Root-friendly device manufacturers? - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Does anyone know if there are manufacturers that are not determined to lock down their devices against user modification, i.e. who deliberately make their devices easy to root and flash for those of us inclined to do so?
[Some context: I just bought a Fire 7 (5th gen) that was unfortunately updated to 5.3.3.0, and definitely feeling frustrated about the lack of options, and willing to pay more for a device that has such options available. ]
***Feel free to move if this isn't the right forum, or post a link if this question has already been answered.***

a better thread can be found here https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1620179
but other users can post their thoughts here as well

Feenix0 said:
Does anyone know if there are manufacturers that are not determined to lock down their devices against user modification, i.e. who deliberately make their devices easy to root and flash for those of us inclined to do so?
[Some context: I just bought a Fire 7 (5th gen) that was unfortunately updated to 5.3.3.0, and definitely feeling frustrated about the lack of options, and willing to pay more for a device that has such options available. ]
***Feel free to move if this isn't the right forum, or post a link if this question has already been answered.***
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Google Nexus and Google Pixel devices are not locked down, nor will they be in the future I believe. They want them customizable so that users participate in Android Open Source Project(AOSP) development. They encourage the community to tinker with their devices, they may come locked when you buy it but the unlock, rooting and flashing methods are pretty easy to do on all of them.
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk

Droidriven said:
Google Nexus and Google Pixel devices are not locked down, nor will they be in the future I believe. They want them customizable so that users participate in Android Open Source Project(AOSP) development. They encourage the community to tinker with their devices, they may come locked when you buy it but the unlock, rooting and flashing methods are pretty easy to do on all of them.
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk
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While true for the nexus this is not the case with the pixel. Google is closing off the OS for their devices and not pushing that code to aosp.
The only real dev friendly oem right now and I really hate to say this, is the One plus.

zelendel said:
While true for the nexus this is not the case with the pixel. Google is closing off the OS for their devices and not pushing that code to aosp.
The only real dev friendly oem right now and I really hate to say this, is the One plus.
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Well bugger, I didn't know that, what is Google thinking, that's gonna ruin the whole global participation in development.
I knew the One Plus devices were also developer friendly but I had the impression that Google devices were slightly more so.
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk

Droidriven said:
Well bugger, I didn't know that, what is Google thinking, that's gonna ruin the whole global participation in development.
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk
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Yeah. The whole system ui is completely different. You have to remember Google hates what we do here. The only people they really want messing with the OS is the oem. Not so much people like us.

Related

what does "locked bootloader" mean?

What's up guys
I'm considering getting an Atrix when it eventually hits Europe, but people always talk about Motorola's locked bootloader. What does that actually mean? Does it mean custom ROMs are impossible? I love the look of this phone but I'd like to be able to modify it if I can't live with the supposedly-awful Motoblur.
Thanks for reading,
jennan
jennan88 said:
What's up guys
I'm considering getting an Atrix when it eventually hits Europe, but people always talk about Motorola's locked bootloader. What does that actually mean? Does it mean custom ROMs are impossible? I love the look of this phone but I'd like to be able to modify it if I can't live with the supposedly-awful Motoblur.
Thanks for reading,
jennan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
please search forums before starting new topics
this question and discussion is in almost every topic under atrix in all categories and is cluttering up badly
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=957461
But this thread is straight forward and good for noobs.
Sent from my MSM using XDA App
IN SHORT.
It pretty much means you can't change the KERNEL .. which means you're limited to customization to the phone. (e.g. No cyanogenmod, No MIUI, no community upgrades to gingerbread or honeycomb etc., no custom ditbits that only a kernel can provide).
/end.
darkamikaze said:
IN SHORT.
It pretty much means you can't change the KERNEL .. which means you're limited to customization to the phone. (e.g. No cyanogenmod, No MIUI, no community upgrades to gingerbread or honeycomb etc., no custom ditbits that only a kernel can provide).
/end.
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Click to collapse
Locked you can, encrypted you can't. All phones come locked bootloader. So we are praying that its locked and not encryped although it will likely be encrypted
Sent from my MSM using XDA App
Why would they do this?
Surely they know most users will want this feature... Once they save sold it, what it is to them..?
Maybe I'm missing something here?
EDIT: Posted this on the wrong thread. Please delete.
BoogWeed said:
Why would they do this?
Surely they know most users will want this feature... Once they save sold it, what it is to them..?
Maybe I'm missing something here?
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Wrong. Few users even know about locked/encrypted bootloaders. We are a very small minority who cares about this issue.
One thing you'll note if you look around the forums are people still using older model phones like the 8525 which have lost support from the manufacturer a long time ago. Keeping legacy hardware current is costly to manufacturers due to development costs and from competitors releasing newer model phones. Look at what happened to Motorola when they clung to the Razr. They have to keep up with the others. Every sale lost is a potential profit gain for the competition. So they always have a "newer/better model" right around the corner. Keeping their boot loaders encrypted is an attempt at forcing the user to upgrade by limiting the amount of development required to keep the phone current. Even though we are a minority, we are still viewed as lost profit if we are still staying attached to our old phones when newer models are released.

