Hello All,
As you all know I've been part of Xda and assiting in a positive resolution from HTC in requests from Bootloaders to source codes. Well seeing we have a great device that seemed to be given EOL to early in its game.. in my opinion due to lack of marketing skills. Well I will be posting in HTC FB to get our voice out to them for the Source Code release for our device.
Please comment "Like" and comment to request this so we can continue development for the Flyer.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151213297764443&set=o.165420456859572&type=1&ref=nf
And Here:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151213304969443&set=o.101063233083&type=1&relevant_count=1
Um, source code of what? They release sources of Honeycomb, and there are no sources of ICS or Jelly Bean, so what's the whole point?
Source code for drivers which can be ported to ICS and JB. Anyway it helps coders make their own drivers for Camera/Front camera and for video
kayoma said:
Source code for drivers which can be ported to ICS and JB. Anyway it helps coders make their own drivers for Camera/Front camera and for video
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then we would need not just the drivers, but the whole 3.x kernel. I believe it's much harder to adapt ICS/JB drivers to GB/HC kernels
kayoma said:
Source code for drivers which can be ported to ICS and JB. Anyway it helps coders make their own drivers for Camera/Front camera and for video
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then we're asking the wrong ppl, it's not HTC. to understand this first you need to understand what makes up a ROM.
There is the kernel which is low level device specific, the kernel is mostly based on open source linux code, htc adds some board and device specific configuration on top of that.
Then there is the aosp which is also open source, an operating system provided by google that makes up most part of any ROM.
Then you have your aosp derivative like CM or AOKP, which provides board specific fixes and some customization. HTC's ROM is also based on aosp, but they add their own sense look and feel to it.
And finally and most importantly you have your close source proprietary drivers provided by chip manufactures like Qualcomm and TI. They control cameras, wifi, BT...etc. So in reality there is very little HTC could do as they don't have the rights to release these code. And that's is where most ppl run into issues.
So to create a ROM is not hard at all, anybody can download the source code and compile it to generate a ROM as most of the source code are all open source. What will be helpful is if Qualcomm releases the source code for their drivers, which I doubt they will ever do, otherwise they wouldn't be close source in the first place. The only thing we could do is try to reverse engineer the device base on logs and understanding of how each component should work and make educated guesses.
Due to HTC lack of effort on this device (No ICS - HC was slow joke) I will never buy another HTC product again, same goes for sony, though they did eventually update xperia x10i it was only due to huge pressure not because they wanted to.
I want to buy an electronic product that potentially remains relevant at least a year later otherwise forget it.
so i sent this letter to HTC
after reading this page where HTC discusses 4.1 upgrades i decided to drop them a line "
DIRECTLY FROM YOUR WEBSITE:
When will additional devices receive Android 4.1?
In addition to the HTC One X and HTC One S, we are actively reviewing our product portfolio to identify candidates to receive Jelly Bean. Our goal is to prioritize review for devices launched in 2012 with our numerous carrier partners across multiple regions and then consider our ability to provide updates to products from 2011.
What devices will not get Android 4.1?
We work hard to ensure each of our products has the optimal user experience and therefore some products will remain at their current version of Android. In general, devices with 512MB RAM or less will not be upgraded to Android 4.1. At present, these devices include the HTC One V and the HTC Desire C. As we identify other devices that will not be upgraded, we'll provide updated information.
What about a development version of Android 4.1?
For our developer community, we plan to make generic development ROMs of Jelly Bean available for both the HTC One X and HTC One S. As soon as the ROMs are ready, they will be posted to our HTCdev site (www.htcdev.com). We strongly recommend customers take the time to understand the limitations of the development software along with the terms and conditions on the site before downloading to their device.
REALLY!? have you listened to what your customers have asked/said about the HTC flyer at all?! where is OUR 4.1 DEVELOPMENT ROM! wtf! where are you for us!? I can tell you where... you are giving us 3.2 HC that takes away two very important features i bought the device for #1 GPS! completely broken by your newest update to HC. #2. Hardware Keys.... WHY?! i understand that HC introduced soft keys. so you say you "We work hard to ensure each of our products has the optimal user experience" BULL! you clearly weren't thinking about the end user when you pushed out that HC update for the flyer. Would have been smarter for you to leave us on working GB and go straight to ICS or JB when it was ready! this is lunacy! who ever is making decisions in your company needs fired. you are bleeding money from everywhere. why don't you bring it back to the old school HTC that CARED! ABOUT! IT'S CUSTOMERS! listen to what we are saying! hear our voice! we have signed petitions. we have pleaded on multiple forums. WE have poured over your FB and twitter pages asking for you to throw us a freaking bone here.... when is it gonna happen? ever?!
