How do you know firmware doesn't contain malware? - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I'm trying to use a phone that will not boot up. I think that there's a good chance that reinstalling all of the original software on the phone will bring it back to operational. I could quickly jump in and follow some directions on the dozens or hundreds of sites out there providing instructions to do this, but I want some sort of guarantee that the software is legit and does not contain malware. Is there any assurance out there, or does everyone just cross their fingers and trust random strangers on the internet? Does Motorola provide any checksum hashes for their firmware, so that one can use them to verify the authenticity of so-called 'stock' software? Or is there a way to download the firmware directly from Motorola?

You cannot escape NSA ...deal with it

lummujaj said:
You cannot escape NSA ...deal with it
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Well, I can say "thanks for the bump", at least...

Depending on the device and carrier you should be able to get the stock os. Anything other then that is a leap of faith.

zelendel said:
Depending on the device and carrier you should be able to get the stock os. Anything other then that is a leap of faith.
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It's a Verizon Motorola Razr HD (XT926). I haven't tried going out to Verizon yet to see if they would flash it. I kind of figured they'd just be like "we can't do anything, but sell you a new phone", even though they could potentially reload the software -- there would just be no money in it for them. I have read where others having the same issue have said Verizon would not help them. It wouldn't hurt to try going to them, though. Do you know of any way I could do it, myself, in a way that would have a high confidence in security? Thanks for your response, zelendel.

Pulseczar1 said:
It's a Verizon Motorola Razr HD (XT926). I haven't tried going out to Verizon yet to see if they would flash it. I kind of figured they'd just be like "we can't do anything, but sell you a new phone", even though they could potentially reload the software -- there would just be no money in it for them. I have read where others having the same issue have said Verizon would not help them. It wouldn't hurt to try going to them, though. Do you know of any way I could do it, myself, in a way that would have a high confidence in security? Thanks for your response, zelendel.
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I'm sure the stock software is somewhere. You will just have to track it down either on vz site or moto

Related

HTC finally prints the truth...what's VZW gonna say now?

