S227 are the same, the binary compared identical. Official version is V3.5.1.3.5.2.0041 and the update button tells me there is no newer.
Every so often it does update the virus/blacklist signatures, but that is not the app itself. Current virus signature 2012.09.14 Current harasment (blacklist) 2012.07.11
But if you find a newer one, please do let me know.
I've been trying LeSec further and it works, but I found a problem I wasn't able to fix, so, until I found a solution, I've freezed it with Titanium Backup. The problem is that I'm using Go SMS Pro, instead of the default messaging app, since I need to write SMS in Spanish and the default app doesn't support Spanish characters like accents, etc. Go SMS Pro works, but every time I send an SMS, LeSec thinks an unauthorized app is trying to send an SMS in the background, and shows a popup to let you decide whether to allow it or not. I haven't found a way to disable that, and it's a bit annoying having to click two buttons everytime I want to send a message.
Its probably a silly question, but you did go into LeSec->ChargeShield-SMS and ensure that your app was allowed to send SMS in background?
Probably for reasons of 'likely form of attack' the SMS apps are (unlike other permissions) by default in a 'Warning' setting, but if the warning does not come to the foreground on your phone, it may simply not work.
Also, rather than freezing LeSec completely, you could go into ChargeShield, and simply turn of the ChargeShield.
cybermaus said:
That was probably on the S148 Gingerbread ROM. That one has an older version. I know, because I messed up trying to install it, as I had that older GB version and the new ICS one both in my Titanium backup. Also, the Dec 2010 date is probably false, I just got OTA ROW_S114, and it too had all files timestamed to Dec 2010. But I am certain the LeSec from S306 and S227 are the same, the binary compared identical. Official version is V3.5.1.3.5.2.0041 and the update button tells me there is no newer.
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No, I used the S148 just some days and updated to your S306 V1.2 and simply stayed there, because it works very well. After some time it offered me an update and the user interface changed a bit with that update. The way how you set privacy on app level and so on. The update button itsself never worked for me either.
Sadly, backup never worked on that rom. I found that out as I wanted to try apkhot. To be honest, I didn't try on apkhot, yet.
A few minutes ago, I was offered a 4.1.4 version and installed it. Now it's purely chinese
Maybe I have to reboot the phone for english...
From the design it is a version newer than the version I wrote about...
leFloyd said:
A few minutes ago, I was offered a 4.1.4 version and installed it. Now it's purely chinese
Maybe I have to reboot the phone for english...
From the design it is a version newer than the version I wrote about...
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Click to collapse
Well, before you put the old one back, safe this one for me will ya.
cybermaus said:
Well, before you put the old one back, safe this one for me will ya.
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Click to collapse
I don't want the old one back - I want this one to be english
How do I save it? Any idea where it has downloaded it's update? This was done within the app...
Well, it would have simply replaced the two apk's in the /system/app folder.
So look for:
LenovoSafeCenter.apk
LenovoSageWidget.apk
or something similar, it could have changed its name, or added a 3rd component.
Got the files?
Sent from my Lenovo A750 using xda app-developers app
Well, it seems that Lenove Security (LeSec for short, and LenovoSafeCenter officially) is becoming less usuable. As mentioned above, it is fully Chinese, no Engrish anywere.
I had a look at the new V4 of it, even decompiled it. Not only 100% Chinese, but is hardcoded in the app, there are no resource xml files that we could translate. A big pity.
Also, there is one app (Waze, a social car navigation app) that in the latest version is incompatible with LeSec. Though it is at this moment the only incompatibility I ran into, it is also a pity.
That may mean we need to find an alternative:
For now, these two has shown up:
LBE : Somehow, I think LBE is actually the company that makes Lenovo LeSec. Or at least, there logo is shown in the about menu of LeSec as part of the "in cooperation with" mentions. Maybe the reason why the free LeSec is limiting itself?
Anyway, I am trying out LBE at the moment, to see how it works.
pDroid : pDroid looks promising. Specifically, they are promising ICS support, but right now, only GB, so one to keep an eye on, but not availible to us just yet.
Permissions Denied : A Paid app. But if it works well, it may be worth it. Not looked at it yet.