[Q] Which vendors/models are the most developer-friendly

Hi there,
I am looking to buy a new (mid-to-high-end) android device, which will be my primary mobile platform for the next two years.
I expect that there would be several Android version updates during this time-frame, and I definitely want to get them all, as soon as possible.
Furthermore, I would like to compile the OS (including the kernel and the drivers) for the device myself.
My question is, what do you think, which vendor and model should I choose for this?
Which vendor has the best track record regarding publishing the kernel sources, and all the software components required to run the software properly?
I am considering Galaxy Nexus, which is guaranteed to run AOSP, since it comes directly from Google. However,
a) One can not compile all the stuff needed for GNex from source; some binary drivers are still needed. (They are provided by Google in binary form.(
b) The device is kind of dated now; I would prefer something a bit younger. (Maybe this is not the best time to get a new device, since we are in the middle of a Nexus release cycle?) Judging from the hardware, I like the more modern Sony Xperia S or HTC One S better, but I am afraid that their software situation will not be able to keep up with the Nexus line.
What do you think?
Should I stick to Nexus, or are there better alternatives, from the software availability/freedom perspective?
Thank you for your help:
Csillag
You can try what I did.... Search through.all the forums and sub forums to see which was the busiest and go with that model. : D
BROKKANIC said:
You can try what I did.... Search through.all the forums and sub forums to see which was the busiest and go with that model. : D
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May I ask when did you run this search, and what was the result?
Sent from my ZTE-BLADE using XDA
csillag said:
May I ask when did you run this search, and what was the result?
Sent from my ZTE-BLADE using XDA
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Your best bet would be to wait for the next nexus. Other then the nexus other devices are not promised updates early if at all and most of the software is closed source. The nexus is the only one built for AOSP.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using Tapatalk 2

Think we can get aosp now?