For months and months since I got my xv6800, I've been asking vzw reps, tech support morons, and WDTS people when OUR RevA/GPS software update will be released. Every time I ask I get the same response.
"Your handset is not EVDO Rev A upgradable"
"Your handset doesn't have GPS in it"
The HTC website never helped either because under specifications it never said anything about RevA capabilities, so I was forced to bite my tongue and just accept Verizon's stupidity.
Well HTC finally added it to their list of specifications. It's been like that for the Mogul and other Titan variants now for a while and now it's there for the xv6800.
http://www.htc.com/us/product.aspx?id=11150
What's Verizon gonna say now when I whip up that website and ask why the MANUFACTURER would list it as a capability if supposedly "my handset is not EVDO RevA upgradable?"
They'll be forced to look me in the eye and tell me the truth. They're too money hungry and lazy to step it up and get the software update going. They're too busy thinking up their next piece of **** application for Get It Now and developing new ways to screw their customers out of more money.
Granted I've had RevA and GPS working since the leak, but still...it's the principle!
/endrant
please let me know what they say when you call. I would love to hear it.
now, if they would only put something that says to some extent "upgradeable to 128mb ram" (one can hope...)
thanks
Please remember, you are talking to some lowly, near minimum wage customer service employee. Even if he wanted to give you a truthful answer, the truth is, he probably just doesnt know jack s***.
Save the effort and frustration, go with a custom ROM and live a happy life.
gcincotta said:
For months and months since I got my xv6800, I've been asking vzw reps, tech support morons, and WDTS people when OUR RevA/GPS software update will be released. Every time I ask I get the same response.
"Your handset is not EVDO Rev A upgradable"
"Your handset doesn't have GPS in it"
The HTC website never helped either because under specifications it never said anything about RevA capabilities, so I was forced to bite my tongue and just accept Verizon's stupidity.
Well HTC finally added it to their list of specifications. It's been like that for the Mogul and other Titan variants now for a while and now it's there for the xv6800.
http://www.htc.com/us/product.aspx?id=11150
What's Verizon gonna say now when I whip up that website and ask why the MANUFACTURER would list it as a capability if supposedly "my handset is not EVDO RevA upgradable?"
They'll be forced to look me in the eye and tell me the truth. They're too money hungry and lazy to step it up and get the software update going. They're too busy thinking up their next piece of **** application for Get It Now and developing new ways to screw their customers out of more money.
Granted I've had RevA and GPS working since the leak, but still...it's the principle!
/endrant
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Who gives a ****? We know it's capable and to be perfectly honest, I wouldn't run their bloatware version of WM even if they released an update. Verizon sucks ass, we all know it. So why beat a dead horse?
Who gives a ****? We know it's capable and to be perfectly honest, I wouldn't run their bloatware version of WM even if they released an update. Verizon sucks ass, we all know it. So why beat a dead horse?
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Ha do you think I would actually run their software update? It's just the mere principle. Don't forget though...if they finally do release an update we may get a new, better radio out of it.
Please remember, you are talking to some lowly, near minimum wage customer service employee. Even if he wanted to give you a truthful answer, the truth is, he probably just doesnt know jack s***.
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I've spoken with people high up on the food chain before that actually do know a thing or two about this stuff. In fact, one time I spoke with a tier 2 WDTS rep who was intrigued when I informed him that it in fact WAS capable. I stayed on the phone with him as I directed him to these forums while he read all about it. He said it's bs that they're being told to inform customers that it's not capable after reading.
lllboredlll said:
Who gives a ****? We know it's capable and to be perfectly honest, I wouldn't run their bloatware version of WM even if they released an update. Verizon sucks ass, we all know it. So why beat a dead horse?
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there are some things i want for vz that i can only get from a vz update.
carriers supporting their products is a good thing, whether you run their firmware or not.
dcd1182 said:
there are some things i want for vz that i can only get from a vz update.
carriers supporting their products is a good thing, whether you run their firmware or not.
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Hence the comment "Verizon sucks ass, we all know it"
My point is why complain about something that is already known and established. I don't see you *****ing about Verizon. You know they suck, you wish they would support their hardware more, but you also know there isn't alot you can do about it. There has been so much put into the Titan community lately and yet people still *****. Sorry I just get tired of all the complaining done in these forums. I just think it's stupid to waste data space and a thread in this site to complain. I think everytime I'm unhappy I'm gonna start a thread just so I can ***** about it. This site is for technical data. Not someone's personal conquest to whine.
lllboredlll said:
H..... This site is for technical data. Not someone's personal conquest to whine.
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It's funny, you're doing a lot of *****ing and whining in this thread; just leave it alone.
Hence the comment "Verizon sucks ass, we all know it"
My point is why complain about something that is already known and established. I don't see you *****ing about Verizon. You know they suck, you wish they would support their hardware more, but you also know there isn't alot you can do about it. There has been so much put into the Titan community lately and yet people still *****. Sorry I just get tired of all the complaining done in these forums. I just think it's stupid to waste data space and a thread in this site to complain. I think everytime I'm unhappy I'm gonna start a thread just so I can ***** about it. This site is for technical data. Not someone's personal conquest to whine.
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You really need to learn to get a clue. In no way was my post "*****ing" or "complaining" about Verizon. I was merely pointing out that the times in the past when I was told certain things have come to an end because certain facts have finally been made public. If you can't see that then you need a lot of help my friend.
This site is for "technical data". What exactly is "technical data"? It's people like you that start the flames in these threads, not me. If you knew anything about this stuff you'd know that with carrier software updates comes updated radio roms, pri updates, driver updates, os updates, and more. Do you think these roms and kitchens just popped up out of nowhere? They magically created themselves? No, they came from official carrier releases and were extracted, cleaned, and tweaked. dcd and I have been looking for a solution for people to refresh their pri in case they accidentally let customizations run. A Verizon software update may contain something very useful in the extended rom that could help us develop it. I bet you didn't know that though right?
You've made it clear to everyone that YOU are the one who likes to "*****" and "complain", not me.
gcincotta said:
You really need to learn to get a clue. In no way was my post "*****ing" or "complaining" about Verizon. I was merely pointing out that the times in the past when I was told certain things have come to an end because certain facts have finally been made public. If you can't see that then you need a lot of help my friend.
