Related
I've had some "conversations" with others about how the stock VZW roms, at least with the applications I use, are noticeably faster than the dcd roms (I have nothing against the dcd roms - they are great). This includes the original stock rom and the new updated rom.
So last night I decided to stay up late to do some benchmark testing with the updated rom and the dcd 3.2.6 rom - let me just say that it blew trying to do this since I had already updated to the new vzw rom and had to go through that entire "hell" process in getting it all "fixed" in order to get the dcd rom installed.
Anyway, needless to say, I forgot to save the benchmark logs, both times, before flashing (thats what happens when you are tired). Now you are probably wondering "what good then does this thread serve" - I'll tell you.
I used the application SKTools for the testing - in doing so, that was the only application installed on the device and testing proceeded AFTER all the sktools optimization and tweaks were run.
Without hardcore numbers, here are my usage impressions:
SKTools did very little to improve the performance of the updated stock vzw rom. There was an improvement, but not enough to justify spending money on the application (it isnt free, but comes with a trial period).
SKTools, however, SIGNIFICANTLY sped up the performance (and even freed some extra memory) of the DCD rom to the point where the dcd rom is now noticeably faster than the stock rom (again, I've had different experiences than other users, but I know I'm not alone). To be sure, I then installed a bunch of applications I generally use and saw no noticeable decrease in performance with the DCD Rom after running SKTools. I continue to run certain programs within SKTools in order to keep the dcd rom in top shape.
The program is not free (http://s-k-tools.com/index.html?sktools/m_feat.html) but it comes with a time-limited trial version, enough time to optimize and tweak the device to its top performance.
I'm going to continue to test both roms (its going to be a long weekend of flashing and calling tech support) but wanted to offer this up for others to take a look into and post their impressions.
Post benchmarks please Numbers don't lie..
Yes, and also, since I also have SKTools, please post exactly what you did with SKTools to increase performance. There is a lot of tweaks and options in SKTools so users (like me) need to know which ones you picked to increase the performance.
Chimp (Tom)
SimpTheChimp said:
Yes, and also, since I also have SKTools, please post exactly what you did with SKTools to increase performance. There is a lot of tweaks and options in SKTools so users (like me) need to know which ones you picked to increase the performance.
Chimp (Tom)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All of them
Honestly, I ran every performance enhancement and tweak that SKTools allowed
I havent played around with it yet as to whether running all of them are necessary but it sure didnt hurt anything.
As for benchmark numbers - I'm going to have to think about it. Getting that would require going through the entire official VZW upgrade and then downgrade process to get back to where I can run dcd roms since I know for a fact that after the performance enhancements, the dcd will run faster.
It almost doesnt pay to even try to get numbers - more like a "trust me", after running sktools performance enhancements and tweaks with a dcd rom, you'll love it
I can, though, get numbers for the current dcd rom - if someone that has the vzw mr1 update installed wants to get those numbers we can post both
I'll see what I can do this weekend
Yes, and also, since I also have SKTools, please post exactly what you did with SKTools to increase performance. There is a lot of tweaks and options in SKTools so users (like me) need to know which ones you picked to increase the performance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes pleasy, tell us what you did in sktools... i bought the program and i hardly used it... i want to take advantage of all the tweaks it can take...
thanks man!!!
agreed... more detail on what you did in SKtools other then "everything" so the novice user like my self may benifit from the the programs enhancements. other wise this thread is useless
Well let's see...
Under "System Tweaks":
a) Choose "Optimize" and run all the available options. I'm not going to list each one - just run them all. Also, since I only have the trial I could only choose the 6 options they presented but it helped tremendously. I'll probably purchase the program but am holding off for right now
b) Choose "Clean Up" and run "Invalid Registry Entries" and "Invalid Registry Values" Then run "Registry Optimizer"
c) Choose "Maintenance" and run "Windows Startup" - delete all the programs you dont want to run at startup (frees up memory)
Then I ran the FreeUP Ram program (part of sktools but installed seperately) to, well, free up RAM. I run this program occassionally to help with performance.
