Related
First, let me say I love this forum. Second, this is my first smart phone, let alone an android OS phone. I have never rooted a phone, let alone installed a custom ROM. I do have linux experience but more as a hobby, not a power user. I like to keep a linux machine around for fun. The idea of never using windows again at home is one I hope to go full bore on someday but I refuse to go MAC.
Having said that, I really like the stock setup from a usability standpoint. My only complaints are the bloatware that I cannot remove and that even when I have power saving turned on, the battery seems to go too fast. I'm trying to accomplish the following:
1) Improve battery life
2) Free up storage space
3) eliminate bloatware
4) Maintain simple interface (I don't want to be inundated with options and choices)
I use my phone to watch MKV movies a lot. I also prefer the stock browser. I watch a lot of flash videos/streams online. I like to be able to use DLNA to share MKV to other devices on the network. I'm not a gamer anymore.
Would anyone be able to help me decide how to accomplish this? Would a custom ROM be a good solution for me? If so, which ROM? Would I be better off just rooting the phone and uninstalling items?
Thanks for any answers and advice you nice folks can give me.
Rooting phone is a good idea. That way you have full control over your rom. Remember to do a backup of your rom before you start making changes, then if you get in to difficulties you can revert back to the original with out any worries.
Android Revolution is a good "Sense cleaner" with some non-intrusive enhancements.
Venom (my current ROM) takes it to the next level and has a friendlier UI for removing Sense bloat. Venom has more configuration options than you can imagine - but you can just ignore them if you like things the way they are.
The best perceived battery life I've had so far on my HOX+ is CyanogenMod though. It's a totally separate build, and based straight on original Android source, not HTC's. You'll lose the sweet HTC camera chip functions with this option (if it's really that sweet is a matter for debate though).
I can only agree with the previous speaker.
Venom is probably the future.
You have so many settings that you will not find elsewhere.
Stable, fast, smooth, and a great support.
Hats off to the developers
If only they'd get rid of the viper icons
Haha. It'll look more professional....just saying.
Sent from my HTC One X+ using xda premium
gamepr said:
If only they'd get rid of the viper icons
Haha. It'll look more professional....just saying.
Sent from my HTC One X+ using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's right. I hope it looks better from now.
Well I do not know if you are an international or U.S. user. I can only speak for U.S. and my experience has been Elegancia. The rom is fast stable and offers the simplistic support of what you enjoy. Personal preference directs me away from Viper rom. I have found it buggy, slow and overall hinders daily use. If you are international I would definitely go with Cyanogen Mod, and would still transition to cyanogen once it is released for the U.S. variant.
Kraizk said:
Well I do not know if you are an international or U.S. user. I can only speak for U.S. and my experience has been Elegancia. The rom is fast stable and offers the simplistic support of what you enjoy. Personal preference directs me away from Viper rom. I have found it buggy, slow and overall hinders daily use. If you are international I would definitely go with Cyanogen Mod, and would still transition to cyanogen once it is released for the U.S. variant.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use the International Device. For me, the Viper Rom works fine on my Hox +.:good:
Kraizk said:
Well I do not know if you are an international or U.S. user. I can only speak for U.S. and my experience has been Elegancia. The rom is fast stable and offers the simplistic support of what you enjoy. Personal preference directs me away from Viper rom. I have found it buggy, slow and overall hinders daily use. If you are international I would definitely go with Cyanogen Mod, and would still transition to cyanogen once it is released for the U.S. variant.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I second this. Elegancia is great. It gives me great battery life, better than the others Imo. But YMMV.
Sent from my HTC One X+ using Tapatalk 2
ARHD
I was just the same as you but my advice would be simply to install android revolution HD, it looks identical to the default HTC sense so its really easy to use obviously. It improves battery life really well from my experience, I can easily go a couple days without recharging if I need to, or more if I don't use it much. The ROM also has great performance and it makes everything noticeably faster and more fluid, it also uninstalls all the rubbish that's on there when you get it like amazon MP3 and all that stuff. As for installing it just use Hasoon2000's toolkit which I'm sure you've seen by now to root and install the ROM.