exactly like the op says, now that we have s-off, do you guys think we will get official aosp support sice some devs arent really willing to deal with s-on? im not requesting. i'm just interested in what others think
My question is what does the one have to do with the other? Or put it this way what does S-Off have to do with AOSP? just wondering, thanks.
Stryker1297 said:
exactly like the op says, now that we have s-off, do you guys think we can get official aosp support soon? im not requesting. i'm just interested in what others think
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My personal opinion, i'm sure others will. I won't compile an AOSP rom for the DNA. My reason. I happen to love sense. Reason I stick with HTC phones. I don't like touchwiz (earth, haze, whatever they keep changing the ui name to) and moto ui is too much like stock. I like personality in my phone.
Stryker1297 said:
exactly like the op says, now that we have s-off, do you guys think we can get official aosp support soon? im not requesting. i'm just interested in what others think
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Not to sound like a jerk but it seems like you should know your way around....
We always have AOSP thats why its called android OPEN SOURCE project. The question is will someone be able to port it to the DNA.
Go to the Orig. Android Dev section for the DNA and you will see drewx2 an others have been working tirelessly on porting CM10.1 (AOSP) to the DNA. Instead of asking a question that has been answered in the thread you should go check it off.
And S-OFF has nothign to do with porting AOSP. It might make a difference considering other devs may get the phone now that the bootloader is fully unlocked. But it has no DIRECT effect.
How many of these threads do we need?? You could not have posted in the AOSP thread right below yours?? Besides if you people wanted AOSP you should have bought a Nexus. SMH
zone23 said:
My question is what does the one have to do with the other? Or put it this way what does S-Off have to do with AOSP? just wondering, thanks.
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My dear Zone. I think the question was, now that there's no security whatsoever, does it mean now we have the capability to modify the device even further.
The S-off feature allows us to upgrade the firmware (ie, bootloader ver, radios) on our devices. The software is capable after root is achieved. Root in lamens terms is giving yourself administrative rights over your phone, ,much like you have administrative rights on your windows computer. BUT, linux does not have administrator priveleges, it has root priveleges. Thats why Zone is confused by your queston.
Unphazed MD said:
Not to sound like a jerk but it seems like you should know your way around....
We always have AOSP thats why its called android OPEN SOURCE project. The question is will someone be able to port it to the DNA.
Go to the Orig. Android Dev section for the DNA and you will see drewx2 an others have been working tirelessly on porting CM10.1 (AOSP) to the DNA. Instead of asking a question that has been answered in the thread you should go check it off.
And S-OFF has nothign to do with porting AOSP. It might make a difference considering other devs may get the phone now that the bootloader is fully unlocked. But it has no DIRECT effect.
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number 1, yes you sound like a jerk. number 2, some people dont have time to search for a partial answer to somebody else's question. 3, i asked for OPINIONS on the subject. not answers or eta's. 4, i have seen the thread, i asked for speculations on official ports, and i am very aware of the hard work devs put in (donated to jcase and beaups). and 5, s-off has a LOT to do with aosp ports, since many devs refuse to support locked phones, which is an effect. not direct, but still an effect.
honestly i know now why xda's rep is such crap now. when i try to start a conversation on this site all you get is a bunch of trolls with nothing better to do than act condescending and sarcastic.
and thank you dragonstalker for being just about the only person on this thread that even attempted to act sensible and polite
Memnoch73 said:
How many of these threads do we need?? You could not have posted in the AOSP thread right below yours?? Besides if you people wanted AOSP you should have bought a Nexus. SMH
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where's the fun with nexus phones? number one, i am a strict lte user. two, i dont really like nexus because you dont get to really choose other oem skins. some days i like sense/touchwiz, and other days i like aosp. and no wont post in the other thread. they arent looking for the same conversation/info i am, and i'm not gonna add another question to a question thread. SMH
well some devs might be more interested in getting the phone now that it has s off. I don't think it has a direct effect either but making things more convenient for the end user to install kernels should entice more people, including devs looking for a new toy.
Stryker1297 said:
number 1, yes you sound like a jerk. number 2, some people dont have time to search for a partial answer to somebody else's question. 3, i asked for OPINIONS on the subject. not answers or eta's. 4, i have seen the thread, i asked for speculations on official ports, and i am very aware of the hard work devs put in (donated to jcase and beaups). and 5, s-off has a LOT to do with aosp ports, since many devs refuse to support locked phones, which is an effect. not direct, but still an effect.
honestly i know now why xda's rep is such crap now. when i try to start a conversation on this site all you get is a bunch of trolls with nothing better to do than act condescending and sarcastic.
and thank you dragonstalker for being just about the only person on this thread that even attempted to act sensible and polite
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Theres nothing wrong with "XDA's" rep. Its people posting/asking the same quesitons over and over again without taking the 5 minutes to browse the forums or 30 seconds to do a search. Theres been like 800 S-OFF/AOSP related threads/questions when in truth they honestly arent that related. S-OFF is essentially disabling a security check. AOSP is the source.
You could of also just posted like someone else said in one of the other threads on the front page of DNA Q/A asking about S-OFF/AOSP. I dont post a lot but honestly all of these questions being asked over and over again is really silly.