I still have my flyer and i love it dearly. but without updates it's falling behind the pack. I recently bought a 10.1 galaxy note. while i'm happy with it's speed and what not. it's not the form factor i want. which is what the flyer is for me. perfect. PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP ON US OR THIS DEVICE! PLEASE RELEASE A DEVELOPER ROM FOR OUR FLYER! "
this was their reply (you will want to read it for sure)
Dear Matt,
Thanks for contacting HTC!
We completely understand your concern and I thank you for your patience and am deeply sorry if this issue has caused you any dissatisfaction with HTC or its phones. I hope that it will not detract from your overall perspective of the device or the company. You are the most important part of the HTC Family.
We listen to our community and feedbacks like yours are the ones that make us revise our decisions, and try to find the correct balance between the device’s performance and usability. We cannot announce or say anything about the Flyer right now but what I can tell you is that we are, indeed, paying attention to the community´s feedback and opinions.
Should you require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us through http://www.htc.com/us/support/email-support or call us at +1-866-449-8358 from 6AM to 1AM EST, 7 days a week.
Have a great day!
Let me know if I have successfully answered your question, please click here to complete this.
To send a reply to this message, please click here.
Sincerely,
Carlos
HTC
I appreciate the passion here, but HTC left this device for dead along with the Jetstream and View shortly after releasing it. We received what would amounted to a Beta of Honeycomb then they closed up shop. You live and learn, and although I still use my Flyer and enjoy it I will not buy another HTC device
I completely agree with you .. HTC should give us ICS or JB for our Flyer as a good faith. We must keep GB because honeycomb is a joke..
I use my Flyer and i try as much as possible with the optimized news on GB .. and share with you.
Hoping for a good action on their part for JB!!
Fatal1ty_18_RUS said:
Then we would need not just the drivers, but the whole 3.x kernel. I believe it's much harder to adapt ICS/JB drivers to GB/HC kernels
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so the kernel source for HC 3.2 that's in HTCDev,,that is NOT the entire kernel sourcecode?
i know it's an old thread but i am wondering...
gersto said:
so the kernel source for HC 3.2 that's in HTCDev,,that is NOT the entire kernel sourcecode?
i know it's an old thread but i am wondering...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that the honeycomb kernel .
doesn't do you much good for ICS or JB
yncconsulting said:
Then we're asking the wrong ppl, it's not HTC. to understand this first you need to understand what makes up a ROM.
.
.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You didn't understand I think. The drivers are part of the kernel. May they be compiled into the kernel itself or in form of modules. Drivers can be binary objects to be linked (already compiled) or source code which will be compiled when the kernel is built.
If you have the drivers source code there is a fairly good chance to get them running in newer kernels with some minor changes.
So from my point of view you will have a good chance to even get 4.2 up and running as long as you have the drivers source code.
Sent from my GT-I9100G using xda app-developers app
ktp1976 said:
You didn't understand I think. The drivers are part of the kernel. May they be compiled into the kernel itself or in form of modules. Drivers can be binary objects to be linked (already compiled) or source code which will be compiled when the kernel is built.
If you have the drivers source code there is a fairly good chance to get them running in newer kernels with some minor changes.
So from my point of view you will have a good chance to even get 4.2 up and running as long as you have the drivers source code.
Sent from my GT-I9100G using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
yeah, so my point is HTC publishes kernel source code, not drivers, they don't even own some of the drivers .,so you will never get that. You get a HC kernel ,that works with a HC blob set and you cannot build a working 4.xx kernel because you don;t have a 4.xxx blob set and HTC won't give you one because they have never written one and never will
DigitalMD said:
that the honeycomb kernel .
doesn't do you much good for ICS or JB
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well they must be of some good since we have ICS/JB ROMs out there that are "mostly" complete, slick and usable, although slightly buggy, so obviously yeah i get that it doesn't solve all the issues we have, since some drivers are missing: as evident by the non-working FC, no hardware decoding for video, and semi-working BT
DigitalMD said:
yeah, so my point is HTC publishes kernel source code, not drivers, they don't even own some of the drivers .,so you will never get that. You get a HC kernel ,that works with a HC blob set and you cannot build a working 4.xx kernel because you don;t have a 4.xxx blob set and HTC won't give you one because they have never written one and never will
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not exactly. The kernel is also part of AOSP. And even if HTC does not supply the driver sources there is a slight chance to use old driver binaries or to have them reverse engineered by some genius dev. Hope is the last to die
Sent from my GT-I9100G using xda app-developers app
ktp1976 said:
Not exactly. The kernel is also part of AOSP. And even if HTC does not supply the driver sources there is a slight chance to use old driver binaries or to have them reverse engineered by some genius dev. Hope is the last to die
Sent from my GT-I9100G using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Keep dreaming. Some of the best around have tried that path.