This site is for "technical data". What exactly is "technical data"? It's people like you that start the flames in these threads, not me. If you knew anything about this stuff you'd know that with carrier software updates comes updated radio roms, pri updates, driver updates, os updates, and more. Do you think these roms and kitchens just popped up out of nowhere? They magically created themselves? No, they came from official carrier releases and were extracted, cleaned, and tweaked. dcd and I have been looking for a solution for people to refresh their pri in case they accidentally let customizations run. A Verizon software update may contain something very useful in the extended rom that could help us develop it. I bet you didn't know that though right?
You've made it clear to everyone that YOU are the one who likes to "*****" and "complain", not me.
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....epic reply....
RE: Rev A and GPS
Both the HTC site and Verizon say nothing of being GPS capable, yet there are people using GPS right now through avaialbe kitchens.
I love verizon. I have gotten nothing but "great" support from them with all 19 of my phones. (Starting with MotoV265 (5) MotoV710(4) MotoE815 (1) MotoQ (4) Treo700wx (3) and finally my XV6800 (2) all in only 3.5 years)
On a serious note though, the reason that they won't release GPS for it is because they can't regulate its use very well on their system. Their other phones use VZNav on the BREW enabled phones but, as far as I know, our phones don't do BREW.
PS. Can I ***** and complain a little too here?
kyxdadeveloper said:
Both the HTC site and Verizon say nothing of being GPS capable, yet there are people using GPS right now through avaialbe kitchens.
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There is a great difference between not listing a specification to denying its capability.
Keystone said:
There is a great difference between not listing a specification to denying its capability.
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i just talked to a verizon tech suport rep, she helped me reset my data after messing it up.
but at the end of the call, i asked "i heard about this rev A thing...is our phone capable of that?" and she looked it up and said yes it is.
she also said she wasnt aware of any plans to do any kind of software update that would enable it, and she said she wouldnt know about it until it was released..
then just for $hits and giggles, i asked, what about gps. can this phone do that? and she said like for what? navigation? i said, yeh, for navigation, for google maps, something like that.
she said since google maps is 3rd party software, she wouldnt be able to tell me for sure if it would work. But i asked is our phone capable of gps?
and she said "yes, it is capable, but its not supported"
i guess that means since they dont have any software that could use it, and since they dont support 3rd part software, the can still say its capable, without actually enabling it on a stock rom.
just my experience about 20 min ago
gbenj said:
i just talked to a verizon tech suport rep, she helped me reset my data after messing it up.
but at the end of the call, i asked "i heard about this rev A thing...is our phone capable of that?" and she looked it up and said yes it is.
she also said she wasnt aware of any plans to do any kind of software update that would enable it, and she said she wouldnt know about it until it was released..
then just for $hits and giggles, i asked, what about gps. can this phone do that? and she said like for what? navigation? i said, yeh, for navigation, for google maps, something like that.
she said since google maps is 3rd party software, she wouldnt be able to tell me for sure if it would work. But i asked is our phone capable of gps?
and she said "yes, it is capable, but its not supported"
i guess that means since they dont have any software that could use it, and since they dont support 3rd part software, the can still say its capable, without actually enabling it on a stock rom.
just my experience about 20 min ago
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You'd all be smart to switch to Sprint with your xv6800s. I think they'll let you do it. you may have to pay $100 to $200 to get out of your contract with Verizon. It will be worth it once your accounts are set up properly. Sprint has the worst customer service, but at least they are trying to get WM6.1 up. The GPS works great on the Mogul. Your xv6800 hardware is identical to the Mogul. You should be able to Hard SPL, flash a Sprint ROM, and then go in and get you phone set up on Sprint. Check this forum carefully for details and follow instructions carefully.
Spr0ckEt said:
I love verizon. I have gotten nothing but "great" support from them with all 19 of my phones. (Starting with MotoV265 (5) MotoV710(4) MotoE815 (1) MotoQ (4) Treo700wx (3) and finally my XV6800 (2) all in only 3.5 years)
On a serious note though, the reason that they won't release GPS for it is because they can't regulate its use very well on their system. Their other phones use VZNav on the BREW enabled phones but, as far as I know, our phones don't do BREW.
PS. Can I ***** and complain a little too here?
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I agree with you. started with LG VX6000,8000, 8100, 700w 700wx and now this one XV6800...may some day they will tell me the truth and stop and do the right thing
Switch to sprint? Haha, the development community surrounding this phone is so immense that within hours after any carrier releases ANY update, it is ripped, stripped, and rereleased with unicarrier availability. I am running 3.49 on my xv6800, with radio 3.39, so..
Now, Sero is very, very appealing. $30 a month for unlimited Data is heavenly. I have free data due to some technical complications, but my family share plan with 700 minutes for 3 people costs more than 30 times 3.
Lmfao is it really going to make you feel better to take up the time of a rep that can't magically enable the gps function for you? Custom rom is the way to go, it's easy and you don't have to give anyone a headache in the process.
I swear, some of you are either illiterate, or just choose not to read certain parts.
gcincotta said:
You really need to learn to get a clue. In no way was my post "*****ing" or "complaining" about Verizon. I was merely pointing out that the times in the past when I was told certain things have come to an end because certain facts have finally been made public. If you can't see that then you need a lot of help my friend.
This site is for "technical data". What exactly is "technical data"? It's people like you that start the flames in these threads, not me. If you knew anything about this stuff you'd know that with carrier software updates comes updated radio roms, pri updates, driver updates, os updates, and more. Do you think these roms and kitchens just popped up out of nowhere? They magically created themselves? No, they came from official carrier releases and were extracted, cleaned, and tweaked. dcd and I have been looking for a solution for people to refresh their pri in case they accidentally let customizations run. A Verizon software update may contain something very useful in the extended rom that could help us develop it. I bet you didn't know that though right?
You've made it clear to everyone that YOU are the one who likes to "*****" and "complain", not me.
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lol.... ya I thought all of the software and drivers just popped out of someone ass My whole point in this ( which you missed totally) is, why start a thread to *****? Either way it really don't matter. Next time I'll keep my personal opinion to myself as I normally do.
The next time you make a thread to ***** maybe you might want to leave out the gay "/endrant" crap. What is a rant, may I ask sir? I'll answer it for you..... It means your *****ing!!!
steb0ne said:
It's funny, you're doing a lot of *****ing and whining in this thread; just leave it alone.
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lol... I'm sorry about *****ing about him *****ing or whatever he's gonna call it. Next time I'll roll my eyes and continue without commenting.