Same with asking about an ETA. The ETA is when the devs finish it. If you want it faster help out. Its not easy.
Maybe you should have reworded your question to something like "Now that we have S-OFF is porting AOSP and easier/quicker which would speed up the eta?"
Im sorry but after the whole debacle with people bugging devs and almost driving them out of the scene and taking them for granted I am not trying to have this widespread post spam happen.
and btw official CM10 support usually happens after somone has a stable and organized build. Then CM10 will usually ask them to become the official maintainer for that device. DrewX2 posted about it in the CM10.1 DNA thread I am not giving that great of an explanation.
dragonstalker said:
My dear Zone. I think the question was, now that there's no security whatsoever, does it mean now we have the capability to modify the device even further.
The S-off feature allows us to upgrade the firmware (ie, bootloader ver, radios) on our devices. The software is capable after root is achieved. Root in lamens terms is giving yourself administrative rights over your phone, ,much like you have administrative rights on your windows computer. BUT, linux does not have administrator priveleges, it has root priveleges. Thats why Zone is confused by your queston.
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Ya I get confused a lot thanks for cleaning that up for me.
Technically we have AOSP but with Sense skin. If you want AOSP feel then flash a deSensed rom (Sence isn't completely removed, only as much as possible) and use an AOSP theme.
orangechoochoo said:
Technically we have AOSP but with Sense skin. If you want AOSP feel then flash a deSensed rom (Sence isn't completely removed, only as much as possible) and use an AOSP theme.
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Let me clarify something... AOSP is nothing like sense... Sense isn't a skin it's a full OS. HTC didn't theme AOSP, they built from ground up an os based on android kernel / Linux kernel
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using XDA Premium HD app
Nevermind, you're right.
http://www.xda-developers.com/andro...d-skins-aosp-sense-touchwiz-xda-developer-tv/
orangechoochoo said:
Nevermind, you're right.
http://www.xda-developers.com/andro...d-skins-aosp-sense-touchwiz-xda-developer-tv/
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Yea that's exactly what I was referencing from lol
orangechoochoo said:
Nevermind, you're right.
http://www.xda-developers.com/andro...d-skins-aosp-sense-touchwiz-xda-developer-tv/
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Wow, someone who admits they're wrong. I didn't know that existed on the Internet.
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using xda app-developers app
Unphazed MD said:
Theres nothing wrong with "XDA's" rep. Its people posting/asking the same quesitons over and over again without taking the 5 minutes to browse the forums or 30 seconds to do a search. Theres been like 800 S-OFF/AOSP related threads/questions when in truth they honestly arent that related. S-OFF is essentially disabling a security check. AOSP is the source.
You could of also just posted like someone else said in one of the other threads on the front page of DNA Q/A asking about S-OFF/AOSP. I dont post a lot but honestly all of these questions being asked over and over again is really silly.
Same with asking about an ETA. The ETA is when the devs finish it. If you want it faster help out. Its not easy.
Maybe you should have reworded your question to something like "Now that we have S-OFF is porting AOSP and easier/quicker which would speed up the eta?"
Im sorry but after the whole debacle with people bugging devs and almost driving them out of the scene and taking them for granted I am not trying to have this widespread post spam happen.
and btw official CM10 support usually happens after somone has a stable and organized build. Then CM10 will usually ask them to become the official maintainer for that device. DrewX2 posted about it in the CM10.1 DNA thread I am not giving that great of an explanation.
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did you not read how i just said i didnt ask for eta's or roms. do you know how to read. also did you read how i said i donate to devs when possible. also did you read how i said i wasnt asking for progress updates. i said i was looking for CONVERSATIONAL OPINIONS ON THE SUBJECT
Bigandrewgold said:
Wow, someone who admits they're wrong. I didn't know that existed on the Internet.
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using xda app-developers app
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It doesn't hurt to be wrong, it's a learning experience :good:
No s off won't make CM10 any easier to build. Fixing not being able to push or pull system files while phone is booted makes things much easier to work with and in my opinion was way more helpful to the devs on general.
If you look at some of the recent HTC devices, a good number of those devices are s off, and the AOSP developers went back to s on because of safety concerns for the device after a few mishaps building from source.
To build AOSP for a device like this requires some serious skill on the RIL (radio interface layer) department especially. Using the command line for a few things like boot.img isn't challenging to someone that can build from source for AOSP. And definitely is a skill someone porting AOSP roms and especially trying to crack RIL would have acquired a long time ago. While on the surface it seems so advantageous to the end user, to port AOSP over to a brand new device, my 2 sense is that s on is the least of their worries.
And yeap the guys above me are right, sense is built as sense from the ground up. And unlike AOSP, most of sense is proprietary so unlike AOSP Android, it has to be reverse engineered and then built to work on the hardware in our phones. The linux kernel used by HTC is open source and they comply with the GPL and release kernel source code for it. But everything proprietary is kept pretty locked down to prevent Samsung from using sense 5 and calling it "Samsung inSense"
There may be
Sent from my DNA... S-Off like a baws
Why do so many people buy HTC phones which all come with some form of Sense and then spam XDA with questions about when can we get AOSP? The answer to the question by the OP is no because S-Off has nothing to do with getting AOSP. As Charles put it the biggest hurdle on every HTC device I have had for the devs to get AOSP working is RIL and kernel.