Android Revolution HD: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1987885
Hasoon 2000's Toolkit: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1994961
I'll give you my experience, since I'm in a similar boat. After 3 years away from Android (had the first Motorola Droid but wasn't into rooting), I switched from my iPhone 4 to the HOX+ on AT&T so I could give Android another shot. I quickly learned that HTC and AT&T put a LOT of crap on their phones I didn't need, and wanted to slim it down, get better battery life, speed things up, etc.
So for my first rooting/ROM experience, I used Hasoon's tool to root, then went about picking a ROM. I ended up with Elegancia, but really I'd go with either that or Viper just based on the amount of activity on their threads. Elegancia has been excellent, and if you're essentially looking for stock experience with better battery life, just make sure you DON'T choose "De-sense" in the options, and just leave all the HTC apps on during installation.
I actually de-sensed and went with Nova Launcher, but I can tell you that the ROM runs MUCH smoother and faster than stock, and I haven't regretted it. I haven't tried Viper yet. Depending on how long Llior takes on his CM 10 for the AT&T, I may try Viper in a week or two to see how it goes, but honestly, can't go wrong with Elegancia.
Hope this helps. As a similar noob in the rooting/flashing scene here, if you have more questions let me know.
Thanks for all the replies.
I have used the toolkit and rooted the phone today. Everything says to backup before installing a ROM. I thought I made a backup during the rooting process. I only really want a backup of my stock phone in case I have to go back later.
How do I know if I have a full backup that I can use later?
What exactly is the process for creating a backup and where is it saved? Can I save a backup on my PC instead of the phone?
I don't want 2 or 3 complete backups on my phone hogging up space.
OK. I think I got Elegancia installed but I never did install the new boot.img.
Does the elegancia ROM install/update this automatically? I have booted into the new Elegancia ROM and it appears to be running fine.
Bought my S4 with ME7 from a N2 before I knew what was good for me. As a recovering flash-a-holic, ME7 has helped me appreciate the functionality and stability of a factory ROM. In the past, factory ROMs never really did it for me - mainly because I've owned devices where factory overlay versus hardware were never really equal.
Obviously AOSP was the way to go - stable builds of Cyanogenmod to be specific (nightlies and insert developernamehere ROMs always had insertquirkhere that inevitably revealed itself - being a perfectionist who loves minimalism, I had limited options. My ROM choice was always stable AOSP-built or TouchWiz with very light modifications (I looked for debloated, odexed ROMs with no mods, maybe volume key to change track).
Back to the topic name, has anyone grown content with their ME7 stock device? Obviously I'm anticipating Safestrap (I went from a Fascinate to a Bionic, then to GNex, GS3, GN2, GS4 for those wondering), but if it never reaches fruition, I could be content with this device for a little while. Opinions?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
zerofighter1 said:
Bought my S4 with ME7 from a N2 before I knew what was good for me. As a recovering flash-a-holic, ME7 has helped me appreciate the functionality and stability of a factory ROM. In the past, factory ROMs never really did it for me - mainly because I've owned devices where factory overlay versus hardware were never really equal.
Obviously AOSP was the way to go - stable builds of Cyanogenmod to be specific (nightlies and insert developernamehere ROMs always had insertquirkhere that inevitably revealed itself - being a perfectionist who loves minimalism, I had limited options. My ROM choice was always stable AOSP-built or TouchWiz with very light modifications (I looked for debloated, odexed ROMs with no mods, maybe volume key to change track).
Back to the topic name, has anyone grown content with their ME7 stock device? Obviously I'm anticipating Safestrap (I went from a Fascinate to a Bionic, then to GNex, GS3, GN2, GS4 for those wondering), but if it never reaches fruition, I could be content with this device for a little while. Opinions?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
root alone is fine for me, tbh, even though i run a custom rom. Just the ability to get rid of bloatware is fine with stuff like nova launcher.
zerofighter1 said:
Bought my S4 with ME7 from a N2 before I knew what was good for me. As a recovering flash-a-holic, ME7 has helped me appreciate the functionality and stability of a factory ROM. In the past, factory ROMs never really did it for me - mainly because I've owned devices where factory overlay versus hardware were never really equal.