No the device kernel is not in AOSP, the base linux (ANdorid) kernel source resides there, but if you look at the build, it calls in device , vendor, OS verson and board specific components to make a complete build. All that hooks into the blobs (drivers and libs) to make up the device specific environment that allows Android version X.XX to run
DigitalMD said:
Keep dreaming. Some of the best around have tried that path.
No the device kernel is not in AOSP, the base linux (ANdorid) kernel source resides there, but if you look at the build, it calls in device , vendor, OS verson and board specific components to make a complete build. All that hooks into the blobs (drivers and libs) to make up the device specific environment that allows Android version X.XX to run
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for clarification. So I was not wrong about the drivers, which are the device and vendor specific components. In other words if you can get the vendor to release their sources or make their chip/board manufacturers to release their sources is the only way to go. Seems a bit unrealistic though but who knows...
Sent from my GT-I9100G using xda app-developers app
All should email the HTCDev
Use this link http://www.htcdev.com/contact
They themselves posted on that link
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151213304969443&set=o.101063233083&type=1&relevant_count=1
Takes just f**kin 5 seconds
May be they will listen some day
freworld said:
All should email the HTCDev
Use this link http://www.htcdev.com/contact
They themselves posted on that link
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151213304969443&set=o.101063233083&type=1&relevant_count=1
Takes just f**kin 5 seconds
May be they will listen some day
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Good news guys.
The 3.4 kernel sources are avaliable: http://www.htcdev.com/devcenter/downloads
The petition;:
Hello everybody!
As some of you know, I already started to work on CM10.1, but i stuck while HTC don't share the 3.4.0 JB kernel sources.
The kernel licensed under GNU GPL, but HTC violate this license. 3.4.0 JB kernel released about 2 months ago, but they didn't share the sources yet. I tried to talk with them, but they didn't help me. Now i would like to ask you for help. I hope, if you help me, and we fight together, we will get the sources and I can make a fine CyanogenMod 10.1.
Please help us with these steps:
1. step:
Sign and share this petition: http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/htc-desire-x-protou-kernel-source.html
2. step:
Send this letter for HTC here: http://www.htc.com/us/contact/email/
Please select the United States as your country, because in some country they can't help us.
So the letter: (Thanks for @ekulnitsua)
Dear HTC,
We appreciate the good quality, look and feel and the design of HTC smartphone products. That’s why our developers have created many ROMs for the phone with the Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0) Kernel source code, but currently our developers are left unable to continue further.
An official HTC Desire X (codenamed proto) Jelly Bean (4.1.1) OTA (Over-The-Air) update was released almost two months ago on the 27th of March, 2013, and subsequently updated and rolled out throughout the Desire X userbase. The htcdev.com website, however, has still not been updated with the matching kernel source.
As we are sure you are aware, Android is an open-platform and is based on the GNU/Linux Kernel. The Linux kernel is licensed under GNU General Public License v2 or GPL (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html), which, as such, means that you are legally obliged to release the source code for any derivative work within a reasonable time frame.
This, however, is not just a legal obligation; developers are working hard to bring new ROMs and continue support to your devices, which many of your customers are eager to use. By releasing the kernel source code you can improve our experiences with the device and with HTC as a company. The very openness of Android is intended to draw many people and by withholding kernel source code you are ultimately alienating your customers who may move on to purchase devices made by a different company (e.g. a Google Nexus device with pure and newest Android).
We appreciate that you have made a commitment to aid us in the development of firmware by allowing for the unlocking of the bootloader, but without the Kernel sources such gestures remain severely hampered. Similarly, we are grateful that you are continuing to support the Desire X and it’s community, but we would all be happier if your continued support was not only directed at your customers, but also in the spirit of Linux and as required by copyright law.
Our petition: gopetition.com/petitions/htc-desire-x-protou-kernel-source/signatures.html
XDA-Developers link: forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2288883
Contact e-mail: [email protected] (Attila Tóth "atis112" XDA-Developers Recognized Developer)
Yours Sincerely,
The xda-developers community.
This letter was written and is signed by the xda-developers community.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
3. step
Wait
Thank you.
atis112
I appreciate everything thing you've done so far and everything you will do, and I'll be very happy to help.
These kind of letters are my speciality. I'll draft something now so we can all send them across...