Why is the Eris so hard to root?

The Evo already got it, and im sure the incredible is almost there. Whats wrong with the Eris? And what Hboot are those two devices running?
Nikolai2.1 said:
The Evo already got it, and im sure the incredible is almost there. Whats wrong with the Eris? And what Hboot are those two devices running?
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uuuummm what r u talkin about ? im confused , the eris is already rooted ,atleast if u have 1.5 u can root it or the 2.1 ota i belie ve u can too
tazzpatriot said:
uuuummm what r u talkin about ? im confused , the eris is already rooted ,atleast if u have 1.5 u can root it or the 2.1 ota i belie ve u can too
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I thought it would be obvious that im talking about the leaked versions
it's just attention has been diverted that's all. if all the devs were working on rooting those leaks I have no doubt in my mind it would have already been, or very close to being rooted, but as it stands, most devs already have root on their phones so they arent as focused to rooting anymore, just providing more things already rooted phones. I'm sure there are some more devso ut there trying everyday to root it, but without as many, or as much work into it, it's going to be quite a while to get there.
I was looking into it myself, until my trackball stopped working and I got a replacement phone, so I guess I could be to blame as well for this.
Lemcott said:
it's just attention has been diverted that's all. if all the devs were working on rooting those leaks I have no doubt in my mind it would have already been, or very close to being rooted, but as it stands, most devs already have root on their phones so they arent as focused to rooting anymore, just providing more things already rooted phones. I'm sure there are some more devso ut there trying everyday to root it, but without as many, or as much work into it, it's going to be quite a while to get there.
I was looking into it myself, until my trackball stopped working and I got a replacement phone, so I guess I could be to blame as well for this.
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devs are def. working on the issue. problem is, it's a no paying job.
I dont get the whole point in calling Android open source software if they have to lock our phones so we cant do anything. if we screw it up thats our fault so i dont see the problem
cornbreadfarts said:
devs are def. working on the issue. problem is, it's a no paying job.
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Yes, I recognized that some are still working on it, I just said that attention has been diverted greatly. do you think releasing an ad blocker, various roms, overclocking, froyo, live wallpapers, aosp/jit support they were busy trying to root at the same time? of course not, you can only do so much at once, and attention to rooting has shifted greatly. have they forgot about it completely? hell no! they just put it on the backburners.
Nikolai2.1 said:
I dont get the whole point in calling Android open source software if they have to lock our phones so we cant do anything. if we screw it up thats our fault so i dont see the problem
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google and android being open source has nothing to do with it. it's the carriers who prefer to lock down the phones.
A to keep the general public out of things that could hurt. could you imagine any old lady picking up an android phone and overclocking and the SU app, and all the other tools were there? it'd either destroy her phone when she messes with it, or left alone entirely because she doesnt know what they do. eitherway? they become pointless to have on the phone.
B to keep users out of things that cost more money. did you know you have to actually pay verizon an extra addition on your bill to unlock tethering on the phones they allow tethering on? by having root, we can tether without them knowing on phones that don't usually have tethering and we can do it without paying for it. it's not exactly something they want going on, so they lock the phones down.
C safety. Having root access on our phone gives apps a lot more things to control, and with such, if anything malicious gets on our phone, it can do more damage on a root user then a locked down phone.
so take the nexus one for instance, if you bought that through google, not a wireless provider, it still has root on it for the first and last reasons I mentioned. to keep the general public out of things they don't need to be getting into/understand how to control. and with the safety lockdown, the average person who goes "oh what's this?" *click* on a malicious app doesnt get that chance.
it's not about keeping us out, it's about making the service providers happy, and keeping the general public safe.
google has put into android a very simple way to get root access for us all, it's the phone hardware (and their custom software additions) and the service providers that make it harder and harder to get into the system.
makes sense, but safe from what? its a phone... it wont kill you
buttttt how would you go about getting a pre rooted nexus one even if you dont have t mobile and just want the phone?
Nikolai2.1 said:
makes sense, but safe from what? its a phone... it wont kill you
buttttt how would you go about getting a pre rooted nexus one even if you dont have t mobile and just want the phone?
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No the phone wont hurt you, just your pocket when the average person, who knows zip about what they are doing with a rooted phone totally bricks the phone and has to buy a new one, at full retail price. Or perhaps they load up a app that causes major issues with the phone, causing it to lock up/fail. again hurting the pocket book by having to buy a new phone at retail price.
I'm not trying to be a **** here but I'm fairly certain that when any of us load anything onto the phone we're aware of the risks it could bring, I would hope you went into this with the same mentality.
that is what we are saying, anying who can make an account on XDA, actually, anyone who has even HEARD of xda is probably smart enough to not do any brick-inducing stupid moves.
I'm talking about the average person who doesnt know the difference between RAM and ROM here, it's locked down to protect them from their own dumb moves.
frankspin said:
I'm not trying to be a **** here but I'm fairly certain that when any of us load anything onto the phone we're aware of the risks it could bring, I would hope you went into this with the same mentality.
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thats exactly what im trying to say. if we screw up our phones that our own fault so i dont see why we should worry about others who brick their phones and end up buying new ones. thats their fault and they can deal with it
(now because i said that if im ever able to root ill probably brick my phone trying) karma sucks...
but still.