Obviously AOSP was the way to go - stable builds of Cyanogenmod to be specific (nightlies and insert developernamehere ROMs always had insertquirkhere that inevitably revealed itself - being a perfectionist who loves minimalism, I had limited options. My ROM choice was always stable AOSP-built or TouchWiz with very light modifications (I looked for debloated, odexed ROMs with no mods, maybe volume key to change track).
Back to the topic name, has anyone grown content with their ME7 stock device? Obviously I'm anticipating Safestrap (I went from a Fascinate to a Bionic, then to GNex, GS3, GN2, GS4 for those wondering), but if it never reaches fruition, I could be content with this device for a little while. Opinions?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have ran basically every custom TW rom but now im on an me7 stock rom (can go back to mdk) and im content with it. Im running the xposed framework so I can do some basic customization. Getting some awesome battery life too, day and a half with 6 hours screen on time.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2
Rooted, debloated with TBU, tweaked a bit with Tweakbox and Wanam via Xposed and using Nova, stock ME7 is fairly dynamic. Will I try a custom via SS, and/or via a custom recovery.....you bet. Am I OK with the GS4 as is? Yep. Best phone I have ever had by a long shot.
I used a 16gb S4 for couple days and then returned it and ordered the 32gb version online. I knew I had found my new phone because the only thing that bugged me was the bloat and that will go once rooted. Came from GNex, which I hated stock. Before that, the Incredible-hated Sense. So I was really thrilled with the S4 in all respects.
Question: When my new S4 arrives in the next day or two, what's the way to keep it from downloading the update before I can get it rooted? (I realize it may come already updated, in which case I'll just root, period )
GNex Toro
Pull sim and root or just put it in airplane mode then root. If it can't communicate to wonderful world of VZW, it can't pull down the update
Eric214 said:
Pull sim and root or just put it in airplane mode then root. If it can't communicate to wonderful world of VZW, it can't pull down the update
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The above would be the absolute 1st step/s. 2nd step is to freeze/uninstall SDM 1.0. and go to system root/data/fota/ and delete the ota file/s.
Getting rid of the bloat ware did it for me. My battery life is much better now than when I first got it. I still wish I could flash some different ROMs. I've never had a phone I couldn't do that on so this will be a first.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Actually, I'm ok with rooted ME7 for now. It's only been, maybe 10 hours, and most of that time has been spent searching and reading, but after removing all the bloat mentioned here and downloading blacked out apps from TBO Blackout Updater, I think it should be just fine. Especially coming from the ol' Fascinate.
My first Droid was a HTC Incredible. I went through tons of ROM"s on that. Everything from an ODex'd stock rom to MIUI. I ultimately ran MIUI with tons of customizations flashed via recovery.
With the S4 Im content with root and just getting rid of the bloat. I like TouchWiz more than I liked HTC Sense.
Just rooting alone and removing the bloat I can go 27 hours with 55% screen time and 8% GPS usage. I went with the 32Gb version and a 16Gb Microsd card with tons of wallpapers, notification sounds, etc.
Very content.
I used to be a flash-a-holic, but in the last year, I have had a child and gone back to school. I have found very little time or motivation to mess around with ROMs I don't like, have strange glitches, or are just plain unreliable. I know there are many good ROMs usually available for well supported devices, but the time spent trying one after another has worn on me. My Nexus 7 has been running the same fully functional ROM for a long time, and I feel no need to "update" to the latest version of the ROM just for the sake of having the "latest" when this is running rock solid.
Stuck on stock... hehe... has been good for me actually. Very stable, functional. reliable. After rooting, removing all the bloat (still just frozen until thouroughly proven to be safe for me), and installling HOLO Launcher HD, I am very happy. I am findng tweaks to polish the user experience more and more every day, and my battery life is much better than I thought it would be with this huge and gorgeous screen. I have had no issues with the heat or battery drain I read about and feared before diving in and buying this phone, and whether or not it is because the first thing I did was root and debloat, doesn't matter to me.
I love this phone, my first Sammy.
Tool Belt said:
Rooted, debloated with TBU, tweaked a bit with Tweakbox and Wanam via Xposed and using Nova, stock ME7 is fairly dynamic. Will I try a custom via SS, and/or via a custom recovery.....you bet. Am I OK with the GS4 as is? Yep. Best phone I have ever had by a long shot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wanam Xposed is so awesome, finally able to customized the device how I like
IamPro said:
Wanam Xposed is so awesome, finally able to customized the device how I like
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just installed Viper4Android.......WOW!!