So, LBE seems to work well. It does not have the hiding of apps for 'child mode' and 'privacy mode'. Nor does it have the 'anti-theft' or 'virus-scan' but it does the permissions thing well.
I tested, it nicely prompted/blocked permissions. And to be honest, using a slight more clear interface. If it is permissions, which was indeed what I was after, LBE seems to do the job. I also like I can block internet use separate for 3G and Wireless. Very useful.
One problem though: Waze is failing in the same way as with LeSec. Even if I make it a 'trusted' app. It seems the latest version of Waze simply does not like to be looked at too closely.
anti theft
I cannot input number In anti theft . for ex if I write +35989xxxxx I need two more digits but it does not allow it. If I write in national format 0899.... I have to write more digits than the phone number has. Any solution?
As mentioned, while I started enthusiastic about LeSec, it is now focussing too much on China alone. Not as good internationally.
Try using one of the other anti-theft solutions.
Hello
whats about custom recovery and custom rom like Pocophone F1--------------- for Z Flip 3 .....release?????
Regards
Zipfelino said:
Hello
whats about custom recovery and custom rom like Pocophone F1--------------- for Z Flip 3 .....release?????
Regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure about a custom recovery, but Samsung has posted the required files to build the source if you want to make a custom ROM.
twistedumbrella said:
Not sure about a custom recovery, but Samsung has posted the required files to build the source if you want to make a custom ROM.
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TThat,s not polite. If he were a developer he wouldn't ask for one. Zipfelino didnt offend any body. He and me and thousands other members may have the same question. But the brave one had the guts to ask and found a rude answer
luisnica98 said:
TThat,s not polite. If he were a developer he wouldn't ask for one. Zipfelino didnt offend any body. He and me and thousands other members may have the same question. But the brave one had the guts to ask and found a rude answer
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I suggest you read it again in a casual tone, not the one you used to troll me.
By the way, not every developer fills out the form for a title. It's pretty ignorant to assume someone isn't one because they asked if anyone else had released anything.
Hm... maybe to second the initial request as I understand it, even if it is too early at the moment since the device is merely two months in the market and from what little I understand building e.g. LOS for a new device is a lot of hard work: I am also looking forward (edit: which IMHO includes actively supporting the developer) to see someone more capable of this kind of voodoo than me release a custom ROM for this device before official support will be over
This thing here is the first Android mobile since the Sony XZ1 Compact that I deem "officially trouser pocket compatible" and with a price tag that might become okay for the average user
If you have a USA variant (snapdragon) then I'd suggest not getting your hopes up. Thanks to Verizon (even if they aren't your carrier) the US versions of Samsung phones since the note 8 (I think) haven't been able to be rooted.
d0x360 said:
If you have a USA variant (snapdragon) then I'd suggest not getting your hopes up. Thanks to Verizon (even if they aren't your carrier) the US versions of Samsung phones since the note 8 (I think) haven't been able to be rooted.
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Yes, I learned this as well when I browsed through the Z Flip 3 section. Even if I don't know the details why it is like that, I think it's really weird that they managed to achieve such crap at all.
Thankfully I live in Germany and have the european version. I would not have bought this phone if I would have found any clue that you might be unable to unlock the bootloader. Been inside the golden cage with the bitten apple, got away, don't want to turn back
FFW said:
Yes, I learned this as well when I browsed through the Z Flip 3 section. Even if I don't know the details why it is like that, I think it's really weird that they managed to achieve such crap at all.
Thankfully I live in Germany and have the european version. I would not have bought this phone if I would have found any clue that you might be unable to unlock the bootloader. Been inside the golden cage with the bitten apple, got away, don't want to turn back
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Click to collapse
Turning back sucks lol. I always had rooted phones. It started with the HTC G1 the first android phone. I stuck with Google phones (Nexus 1 through the Pixel XL) or HTC phones like the HTC One M8.
Then I got a note 9 and soon after found out there was no root method for the snapdragon version. Then for some stupid reason I did it again and bought the note 10+...and again with the z Flip3 lol.
Next time I'm making sure I can root before I buy. Thankfully I can use Adguard (website version not store version) and package disabler to block ads, analytics etc at a system level, plus it can act as a firewall.
Then I'll use package disabler to truly disable the bloat and spyware. I wish I could just uninstall it but this is better than nothing.
