Custom mods for old Huawei Ascend Y321-U051 ? - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi, after postponing for many years my phone finally snapped beyond logic (has an infinite system popup spam with "unfortunately x service has stopped working", with options like 'Wait' and 'Ok') and I thought this could be a good opportunity to try a custom ROM (since it was running too slow and Android was limiting resources too much, even before any of this). My phone uses Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean), I thought that alone was enough, but I just happened to see that it also has to match the device model... and after visiting all custom ROM websites, it seems that there's no support at all for this phone, which is utterly frustrating.
So, as a leap of faith, I'm asking here if there's any ROM known for being widely compatible that isn't indexed in search engines.
Wikipedia named some that have their websites down (or maybe the list is outdated).
Though it's not my first time installating OS in desktop devices (and laptops), I'm still entirely new in the actual android/mobile customization world.

Still waiting for a response.

waiting for a response x2
i have the same device. its possible to do something if you have knowledge about doing a kernel or modify some things man, i never find a rom for that but i can say..... uwu maybe a simple system apk modifications or deleting it......if your objetive is videogames you could delete all thrash things and have only the system essentials services to use more smothly.

Related

[Q] Total Android Newb, where to go for basics?

[rooted NT using Albert's 4.5] old school IT guy, just don't know android
This site doesn't seem to be very welcoming of basic questions so I would like to find a place I can get up to speed. I'm reading and searching but most of the answers include elements that are over my head so I don't end up making much progress. I've also tried the basic Google searches for "android for dummies", "android basics", etc. Part of it is that I haven't used a smart-phone, iPad, or other similar device so a lot of the really basic stuff isn't 2nd nature to me.
Where can I go to get a basic understanding of setting up, configuring, and using android efficiently.
Things I would like to understand:
When ICS (CM9?) becomes available on NT, if I am running CM7 and do an upgrade will all the look/feel & organizing configuring be gone and need to be redone with the new OS (does this happen each time you do an OS upgrade)?
Configuring the launcher(s) to get better look, more efficient use. I have read the honeycomb & homescreen configuration threads but am unclear as to whether those options are available with a rooted NT or only if you have installed CM7.
Just basic efficient navigation. If I am bouncing back & forth between apps (like Dolphin & installing/configuring an app) I currently end up using the "N" key to go back to the launcher and "reopening" each of the apps. Don't know if there is a more efficient way to bounce between open app instances.
A sincere thank you for ANY help. And sure if you would rather ridicule me for my lack of knowledge or point out that there is a search button I can certainly handle that too.
Honestly, just play with it and explore. You're not going to break anything. In the unlikely event that you do simply reformat your device.
Sent from my Nook Tablet using xda premium
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1415812
Hi! Since i assume you are well aware of conputer operating systems
Android is a derivative of the Linux kernel which powers Ubuntu, Red Hat, Gentoo etc. Linux is based off of Unix as are other OS like Mac OS X. These Kernels use unix commands to carry out tasks underneath the X server interface (desktop). Android has a similar setup and you can issue commands from a terminal either on the tablet itself or in windows to install, remove and execute scripts and programs. ADB is the android equivelent of a com2 port if you will and that is how the NT and
Kindke Fire where originally rooted. You can use Indirects Adb script to root your tablet and even install Google apps. I know you already have one of Alberts cards but if you want to learn up on Android you should study up on ADB.
The version of Android that comes with the NT is fine if you just want
to consume books and media. This is Gingerbread 2.3 that
was developed specifically for the NT. Since Google requires manufacturers
to meet certain requirements to license the proprietary parts of
their software and apps and Barnes and Noble decided to forgo licensing
they could not include Google Apps on their tablet. This is why although GApps can be forced to run, there are still problems.
Cm7 is a heavily modified version of Android Gingerbread. It has the code in its
kernel 2.3 to run the Gapps without problems and allow full
Access to the market. Some of the "new" ICS roms that are
being built and distributed are actually based on Cm7 and the new
Code is being backported to work on the old kernel. This means whenever
A new feature is introduced to ICS, it has to be rewritten
to work on an old kernel. There is work being done to build
a working 3.x kernel which is what ICS will be based on.
I personally will wait and hope that development is completed
before i use ICS.
The launcher is what draws all the icons and gets you around. I personally like go launcher, others like ADW (cm7 default). Zeem launcher is lightweight and basic.
Just try a couple and use home switcher from marketplace to switch between then
Until you find the one tgat strikes balance between feautures and speed. Hope this helps you get started.
Thanks much for the help so far. I do appreciate it.
I have spent some time with the FAQ/Newb thread but will spend more time on it.
Check out the XDA wiki, or the CyanogenMOD wiki for the best vanilla-android questions. Things like how to set up the android SDK, downloading drivers, etc.. Anything from beginner to advanced should be found in one of those 2 places.
The search function here is sufficient. You just need to know what you are searching for. Basically typing in "android for newbs" is gonna return probably every post with the word android in it. Good luck finding anything in that mess. You need to be fairly specific.
A lot of people here are more than willing to help, so long as you post in the correct areas and at least try to search for an answer to your question.
Just spend a lot of time searching through XDA and using google searches. There is a TON of information out there, I know it seems a bit overwhelming at first, at least it did for me when I got my first Android phone. As long as you are willing to put into the time to research and use trial and error, you will be fine I would start with reading how to root the device that you currently have, from there learn how to install CMW and then worry about CM7 and other ROMs. As you are learning these things I believe a lot will fall into place.