Stupid question I'm sure, but how do I "debloat"? Is there an app, or is this simply manually deleting unwanted apps? FYI, I have Verizon ME7 rooted.
TMack1962 said:
Stupid question I'm sure, but how do I "debloat"? Is there an app, or is this simply manually deleting unwanted apps? FYI, I have Verizon ME7 rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Debloating is basically removing all the apps that come pre installed that you have no use/need for. There is a 1 click debloater posted in the dev section but I prefer to do it manually.
Hit thanks if I helped you out. Doing a little bit of reading goes a long way. Sent via tapatalk.
Just a dumb question, but what makes an OTA update different from a ROM? More specifically, why can OTAs flash fine while retaining user data while installing a ROM generally requires data to be wiped?
Thanks
It's never required, but is recommended. It can cause issues with a new ROM and it's also been known to sometimes cause issues with ota updates as well. Some people would have to wipe data after doing an update to fix strange issues.
I know in the past when coming from a 4.0 ROM and going to 4.1 or higher almost always needed data wipes. Some data gets associated with an older os and when that data is copied to a newer one, that app may not be compatible with the newer os version, causing issues.
prshosting.org
I've only got my S4 four days ago, but I've been ROMing before then for years. Things are a LOT tighter here in S4 land, as you can read all over. ROMing started in the old non-locked down phone days, and is still heavy on Nexus devices. Nexus devices are the ones that are first out the door with a new Android OS. The 'Nexus 5' by LG is out now to introduce KitKat (4.4). As soon as the new Android OS is released on Google's Open Source servers, ROM devs grab it and adapt it to a zillion other phones. Up until last Friday I had a custom ROM 4.4 KitKat on my Galaxy Nexus (got it from VZW on day1 Dec 2011) using full CWM recovery mode to swap ROMS in and out any time.
Answer to your question... an OTA OS is what they want you to have, with all the Samsung/VZW add-ons, a nice safe for them package. A custom ROM you load can be anything else, super clean AOSP Android, or heavily modified with all sorts of cool add-ons various developers have created. Since these S4's are so locked down, devs are really restricted in what they can do to a ROM, and it a real headache to get them loaded after that.
My phone came with MI1 and I rooted it an hour after getting home with it last weekend. I played with Safestrap, but decided there wasn't anything worth ROMing out there for an S4 compared to what I knew on my old open phone. I took the MK7 load 2 days ago, still rooted thanks to the write-ups here. The Samsung/VZW 4.3 is actually pretty nice in my opinion (once you 'Turn OFF' some things or 'Freeze' them with Titanium Backup). I don't plan on any ROMS for the S4. I'm actually relieved with that. ROMing becomes an addiction. My dog is happier with the new phone too, as we get to go on more walks with my new found non-ROMing time.
Hi all!
I've been an S3 user for a little over 1.5 years; been a native of the Sprint forums (although my Sprint S3 is flashed to Page Plus).
Now that VZW has made their prepaid plan a lot more competitive and included LTE, I'm planning on making the jump, and picking up an S4 in the process. The $ cost to me will end up being negligible, as I'm able to sell my S3 and mostly make up for the expense of the S4.
I've loved my S3 - I run a rooted stock 4.4.2 rom, debloated all the samsung & sprint crap via titanium, and a ktoonsez kernel that's been tweaked to work well with my phone - and it functions perfectly - still fast, great battery life for a ~2 year old phone, etc. Been around android for some time now (first phone was the OG incredible), so am perfectly comfortable tweaking and such, however I don't want to spend too much time doing so.
I'm reading about the S4 and curious if it's worth the upgrade. I've heard several people online complain about the verizon 4.4.2 update causing overheating and issues with the phone. If I root, debloat, and run a quality custom kernel, am I likely to have issues?
I only use my phone for web browsing, calendaring email, texting, and talking - no gaming. I'm mainly looking forward to having the nicer screen and camera, and the likely possibility of a few more Android updates (which the S3 is unlikely to get). Honestly I'd love to have the next Nexus or something that runs closer to stock, but don't have the luxury to wait around for that phone (and I want to stay on vzw's network).