Thats all I did and saw a huge improvement in the dcd 3.2.6 rom performance. If you have the registered version of SKTools, you will be able to choose more options than what I presented here. Whether it will help further is not known since I couldnt try it.
deeznuts: When you picked the optimize function, which check mark did you have selected? If you click the Action buttion on the lower left, one of the selections (Performance, Memory, Stability, Maximum Memory) should be checked.
Which one did you use?
Chimp (Tom)
SimpTheChimp said:
deeznuts: When you picked the optimize function, which check mark did you have selected? If you click the Action buttion on the lower left, one of the selections (Performance, Memory, Stability, Maximum Memory) should be checked.
Which one did you use?
Chimp (Tom)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Performance - I think that is the default
Its possible that using different profiles on a dcd rom than on the vzw official update rom will produce similar performance between the two but I only experimented with the performance profile on both roms. Quite frankly, I'm happy now with the dcd rom and no longer see a reason to go back to the vzw rom. I also dont have the time or patience to experiment with all the different profiles on both roms - if someone wants to give it a go, be my guest.
deeznuts2 said:
Well let's see...
Under "System Tweaks":
b) Choose "Clean Up" and run "Invalid Registry Entries" and "Invalid Registry Values" Then run "Registry Optimizer"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did that with 3.25 and HHC and another program which I can't remember did not function until I reinstalled it.
I use DinarSoft's Memaid and have it optimized for speed and I have not looked back since.
I didn't notice any increase in performance whatsoever, matter of fact seems a little slower to me, I think DCD has spent enough time with this device that he has it very optimized to begin with, I find it hard to beleive that a "generic" program could possibly increase performance any further than the personal attention and knowledge dcd has put into optimizing his rom.
I've found that SKTools slows down the performance and can lead to registry errors and instability. No thanks.
nonegiven said:
I've found that SKTools slows down the performance and can lead to registry errors and instability. No thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, if you dont know what you are doing and just arbitrarily delete things that the program tells you are "okay" to delete.
Its not for complete noobs - if you dont know what you are doing you can mess up your device. The program is an advance tweak program - not for your average user to just click here and there and then click "go!" with the hope that all will be well.
Its no different than playing around with a kitchen or flashing a custom rom - if you dont know what you are doing, you will run into problems.
jjlwork said:
I didn't notice any increase in performance whatsoever, matter of fact seems a little slower to me, I think DCD has spent enough time with this device that he has it very optimized to begin with, I find it hard to beleive that a "generic" program could possibly increase performance any further than the personal attention and knowledge dcd has put into optimizing his rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depending on what you did, your results may be different. I found a significant improvement with dcd's rom after running a few of the system tweaks.
And unless anyone actually did re-coding of files, no rom is going to be "optimized". Optimization is more than just leaving out unnecessary files and/or putting in newer versions. Programs like sktools actually change system settings for the os, which usually are not easily changeable without getting into the root of the system and re-coding system files after installation, deeply modifying the regsitry, or re-coding the install files prior to installation. I doubt anyone is doing most of these with their roms.
But again, depending on what you do with these programs, your results will vary - play around, its easy to fix if something goes wrong (which it shouldnt)
deeznuts2 said:
yes, if you dont know what you are doing and just arbitrarily delete things that the program tells you are "okay" to delete.
Its not for complete noobs - if you dont know what you are doing you can mess up your device. The program is an advance tweak program - not for your average user to just click here and there and then click "go!" with the hope that all will be well.
Its no different than playing around with a kitchen or flashing a custom rom - if you dont know what you are doing, you will run into problems.
Depending on what you did, your results may be different. I found a significant improvement with dcd's rom after running a few of the system tweaks.
And unless anyone actually did re-coding of files, no rom is going to be "optimized". Optimization is more than just leaving out unnecessary files and/or putting in newer versions. Programs like sktools actually change system settings for the os, which usually are not easily changeable without getting into the root of the system and re-coding system files after installation, deeply modifying the regsitry, or re-coding the install files prior to installation. I doubt anyone is doing most of these with their roms.