[Q] Bootloader Unlock Idea for the X2

I'm new to the forums, but I've been keeping an eye on the X2 bootloader issue for a while and haven't seen this suggestion come up yet, so I thought I'd give it a try. Is there a way we could use distributive processing to crack the bootloader? It would take years for a single computer to crack it, but if we got a few hundred or thousand people to download a program that worked at it, would it be possible to unlock it that way?
I'm not the best with this kind of stuff so I don't have a clue if this would actually work, but if it would, it might be a good way to solve our problems.
Does anyone know if this is possible? Has anyone attempted to write a program like this before?
wcsoccerboy828 said:
I'm new to the forums, but I've been keeping an eye on the X2 bootloader issue for a while and haven't seen this suggestion come up yet, so I thought I'd give it a try. Is there a way we could use distributive processing to crack the bootloader? It would take years for a single computer to crack it, but if we got a few hundred or thousand people to download a program that worked at it, would it be possible to unlock it that way?
I'm not the best with this kind of stuff so I don't have a clue if this would actually work, but if it would, it might be a good way to solve our problems.
Does anyone know if this is possible? Has anyone attempted to write a program like this before?
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although it may be possible it would still take awhile to not only run the program but to also write the program. plus all of the computers would have to be linked somehow so that they worked on seperate parts/ not work on finished part. it can be a PLAUSIBLE idea though if moto is gunna be douches for a while to come -___-
I posted this same question not long ago in a similar this forum. Look for the one that says "bootloader question not an unlock."
Sent from my MB870 using XDA App
The only way this is going to have an ounce of a chance of happening is, we need to keep hounding both Motorola and Verizon.
Bombard their support with calls/emails, demanding to unlock the bootloader and release an ICS upgrade for the X2.
I've emailed Motorola support at least 20 times now, constantly explaining my position. The next step is to call them as well.
Please remember, BE CIVIL! Do not get belligerent, nasty and avoid cursing. Keep the email/call tactful because being immature about it won't help you. Explain your position and why you feel that what they are doing is not right and that as a consumer, you demand support for a phone that is not even a year old, but appears to have been all but abandoned by the company.
No developer is throwing us a bone. At least, I'm not holding out hope on that one.
Oh, and by "developer" I mean those at Motorola. The devs releasing ROMs are throwing us more than a bone and they are a godsend compared to what Motorola and Verizon are doing.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=22224030&postcount=4
Sadly it isn't so easy. Believe me, were it so easy, there would be a lot more unlocked bootloaders. Not a bad idea, but in practice, its just not practical.
---------- Post added at 07:17 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:16 AM ----------
iBolski said:
The only way this is going to have an ounce of a chance of happening is, we need to keep hounding both Motorola and Verizon.
Bombard their support with calls/emails, demanding to unlock the bootloader and release and ICS upgrade for the X2.
I've emailed Motorola support at least 20 times now, constantly explaining my position. The next step is to call them as well.
Please remember, BE CIVIL! Do not get belligerent, nasty and avoid cursing. Keep the email/call tactful because being immature about it won't help you. Explain your position and why you feel that what they are doing is not right and that as a consumer, you demand support for a phone that is not even a year old, but appears to have been all but abandoned by the company.
No developer is throwing us a bone. At least, I'm not holding out hope on that one.
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At this point, this may realistically be our only option. I'm game.