I've been doing some reading around your forum and am just curious as to your thoughts on the jump S3 -> vzw S4! Pros & cons?
Thanks much,
-Dirk
VZW has it locked down. You can root & perhaps a custom rom using Safestrap. But only TW based roms & some Xposed framework customization. Just about 0 choice on kernels. (unless you can get hold of one with MDK bootloader, - - then you are golden.)
wtherrell said:
VZW has it locked down. You can root & perhaps a custom rom using Safestrap. But only TW based roms & some Xposed framework customization. Just about 0 choice on kernels. (unless you can get hold of one with MDK bootloader, - - then you are golden.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Huh. I was planning on picking up one of the manufacturer refurb ones ($200) thru vzw's site. I'm assuming those will all be on whatever the newest bootloader version is ... this is disappointing (don't really mind running stock, just need to be rooted).
But really no kernels work on the newest OTA?
EDIT: Wow, just read the "Customizing your vzw S4" post ...
If the bootloader isn't "I545VRUAMDK" you have a locked bootloader and can only use Safestrap to install custom ROMs. Custom recovery is not possible. Attempts to install custom recovery will soft-brick your phone and require you to re-flash a stock ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is very unfortunate. Hmm, now I'm not so sure about this purchase. Assuming the S4 gets Android "L", do you think the device will be locked down again and root will be removed permanently?
dirkdigles said:
Huh. I was planning on picking up one of the manufacturer refurb ones ($200) thru vzw's site. I'm asking those will all be on whatever the newest bootloader version is ... this is disappointing (don't really mind running stock, just need to be rooted).
But really no kernels work on the newest OTA?
EDIT: Wow, just read the "Customizing your vzw S4" post ...
That is very unfortunate. Hmm, now I'm not so sure about this purchase. Assuming the S4 gets Android "L", do you think the device will be locked down again and root will be removed permanently?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are a lot of great roms you can run and yes you can obtain root with the newest version nc5. Easy as pie with towelroot. Don't even need a pc. Safestrap 3.72 is what you will need if you get the latest version. You could check out swappa if you want a MK2 or maybe even a MDK. Safestrap has its own recovery and works just fine. Most of the people on here use Safestrap. You would be happier if you found one running 4.3 as opposed to 4.4.2 because of better battery life but NC5 (4.4.2) works fine and is a lttle faster probably.
dirkdigles said:
That is very unfortunate. Hmm, now I'm not so sure about this purchase. Assuming the S4 gets Android "L", do you think the device will be locked down again and root will be removed permanently?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's the bad part about safestrap vs. a custom recovery? I still see CM11 for the S4. Is it a lack of backups or something?
Flowah said:
What's the bad part about safestrap vs. a custom recovery? I still see CM11 for the S4. Is it a lack of backups or something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Safestrap enables you to flash roms on a locked bootloader which is pretty cool. Unfortunately the big limitation is basically that you can't touch the kernel on a locked bootloader without kexec support ( which will probably never happen) so the only roms you can flash have to be based on the same firmware that your phone has stock. No AOSP roms at all or TW roms that are newer than an OTA and no custom kernels.
All the AOSP roms you see are for MDK and Dev edition phones.
Flowah said:
What's the bad part about safestrap vs. a custom recovery? I still see CM11 for the S4. Is it a lack of backups or something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If u don't have mdk firmware safestrap only option and no cm or asop roms.
sent by safestrap powered echo v26
I'm pretty happy with my phone. It's not a huge jump from the s3. I am rooted on 4.4.2 and flash roms with SS. You can flash aosp look alike roms. Also, my battery life is just fine!
s4 upgrade not worth it
dirkdigles said:
Hi all!
I've been an S3 user for a little over 1.5 years; been a native of the Sprint forums (although my Sprint S3 is flashed to Page Plus).
Now that VZW has made their prepaid plan a lot more competitive and included LTE, I'm planning on making the jump, and picking up an S4 in the process. The $ cost to me will end up being negligible, as I'm able to sell my S3 and mostly make up for the expense of the S4.