But again, depending on what you do with these programs, your results will vary - play around, its easy to fix if something goes wrong (which it shouldnt)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Quite the opposite. Noobs might need a program like SKTools to guide you around WM6 but more knowledgeable users have the ability to edit the registry correctly on their own.
If SKTools works for you, I'd suggest sticking with it and not attempting any manual registry editing on your own.
nonegiven said:
Quite the opposite. Noobs might need a program like SKTools to guide you around WM6 but more knowledgeable users have the ability to edit the registry correctly on their own.
If SKTools works for you, I'd suggest sticking with it and not attempting any manual registry editing on your own.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please dont assume you know me or what I am capable of doing. I'm well rehearsed in file system modification, thank you very much. That doesnt mean that using programs like SKtools are useless. Nor does it mean that anyone can use it - you still need to understand what the changes mean and what they will end up doing. I would never tell a "noob" to just click on anything in the program. I only suggested that here since folks on this forum are not your typical user.
If you dont like the program, fine. I found it to be a great help hence the reason for posting.
I wonder if dcd uses this program when building his own roms...
In my experience I've found the following:
DCD has tweaked the hell out of these roms for performance. I'm sure he hasn’t performed every tweak possible.. but he's done a lot.
Programs like Tweaks2k2 and SKtools when run across the board may in fact undo many of the tweaks performed by DCD. Because they are designed to work off of the stock settings.
For example DCD may have tweaked some Cache setting entry in the registry from 4K to 16K because he found the performance to be best... A program Like SK tools may change that to 8k, Because 8k would normally improve performance over the default 4k setting.
Also.. those of you who do a full backup (including the Registry) Then install a DCD rom, then restore may have also overwritten DCD default tweaks. So a Tool like this could increase performance for you… more than someone who didn’t perform a restore.
When you install a DCD Rom, you should re-install your software either manually or with an automated tool.. restoring from backup is probably not the best idea because you risk losing the latest performance tweaks. This is the cause of LOTS of the people reporting that "this or that" isn't working on theirs... but it works on everyone elses... They overwrote it.
You are better off finding these tweaks, going into the Reg and seeing what you HAVE vs what the tweak says will perform better… you may already be optimized or MORE optimized than the tool would make you.
In the end it's really about individual user preference and how you use your device. As we see in this thread for some the tools are great, for others.. not so good.
deeznuts2 said:
Depending on what you did, your results may be different. I found a significant improvement with dcd's rom after running a few of the system tweaks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All of them
Honestly, I ran every performance enhancement and tweak that SKTools allowed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, so you can't recall or won't post any specifics of what tweaks you did and you said earlier you did ALL the tweaks SKT offers, then you say "a few of the system tweaks." Of course, "depending on what you did" doesn't jive at all with "Honestly, I ran every ..... tweak..." IF you got improved results after SKT, you should surely recall something. What was the original result vs the improved? You can't recall how much improvement, but it was "significant." You can't recall ANY real benchmark results and you "lost the log files both times." How convenient.
Previously we witnessed your unwillingness in another thread to list ANY of your specific software (even when I sent you a private message) which you said runs better on a stock VZW ROM vs DCD. Claims that can't be tested, of course, are very convenient.
Skepticism about someone's motives and truthfulness result from making unverifiable, undocumented claims. Do yourself a favor and post some specifics.
deeznuts2 said:
And unless anyone actually did re-coding of files, no rom is going to be "optimized". Optimization is more than just leaving out unnecessary files and/or putting in newer versions. Programs like sktools actually change system settings for the os, which usually are not easily changeable without getting into the root of the system and re-coding system files after installation, deeply modifying the registry, or re-coding the install files prior to installation. I doubt anyone is doing most of these with their roms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WOW..