Lets try to get OFFICIAL support from Cyanogenmod

I know that there is already a thread on their forum asking for support BUT a second livelier thread cant hurt. Go ahead over and vote YES for official support.
PLEASE note that I'm NOT guaranteeing anything. I cant even guarantee that they will respond. But It cant hurt to try right?
Here is the link to go to the thread.
http://forum.cyanogenmod.org/topic/...-samsung-galaxy-light-sgh-t399-and-sgh-t399n/
I don't know if it'll help any, but i've voted, would be nice if we had official support. Having official support would make having this phone more bearable until whenever I can get an upgrade, would like to get off of Touchwiz.
Juanito216 said:
I don't know if it'll help any, but i've voted, would be nice if we had official support. Having official support would make having this phone more bearable until whenever I can get an upgrade, would like to get off of Touchwiz.
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Yeah there's been so many views on the forum here for the light that itnhas enough interest.
Sent from my SGH-T399N using XDA Free mobile app
Voted!
Over 230 some views of this thread and only 6 votes on the cyanogen mod site. Really people, I am quite irked by that! Let's get some love for this device and possible official support for it!
http://forum.cyanogenmod.org/topic/...-samsung-galaxy-light-sgh-t399-and-sgh-t399n/
You have to understand cm is losing many fans here. If you ask why then just have a look around. The main reason is they merge untested code, enclude bootloader, radios and other stuff that they should not be messing with and have even bricked a bunch of nexus devices. Also you have to keep in mind that many developers have walked away from Samsung devices due to their lieing to devs and the locked down nature of their devices.
zelendel said:
You have to understand cm is losing many fans here. If you ask why then just have a look around. The main reason is they merge untested code, enclude bootloader, radios and other stuff that they should not be messing with and have even bricked a bunch of nexus devices. Also you have to keep in mind that many developers have walked away from Samsung devices due to their lieing to devs and the locked down nature of their devices.
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That's a good point. I wouldn't mind any custom rom though like pac rom, or slim rom. But apparently this phone just isn't popular enough for people to care. Shame I don't have the money for an S4 lol
Sent from my SGH-T399N using XDA Free mobile app
kireflow90 said:
That's a good point. I wouldn't mind any custom rom though like pac rom, or slim rom. But apparently this phone just isn't popular enough for people to care. Shame I don't have the money for an S4 lol
Sent from my SGH-T399N using XDA Free mobile app
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Well my best advice would be for someone with the device to dig in and see what they can get going. What you need to find out first is if the bootloader can be unlocked, then finding the kernel source for the device. Without those 2 basic things no one will be able to do anything for the device. If you find them in your favor (wish you all the luck in the world....you will need it with samaung) then the rest is not that hard. Getting device trees up and then syncing up to the source of your choice and boom. You got a rom
zelendel said:
Well my best advice would be for someone with the device to dig in and see what they can get going. What you need to find out first is if the bootloader can be unlocked, then finding the kernel source for the device. Without those 2 basic things no one will be able to do anything for the device. If you find them in your favor (wish you all the luck in the world....you will need it with samaung) then the rest is not that hard. Getting device trees up and then syncing up to the source of your choice and boom. You got a rom
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Just found a kernel source thanks to a generous xda'er, may I ask how we can check if the bootloader is unlockable? More familiar with Sony devices...
AcreaperJB said:
Just found a kernel source thanks to a generous xda'er, may I ask how we can check if the bootloader is unlockable? More familiar with Sony devices...
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To the best of my knowledge the bootloader was never locked. Built before Samsung hated us!
Voted, lets do this, I cant WAIT for a decently running CM port. This phone is utterly AMAZING (its almost a Galaxy S4 but smaller and FAR cheaper) and its a damn shame there isnt enough DEV support yet