I've loved my S3 - I run a rooted stock 4.4.2 rom, debloated all the samsung & sprint crap via titanium, and a ktoonsez kernel that's been tweaked to work well with my phone - and it functions perfectly - still fast, great battery life for a ~2 year old phone, etc. Been around android for some time now (first phone was the OG incredible), so am perfectly comfortable tweaking and such, however I don't want to spend too much time doing so.
I'm reading about the S4 and curious if it's worth the upgrade. I've heard several people online complain about the verizon 4.4.2 update causing overheating and issues with the phone. If I root, debloat, and run a quality custom kernel, am I likely to have issues?
I only use my phone for web browsing, calendaring email, texting, and talking - no gaming. I'm mainly looking forward to having the nicer screen and camera, and the likely possibility of a few more Android updates (which the S3 is unlikely to get). Honestly I'd love to have the next Nexus or something that runs closer to stock, but don't have the luxury to wait around for that phone (and I want to stay on vzw's network).
I've been doing some reading around your forum and am just curious as to your thoughts on the jump S3 -> vzw S4! Pros & cons?
Thanks much,
-Dirk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the samsung galaxy s4 on verizon and i wouldnt say the upgrade is really worth it from the s3. If you want to stay with samsung go with the s5 with all the newest specs. Then once you get it, if you dont like the soft ware then just flash a stock s3 rom to it and it wil be like your s3 just work a lot more efficient. In short, it is not worth the upgrade from GS3 to GS4.
joshm.1219 said:
Safestrap enables you to flash roms on a locked bootloader which is pretty cool. Unfortunately the big limitation is basically that you can't touch the kernel on a locked bootloader without kexec support ( which will probably never happen) so the only roms you can flash have to be based on the same firmware that your phone has stock. No AOSP roms at all or TW roms that are newer than an OTA and no custom kernels.
All the AOSP roms you see are for MDK and Dev edition phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just an fyi for people, this isn't totally true. In the general section there is a thread about running a 4.4.4 GPE rom. I've been on the 4.4.3 version for a few days and it's great. With gravity box I can get it set up almost like a custom rom. There are a few bugs but nothing that is a deal breaker (for me)
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
rrrrrrredbelly said:
Just an fyi for people, this isn't totally true. In the general section there is a thread about running a 4.4.4 GPE rom. I've been on the 4.4.3 version for a few days and it's great. With gravity box I can get it set up almost like a custom rom. There are a few bugs but nothing that is a deal breaker (for me)
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that's true, seems like only a few of you really have it working flawlessly though.
joshm.1219 said:
Yes that's true, seems like only a few of you really have it working flawlessly though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't been following the thread that closely, didn't realize. There are definitely issues (no usb connection is a big one) but after losing my mdk phone 2 months ago on a warranty issue, i love this rom.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
HI everyone,
I received a new LG G3 today. It was a great price with all the new phones out and I now have stock QI. SWEET! I'm coming from a VZN note 2 w horrible touchwiz/ some ROMS tried. Ultimately I dont want to flash roms unless LG sucks, I'd prefer to unlock and root to allow for special applications, I'll get to why at the bottom. I'm seeking your opinion and thoughts in regards to:
1.) Should I unlock/root in 4.2.2 prior to the OTA update and stay with 4.4.2? I was not too happy with Kit Kat and it seems that as you get closer to lollipop I had less customization and was annoyed more often with the loss of features within apps and bland styles.; do you agree? I have only seen lollipop from google researching and it looks similar to Kit Kat, just so, so.... Currently in 4.2.2 I can use Google wallet, my chromecast with any movie and music, etc; I don't think I would be gaining any feature except full screen casting, but I have a computer and Chromecast dedicated to my TV. The new notification styles don't impress me either. I had other notification options with CM11 (lock screen/etc) and was not that thrilled with it to upgrade. Normal pictures are fine with me and I'm not trying to win any film contests. No reason to beam stuff, and I like the full month view with digicalendar widget on one home screen (hated google's new calendar views).... Do you regret upgrading? I'm hoping and praying LG has a solid ROM that doesn't drive me crazing crashing with glitches.
lastly any suggestions - Do I need to root now or do anything else to prevent being locked out after the upgrade if I do do it, as is the case of Samsung? I was so glad I locked out OTA updates that screwed a bunch of people out of unlocking their bootloaders for long periods of time.