[Q] com.android.fixed.update

Hey all,
I'm the proud owner of a Samsung Nexus S (sadly the i9020a model, though). I was forced against my will at gun point by someone named Jealousy to install ICS (4.0.4) on my i9020a when it was released for all other Nexus S devices except for the US AT&T version of the phone.
Anyway, love the ICS and absolutely love the ROM I'm using (Brainmaster's stock ICS, w/ Supercharger V6 and a number of other goodies). But I was a bit confused today when I opened my phone and noticed a recently downloaded APK called "update.apk". Looking at it's info, it's name is "com.android.fixed.update" with no author, developer, and minimum version of 0. It weighs roughly 40kb and is not associated with the market, so I'm going to have to disable my "Market-only" settings in order to install it, otherwise it was about to install itself.
I was wonder what it might be. With no other information, I'm a bit hesitant to install it. The only permissions it asks for is Network Access and Start on Boot.
I thought just maybe it was an OTA from a developer (maybe even Brainmaster) but I wasn't exactly sure what kind of access or ability non-service providers had to OTA functionality and what not. (I suppose, if it can probably be modified with some effort, seeing as the source is available...)
Anyway, hoping to hear your thoughts on it. Google showed ONE result for "com.android.fixed.update" and that's it. Thanks for your input in advance!
We also got the same file on our Moto Xoom, I believe its a virus so do not install it. The file was downloaded at biandroid (dot) info which is definitely not associated with android.com
http://anonhq.com/notcompatible-back-market/
that is the explanation
Back in 2012 malware called Not Compatible was haunting android devices. Now more powerful than ever the latest version of NotCompatible.C has its own self protected encryption. Thus making this program difficult to find and delete.
Lookout Inc, a mobile security firm says that this version of the malware is a threat on a massive scale. Once in it has the tendency to control and hack data. It is an advance form of malware that can be seen on a PC a botnet so powerful that it has a server design architecture, P2P communications and as previously said encryption capabilities.
The programming of the malware is one of the hardest to kill malware that we have observed. Once the malware is installed it does not appear on the android operating system as it keeps itself in the background. It only works when the device is unlocked by the user or if it is restarted.
view
Source: Imgur
The only way you can find out is through Manage Applications>Settings. This will show you that an application by the long name of (com.andriod.fixed.update) is running. All you need to do is simply uninstall it.