V10 dead

Hey guys, legitimate question here. It seems that there is no development being done for this and other of the 2015 flagships. Am I missing something?
Imo phone is solid out of the box. I have a 6p to mess around with.
Sent from my LG-H901 using Tapatalk
What "development" do you expect? With Xposed and a plethora of modules, there really is no need for specialized custom ROMs. All you need is a rock-solid base and off you go. You can even theme everything in the phone with the LG Apps Theme Engine.
siraltus said:
What "development" do you expect? With Xposed and a plethora of modules, there really is no need for specialized custom ROMs. All you need is a rock-solid base and off you go. You can even theme everything in the phone with the LG Apps Theme Engine.
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Cyanogenmod to start. Tbh I hate that response. That isn't helpful. It isn't just the V10. I have a GS6E+ as well. There is nothing on that front. I
Topgun966 said:
Cyanogenmod to start. Tbh I hate that response. That isn't helpful. It isn't just the V10. I have a GS6E+ as well. There is nothing on that front. I
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Then go ask the Cyanogen devs to support the V10. Complaining here accomplishes exactly nothing.
siraltus said:
Then go ask the Cyanogen devs to support the V10. Complaining here accomplishes exactly nothing.
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"Hey guys, legitimate question here. It seems that there is no development being done for this and other of the 2015 flagships. Am I missing something?"
Where in that is exactly ... "complaining"? I asked a legitimate question. Seems that you are complaining about the question I asked.
Topgun966 said:
"Hey guys, legitimate question here. It seems that there is no development being done for this and other of the 2015 flagships. Am I missing something?"
Where in that is exactly ... "complaining"? I asked a legitimate question. Seems that you are complaining about the question I asked.
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I used hyperbole. The fact remains that reaching out to devs directly will have far more effect than posting threads here.
It's not like they'll magically swoop in here and say "Oh guys, so sorry we haven't made anything for your phone yet, we'll get right on it!"
If you want to see action, post on Cyanogen's forum, open a github issue, or PM/mention devs who developed for LG phones in the past to see what their opinion is.
I can understand wanting to flash ROMs and such, it can definitely be fun, and it's good to have alternatives. But maybe i'm getting old, but i'm a bit tired of it nowadays: the bootloops, certain things not working, having to start over, the time wasted, missing phone calls from your girlfriend because you bootlooped and are constantly booted in recovery lmao. I think OEMs have come a long way since the early days of Android, so i'm usually good with rooted stock now, or a deodexed version. This phone already runs pretty great out of the box, so maybe try and enjoy it as it was made to be. And for sure with the Tmo model rootable, there's xposed, tweakbox, etc. But i definitely understand, OP, even flagship phones don't necessarily have as many custom ROMs as they used to.
The V10 is an awesome phone... But specialty development (cyanogen mod, AOSP) is going off a bit... First off development doesn't just happen... This is a brand new phone model, and although it uses a lot of the G4's hardware, there are a lot of differences, second screen being the biggest, also, t-mobiles version is currently the only one world wide with root access. Further hurting our chances. As for other flagship models, carriers and manufacturers, have been making it harder to root and modify phones... Which has been scaring development away... (why buy a phone you may never be able to modify?) if you want phones with a ton of options for development, I suggest you stick to either nexus devices, and /or something similar to the S series phones... That gets a ton of development... Plain and simple, T-Mobile is the only carrier on earth that doesn't care what you do to your phone. And from a development standpoint, this phone has only been out a little over 2 months, and currently has one model world wide with root access so unless someone Crack the bootloader on other models, or systemless root access becomes a reality with marshmallow, it's probably going to be a slow go... If you really want CM on your V10, (not sure why when you can strip this down to bare bones) you could build us all a rom... Seeing as you believe it's so easy...
Sent from my LG-H901 using Tapatalk
Thank you @ZDeuce2 and @YrrchSebor for telling it like it is. Couldn't have said it better myself.
siraltus said:
Thank you @ZDeuce2 and @YrrchSebor for telling it like it is. Couldn't have said it better myself.
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Plus I'd say nowadays in many cases, you lose more than you gain by erasing the software that skilled professionals have developed for your phone. Like you said, those guys good lol. Maybe carriers and/or other corporate/financial concerns might dumb things down or limit features, but root can be plenty enough to open things up for savvy users.