One thing I really miss is custom roms and Kernel's. I'd love to be able to get rid of Samsung's horrible battery management system. It kills apps that it shouldn't including the alarm clock. Plus Samsung's apps are all pretty much terrible...sigh
d0x360 said:
Turning back sucks lol. I always had rooted phones. It started with the HTC G1 the first android phone. I stuck with Google phones (Nexus 1 through the Pixel XL) or HTC phones like the HTC One M8.
Then I got a note 9 and soon after found out there was no root method for the snapdragon version. Then for some stupid reason I did it again and bought the note 10+...and again with the z Flip3 lol.
Next time I'm making sure I can root before I buy. Thankfully I can use Adguard (website version not store version) and package disabler to block ads, analytics etc at a system level, plus it can act as a firewall.
Then I'll use package disabler to truly disable the bloat and spyware. I wish I could just uninstall it but this is better than nothing.
One thing I really miss is custom roms and Kernel's. I'd love to be able to get rid of Samsung's horrible battery management system. It kills apps that it shouldn't including the alarm clock. Plus Samsung's apps are all pretty much terrible...sigh
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Whoa. My first Android was the Xperia XZ1 Compact since I finally decided to kick Apple out now when the first informations about iOS 11 got available. That one served me well, rooted and running Lineage from day one (and still does, big thanks @Flamefire), but the battery has degraded noticeably and Sony obviously built that phone starting with the battery as component no.1 which makes replacing it a royal PITA, which is why I searched for a new pocket compatible daily driver. So here I am...
I see your phone is more or less in the state mine is currently. I had it rooted initially but reset it and decided to try out NetGuard and ADB AppControl and see how far that gets me while keeping the OTA update alive as long as there is no custom ROM available.
Edit: with that nifty guide from @doggydog2 rooting might become more interesting again however, even without a custom ROM. Will need to dig through that one on of the next weekends...
FFW said:
Whoa. My first Android was the Xperia XZ1 Compact since I finally decided to kick Apple out now when the first informations about iOS 11 got available. That one served me well, rooted and running Lineage from day one (and still does, big thanks @Flamefire), but the battery has degraded noticeably and Sony obviously built that phone starting with the battery as component no.1 which makes replacing it a royal PITA.
which is why I searched for a new pocket compatible daily driver, so here I am...
I see your phone is more or less in the state mine is currently. I had it rooted initially but reset it and decided to try out NetGuard and ADB AppControl and see how far that gets me while keeping the OTA update alive as long as there is no custom ROM available.
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I'm gonna check out adb appcontrol and see if it has any extra features over package disabler. I used to have an app like package disabler that would let me go into an apps services and receivers. Then I could disable specific parts of apps. It was fantastic but I can't remember it's name lol.
I have tried netguard and it's not bad but I definitely like Adguard better. It's better designed, works better, has more features etc... But it's not free. I think I paid $35 for 3 lifetime phone licenses during a sale. I also use Adguard on Windows now instead of adblocking extensions. I didn't pay for that one though, I signed up for a beta key, got one and then I just renew it every year.
d0x360 said:
I'm gonna check out adb appcontrol and see if it has any extra features over package disabler. I used to have an app like package disabler that would let me go into an apps services and receivers. Then I could disable specific parts of apps. It was fantastic but I can't remember it's name lol.
I have tried netguard and it's not bad but I definitely like Adguard better. It's better designed, works better, has more features etc... But it's not free. I think I paid $35 for 3 lifetime phone licenses during a sale. I also use Adguard on Windows now instead of adblocking extensions. I didn't pay for that one though, I signed up for a beta key, got one and then I just renew it every year.
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No problem with "not free". I usually donate to the developers of my software unless they say they don't want (yes, this happens as well) - either by buying the enhanced version or by simply sending a donation every now and then, such as for every new released patch level of LOS or so.
ADB Appcontrol is quite nice since it is a PC program and also backs up any software you decide to remove.
AFAIK, Adguard is a DNS-based ad blocker comparable to Pi-Hole while Netguard is a firewall as e.g. AfWall+ (or mimicks that behaviour as much as possible as you can without root)? This would mean the logic behind the program would be different, such as being able to track and set what to block differently for each program.