How about something like this (VERY heavily based on the Desire S letter):
Dear HTC,
We appreciate the good quality, look and feel and the design of HTC smartphone products. That’s why our developers have created many ROMs for the phone with the Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0) Kernel source code, but currently our developers are left unable to continue further.
An official HTC Desire X (codenamed proto) Jelly Bean (4.1.1) OTA (Over-The-Air) update was released almost two months ago on the 27th of March, 2013, and subsequently updated and rolled out throughout the Desire X userbase. The htcdev.com website, however, has still not been updated with the matching kernel source.
As we are sure you are aware, Android is an open-platform and is based on the GNU/Linux Kernel. The Linux kernel is licensed under GNU General Public License v2 or GPL (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html), which, as such, means that you are legally obliged to release the source code for any derivative work within a reasonable time frame.
This, however, is not just a legal obligation; developers are working hard to bring new ROMs and continue support to your devices, which many of your customers are eager to use. By releasing the kernel source code you can improve our experiences with the device and with HTC as a company. The very openness of Android is intended to draw many people and by withholding kernel source code you are ultimately alienating your customers who may move on to purchase devices made by a different company (e.g. a Google Nexus device with pure and newest Android).
We appreciate that you have made a commitment to aid us in the development of firmware by allowing for the unlocking of the bootloader, but without the Kernel sources such gestures remain severely hampered. Similarly, we are grateful that you are continuing to support the Desire X and it’s community, but we would all be happier if your continued support was not only directed at your customers, but also in the spirit of Linux and as required by copyright law.
Yours Sincerely,
The xda-developers community.
This letter was written and is signed by the xda-developers community.
(ok, I've finished tweaking now, that should be it)
Well written ekulnitsua, I hope that it will make them worry about this problem. I would wait for a reply and then (if they won't share kernel sources) report to GNU.
They haven't even released JB rom worldwide so dont expect kernel sources to come so fast.. They will release it when JB has reached to all the parts of the world.
Renowned companies like HTC usually comply with the licenses. They have a good image. Just wait for some time...
@deathnotice01 we need ur skill here
Just sharing my Idea Peace
Dear HTC,
First of all Good Day! I have used HTC Devices since 2011 and I have liked the way you guys made HTC Sense and all the components that make your devices run better than others. Starting from Froyo to Jelly Bean I have an HTC Device. A few weeks ago my friend received an OTA (Over the Air Update) for JellyBean (Android 4.1.1) and HTC Sense 4+ this update was great! it made the device smoother and cleaner and more battery efficient, even though there were some "minor" bugs this update stood out and made me more proud of my HTC Desire X, obviously this was better than Ice Cream Sandwich which came stock on the Desire X, I wrote this letter to ask you guys to please update the Kernel Sources for Jelly Bean which came with the new 3.4 kernel if Iam not mistaken.
I'am sure that you guys are aware, Android is an an open source operating system (OS) based on the GNU/Linux Kernel. he Linux kernel is licensed under GNU General Public License v2 or GPL (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html), which, as such, means that you are legally obliged to release the source code for any derivative work within a reasonable time frame.
This however is only a request. Developers are working hard to make new ROMs for the HTC Desire X and continue support to your wonderful device. By releasing the kernel source code you can improve user experience to your device and help developers in the process.
We appreciate the things that you have done for your devices and maintaining them by series of updates and making them better everytime.
But without the Kernel sources such gestures remain severely hampered. Similarly, we are grateful that you are continuing to support the Desire X and it’s community, but we would all be happier if your continued support was not only directed at your customers, but also in the spirit of Linux and as required by copyright law.
Yours Sincerely,
The xda-developers community.
This letter was written and is signed by the xda-developers community.
Just sharing though, I was supposed to send this but I should post it here first I have re-written some sentences from the 2nd post so please don't be mad and sorry for my crappy English if HTC would not release these sources Zombies will eat them alive XD
prototype-U said:
They haven't even released JB rom worldwide so dont expect kernel sources to come so fast.. They will release it when JB has reached to all the parts of the world.
Renowned companies like HTC usually comply with the licenses. They have a good image. Just wait for some time...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thumbs Down
Been waiting for too long man. 45 days was the promise, and its been near 60 days. And there isnt even a SUPPORTIVE ANNOUNCEMENT that it will come. Why cant they even make an OFFICIAL STATEMENT, just to calm our nerves. Thats very bad image they are making in eyes of good developers like atis112 and others.
neXus PRIME said:
Thumbs Down
Been waiting for too long man. 45 days was the promise, and its been near 60 days. And there isnt even a SUPPORTIVE ANNOUNCEMENT that it will come. Why cant they even make an OFFICIAL STATEMENT, just to calm our nerves. Thats very bad image they are making in eyes of good developers like atis112 and others.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am really patient.. We will definitely get it in future.
neXus PRIME said:
Thumbs Down
Been waiting for too long man. 45 days was the promise, and its been near 60 days. And there isnt even a SUPPORTIVE ANNOUNCEMENT that it will come. Why cant they even make an OFFICIAL STATEMENT, just to calm our nerves. Thats very bad image they are making in eyes of good developers like atis112 and others.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
I think so too. Why should they share their sources now if we don't complain? We should decide. Either make only one letter for the whole community, or as many letters as possible so that they'll have enough to read.