First: SKtools is NOT "Recoding files" All SKtools does is make registry changes for performance.. thats it! And those are pretty easy if you know how to use a registry editor.. (the registry is where those "System settings for the OS" are that you are talking about)
Second.. Thats the point of a DCD rom.. when you install a DCD rom The tweaks that he's tested are already there. He's building a rom that has more features and performs better than stock. He's not just some hack who is removing things.. He's recompiling the entire rom. I'm not sure to what extent DCD actually recodes any files... but I DO know that he includes custom files that others may have made / recoded.
The fact that you would even suggest that SKtools has the ABILITY to do more than DCD or GC14 or any other experienced mobile developer takes the gold medal for dumbest thing I've heard this month.
i've tried
honestly i've tried those programs and i believe while they are tweaking some things they undo some of the stuff that dcd has done to make the rom work like it does. All i use its tweaks2k2 for a few options that i really like but no more sktools for me
====
EDIT: As Michy has asked for graphics requests, he apparently already has something in mind for his 5.2 / 6.0. Yea! So be sure to post with any requests as to what you want the next ROM to look like.
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You have to hand it to Michy. 4.1 and 5.1 are both fast, smooth, and (almost completely) trouble-free ROMs with tons of useful programs. And for both SPLs!
To tell the truth, until I flashed 4.1, I had regretted HardSPLing my device. Most of the ROMs I tried up until then were troublesome and just as slow as my stock WM6.0.
So in a way, this post is thanks to Michy. Gran bel lavoro Michy!
In another way, it is a request for something new. I know I am not the only one on this forum that gets nervous if he hasn't flashed a new ROM this month... I'm feeling the itch! I need my fix!
Anyway, thought it might be interesting to see what kind of ROM people wanted. Give your vote and comments please.
hi,
please just add your graphic-style request, so i can have an idea for a 5.2/6.0.
bye
Michael,
Good to see you are considering a new rom. In truth your 5.1 seems flawless and it's hard to imagine how much better you can make it. Thanks for your great work.
One suggestion I would give to make your next ROM easier to understand is: if you are going to include lots of apps like you usually do, it might be a good idea to put them in folders in the start menu according to their usage.
A Multimedia folder could contain YouTube Player, TCPMP, MP3Trimmer, Camera, Audio Manager, and Album links.
VoipCall, Slick, Messenger, Fring, Flash SMS, Call Firewall and others could be grouped in a Communications folder.
And some things like FTouchFlo, GSen CFG, GSen, GSenToggle, IContactConfig, PDM, PocketScreen, PIM Backup, PsShutXP, QuickGPS, RegEditor, SIM Manager, SynchroTime etc, etc, could easily be put in the Tools folder you usually include.
By doing this, you allow the person using the ROM to have easier access to the programs that they install. Because people are more likely to frequently use the programs that they install, rather than ones that come pre-installed.
Another suggestion is about the applications you include with your ROMs. I think I understand your logic in including lots of apps: the space is there in the ROM, so you might as well use it as long as the apps don't degrade performance. That's strong logic, and I agree with it. My suggestion is to only include apps that have reached a developmental dead-end; i.e. apps that are stable, and are no longer currently being developed. For example TCPMP, VNCViewer, and DotFred's Task Manager aren't updated very frequently - they make perfect additions to your ROM. Other apps, like YouTube, Manila 2D/3D, S2U2, ThrottleLauncher etc, are still in active development and can/should be updated from time to time. It is possible to update and install over the apps in the ROM, but then you have just wasted that space in the ROM.
As far as graphics are concerned, I am of two minds.
1) I have always really liked the touch/kaiser grey-on-white-with-blue-highlights. Very professional.
2) However, recently I have flashed my Hermes with PDACorner's Pro V.25 and I really appreciate the usefulness of the colors he uses in his status bar. Colors like that would really be useful against the flat black bars of the DiamondVGA.tsk you always include... They take a little getting used to, but make it really easy to know what is going on with your phone with simply a glance.
And this is a light and robust little Comm Manager that looks great with the skin in post eight.
And as always, thanks for your consideration. I wish I had the time, patience and talent to build such ROMs.
Not much more to add from my side, thanks larsuck!