Getting Started With Android

Hello, I'm new to this forum, but, I have been in other forums relating to hacking 'mobile' devices. Previously, I was part of a number of different iOS forums, so, I know about jailbreaking, and troubleshooting problems on the iOS platform. I'll also share my few thoughts on Android, and my experience on Jelly Bean so far within this, embarrassingly long, post.
However, with Google's announcement of the Nexus 7, I was impressed by Android, and I was thoroughly impressed that it had finally sorted out the lagging problems. (I had used Android tablets, but they never appealed to me due to the lag which each one experienced. Jelly Bean, and, in particular, 'Project Butter', has remedied this issue - I have experienced no lag on my Nexus 7 since I received it a week ago.) And so, I pre-ordered the Nexus 7 - deciding against purchasing, a much more expensive, but, I believed, an excellent tablet, the iPad.
iOS, also, was beginning to become less interesting to use - sure, the iPad may have a larger scale of the iOS mobile operating system, but it remained largely the same. Same interface (although on a, admittedly, much better screen) same apps, same freedom - without the jailbreak. The new iPad (as advertised and sold by Apple), I thought, also did not do an excellent job on improving it's predecessor. Sure, an improved screen, and processor to power the screen - but is that worth it? (Considering another one will, inevitably, be released within a year.)
Tegra 3 was making strides. Although, one thing that saddens me about Android, and is something which definitely hinders it's ability to overthrow iOS - is the fragmentation present on the operating system. I'm not sure which apps are compatible with my Nexus 7, and which ones are not. (On a side not, piracy is also another factor which slows the progress of Android, and is perhaps a reason why some apps are exclusive to iOS in the first place - I'm looking at you Epic Games! Android certainly has the power and graphical capabilities to run the game, but Epic, like all companies must, are interested primarily on their profits. Again, fragmentation plays its part!)
Although, shifting to different mobile operating systems is rather difficult - especially since I am intrigued by modifications, and altering devices to make them fulfil my needs. On iOS, it was quite simple: There was only one thing to do - jailbreak. A process, which in itself, was extremely simple (for the most part.) It appears there are also much more iOS specialists on YouTube, who post easy to follow tutorials. Also, since iOS is a 'closed' platform, I was not concerned by viruses, and I knew what I could, and could not do.
Android, however, is open - and this, paradoxically, limits myself. There are so many modifications, I do not know which ones are good, which ones are bad, and which ones could result in bricking my, now beloved, Nexus 7. I don't want to completely mess up my device, or install random rubbish which only makes it slower. I have, almost literally, no clue on where to start. Sure, I've downloaded a few basic apps from Google Play - TegraZone - but who cannot do that without assistance?
I want to install more widgets, that amaze me, and also applications which will prove useful. (For example, a file managing app, a torrent app (no piracy! ), and other cool things.) I also, though, require a reliable anti-virus. Having previously used iOS for a number of years, I was not subject to any viruses, and, indeed, I did not have to worry about viruses - there are very few, if any, viruses on iOS. Android, though, is much more open to viruses. I need to ensure that I do not succumb to one.
However, what I am most interested in is the 'rooting' process, and the benefits which can derive from it. What extra things can I achieve by rooting my Nexus 7? What applications should I install to supplement the rooted device? (I have read of ClockWork(?)Mod, but I have not really ventured that far into applications which take advantage of rooting, since a lot of the information mentioned appears to me as gibberish, due to my noobishness .) And, perhaps most importantly, if something were to go tragically wrong - how would I recover the device. (Again, I'll make a reference to iOS, since, it is an operating system I am familiar with - you could simply restore the device through iTunes - what is Android's alternative?)
So, can you assist me in getting accustomed to the Android operating system by providing your recommended apps, and also useful tutorials which I can use to develop my understanding? I literally have no clue what half of the things in the Android section of this forum talk about - they included an abundance of vocabulary which, evidently, you need relative experience to understand. I also need require some Android experts - involved in perhaps development - to follow on Twitter!
Thanks for reading through my essay! Please, help a noob get started! I would appreciate all forms of feedback!
Note: I have downloaded the Android SDK (Although, not installed it, as of the time of writing.), and I have also got the factory image for the Nexus 7. I achieved this by briefly viewing a YouTube video. There do not appear to be that many, though. The XDA YouTube channel generally covers the news aspect of all things related to Android.