Sent from my HTC Desire X using xda premium
dansou901 said:
+1
I think so too. Why should they share their sources now if we don't complain? We should decide. Either make only one letter for the whole community, or as many letters as possible so that they'll have enough to read.
Sent from my HTC Desire X using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well personally HTC would not care for our letters anyway because look at this OTA? NeXus PRIME is right 45 days is promised to spread the update world wide its been 60 days and still nothing I have also done the same thing for the Desire C users ( I was supposed to buy that if i never knew HTC has a stock of DXs ) and they never responded But those kernel sources would be awesome
But its worth a shot
Peace dont flame me XD
And what should I put in the letter its asking for my full name should I put XDA-Developers? Or my name? thanks
Well ... released in all countries or not , it's still released out there and it's licensed under GPL . The product is officially out there but the sources are not . It's not like it's in a beta test or anything , at least not officially . A release has been made , regardless of its bugs , and the kernel sources should have been provided as well . At least that's the way I see it
Also , we should first wait for a response from hTC before reporting them to GNU . Maybe hTC still have some arguments & reasons for not releasing it . Maybe the cleaning lady didn't go through all the code xD
I'm really disappointed to see how such a promissing device as the DX has so little ROM-wise development . It's wierd because hTC seems to be quite the developer-friendly company , unlike Samsung for example .
This was my first hTC and even though I'm really liking the overall look , feel & performance of the device , I really , really don't like Sense xD
There's really no point mincing words and playing nice: don't think they wouldn't come down on your heads if you used some propriety HTC code / design - Beautiful widgets are a case in point.
The whole idea of Android is that it's open source, anti-copyright, a stark contrast to the world of apple & microsoft and withholding sources is completely contrary to this philosophy.
Agreed though, I think we send this letter (or variations of it, if you're not happy about the strength of the language) wait a reasonable amount of time and then report it if nothing has happened / no reasonable reply is received.
ekulnitsua said:
There's really no point mincing words and playing nice: don't think they wouldn't come down on your heads if you used some propriety HTC code / design - Beautiful widgets are a case in point.
The whole idea of Android is that it's open source, anti-copyright, a stark contrast to the world of apple & microsoft and withholding sources is completely contrary to this philosophy.
Agreed though, I think we send this letter (or variations of it, if you're not happy about the strength of the language) wait a reasonable amount of time and then report it if nothing has happened / no reasonable reply is received.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am really happy with the strength of the language. We have to show them what we want and that they are doing something wrong, so...
I think someone who has a higher position should write the letter. As a "normal" person we won't succeed.
Sent from my LT28h using xda app-developers app
Rebekka_Sun said:
I think someone who has a higher position should write the letter. As a "normal" person we won't succeed.
Sent from my LT28h using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If we act as a big community, it should work too... But if someone of us would know someone working there, this could help...
This is what we sgy users did..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1869565
The xda-developers must have a founder! Why don't we ask this person? I mean the developer of this site will get more "reaction" than some "members". Or why don't we act on Twitter, facebook, instagramm, ... There are so much people even on Facebook. We'll have a chance.
Sent from my LT28h using xda app-developers app
Rebekka_Sun said:
The xda-developers must have a founder! Why don't we ask this person? I mean the developer of this site will get more "reaction" than some "members". Or why don't we act on Twitter, facebook, instagramm, ... There are so much people even on Facebook. We'll have a chance.
Sent from my LT28h using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are high.
Sent from my HTC Desire X using xda app-developers app
prototype-U said:
You are high.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My thoughts exactly...
Sent from my HTC Desire X using xda app-developers app
prototype-U said:
This is what we sgy users did..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1869565
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung is more developer friendly than HTC + they release their kernel source immidiately without people asking them
Thank you @ekulnitsua and @The Android Manual and everybody who support us. I already made an online petition too, I hope we will got a lot of sign, and we can write enough letter for HTC, and they will take it seriously. I will update the OP soon. I will add the link to the petition in the message, the link to this thread and if it isn't problem for you I add my email too, and so they can contact with me if they want, and i will share their message with you.
Thank you
atis112