I will take anotrher look at it though
FFW said:
No problem with "not free". I usually donate to the developers of my software unless they say they don't want (yes, this happens as well) - either by buying the enhanced version or by simply sending a donation every now and then, such as for every new released patch level of LOS or so.
ADB Appcontrol is quite nice since it is a PC program and also backs up any software you decide to remove.
AFAIK, Adguard is a DNS-based ad blocker comparable to Pi-Hole while Netguard is a firewall as e.g. AfWall+ (or mimicks that behaviour as much as possible as you can without root)? This would mean the logic behind the program would be different, such as being able to track and set what to block differently for each program.
I will take anotrher look at it though
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Adguard does have DNS blocking options but it's so much more than that. I'm not sure if there is a free trial period but if there is definitely check it out, I think you will find it really nice. Also anytime you find any kind of issue whether it's a missed overlay on a website or a gap where the ad was you can report it through the app and it's usually fixed in a couple hours. Their response time is insane.
The adblocking options are extensive. It includes all the same filters in ublock origin and then some. You can also disable filters you don't want, make custom filters for literally anything. For example I made a filter that would remove search results for just polygon.com from Google. It also supports custom scripts like the greasemonkey extension.
The firewall aspect is like a genuine firewall. You can fully block an app from net access or set it so it can only use wifi or cell signal or both. There is also a log of every connection (incoming/outgoing) that tells you what app or service is trying to do something and what it's trying to connect to. You can click on an entry in the log and automatically block or whitelist it.
You can even block Google analytics and telemetry for Android itself which is fantastic because they collect tons of info..
In just the last 30 days Adguard has saved me 11.79 gigs of data, blocked 362,763 ads, 17,092 trackers and 2 threats. That's from Android, apps and browsers.
i know I sound like a salesman lol but I genuinely love this app and it has so many options and features that it can do pretty much everything a fully loaded (with necessary extensions) desktop browser can do.
They also have a free vpn that works with the app if you want another layer of privacy and protection.
d0x360 said:
Adguard does have DNS blocking options but it's so much more than that. I'm not sure if there is a free trial period but if there is definitely check it out, I think you will find it really nice. Also anytime you find any kind of issue whether it's a missed overlay on a website or a gap where the ad was you can report it through the app and it's usually fixed in a couple hours. Their response time is insane.
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Thanks for the detailed answer
d0x360 said:
The adblocking options are extensive. It includes all the same filters in ublock origin and then some. You can also disable filters you don't want, make custom filters for literally anything. For example I made a filter that would remove search results for just polygon.com from Google. It also supports custom scripts like the greasemonkey extension.
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Hm... Lets compare.... I use my compiled Pi-Hole list (which includes the AdBlock lists and some others btw) for NetGuard as well, so this is covered for me, even if not as comfortable when it comes to whitelisting for just one given domain (never needed that option until now though, but something to keep in mind)
d0x360 said:
The firewall aspect is like a genuine firewall. You can fully block an app from net access or set it so it can only use wifi or cell signal or both. There is also a log of every connection (incoming/outgoing) that tells you what app or service is trying to do something and what it's trying to connect to. You can click on an entry in the log and automatically block or whitelist it.
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That seems pretty standard for an ad blocker. The question is: can I selectively block or allow a given connection (i.e. URL or IP address) for one single app as I can do with Netguard?
d0x360 said:
You can even block Google analytics and telemetry for Android itself which is fantastic because they collect tons of info..
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I translate this to "can block system apps". That's the case for Netguard as well.
d0x360 said:
In just the last 30 days Adguard has saved me 11.79 gigs of data, blocked 362,763 ads, 17,092 trackers and 2 threats. That's from Android, apps and browsers.
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I think that saved amount of data is more than I use at home and mobile in total in the same time
But yes, I use Pi-Hole at home and for any mobile device that uses my VPN, and its shows an awful lot of connections being blocked, so the basic savings should be the same. Additionally, each browser has its own uBlock Origin instance and some other plugins e.g. to block Youtube ads. Using a computer that does not have this is outright painful.
d0x360 said:
i know I sound like a salesman lol but I genuinely love this app and it has so many options and features that it can do pretty much everything a fully loaded (with necessary extensions) desktop browser can do.
They also have a free vpn that works with the app if you want another layer of privacy and protection.