The greatest bit of advice I can give is to start here - Nexus 7 - and read read read!
There's no backup and restoring the entire system without root. When you do you can install a custom recovery. Note there is always a stock recovery that is far limited compared to recoveries such as CWM.
Android really doesn't have problems with viruses. Seriously. The only reason why it appears so is because idiots sideload apps from shady sites that contain viruses, but on iOS there is no sideloading without jailbreak.
For a file managing app, you can use Explorer (my preferance), ES File Explorer, or Astro.
Widgets are really personal preferance, I keep a music widget to quickly play music, a calendar widget, weather widget. You might want a news widget like Flipboard.
Rooting gives you full access to your device. It allows performance gains like overclocking, battery saving with underclocking. Like I said before, it opens to ability to backup/restore entire systems and individual apps with Titanium Backup. You can install customs ROMs, delete system apps (usually bloatware), remap the physical keys, use Tasker for automated tasking (pretty awesome btw). You can also edit system files, such as notification tones, ringtones, bootanimation, etc.
Sent from my MB508 using xda premium
Konflict1471 said:
Hello, I'm new to this forum, but, I have been in other forums relating to hacking 'mobile' devices. Previously, I was part of a number of different iOS forums, so, I know about jailbreaking, and troubleshooting problems on the iOS platform. I'll also share my few thoughts on Android, and my experience on Jelly Bean so far within this, embarrassingly long, post.
However, with Google's announcement of the Nexus 7, I was impressed by Android, and I was thoroughly impressed that it had finally sorted out the lagging problems. (I had used Android tablets, but they never appealed to me due to the lag which each one experienced. Jelly Bean, and, in particular, 'Project Butter', has remedied this issue - I have experienced no lag on my Nexus 7 since I received it a week ago.) And so, I pre-ordered the Nexus 7 - deciding against purchasing, a much more expensive, but, I believed, an excellent tablet, the iPad.
iOS, also, was beginning to become less interesting to use - sure, the iPad may have a larger scale of the iOS mobile operating system, but it remained largely the same. Same interface (although on a, admittedly, much better screen) same apps, same freedom - without the jailbreak. The new iPad (as advertised and sold by Apple), I thought, also did not do an excellent job on improving it's predecessor. Sure, an improved screen, and processor to power the screen - but is that worth it? (Considering another one will, inevitably, be released within a year.)
Tegra 3 was making strides. Although, one thing that saddens me about Android, and is something which definitely hinders it's ability to overthrow iOS - is the fragmentation present on the operating system. I'm not sure which apps are compatible with my Nexus 7, and which ones are not. (On a side not, piracy is also another factor which slows the progress of Android, and is perhaps a reason why some apps are exclusive to iOS in the first place - I'm looking at you Epic Games! Android certainly has the power and graphical capabilities to run the game, but Epic, like all companies must, are interested primarily on their profits. Again, fragmentation plays its part!)
Although, shifting to different mobile operating systems is rather difficult - especially since I am intrigued by modifications, and altering devices to make them fulfil my needs. On iOS, it was quite simple: There was only one thing to do - jailbreak. A process, which in itself, was extremely simple (for the most part.) It appears there are also much more iOS specialists on YouTube, who post easy to follow tutorials. Also, since iOS is a 'closed' platform, I was not concerned by viruses, and I knew what I could, and could not do.
Android, however, is open - and this, paradoxically, limits myself. There are so many modifications, I do not know which ones are good, which ones are bad, and which ones could result in bricking my, now beloved, Nexus 7. I don't want to completely mess up my device, or install random rubbish which only makes it slower. I have, almost literally, no clue on where to start. Sure, I've downloaded a few basic apps from Google Play - TegraZone - but who cannot do that without assistance?
I want to install more widgets, that amaze me, and also applications which will prove useful. (For example, a file managing app, a torrent app (no piracy! ), and other cool things.) I also, though, require a reliable anti-virus. Having previously used iOS for a number of years, I was not subject to any viruses, and, indeed, I did not have to worry about viruses - there are very few, if any, viruses on iOS. Android, though, is much more open to viruses. I need to ensure that I do not succumb to one.
