I've been searching and searching and can't find anything where this question is really touched on, at least not from Google.
Basically the thing I'm looking at is this. I come from a Droid X which had and still has a locked bootloader. I was always under the impression that this means two things:
1) MUST use signed updates
2) Cannot use custom kernels
And based on those two things my understanding was that you can theme and modify some small framework and /system stuff, but could never truly update the phone like you could with an unlocked bootloader.
This is where I'm confused. So we have unlocked bootloaders on our Thunderbolts which allows us to flash unsigned zips. Cool. But how does this affect future versions of Android? Like our current Gingerbread roms, aren't they based off of a leaked RUU? What would happen if let's say, Gingerbread is the final OS Upgrade we get from Verizon. How will the next major update to Android be loaded to us?
Do the developers have the ability to port new versions of Android without these leaked OTA's? Or do we rely on the OTA's that include new Android OS versions to progress? Thanks
When Verizon sends out updates our Devs can take them and edit them to work with rooted users. Thats why you will see things come from (I think his name is football) who gives us the updates from Verizon and then our Devs modify them to keep our root privileges. If you are rooted on a custom ROM tho you wont receive OTA.
Thank you for the response. I understand that part, but really what I'm trying to find out is:
Thunderbolt is on Froyo -> Verizon WILL update us to Gingerbread via OTA
Had Verizon NOT updated us to Gingerbread, would devs be able to take us there thanks to an unlocked bootloader? Or would the phone forever be doomed to use Froyo?
Take that principle and apply it to whatever comes after Gingerbread, because I'm pretty sure 2.3 will be the last major OS update this phone gets officially.
i cant give you a sure answer but BAMF has made sense 3.0 work on our phones and that is never releasing as an OTA i would assume if the next version of android comes to any 1ghz phones or well any htc phones someone will find a way just allot more work and more time.
Well thats basically all I needed to know. As long as we have an unlocked bootloader and a dev community willing to work on it, people can basically port any new versions of the OS even from other phone updates.
I just fear the idea of EOL and no more future OS updates.
Good way to answer your question is to take a look at the d1 and even the eris. They are both eol yet i know for sure the d1 has gingerbread, and i believe the eris does also.
sent from my bolt
Hi guys,
I plan to buy on June 14th the Galaxy S2 on Bell Canada network, it will replace my Pre2.
I was wondering if you can recommend me a specific ROM that will get rid of TouchWiz and allow me to run Gingerbread stock. I'm not familiar at all with Android, as I never use it before. That is the main reason why I rather ask the question here instead of searching, as I would not know what to search for.
A little about myself: I'm a Linux head (Redhat advanced + Ubuntu).
Thank you for your your help.
If you realy want to delete touch wiz, you'll have to root your phone otherwise you can't get rid of touch wiz, however you can run a different launcher and having touch wiz on your phone.
Hi Viletung. In WebOS, it takes me about 30 seconds to root the phone.
Yet that retains all the phone settings unchanged, while allowing me to install packages, manipulate data, etc. Is it the same thing with SGS2?
I guess my question is: is it recommended to root the phone? I'm curious if most of Android users root their phone. I know I rooted my Palm Pre/Pre2 phones 5min after I got them. I read on the Internet that certain ROM's are built on stock Gingerbread (without TouchWiz), allowing the phone to save on battery and run much smoother with less used resources. Obviously, if you install a new ROM it will void the warranty.
I'm at a point where I'm learning the basics, so any advice is appreciated.
Hello!
I've installed Lite'ning rom 1.5, which has root access. And to flash it takes about one minute!
When I got this phone, I knew it was possible to root my phone, but I was scared that I would screw something up and break the device.
Now, it's about one month after I got this phone and I must say after rooting the device, deleting some standard Samsung **** (Social Hubs etc..), my SGSII isn't draining battery as it used to do before I deleted some stuff. (Including TouchWiz)
But I have also a JIG, to reset the custom kernel counter, just incase I need my warranty back.
So my final conclusion is; I can't life without root! I like to edit the system icons (battery-, wifi icon and much more).
If you have any questions, I'll try to help you
Rooting, yes do it. It's easy, does no harm, and opens up neat options.
Just get Villainrom which is updated to version 2.0. It's built on android 2.3.4, fixing the 2.3.3 battery drain bug (which occured on all phones running 2.3.3).
If you want your stock gingerbread experience, there is a rom out there which tries to replicate this, but I recommend using a 'better' rom with a custom launcher mimicking Gingerbread. Since there's not a lot of difference than just a different launcher (home-menu).
Most dont root but most are not on XDA and dont know anything bar stock . I would guess most XDA users root .
I'm at a point where I'm learning the basics, so any advice is appreciated.
To a certain extent its been a learning curve for the devs as SGS 2 is different to SGS1 .Expect even more development as the days go by .
jje
Thanks a lot guys for the info.
prodygee said:
Rooting, yes do it. It's easy, does no harm, and opens up neat options.