THANKS FOR YOUR ADVICE AND TIME EVERYONE! I really do appreciate it and I'm excited to start learning about the G3 and having a lot of fun.
My thoughts/background on staying stock w root and unlocked at this point vs Flashing ROMS if you were wondering:
Pardon the poor grammar/ ranting- Basically I need a solid daily driver and after being a little disappointed with CM11 and KitKat in general due to it's bland looks, camera, messaging, etc (e.g. You have to have a face for every contact including yourself to differentiate well between the text messages back and forth, or have handscent with a more "bubble like experience", but is a [email protected] to attach certain things. All in all I tried out gummy rom, CM11 and liquid smooth and was not too thrilled with the glitches or missing stuff that they had for the stable releases I ended up trying for a daily driver. It was fun flashing and testing stuff out though. I switched to a custom ROM mainly bc my note 2 would not allow for easy access to contacts while messaging in landscape (If you typed out a contact's entire name it would only show numbers in the auto select region just above the keyboard and so you would have to scroll down to select a contact in a thin box, this is not okay when your wife is trying to text on your appradio 3 while you are driving. Touch wiz sucked for stability (atleast CM11 never crashed on me!) and touchwiz had so many other glitches and issues that annoyed me; I had to root and add another app just to get a notification bar wifi toggle, WTF! VZN. In ROMS there were mIssing shortcuts in apps to attach things like contacts and do certain daily driver stuff that annoyed me about each ROM, but CM11 was the best for me out of the 4 total I experienced. Custom ROMS did a bad job at working with ARU unchained for my appradio3, but I didn't sped a lot of time on each ROM getting it to work (CM11 was the easiest).
I too came from a Note II and didn't take any OTA's and instead updated with Bean's stock images.
Root your G3 now and update to the latest via: http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-lg-g3/general/reference-stock-img-files-t2966958
If you did take the latest OTA, you can roll back and update to the latest so not too bad being on LG.
stewbuntu said:
HI everyone,
I received a new LG G3 today. It was a great price with all the new phones out and I now have stock QI. SWEET! I'm coming from a VZN note 2 w horrible touchwiz/ some ROMS tried. Ultimately I dont want to flash roms unless LG sucks, I'd prefer to unlock and root to allow for special applications, I'll get to why at the bottom. I'm seeking your opinion and thoughts in regards to:
1.) Should I unlock/root in 4.2.2 prior to the OTA update and stay with 4.2.2? I was not too happy with Kit Kat and it seems that as you get closer to lollipop I had less customization and was annoyed more often with the loss of features within apps and bland styles.; do you agree? I have only seen lollipop from google researching and it looks similar to Kit Kat, just so, so.... Currently in 4.2.2 I can use Google wallet, my chromecast with any movie and music, etc; I don't think I would be gaining any feature except full screen casting, but I have a computer and Chromecast dedicated to my TV. The new notification styles don't impress me either. I had other notification options with CM11 (lock screen/etc) and was not that thrilled with it to upgrade. Normal pictures are fine with me and I'm not trying to win any film contests. No reason to beam stuff, and I like the full month view with digicalendar widget on one home screen (hated google's new calendar views).... Do you regret upgrading? I'm hoping and praying LG has a solid ROM that doesn't drive me crazing crashing with glitches.
lastly any suggestions - Do I need to root now or do anything else to prevent being locked out after the upgrade if I do do it, as is the case of Samsung? I was so glad I locked out OTA updates that screwed a bunch of people out of unlocking their bootloaders for long periods of time.
THANKS FOR YOUR ADVICE AND TIME EVERYONE! I really do appreciate it and I'm excited to start learning about the G3 and having a lot of fun.