However, what I am most interested in is the 'rooting' process, and the benefits which can derive from it. What extra things can I achieve by rooting my Nexus 7? What applications should I install to supplement the rooted device? (I have read of ClockWork(?)Mod, but I have not really ventured that far into applications which take advantage of rooting, since a lot of the information mentioned appears to me as gibberish, due to my noobishness .) And, perhaps most importantly, if something were to go tragically wrong - how would I recover the device. (Again, I'll make a reference to iOS, since, it is an operating system I am familiar with - you could simply restore the device through iTunes - what is Android's alternative?)
So, can you assist me in getting accustomed to the Android operating system by providing your recommended apps, and also useful tutorials which I can use to develop my understanding? I literally have no clue what half of the things in the Android section of this forum talk about - they included an abundance of vocabulary which, evidently, you need relative experience to understand. I also need require some Android experts - involved in perhaps development - to follow on Twitter!
Thanks for reading through my essay! Please, help a noob get started! I would appreciate all forms of feedback!
Note: I have downloaded the Android SDK (Although, not installed it, as of the time of writing.), and I have also got the factory image for the Nexus 7. I achieved this by briefly viewing a YouTube video. There do not appear to be that many, though. The XDA YouTube channel generally covers the news aspect of all things related to Android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome to Android!
I think you'll enjoy it
Ok on to your questions:
These are gonna be out of order
Reliable anti-virus: Trend Micro Mobile Security (worth the $10 )
Benefits of CWM: Backups, restores, custom ROM flashing
Benefits of rooting: custom ROMs, access to system files
Some apps to get started: Angry birds , Rom Manager, BatteryCalibration, ES File Manager, imo
Android's alternative to iTunes' restore is CWM. It's not official but its tons better then iTunes. You do it from the device and its a full, complete restore.
Ask again if I didn't answer something
Very long post BUT a few things to think about.
I have never used a antivirus software and really they are pointless just look at the apps before you download them read the comments and look at the permissions the app uses and think "does that fart noise app need to be able to send texts" of cause the answer is no so don't install it.
Other fractures can be useful like phone tracking but there are better apps that are free for this like prey.
If you root you will have full control of your filesystem much like su on Linux if you have ever used this. You could for example with root use my project to run Linux distros like Ubuntu. The nexus 7 due to being under googles power is very easy to unlock and root and if you mess something up easy to restore a backup. There are other great apps to like being able to back up apps and there data.
Just a few points and if you have more questions feel free to pm me
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
AVG or Avast antivirus are the best.
Solid Explorer is the best file explorer.
UCCW is the most customizable widget.
Taptu or Pulse are the best news readers.
Pocket.
Tapatalk forum.
MX player is the best video player.
Dropbox is by far the best cloud storage.
Photoshop.
PowerAMP is the best Music Player.
I would say that you don't need to root a Nexus Device. You got the latest OS and will always have.
The only reason you would wanna root is for some root apps.
Like Titanium Backup, AdBlocker and ROM Toolbox.
CWM is only necessary if you want to flash a custom ROM and you don't need to because you already have AOSP Jelly BEAN.
Thanks for all of the responses! And apologies for the long post! xD
I'll look through the Nexus 7 forums as XperienceD mentioned.
And by ClockWordMod - is that actually ROM Manager? I'm confused, and this is probably the most noobish question you'll get. xD
Since I don't really want to root my Nexus 7 (currently, that is) - then I would not really need to back up the data, since, there will be no risk. I'm not really concerned about overclocking my device - it's quite fast as it is. However, battery saving is quite tempting. Although, I don't see it as a reason alone to root my Nexus. And, as it is stock Google - there is no unnecessary bloat ware attached to the device.
And I can't get viruses while browsing through the internet?
I always thought that was the case, which is why I was looking for an anti-virus application.
Also, for UCCW - do I need to install a custom launcher of some sort? Is it really possible to add a widget, that appears complicated, simply through the Google Play market?
And finally, while installing ES File Explorer - I noticed that it had permission to remove shortcuts without user intervention. Is this the sort of permission I should be checking for on other applications? Since people on this forum recommended the app, I didn't really have any doubts of whether it was legit.3.
Also, how you I get toggles back on the notification bar? On iOS (sorry for the repeated mentioning of the scum ) - I had SBSettings, which was similar to the notifications available on Android. How would I add the toggles back?