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That might explain why you get such fast response times in case of issues
Something else, apart from the question above: Can Adguard apply all its filters and then use my private WireGuard VPN Server (not some 3rd party VPN service!) on Android as its only way out into the internet? That is the one obvious downside of not having root at the moment - since Android allows only one VPN being active and Netguard does not interface the WireGuard App, I can only use either my VPN or NetGuard, not both at once as I could with AfWall+ and WireGuard.
Just to add my bucket - I will buy this phone as soon as bootloader unlock, root and custom roms are confirmed (an a working gcam mod). I simply can't imagine using the phone without the benefits of it. I really hope this phone gets support.
eVen123 said:
Just to add my bucket - I will buy this phone as soon as bootloader unlock, root and custom roms are confirmed (an a working gcam mod). I simply can't imagine using the phone without the benefits of it. I really hope this phone gets support.
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The first two are done as long as you buy the european SM-F711B and not that crippled US version (model no. SM-F711U if I am not mistaken). That leaves a ROM (and the GCam mod you mentioned, but I have to admit I have no clue what that one is about). Let's see what the future brings.
Oh, one more thing: I hereby confirm I would happily contribute significantly to a donation for a developer who in turn wants to take the task of creating and maintaining a custom ROM for this phone that supports the outer display and the flip open/close phone function (maybe LOS or Havoc?) but needs money to buy the phone.
My phone is 5 years old, and hasn't had any OTA updates in years and its got no warranty. Apparently my older version of Android 8, isn't recognized as much and I'm starting to encounter more and more Play store apps that want a newer version of android and refuse to load. Hence I had to learn how to sideload stuff which is really annoying.
After a quick google search I learned you can root your phone and there is an Android 11 image called Lineage OS 18.1 ... which sounds pretty sweet. BUT after additional searches, I'm reading so many cons about rooting a phone. If bricking it isn't a concern, and I don't have a warrantee to void. What's at risk? I was probably going to buy a new phone anyways but now I'm intregued with this rooting process and wondiering if it might buy me time on a older phone that still works amazingly well. Why replace it if it still works, it just needs new software.
Questions: If I install Lineage OS 18.1 successfully...
Will the Play Store and Apps continue to update, or will I stop receiving notifications regarding available updates? Or am I forever stuck with sideloading?
If I don't install G Apps is this bad? I don't use stock Google Apps, I've opted to use the Microsoft equivalent like Outlook for email and calendar... or do I still need to install Google Apps to gain the ability to layer Microsoft products on top?
Why is there so much negative talk about malware infection with rooted phones? If I'm not downloading and installing apps constantly, the risk would still be no more threatening than it is now correct?
Are there any apps that would realize the phone is rooted and refuse to run? Some searches told me that security apps may not like a rooted phone. Does rooting it affect Microsoft Authenticator app?
Lastly, if I only want to pick and choose specific G Apps - can you install only the ones you need? or do they come all bundled together?
Thanks in advance,
What's really at stake if rooting an older phone?
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Ii is easy to answer:
Pro: Complete Control Over Your Device
One of the most significant benefits of rooting your Android device is the ability to have complete control over it. You can remove any pre-installed apps that you don’t need, customize the look and feel of your device, and control every aspect of its performance. With rooting, the possibilities are endless, and you can make your device truly your own.
Con: Risk of Bricking Your DeviceOne of the most significant risks of rooting your Android device is the potential to brick it. Bricking is when your device becomes completely unusable due to a software malfunction. If you’re not careful, you can render your device useless. However, if you follow the instructions carefully and take the proper precautions, you can minimize the risk of bricking your device.
Speed up older Android hardware with a custom ROM
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Installing a custom ROM ( or a 3rd-party OS ) allows your device to live a second life, provided you can stomach the somewhat lengthy process. Custom ROMs become especially useful once your smartphone’s manufacturer stops delivering software and feature updates. Most ROMs are also based on vanilla Android ( AOSP ), which means you get a lighter and faster experience than default manufacturer skins.
Having said that, it’s worth noting that custom ROMs are completely unofficial. Some work perfectly, while others may exhibit bugs and instability - you’ll need to do some due diligence for your specific device model. But don’t worry, here is a guide on how to install Lineage OS, one of the most popular custom ROMs.