Official Developer Edition

Just days after my team Unlocked the IROM, Samsung is selling a "Developer Edition". This developer edition will be more secure than the exploit unlock my team provides.
http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/cell-phones/SCH-I605MSAVZW
I find this really funny. I will also call those who pay for this device a sucker.
heck yea
Why would anyone in their right mind fork that kind of money over, when Adam Outler has opened this bad device up for you, you are right, they are a sucker if they fall for this.
Need to hire you Adam. Samsung will make major inprovements. I call for a petition.
Sent from my rooted Verizon Galaxy Note 2. FU Verizon and all tour BS you throw around.
I can think of several reasons to buy it. First, and most important, if Samsung gets high demand for this, it gives them data to send back to Verizon on subsequent models saying "look, there is a market for unlocked phones". This is especially true if Samsung sells significantly more of them on another carrier, and there is high demand for the unlocked version.
Another reason would be, if this is shipping unlocked in a manner that would allow you to flash the kernel and recovery, you are getting an unlocked phone that still has its warranty. Technically, you can restore your current phone to the factory state and get warranty coverage, but you broke the warranty. That would be less of an issue on the Developer edition.
Next, you'll never have to worry about an OTA update breaking the unlocked state of your device. It is possible that checks will be introduced to require a specific bootloader version to work with updated radios or kernels, or other proprietary libraries. We may be able to hack around it, but this isn't something you'd need to worry about here.
Finally, lets say you want to buy the device at full retail to keep your unlimited data. Why go and buy it at Verizon and let them make money off of a locked phone? This goes back to the first point too. Spend the same amount with Samsung, let them get the profits for producing an unlocked device.
imnuts said:
I can think of several reasons to buy it. First, and most important, if Samsung gets high demand for this, it gives them data to send back to Verizon on subsequent models saying "look, there is a market for unlocked phones". This is especially true if Samsung sells significantly more of them on another carrier, and there is high demand for the unlocked version.
Another reason would be, if this is shipping unlocked in a manner that would allow you to flash the kernel and recovery, you are getting an unlocked phone that still has its warranty. Technically, you can restore your current phone to the factory state and get warranty coverage, but you broke the warranty. That would be less of an issue on the Developer edition.
Next, you'll never have to worry about an OTA update breaking the unlocked state of your device. It is possible that checks will be introduced to require a specific bootloader version to work with updated radios or kernels, or other proprietary libraries. We may be able to hack around it, but this isn't something you'd need to worry about here.
Finally, lets say you want to buy the device at full retail to keep your unlimited data. Why go and buy it at Verizon and let them make money off of a locked phone? This goes back to the first point too. Spend the same amount with Samsung, let them get the profits for producing an unlocked device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
none of those are valid reasons. They are all possible on your device already. If they wanted to collect data they could.
AdamOutler said:
none of those are valid reasons. They are all possible on your device already. If they wanted to collect data they could.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They can collect unlocked data, but they can't say "these people wanted an unlocked device only". By purchasing the phone directly from them, they have hard numbers to provide. Also, how is the possibility of an OTA limiting future radios, etc. based on bootloader version not valid? Are they likely to do it? No, but it is still a possibility. And why would not buying it from Verizon be an invalid reason? You seem to hate them for locking it, so why would you buy it directly from them to help support them further in locking the device? I'd rather have whatever profits there are go only to Samsung.
imnuts said:
Next, you'll never have to worry about an OTA update breaking the unlocked state of your device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was under the impression(probably mistaken) that if we have a custom recovery installed that we wouldn't have to worry about an OTA installing itself? Am I incorrect in assuming this?
Thanks!
The way I see it, Samsung wants the phone unlocked from the start. They know that they can appeal to a greater Android crowd by letting it be easily unlocked, as it is on virtually all other flavors of the phone. When it comes to Verizon however, they have no say in the matter initially. It must be locked. This is the same for pretty much all other phone OEM's on Verizon as well. Hell, my old Droid X STILL doesn't have an unlocked bootloader.
By selling a "developer edition" that works on Verizon, it's kinda like they're sticking the finger back at Verizon while simultaneously making direct profit. Since they are the ones who made this beautiful device, I have no problem with this. They definitely deserve it. And they could opt to just not sell us these unlocked devices anyway, leaving us in the dust to deal with waiting on OTA's and never being able to truly update our device with custom firmware.
Either way if it weren't for you Adam and your team, this would be our only option. It's amazing to me that you guys were able to break Verizon's grasp on our devices and really stick it to them. As someone who has endured the annoying locked bootloader for a long time with my Droid X, it makes me grin ear to ear seeing their attempts to control our devices be foiled in just a couple of weeks after release.
Muchos gracias friend. And a big OORAH to you.
Old MuckenMire said:
I was under the impression(probably mistaken) that if we have a custom recovery installed that we wouldn't have to worry about an OTA installing itself? Am I incorrect in assuming this?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The OTA won't install itself, but, there could be checks in place that require everything to be a specific version before they would work. Obviously we're not on a stock bootloader, which has it's own version and checksum info. They could put something in that keeps let say, the cell radio from working if the bootloader isn't the proper version, thereby forcing you to unlock and update, or be stuck on old software. I doubt that this will happen, but it is a possiblity.
ihavenewnike said:
Need to hire you Adam. Samsung will make major inprovements. I call for a petition.
Sent from my rooted Verizon Galaxy Note 2. FU Verizon and all tour BS you throw around.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the problem is not samsung its verizon...samsung does not encrypt bootloaders. verizon requests the device to be locked and samsung must comply in order to manufacture devices for that network.
imnuts said:
The OTA won't install itself, but, there could be checks in place that require everything to be a specific version before they would work. Obviously we're not on a stock bootloader, which has it's own version and checksum info. They could put something in that keeps let say, the cell radio from working if the bootloader isn't the proper version, thereby forcing you to unlock and update, or be stuck on old software. I doubt that this will happen, but it is a possiblity.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm running deodexed stock, is there anything I or a developer can do that would block any OTA, and block the notification and nagging that would happen?
Thanks again man!
delete
droidstyle said:
delete
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK I found that under application manager>all>SDM
The option to disable is greyed out so I guess I will need to freeze via TiBu
Thank you for this info I sure hope it works I hate the idea that Verizon can still bork my device.
Oops I see you deleted your last post, does that mean I need to hold off doing the procedure you posted?
These unlocked, developer's edition would make sense if they were available the day the locked version came out. Even if Adam and his team hadn't unlocked the bootloader, any metrics collected from sales or interest in this late developer's edition is would already be skewed because the next big thing like the s4 is now even closer making this device close to being dated before it even ships.
phind123 said:
These unlocked, developer's edition would make sense if they were available the day the locked version came out. Even if Adam and his team hadn't unlocked the bootloader, any metrics collected from sales or interest in this late developer's edition is would already be skewed because the next big thing like the s4 is now even closer making this device close to being dated before it even ships.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nah... the download counters speak for themselves.
1500 so far.
Maybe a source code would be available on the dev edition that would help the devs with the locked editions
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app
crazydad said:
Maybe a source code would be available on the dev edition that would help the devs with the locked editions
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The required source release will be the same for both.
Old MuckenMire said:
OK I found that under application manager>all>SDM
The option to disable is greyed out so I guess I will need to freeze via TiBu
Thank you for this info I sure hope it works I hate the idea that Verizon can still bork my device.
Oops I see you deleted your last post, does that mean I need to hold off doing the procedure you posted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you see sdm 1.0 in your apps then yes freeze it! I believe on beans rom its already removed. I could not remember if it had it stock, that's why I deleted my post...however I do know it was there on the GS3 stock.
One thing nobody has mentioned is the fact that there is a 32GB version not just 16
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app
Killer Turtle said:
One thing nobody has mentioned is the fact that there is a 32GB version not just 16
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't say that anywhere in the specs...