Konflict1471 said:
Thanks for all of the responses! And apologies for the long post! xD
I'll look through the Nexus 7 forums as XperienceD mentioned.
And by ClockWordMod - is that actually ROM Manager? I'm confused, and this is probably the most noobish question you'll get. xD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is a custom recovery which lets you backup your ROM, flash new ROMs and make other changes to your device (so in a way use it is a ROM manager)
Konflict1471 said:
Since I don't really want to root my Nexus 7 (currently, that is) - then I would not really need to back up the data, since, there will be no risk. I'm not really concerned about overclocking my device - it's quite fast as it is. However, battery saving is quite tempting. Although, I don't see it as a reason alone to root my Nexus. And, as it is stock Google - there is no unnecessary bloat ware attached to the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is true if you have a nexus device the need for root is far less, and the fact that alot of apps that used to need root have become features in new versions of android, back in the days of 1.5/6 you needed root to pretty much do anything good
Konflict1471 said:
And I can't get viruses while browsing through the internet?
I always thought that was the case, which is why I was looking for an anti-virus application.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure you might get windows viruses but in no way will they beable to run on your device let aloan harm it. The only way anything evil can be done is if you install the app (and in alot of cases give it root) so check those permissions!
anti-virus apps are the biggest scam (well paid one anyway) all they can really do is check a database of known bad apps and check it its there, other than that they do nothing. They are a trick from all the Windows users coming to android after having it hammered into them that you need anti-virus
Konflict1471 said:
Also, for UCCW - do I need to install a custom launcher of some sort? Is it really possible to add a widget, that appears complicated, simply through the Google Play market?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope just add the widget to your home creen, in the app launcher press the widget button and then long press on the widget you want and drag it to the home screen you want, many apps include widgets so will be installed with the app as part of it (e.g twitter) while other 'apps' are just widgets
Konflict1471 said:
And finally, while installing ES File Explorer - I noticed that it had permission to remove shortcuts without user intervention. Is this the sort of permission I should be checking for on other applications? Since people on this forum recommended the app, I didn't really have any doubts of whether it was legit.3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is likely a good reason for this (And with alot of apps if there is a odd permissions it will say in the apps description why its needed) but yes its the kind of thing you have to stop and think about
Konflict1471 said:
Also, how you I get toggles back on the notification bar? On iOS (sorry for the repeated mentioning of the scum ) - I had SBSettings, which was similar to the notifications available on Android. How would I add the toggles back?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
to add toggles you would either need to use a custom ROM, or download a app that will do it like this one https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.j4velin.notificationToggle&hl=en
Thanks very much for your detailed and extremely helpful reply!
I'll just do what you recommended! The Notification Toggle is an extremely impressive app, I must admit.
Since there is no point downloading a paid antivirus, should I download Avast Anti-virus (since it's free), just for precautionary measures?
Konflict1471 said:
Thanks very much for your detailed and extremely helpful reply!
I'll just do what you recommended! The Notification Toggle is an extremely impressive app, I must admit.
Since there is no point downloading a paid antivirus, should I download Avast Anti-virus (since it's free), just for precautionary measures?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well its not going to hurt and would at least prevent an app thats bad be installed if you missed it. And like I said some do have some nice other features just the "anit-virus" side of it is rather pointless
There is a huge thread with skins for UCCW.
And Power Widgets or Notification Toggles are the best Notification Drawer toggle apps.
NT has customizable icons.
If you want weather too there's some new app called Deluxe Notification Bar which shows weather and toggles.
Look in the Nexus 7 forums for no-root battery saving advice.
And if you do not want battery drain don't use Anti-virus.
I've never had any virus problems.
If you're unrooted they can't really mess with your phone.
Just stay away from creepy apps, Chinese apps (no racist), piracied apps and apps from other than Play Store and XDA.
And never play ad-supported games.
Buy ad-free versions or play offline if you don't want battery drain.
Also SwiftKey is a MUST, if you're not happy with Jelly Bean keyboard.