- Make it as fast as possible without losing 5.1 stability
- Ahm...make both startup gifs like the ones from AP4.0, just with your name (I know, plagiate, but it looks great)
- Real-VGA, all programs/thumbnails should work and look according to chosen dpi, especially with 128dpi (seems to be the best choice)
- Remove time&date permanently from taskbar, so that all buttons can be seen and clicked without problems
- In short: please make it look like the original x7510 screen
Program wishes: maybe some program for real contacts import/export with edit-function on PC, I'm currently using xmlcontactsbackup but perhaps there are better choices.
Many thanks
just to renew my ROMs, i'm going to make a 5.1 Last Build Edition, with the last build i found on xda (20921). If this build will work well.......you'll have a new rom to falsh
There we go again weare just a bunch of rom addicts,lol, so far I been playing wit 5.1 is nice and respond qick only problems found so far is the bluetooth stack, (if the new build has something as AP4 Ill be in heaven) and Slic if I try to use it will give a BSD with a message saying fatal system exception or something, that was funny because it was the first time I have seen a BSD in WM, no a biggie for my I just do not use the app .
The programs included are useful but I rather get rid of duplicates e.g if you think icontact is better than stock contact manager get rid of the stock one( Im not complaining on that ,you have done a good job there so far).
the graphics just keep them consistent across the rom e.g not a black today a green communications and a white phone screen.
And if touchflow 3D was included working reliably that would be a plus.
Larsuck mention below to add mature apps only to the rom, I do not agree, why, because we will flash to newer roms during the development of the app so if a rom has the latest opera and a newer one appear we will have a newer rom sooner with the newer opera or whatever anyway, and because when a app reach its end of development time usually means that there are newer apps better and so its no point to keep developing the oldest ones ( not always the case) so as long the apps in the rom are solid stable just include what you think is useful.
Great job Michi and many thanks
I ask for two things...but only one is possible me thinks.
If you could get hootgaming working on your next rom, now that would be something. Something tells me it won't be possible as getting hold of the client .cab for winmob seems rather difficult.
Back in reality...I tend to use Claunch on my today screen as it works well but the only buttons that are any good tend to be based on the Iphone. Any app like this with an original button interface would be fantastic.
Keep up the good work.
Hi all
I am placing an order for the SGS II. Was previously an iOS4 user now switching to Android for superior performance
I was wondering what should I do/modify when I first get my SGS2 ? I am reading a bit on rooting (is this the jailbreak term for android..??). I want to download free games and apps like Whatsapp and Tapatalk.
Which rom should I be looking at ? Lite'ning ? CM7 ? Or should I just leave it stock Gingerbread 2.3 or whatever ? I want the best performance out of my SGS2 and should I be overclocking it? Maybe not coz I want awesome battery life as well..
What advice or suggestions would you seasoned folks give me ?
Hi and Welcome to xda.
You wont need to root to achieve what you want but it will open up a world of possibilities. To install any app you just have to tick unknown sources within applications in the settings.
All the info about rooting can be found here :
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1103399
which will include clockwork recovery which is a recovery image that will allow you to flash mods/kernels/roms etc. It has a bunch of other features like nandroid backup (backup your whole system and recover it at any point), wipe battery stats and much more.
Here is what my Galaxy S2 has consumed today which has made it more pleasing for me :
[26/7][XXKG3] VillainROM 2.3 for SGS2 < The ROM Noonski couldn't drain the battery on
followed by the latest modem which is within that thread.
[Kernel][GPL] Ninphetamine-2.0.2 - Now with 100% less Samsungyness
[MOD] CirclesMod - stock KE2, KF1, KG1/2, CM7, Villain, Cognition, Lite'ning, TK In blue
6/26-Update-Pendo's TransBlue Market (flashable zip)
and finally one of my own :
Black dialer for KE4/KE7/KE8/KF1/Villain
Overclocking is not necessary imo with this phone as its fast enough for me as it is at the moment and I don't want any extra battery drain.
I hope some of this helps.