YrrchSebor said:
Plus I'd say nowadays in many cases, you lose more than you gain by erasing the software that skilled professionals have developed for your phone. Like you said, those guys good lol. Maybe carriers and/or other corporate/financial concerns might dumb things down or limit features, but root can be plenty enough to open things up for savvy users.
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I agree. Outside of Nexus devices I found that Cyanogen has never had proper quality control and the maintainers do whatever they want. Random things are constantly broken and are never acknowledged or fixed. You never know whether a new nightly would fix things or just break things more, even if you followed the commit logs. It's certainly more of an enthusiast's endeavor rather than a rock-solid daily driver OS.
Then there is the garbage camera image quality on non-Nexus phones - the proprietary image processing libraries and other stuff from stock ROMs are just unrivaled and Cyanogen has never been able to match stock camera quality.
I found that especially in the last year or so, stock ROMs have really become robust and polished and I simply do not need to flash Cyanogen anymore to "unsuck" my phone. Root and Xposed are enough to clean up and customize the stock ROM the way I like it and make my phone perfect.
siraltus said:
I agree. Outside of Nexus devices I found that Cyanogen has never had proper quality control and the maintainers do whatever they want. Random things are constantly broken and are never acknowledged or fixed. You never know whether a new nightly would fix things or just break things more, even if you followed the commit logs. It's certainly more of an enthusiast's endeavor rather than a rock-solid daily driver OS.
Then there is the garbage camera image quality on non-Nexus phones - the proprietary image processing libraries and other stuff from stock ROMs are just unrivaled and Cyanogen has never been able to match stock camera quality.
I found that especially in the last year or so, stock ROMs have really become robust and polished and I simply do not need to flash Cyanogen anymore to "unsuck" my phone. Root and Xposed are enough to clean up and customize the stock ROM the way I like it and make my phone perfect.
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Yeah, agreed on all counts there..
YrrchSebor said:
Yeah, agreed on all counts there..
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Only thing I would love to see is layers support added, then we would truly have a beast on our hands...
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ZDeuce2 said:
Only thing I would love to see is layers support added, then we would truly have a beast on our hands...
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It doesn't work yet? There's a thread on it, so I tried it and it did theme some stuff, but maybe it isn't fully working? Plus I could swear that my system update center broke after using the Inverted UI module
YrrchSebor said:
It doesn't work yet? There's a thread on it, so I tried it and it did theme some stuff, but maybe it isn't fully working? Plus I could swear that my system update center broke after using the Inverted UI module
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It needs in rom support, which we don't have yet, to fully work completely. Probably why it seems like it broke stuff...
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---------- Post added at 10:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:06 PM ----------
If I knew how to build, and had a computer that wasn't a Commodore 64, I'd give it a shot, but as slow as my comps are we'll have well have Android Orange Cremesicle before it finishes building...
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ZDeuce2 said:
If I knew how to build, and had a computer that wasn't a Commodore 64, I'd give it a shot, but as slow as my comps are we'll have well have Android Orange Cremesicle before it finishes building...
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LOL! Well, if I knew how to code, I could do it, but I don't... so yeah. Unless adding the support is simpler than recoding a bunch of APKs?
While more development is always great, I'm very happy with debloated and deodexed stock-based ROMs for the V10. @siraltus has done good work, and that's really all I need, the ability to root, run Xposed and be free from bloatware. I'm sort of over Cyanogenmod in terms of actually flashing it myself. The importance of CM in the history of Android can't be overstated, but for a device with such specialized hardware as the V10 (secondary display, DAC/Amp, etc.), I don't think CM would ever be as good as a stock-based ROM.
I even prefer a stock theme nowadays.... At least it's consistent throughout the system, and I know I'll be able to read any and all text on my phone lol.
YrrchSebor said:
I even prefer a stock theme nowadays.... At least it's consistent throughout the system, and I know I'll be able to read any and all text on my phone lol.
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Nothing like a random white text on white background screen and you have no idea what it says... LOL.

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