Just get Villainrom which is updated to version 2.0. It's built on android 2.3.4, fixing the 2.3.3 battery drain bug (which occured on all phones running 2.3.3).
If you want your stock gingerbread experience, there is a rom out there which tries to replicate this, but I recommend using a 'better' rom with a custom launcher mimicking Gingerbread. Since there's not a lot of difference than just a different launcher (home-menu).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info. I want to have the latest version of Android, I don't really care about Gingerbread. How do updates work on Android (i.e. updating to Ice Cream Sandwich eventually)? On WebOS, updates are done automatically from your carrier or Palm/HP (if you had an unlocked phone like myself). Even if I rooted my phone, I would be able to update the phone firmware with a simple download and retain the rooted aspect of the phone.
About rooting, what did you used? I'm looking at Odin and SuperOneClick... is there something better/safer? One more time, thank you.
Official updates via Kies over PC only .
Rooting is usually lost on update .
Rooting via Chainfire
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1103399
jje
yqed said:
I was wondering if you can recommend me a specific ROM that will get rid of TouchWiz and allow me to run Gingerbread stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why don't you use it for a least a few seconds before ditching it, there's no aosp gingerbread anyway so you're stuck with it until cm7 comes along.
I want to root the phone and replace the ROM mainly because I heard that TouchWiz is running on top of current OS. I could disable TouchWiz, indeed. The issue is: I do not know how upgrades are performed into phone. From the above posts, I have to do it myself is not an automated download/install like WebOS does it.
So, if a new Android version is released, I have to download it myself? For example, my phone comes with 2.3.3 installed but 2.3.4 is released already. Will my phone ask me to download the latest version automatically upon release? I presume not, I have to download and install it myself. Using logic, that is done by either installing a ROM or getting the upgrade from mobile provider.
Correct me if I'm wrong.
yqed said:
So, if a new Android version is released, I have to download it myself? For example, my phone comes with 2.3.3 installed but 2.3.4 is released already. Will my phone ask me to download the latest version automatically upon release? I presume not, I have to download and install it myself. Using logic, that is done by either installing a ROM or getting the upgrade from mobile provider.
Correct me if I'm wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's correct, and is one of the main reasons people root their Androids so that when a new version comes out we can download it straight away and don't have to wait for the carrier to officially release it, which usually takes a lot longer than it does for the devs here to put something together. E.g. there are a few ROMs already in the dev forum based on 2.3.4, but there is not yet any official update.
Thanks guys much appreciated. I will probably have more questions, once I have the phone on hand.
yqed said:
I want to root the phone and replace the ROM mainly because I heard that TouchWiz is running on top of current OS. I could disable TouchWiz, indeed. The issue is: I do not know how upgrades are performed into phone. From the above posts, I have to do it myself is not an automated download/install like WebOS does it.
So, if a new Android version is released, I have to download it myself? For example, my phone comes with 2.3.3 installed but 2.3.4 is released already. Will my phone ask me to download the latest version automatically upon release? I presume not, I have to download and install it myself. Using logic, that is done by either installing a ROM or getting the upgrade from mobile provider.
Correct me if I'm wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android phones get new updates over the air when available, just like web os. Only Samsung does their own thing which is different on the sgs2 than on normal android devices. .
Which is, providing updates through an unnecessary software suite called KIES. You won't see an update available message on your phone.
yqed said:
Hi guys,
I plan to buy on June 14th the Galaxy S2 on Bell Canada network, it will replace my Pre2.
I was wondering if you can recommend me a specific ROM that will get rid of TouchWiz and allow me to run Gingerbread stock. I'm not familiar at all with Android, as I never use it before. That is the main reason why I rather ask the question here instead of searching, as I would not know what to search for.
A little about myself: I'm a Linux head (Redhat advanced + Ubuntu).
Thank you for your your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just install a launcher fromthe Android Store. There's plenty of good ones like LauncherPro, GX Launcher, 7 launcher. Their all relatively good and fully functional.
OK, I got the phone (16GB model) today from FutureShop and played with it a bit. It is a great phone indeed...
Phone Info (might be useful for devs)
Network: Bell Canada
Model: GT-I9100M
Android Version: 2.3.3
Baseband Version: I9100MUGKG2
Kernel Version: 2.6.35.7-I9100MUGKG2-CL371789 [email protected] #2
Build Number: GINGERBREAD.UGKG2
Now, on with the usual:
Bell bundled the phone with several crap apps like Self Serve, TeleNav GPS (how stupid is that on an Android), Remote PVR, etc.
I will follow your advice and use the phone for now as is, without any fancy stuff done to it (like a new ROM). I would like to get rid of the Bell proprietary apps (physical delete), let me know if is possible. I guess if the phone is rooted it should be easy, the trick is to know how to delete the apps from the phone.
Another question: How do I install the Samsung drivers, without installing the blotted KIES?
I looked for a clean package with SGS2 drivers only but I could not find anything... All I want is to go to Device Manager and point a directory.