[Q] g3 root ?

is there anyone working on a simple root method as of now since vs98512b ?
str8boosted said:
is there anyone working on a simple root method as of now since vs98512b ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't think so.
I believe with 12 you can roll back still. That's the only option. And since it still works... No real need for anyone to work on another method. Sure it might be more convenient but putting the time and effort in might not be worth it just for convenience
Sent from my VS985 4G using XDA Free mobile app
You can root at 10b. Install supersu and have it maintain root across otas. Then you can take all the otas and preserve root. That's what I did. Do not bump with twrp. You must keep the original recovery in order to take the otas. Once on 12b, you can bump but if a new ota comes out, you'll have to go back to 10b first.
iBolski said:
You can root at 10b. Install supersu and have it maintain root across otas. Then you can take all the otas and preserve root. That's what I did. Do not bump with twrp. You must keep the original recovery in order to take the otas. Once on 12b, you can bump but if a new ota comes out, you'll have to go back to 10b first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should be able to restore a backup of the original 12B recovery and kernel if running stock Odex'd.
Sent from my VK810 4G
You Might try This
str8boosted said:
is there anyone working on a simple root method as of now since vs98512b ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From another thread. Verizon G3 General, VS98523A OTA Release
Note that there is some discussion as to whether this is legit. I haven't researched it.
http://androidxda.com/download-root-genius
Smithfolk4 said:
From another thread. Verizon G3 General, VS98523A OTA Release
Note that there is some discussion as to whether this is legit. I haven't researched it.
http://androidxda.com/download-root-genius
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, @roirraW "edor" ehT said McAfee is flagging it as a Trojan, but that could be due to what it does:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=59061762&postcount=84
Had my stock G3, downgraded to 10B, rooted with IORoot, added SuperSU with survivability... went to do the Verizon Hidden Menu and realized I had to take the 12B OTA again. And now, it says no updates are available and that my Software Status is "Modified". Might be stuck on this one. Got a meeting in 10 minutes, then I'll get back at it.
Wrong thread, my bad.
Smithfolk4 said:
From another thread. Verizon G3 General, VS98523A OTA Release
Note that there is some discussion as to whether this is legit. I haven't researched it.
http://androidxda.com/download-root-genius
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Update - this WON'T work with complete stock 12b. So, you will have to go back to 10b and root there, preserve root across OTAs, and take the 11c and 12b OTA to get 12b rooted.
Well I flashed back to 10b from 12b (via tot) and it wiped my imei number. Am I supposed to remove my Sim card or something none of the guides say anything.
I ended up using the imei converter and fixing my imei but I couldn't connect to 4G very well and it kept saying I had voice and data roaming. I rooted my phone but since the 4g wasn't working I unrooted it so the software status said official again.
I ended up taking the otas back to 12b and took it to Verizon and they gave me a new sim card and now it is working again but I want to root my phone and flash back to 10b again but I don't want to mess the Sim card up again. Anyone help?
Eriosblood said:
Well I flashed back to 10b from 12b (via tot) and it wiped my imei number. Am I supposed to remove my Sim card or something none of the guides say anything.
I ended up using the imei converter and fixing my imei but I couldn't connect to 4G very well and it kept saying I had voice and data roaming. I rooted my phone but since the 4g wasn't working I unrooted it so the software status said official again.
I ended up taking the otas back to 12b and took it to Verizon and they gave me a new sim card and now it is working again but I want to root my phone and flash back to 10b again but I don't want to mess the Sim card up again. Anyone help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
take the sim out? smh
Yeah that's what I'm asking....none of the guides say to take the Sim out...am I supposed to. You took the time to quote my post and write a smart-ass comment but no straightforward answer. Guess this is is the reason I'm a long time lurker and never post.
Eriosblood said:
Yeah that's what I'm asking....none of the guides say to take the Sim out...am I supposed to. You took the time to quote my post and write a smart-ass comment but no straightforward answer. Guess this is is the reason I'm a long time lurker and never post.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You've answered the question yourself. Supposed to or not, does it really matter? If you want to be sure nothing happens to the SIM next time, then by all means take it out. The directions don't say to take the SIM out for a very good reason: it's not required.
I've largely sat on the sidelines recently because all sorts of users who don't usually post refuse to help themselves by using the tools available to them, besides their brains and their eyes (and this part isn't directed at you): reading and the forum's search tools, are coming out of the woodwork and expecting information to be repeated ad nauseum. Or even Google, even if googling specifically for info on XDA.
There's nothing wrong with wanting help or asking for help, but it gets tiresome holding user's hands 1000 at a time on a daily basis. This is why I've all but refrained from posting my true feelings regarding all this demanding going on.
Maybe you don't deserve this whole rant but guess what? Like someone else I recall recently on here, you just happen to have been the straw to break the camel's back in my case.
99% of the time, if anyone...anyone at all has experienced something similar, it's been reported and you can find the information yourself. If you can't find the information, more than likely it's because the information isn't there to be had. Pure speculation here: I have no idea if others have taken their SIM out when flashing using TOT or KDZ method. I haven't yet, but I haven't once been able to TOT on four different PCs from desktops to laptops, with different cables and with different USB ports on the same PCs, under both Windows 7 and 8.
At this point I sincerely don't expect you to read all this because I am definitely on a rant, but if you do, good for you.
His answer might've been slightly smart, but your reply to him was downright rude and I don't think he deserved it. You, on the other hand, posed a question you can answer yourself. For god's sakes, try it! Try it with the SIM out and see what happens. Then you'll have your answer.
If you or anyone else feel you must direct any sort of response regarding this to me, PLEASE PM me. For anyone responding to this in this thread, I'll block you if I'm nice.
Sincerely: good day, take care, good night.
P.S. Maybe you don't feel the way we do because we are *NOT* lurkers. We do help people and take part of these forums for years and nearly each and every day. Nobody's forcing us to do so, but it does mean that we notice a lot more of the BS that comes from users who are expecting help.
AND I'M A LIBERAL EX-MILITARY!
roirraW "edor" ehT said:
You've answered the question yourself. Supposed to or not, does it really matter? If you want to be sure nothing happens to the SIM next time, then by all means take it out. The directions don't say to take the SIM out for a very good reason: it's not required.
I've largely sat on the sidelines recently because all sorts of users who don't usually post refuse to help themselves by using the tools available to them, besides their brains and their eyes (and this part isn't directed at you): reading and the forum's search tools, are coming out of the woodwork and expecting information to be repeated ad nauseum. Or even Google, even if googling specifically for info on XDA.
There's nothing wrong with wanting help or asking for help, but it gets tiresome holding user's hands 1000 at a time on a daily basis. This is why I've all but refrained from posting my true feelings regarding all this demanding going on.
Maybe you don't deserve this whole rant but guess what? Like someone else I recall recently on here, you just happen to have been the straw to break the camel's back in my case.
99% of the time, if anyone...anyone at all has experienced something similar, it's been reported and you can find the information yourself. If you can't find the information, more than likely it's because the information isn't there to be had. Pure speculation here: I have no idea if others have taken their SIM out when flashing using TOT or KDZ method. I haven't yet, but I haven't once been able to TOT on four different PCs from desktops to laptops, with different cables and with different USB ports on the same PCs, under both Windows 7 and 8.
At this point I sincerely don't expect you to read all this because I am definitely on a rant, but if you do, good for you.
His answer might've been slightly smart, but your reply to him was downright rude and I don't think he deserved it. You, on the other hand, posed a question you can answer yourself. For god's sakes, try it! Try it with the SIM out and see what happens. Then you'll have your answer.
If you or anyone else feel you must direct any sort of response regarding this to me, PLEASE PM me. For anyone responding to this in this thread, I'll block you if I'm nice.
Sincerely: good day, take care, good night.