I was exactly in youe situation last week, switching from i4 to SGS2.
Now I've bit the bullet, and have both.
If you're looking for superior performance...hahaha! is all I can say.
Keep in mind the following:
-stock firmware will not get you to 24h of battery life. More like 16-17h.
-operating system still has to catch up with iOS in terms of speed and fluidity
-if you're coming from iOS, please be aware that on Android you cannot configure Yahoo Mail or Hotmail on push, only IMAP pull.
-music management is a joke compared to iOS, even on third-party players as PowerAmp. Android has an issue with coverart, tags are not transferred correctly, playlists are...let's say barbaric compared to iPod & Co.
I am not unhappy that I tried Android on the best Android device out there today, it's only that it has its drawbacks compared to iOS.
Let me get this right. I can only have 1 root (jailbreak) and multiple roms (addons) ?
1- You can have multiple Custom ROM's without rooting. You should do rooting, if you want to access system files (like Administrative mode) and mod them and etc. I'd advice you to root.
2- Each and every ROM has it's own feature and drawbacks, so that depends on you which you want more. I, for myself, always use Stock ROM.
3- As you are new to Android (like me), I'd suggest you to not flash this and that whenever you want. Just keep it simple to get the best.
All above are only IMO, others may and will vary.
Regards.
dtancu said:
I was exactly in youe situation last week, switching from i4 to SGS2.
Now I've bit the bullet, and have both.
If you're looking for superior performance...hahaha! is all I can say.
Keep in mind the following:
-stock firmware will not get you to 24h of battery life. More like 16-17h.
-operating system still has to catch up with iOS in terms of speed and fluidity
-if you're coming from iOS, please be aware that on Android you cannot configure Yahoo Mail or Hotmail on push, only IMAP pull.
-music management is a joke compared to iOS, even on third-party players as PowerAmp. Android has an issue with coverart, tags are not transferred correctly, playlists are...let's say barbaric compared to iPod & Co.
I am not unhappy that I tried Android on the best Android device out there today, it's only that it has its drawbacks compared to iOS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are mostly drawbacks from running stock as opposed to iphone. Iphones are "plug and play" smartphones, android is... Depending on your needs. As for playlist support, built in it can be a pain, but then again you're coming from a very restrictive environment to a very permissive one... So you're bound to have snags.
Should I root to a Lite'ning ROM out of the box or just try stock first ??
I have heard some good things about Lite'ning
i would use stock for about a week to understand what you're modifying and whats android really like . then go play around with roms. what roms you ask? specifically ones that have big changes to start with. I.E. stock android (no TW), MIUI, CM7, etc etc.
once you understand the majority of your options, you can delve into lesser things like roms with more specific/personal modifications .
the idea is to have you understand your options since android is such an open system, you have a loooot of choices
I'm all up for fair comparisons, but please don't mind the iOS comments. not because of what it says but because:
1.) it isn't the topic of this thread
2.) he seems to be a beginner as well, but without the open attitude like you do to learning about android.
TL;DR
If my phone shuts down due to low battery I want to be able to boot up into a reduced OS that would allow me to use a basic UI to utilise basic funtions like (emergency) calling / sending SMS.
I ask if anything like this is in the pipeline, and if not, can I achieve it myself using tools from this site.
Bloat:
Senario:
Imagine your battery is flat, but you really need to make a call.
No problem just boot into a phone only - very low power - mode (OS) that allows you to make a call but has very limited capabilities.
Q1) Is this possible?
I often run out of battery but really need to make a call. I need to either have a spare battery (which I do) or not run out (which I try to do).
But I am pretty sure there is a lot of power left in my battery, I just cannot access it as the Android system is a power hog.
There must be a way to boot a minimal function OS that can make basic calls, maybe as a choice from the hboot/recovery menu.
Q2) Would others find this useful
The best option is a custom built OS with drivers for the key areas of the phone and very basic UI. I think this would be a lot of work, and is well beyond my abilities. Idealy HTC / Google read this and implement one. Basicaly use the phone as a 10yo Nokia.