I must admit that Android is a totally new experience, coming from WebOS. I'm pretty much lost, heh. I know I sound like a noob, so please forgive me if I ask some simple questions that I can get the answer with a search or just by reading the phone instructions (haven't had the time to read the documentation).
So, I have a tab wifi from Canada (I am living here too). I am on stock 3.1 still and it seems like Samsung forgot about our tabs here so I was thinking, and correct me if I am wrong but, I remember hearing that the tabs in the US have gotten 3.2 updates so would it be possible that I could flash an US stock version so I could get updates when they get released to tabs that are in the States?
AFAIK yes, its possible. If you flash a stock US ROM, You should get the updates for US tabs
jonnyg1097 said:
So, I have a tab wifi from Canada (I am living here too). I am on stock 3.1 still and it seems like Samsung forgot about our tabs here so I was thinking, and correct me if I am wrong but, I remember hearing that the tabs in the US have gotten 3.2 updates so would it be possible that I could flash an US stock version so I could get updates when they get released to tabs that are in the States?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's your tablet's official designation, P6200, P6210, etc? This actually does make a difference because the hardware is slightly different in different tabs, (e.g. some have IR transmitters while others don't.)
While it is theoretically possible for you to flash a US ROM, you might cause unintended problems. I would suggest getting your actual model number and then making sure that the rom you flash is for that model number. Another thing to keep in mind is that your tablet is registered with Samsung's servers via its serial number, which brands it as a Canadian tab. Your rom, US or otherwise, probably won't matter because when it checks for updates via KIES or the built-in updater, it will be checking against serial number. This is not to say that you can't continue to pull the latest updates from here as flashable roms and then update manually, but I seriously doubt that flashing a US rom on a tab with a non-US serial will allow you to pick up the latest updates for US tabs. Sorry. Good Luck
Now - while you might not be able to get updates, with a wifi only 7510 there should be no problem for a Canadian retail device to run stock US retail firmware correct? One of the things I'm hoping to do is get a custom ICS working without a rolling ROM on screen wakeup. I've tried a couple and I'm convinced it's some sort of driver issue.
Currently running ICS via XXLPH on a GT-I9100P. Unfortunately, that version doesn't include NFC support, which annoys me, since I paid extra for a phone with NFC hardware.
My question is - I see via the sammobile page that there is a firmware update for my phone more recent than what I have, albeit one with a different PDA to my current one (I9100XXLPH vs I9100PBVLP8).
What exactly does this mean? Does this mean it's simply different software, but still designed to run on the same hardware? If so, it should be compatible with my phone, no? Or are there other things I should be checking for compatibility?
(Also - would that update even help with NFC?)
I recognize that ultimately whatever I do when screwing around is on me. And I realize that flashing a different official ROM is pretty tame compared to all the unofficial ROMs here (though most of them don't seem designed for the P version of the SGS2). But I'd rather not brick my phone at the moment.
Note - this is not a phone I got from a carrier, and I rooted it, so waiting for OTA upgrades is not an option.
Faqa42 said:
Currently running ICS via XXLPH on a GT-I9100P. Unfortunately, that version doesn't include NFC support, which annoys me, since I paid extra for a phone with NFC hardware.
My question is - I see via the sammobile page that there is a firmware update for my phone more recent than what I have, albeit one with a different PDA to my current one (I9100XXLPH vs I9100PBVLP8).
What exactly does this mean? Does this mean it's simply different software, but still designed to run on the same hardware? If so, it should be compatible with my phone, no? Or are there other things I should be checking for compatibility?
(Also - would that update even help with NFC?)
I recognize that ultimately whatever I do when screwing around is on me. And I realize that flashing a different official ROM is pretty tame compared to all the unofficial ROMs here (though most of them don't seem designed for the P version of the SGS2). But I'd rather not brick my phone at the moment.
Note - this is not a phone I got from a carrier, and I rooted it, so waiting for OTA upgrades is not an option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
make a bkp of ur exsisting rom and then flash the I9100PBVLP8 and see for the NFC issue if it resolves u can keep it else restore the original one back
since pda is the modem if its diff no issue u can always change the same if its not wrk'ng properly for u
Thank you. So all I should care about in ROM flashing is the underlying hardware? PDA and CSC differences should not brick my phone?
You may want to check this out it should add NFC to any rom.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1407808
whats the difference between the old and new android os version in any rom? how can i upgrade it?
example: i have an android phone with version 4.2.2 and i want my phone to use android 4.4 upgrade, but the OEM not provide the updates, so i would update it myself, but i dunno how to make it happen, so i need your help to tell me what must i know before i make it happen
thanks before for your help
[Q] How can CWM be built in a kernel?
Well, the difference between and old version and a recent one is that the newer version has more features and maybe some bug corrections. Just like Windows 7 and 8, or iOS 6 and 7...
It's pretty hard to update your phone by yourself. You would need to learn about bootloader, firmware, rom, recovery...
And then, you should have a custom recovery. You should port Android 4.4 for your phone, and flash it through the recovery.
And maybe you would need to unlock the bootloader.
PS: What phone you have?
Sorry for my bad english.