New to android, custom security rom

Hello,
First of all I would like to say that I'm completely new to android (except for the occasional dabblin on a friends phone) so please go easy on me. I am tech savy, but just never had anything to do with this platform, due to my not so nice opinion of google...
I am on blackberry passport and am/was a loyal bb customer with all that follows. But please I do not wish to start android vs bb vs ios etc thread. It is a matter of taste in the end.
So long story short, never had anything to do with IOS or android as I prefered BB for security, productivity and slimeline OS. However due to recent BB swithc to android and priv (which id god awful imho) and apparent abandonment of OS10 i am faced with increasing frustraton over current passport usage as it is more and more laggy problematic every day. So seeming that bb has abandoned os10 I have finnaly decided that perhaps it is a time for a different platform.
I am considering getting the oneplus 3.
So my questions are:
- What kernel and ROM to flash? I explicitly do not want anything to do with google or google services, i do not have gmail and have no intentions to open one. I do not use any service connected to google, no cloud sync, no FB, no instagram etc.... I want my phone google free, bloatware, spyware, ads free, cloud sync free etc. so basically I want as much control over what is installed as possible, with preferably NO personal info shared to any service.
- What is the most open source build? (coming from a viewpoint that google is evil, apple too.. I am putting my trust in the open source community) - replicant project peaked my interest, but the supported phones are too old and too few. I would be extremely pleased tho, if sth like this existed for newer phones.
- Encryption is a must, both of memory and communication (pgp)
- advanced app permission control is a must
- if there exist sth like BB hub or other similar true multitasking option even better
to put it simply, what custom rom and kernel to flash to get the most secure, opensource, google and similar companies free phone with maximum control over os and no to minimum personal info shared.
I would very much appreciate if you could point me in the right direction. As i said no experiance with android, but am quick learner and tech savy. so no need to dumb it down for me.
Thank you !!

Rant about android 8/9

I have moaned in the past about the rapid pace of Android OS development, and the usual implication of buying a new phone is you forced to upgrade android, but going from Android 6 to 8, looks like its going to be brutal for me, and hard decisions to be made.
On my old S7 phone running Android6, I have the following working reasonably well.
Xposed
Instagram made useable by xposed (app without it is horrible)
Same with snapchat
Various privacy enhancements thanks to xposed
Anag app works perfectly.
Apps mostly honour auto sync setting
However titanium backup only barely functions, it seems it only works properly with supersu which is considered obsolete these days, this app last worked properly on my s5.
Using android 9, there is no xposed at all, to me having no xposed on android is like going out in the street naked.
Using android 8, xposed is in beta, initially it seemed stable, but I have noticed the contacts app goes crazy and unstable as well as phone app after 2-3 days uptime if xposed is enabled on phone.
Some xposed modules have become abandonware and no longer work on Android 8
Some apps including Anag which has no alternative app have become abandonware and dont work properly or at all on Android 8.
Auto sync is disabled on the phone yet I keep getting notifications from apps, related to background sync activity they are doing, e.g. dominoes apps downloads an advert, and sends me a notification asking me if I am hungry to order some pizzas (never ever seen it do this on android 6), various other apps having similar type behaviours, just 10 mins ago backgrounds hd sent me a notification to inform me its downloaded new backgrounds, how has it done this when I havent gave it permission to background sync? ,either the auto sync setting is broken or there is some new feature in newer android that allows apps to spam you. I suspect its the latter, as I think even with auto sync enabled on android 6 I wasnt getting all this app spam.
The problem is this, new phone hardware is nice, my newest phone is lightning fast compared to my s7. But ultimately its the software that makes the phone. Sadly there is no Android 6 for the oneplus6, I dont expect much sympathy on the XDA community as the majority of people here seem happy to always jump on the latest builds of android without a second thought, often beta/alpha builds to boot. But felt like I needed to rant.
I dont know what I am going to do moving forward, I will probably test OOS 8.x, just to rule out custom rom issues, and if issues persist I can forsee myself selling the phone and buying an older model that still is faster (but wont be as fast) just so I can run android 6. I wonder if anyone else has ever deliberately avoided latest model phones to keep old android.
Its becoming evident to me, that many developers cannot keep up with the pace of android updates, so we get this happening, apps becoming abandonware, and users like myself either have to find replacement apps or accept to lose features on their phone. I wonder if IOS has these issues or if that has full backward compatibility that keeps old apps working. I wouldnt be unhappy if e.g. new android major releases were every 2 years with 5 years security support for each release as well. But a sane software support policy goes against google's policies.
Its kind of interesting as we have many news articles about the problem of android fragmentation as such, and often these articles blame everyone except google, they blame end users, they blame phone manufacturers, and they blame mobile carriers, but they never consider the problem might be google simply releasing new versions of android too rapidly.

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