P.S. Maybe you don't feel the way we do because we are *NOT* lurkers. We do help people and take part of these forums for years and nearly each and every day. Nobody's forcing us to do so, but it does mean that we notice a lot more of the BS that comes from users who are expecting help.
AND I'M A LIBERAL EX-MILITARY!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol you just took it too far...TLDR
His post was just sarcastic and I didn't know if he was 'smh' at the idea of taking out my Sim card or not. I've done my research and nobody agrees upon taking the Sim card out or not. I just don't want to **** up my phone again. I've rooted unlocked flash Roms and gone the whole nine yards on my G2. I am not at all new to this.
Guess I was just hoping someone had a plain answer instead of long paragraphs saying why they are so butthurt.
Toodaloo.
roirraW "edor" ehT said:
You've answered the question yourself. Supposed to or not, does it really matter? If you want to be sure nothing happens to the SIM next time, then by all means take it out. The directions don't say to take the SIM out for a very good reason: it's not required.
I've largely sat on the sidelines recently because all sorts of users who don't usually post refuse to help themselves by using the tools available to them, besides their brains and their eyes (and this part isn't directed at you): reading and the forum's search tools, are coming out of the woodwork and expecting information to be repeated ad nauseum. Or even Google, even if googling specifically for info on XDA.
There's nothing wrong with wanting help or asking for help, but it gets tiresome holding user's hands 1000 at a time on a daily basis. This is why I've all but refrained from posting my true feelings regarding all this demanding going on.
Maybe you don't deserve this whole rant but guess what? Like someone else I recall recently on here, you just happen to have been the straw to break the camel's back in my case.
99% of the time, if anyone...anyone at all has experienced something similar, it's been reported and you can find the information yourself. If you can't find the information, more than likely it's because the information isn't there to be had. Pure speculation here: I have no idea if others have taken their SIM out when flashing using TOT or KDZ method. I haven't yet, but I haven't once been able to TOT on four different PCs from desktops to laptops, with different cables and with different USB ports on the same PCs, under both Windows 7 and 8.
At this point I sincerely don't expect you to read all this because I am definitely on a rant, but if you do, good for you.
His answer might've been slightly smart, but your reply to him was downright rude and I don't think he deserved it. You, on the other hand, posed a question you can answer yourself. For god's sakes, try it! Try it with the SIM out and see what happens. Then you'll have your answer.
If you or anyone else feel you must direct any sort of response regarding this to me, PLEASE PM me. For anyone responding to this in this thread, I'll block you if I'm nice.
Sincerely: good day, take care, good night.
P.S. Maybe you don't feel the way we do because we are *NOT* lurkers. We do help people and take part of these forums for years and nearly each and every day. Nobody's forcing us to do so, but it does mean that we notice a lot more of the BS that comes from users who are expecting help.
AND I'M A LIBERAL EX-MILITARY!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Eriosblood said:
Lol you just took it too far...TLDR
His post was just sarcastic and I didn't know if he was 'smh' at the idea of taking out my Sim card or not. I've done my research and nobody agrees upon taking the Sim card out or not. I just don't want to **** up my phone again. I've rooted unlocked flash Roms and gone the whole nine yards on my G2. I am not at all new to this.
Guess I was just hoping someone had a plain answer instead of long paragraphs saying why they are so butthurt.
Toodaloo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Guess I just like to be sure what I'm doing is what I should be doing and won't mess up my phone..I apologize for any curt responses as I can't afford for any mistakes..
Eriosblood said:
Yeah that's what I'm asking....none of the guides say to take the Sim out...am I supposed to. You took the time to quote my post and write a smart-ass comment but no straightforward answer. Guess this is is the reason I'm a long time lurker and never post.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You asked a really dumb question, so I posted I really dumb answer, if you took it as smart arse, ohh well.
Toasting a SIM is pretty rare that's why it's not instructed to do. If it's happening to you, what do you think you should do, leave it In and keep frying them? No, you should take it out, because you have proven you are one of the rare ones this happens to.
I mean, really, if you walk into traffic and get hit by a car, should you coninue to walk into traffic? Only if you want to keep getting hit by cars.
See, if I really wanted to post a smart arse answer, it would have looked more like this ^^.
---------- Post added at 07:30 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:01 AM ----------
roirraW "edor" ehT said:
You've answered the question yourself. Supposed to or not, does it really matter? If you want to be sure nothing happens to the SIM next time, then by all means take it out. The directions don't say to take the SIM out for a very good reason: it's not required.
I've largely sat on the sidelines recently because all sorts of users who don't usually post refuse to help themselves by using the tools available to them, besides their brains and their eyes (and this part isn't directed at you): reading and the forum's search tools, are coming out of the woodwork and expecting information to be repeated ad nauseum. Or even Google, even if googling specifically for info on XDA.
There's nothing wrong with wanting help or asking for help, but it gets tiresome holding user's hands 1000 at a time on a daily basis. This is why I've all but refrained from posting my true feelings regarding all this demanding going on.
Maybe you don't deserve this whole rant but guess what? Like someone else I recall recently on here, you just happen to have been the straw to break the camel's back in my case.
99% of the time, if anyone...anyone at all has experienced something similar, it's been reported and you can find the information yourself. If you can't find the information, more than likely it's because the information isn't there to be had. Pure speculation here: I have no idea if others have taken their SIM out when flashing using TOT or KDZ method. I haven't yet, but I haven't once been able to TOT on four different PCs from desktops to laptops, with different cables and with different USB ports on the same PCs, under both Windows 7 and 8.
At this point I sincerely don't expect you to read all this because I am definitely on a rant, but if you do, good for you.
His answer might've been slightly smart, but your reply to him was downright rude and I don't think he deserved it. You, on the other hand, posed a question you can answer yourself. For god's sakes, try it! Try it with the SIM out and see what happens. Then you'll have your answer.
If you or anyone else feel you must direct any sort of response regarding this to me, PLEASE PM me. For anyone responding to this in this thread, I'll block you if I'm nice.
Sincerely: good day, take care, good night.
P.S. Maybe you don't feel the way we do because we are *NOT* lurkers. We do help people and take part of these forums for years and nearly each and every day. Nobody's forcing us to do so, but it does mean that we notice a lot more of the BS that comes from users who are expecting help.
AND I'M A LIBERAL EX-MILITARY!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really, you can't get tot or kdz to work? I must have missed you mentioning that before, or I just forgot.
Not sure it would help, but on a previous device (i forget which) it would only flash on a clean pc, and only once. After one flash or try it would never work again until I re-flashed the pc. Really weird I know. I have a spare laptop I used so it wasn't a huge inconvenience, but no matter what I did, or sugestions I tried from the community, it just would not work until I cleaned the pc again.
bweN diorD said:
See, if I really wanted to post a smart arse answer, it would have looked more like this
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL!!
Really, you can't get tot or kdz to work? I must have missed you mentioning that before, or I just forgot.
Not sure it would help, but on a previous device (i forget which) it would only flash on a clean pc, and only once. After one flash or try it would never work again until I re-flashed the pc. Really weird I know. I have a spare laptop I used so it wasn't a huge inconvenience, but no matter what I did, or sugestions I tried from the community, it just would not work until I cleaned the pc again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I meant to specifically mention that KDZ works for me every time and on any PC. It's just TOT that always says waiting for connection. I've searched and followed at least four alternate sets of directions, even for problems I haven't had the opportunity to have, like TOT finishing with the wrong number. Tried unplugging and re-plugging, different versions of drivers and the TOT program.
I hadn't mentioned it anywhere so you're not going crazy. ☺ I do have spare computer hardware and considered trying it on a fresh install but I didn't feel I had much hope of that working. I had even thought about using Windows 7 32-bit or XP.
With your experience, now it makes me curious if it would work for me. I might try that next time just to see, whenever that may be. Thank you! I'll let you know either way what the result is.
Sent from my VK810 4G

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