Q3) Does anyone know of anything like this that exists or is in development?
Another possibility would be a "safe mode" where the Android OS does not boot all the crap it usually does and has a basic black screen interface.
Q4) Does anyone know of anything like this that exists or is in development?
In a world where this stuff does not exist yet can I simulate this using a second dual boot rom. The rom would be stripped bare and all settings to lowest values.
I would also want to undervolt and underclock the CPU in the Hboot/recovery.
Turn off all the boot animations and vibrate on boot.
Q5) Do you think this would work, could I reduce the power drain enough to give myself significant extra life to boot android and make a call or two on a battery that is theoretically dead.
I own an HTC Sensation, from what I can see there is no dual boot kernel for that yet and changing the cpu values can only be done from within Android at which point it may be too late as the large power draw on startup cannot be met. (Bricked can do if from command line if I want to re-flash the kernel in recovery with 0% battery left - not sure if thats a good idea)
Q6) Anyone know of anything for the Sensation I can use.
I am a noob to the site and only rooted a week ago but I have some practice using adb and developing apps in java (none published) and would be happy to develop this idea and share my solutions if people can give me a few pointers.
Of course if you like the idea and want to produce something I can download I could also live with that.
Thanks in advance.
Paul
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1987032
just found this over in one of the other forums. It seriously reduces lag and also pretty much gets rid of screen flicker and the reloading of apps everytime you go to the homescreen. ABSOLUTELY awesome.
Heres the post so you know what it does click the link to goto the original post and dl files.
Hey everyone,
So, I was experiencing significant lag as we all do from time to time, and decided I was going to get to the bottom of it.
After tracing and debugging for hours, I discovered the source of 90% of Android's lag. In a word, entropy (or lack thereof).
Google's JVM, like Sun's, reads from /dev/random. For all random data. Yes, the /dev/random that uses a very limited entropy pool.
Random data is used for all kinds of stuff.. UUID generation, session keys, SSL.. when we run out of entropy, the process blocks. That manifests itself as lag. The process cannot continue until the kernel generates more high quality random data.
So, I cross-compiled rngd, and used it to feed /dev/urandom into /dev/random at 1 second intervals.
Result? I have never used an Android device this fast.
It is literally five times faster in many cases. Chrome, maps, and other heavy applications load in about 1/2 a second, and map tiles populate as fast as I can scroll. Task switching is instantaneous. You know how sometimes when you hit the home button, it takes 5-10 seconds for the home screen to repopulate? Yeah. Blocking on read of /dev/random. Problem solved. But don't take my word for it .. give it a shot!
Update! I've built a very simple Android app that bundles the binary, and starts/stops the service (on boot if selected). I'll be adding more instrumentation, but for now, give it a shot! This APK does not modify /system in any way, so should be perfectly safe.
This is my first userspace Android app, so bear with me!
Note that this APK is actually compatible with all Android versions, and all (armel) devices. It's not at all specific to the Captivate Glide.
Caveats
There is a (theoretical) security risk, in that seeding /dev/random with /dev/urandom decreases the quality of the random data. In practice, the odds of this being cryptographically exploited are far lower than the odds of someone attacking the OS itself (a much simpler challenge). This may adversely affect battery life, since it wakes every second. It does not hold a wakelock, so it shouldn't have a big impact, but let me know if you think it's causing problems. I can add a blocking read to the code so that it only executes while the screen is on. On the other hand, many of us attribute lag to lacking CPU power. Since this hack eliminates almost all lag, there is less of a need to overclock, potentially reducing battery consumption.
If you try it, let me know how it goes.
ROM builders - feel free to integrate this into your ROMs (either the .apk / application, or just the rngd binary called from init.d)!
If anyone's interested, I've launched a paid app on the Play store for non-xda users. As I add features I'll post the new versions here as a thanks to you guys (and xda community at large for being such a great resource). But if anyone's interested in the market's auto-update feature, just thought I'd mention it.
Sent from my Sony Tablet S using xda app-developers app