My thoughts/background on staying stock w root and unlocked at this point vs Flashing ROMS if you were wondering:
Pardon the poor grammar/ ranting- Basically I need a solid daily driver and after being a little disappointed with CM11 and KitKat in general due to it's bland looks, camera, messaging, etc (e.g. You have to have a face for every contact including yourself to differentiate well between the text messages back and forth, or have handscent with a more "bubble like experience", but is a [email protected] to attach certain things. All in all I tried out gummy rom, CM11 and liquid smooth and was not too thrilled with the glitches or missing stuff that they had for the stable releases I ended up trying for a daily driver. It was fun flashing and testing stuff out though. I switched to a custom ROM mainly bc my note 2 would not allow for easy access to contacts while messaging in landscape (If you typed out a contact's entire name it would only show numbers in the auto select region just above the keyboard and so you would have to scroll down to select a contact in a thin box, this is not okay when your wife is trying to text on your appradio 3 while you are driving. Touch wiz sucked for stability (atleast CM11 never crashed on me!) and touchwiz had so many other glitches and issues that annoyed me; I had to root and add another app just to get a notification bar wifi toggle, WTF! VZN. In ROMS there were mIssing shortcuts in apps to attach things like contacts and do certain daily driver stuff that annoyed me about each ROM, but CM11 was the best for me out of the 4 total I experienced. Custom ROMS did a bad job at working with ARU unchained for my appradio3, but I didn't sped a lot of time on each ROM getting it to work (CM11 was the easiest).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First off, I'm assuming when you say 4.2.2, you mean 4.4.2 As far as LG's stock rom, I'd say that as far as OEM's go, LG's on the better end certainly, however that's not to say the stock rom didn't leave bits to be desired, but imho it was a whole heck of a lot better than barfwiz Me personally, I greatly prefer AOSP as opposed to carrier skinned Android, however you do pay a slightly higher premium in a few more glitches/oddities, but you gain a lot of fluidity/speed and a much better looking system imho, but that's personal preference. As far as rooting/upgrading/downgrading, I'm one to always recommend root solely because then YOU can choose when and how to update YOUR device. 10B is currently the only rootable FW, but if you just got it today then you're likely on firmware version 11C or 12B. Both of these can currently be downgraded using the kdz (and possibly tot) methods, as LG and/or VZW haven't yet implemented anything quite as ridiculous as that yet, but I would never put it past VZW to do this at some point. This is all what I personally would recommend doing, and then consider flashing a stock-based rom (such as skydragon or jasmine) Just my 2c
ohlin5 said:
First off, I'm assuming when you say 4.2.2, you mean 4.4.2 As far as LG's stock rom, I'd say that as far as OEM's go, LG's on the better end certainly, however that's not to say the stock rom didn't leave bits to be desired, but imho it was a whole heck of a lot better than barfwiz Me personally, I greatly prefer AOSP as opposed to carrier skinned Android, however you do pay a slightly higher premium in a few more glitches/oddities, but you gain a lot of fluidity/speed and a much better looking system imho, but that's personal preference. As far as rooting/upgrading/downgrading, I'm one to always recommend root solely because then YOU can choose when and how to update YOUR device. 10B is currently the only rootable FW, but if you just got it today then you're likely on firmware version 11C or 12B. Both of these can currently be downgraded using the kdz (and possibly tot) methods, as LG and/or VZW haven't yet implemented anything quite as ridiculous as that yet, but I would never put it past VZW to do this at some point. This is all what I personally would recommend doing, and then consider flashing a stock-based rom (such as skydragon or jasmine) Just my 2c
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My bad 4.4.2 and I do see 10B build # KVT49L.VS98510B model # has 10b too
Thanks guys, good info and stuff to research
Colchiro said:
I too came from a Note II and didn't take any OTA's and instead updated with Bean's stock images.
Root your G3 now and update to the latest via: http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-lg-g3/general/reference-stock-img-files-t2966958
If you did take the latest OTA, you can roll back and update to the latest so not too bad being on LG.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I knew I didn't want Samsung/[email protected] so I spent a while looking at other options and the G3 seemed great with Micro SD and replaceable battery. I can't understand what companies are thinking with no SD slot and not being able to swap batteries when they go bad, or on the fly (although I do 12 hr shifts). Ever since my Motorolla Atrix 3G I have missed glitch free daily drivers My fingers are crossed
So do you guys like Lollipop based ASOPs?
stewbuntu said:
So do you guys like Lollipop based ASOPs?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Locked bootloaders is why I switched to LG. I'm not alone.
I haven't tried any custom roms. I don't like to lose some of the features I like, like knock and stock camera, so haven't messed with custom roms for a couple years. Debloated stock G3 works fine for me....
Oops. Post to wrong thread - deleted