[Q] What do I lose if I install a custom ROM? - Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note II

I've had my Note 2 for a few weeks. This is the first phone I haven't rooted and put on a custom ROM. I came from a Galaxy Nexus where I tried many flavors of ROM. The one thing I really miss from 4.2.2 is the ability to put widgets on the lock screen. (I use pattern lock).
Let me say that I'm not annoyed by TouchWiz so that's not the incentive to put on a custom ROM. And I definitely don't want "pure Google" as I'd choose AOKP over AOSP any day.
I'm tempted to put on a 4.2.2 ROM on the Note 2 but I'd like to know what I'd lose by doing so. The ROM threads talk about the features of their rom but don't tell me about what I'll lose. So, here are some questions.
Do all of the unique features of the phone work properly?
Does the Spen work properly?
Are the Spen apps that Samsung supplies available?
Does Multi-Window still work?
Can I have a floating video player?
Do the capabilities of AllShare go away?
I'm especially dependent upon Samsung Motion: Palm touch to mute, quick glance,
Does Smart Stay work? (Screen stays on while looking at it)
Is there a bullet list of things that go away?
Thanks for any help given. I like to be informed before I jump in.

As long as it's a TouchWiz ROM everything works. On AOSP, it's trickier. S-Pen works as a stylus, but you need third party apps to get some of the features back, and you have no multi-window, and all the motion, smart stay, and similar features go away.
But, stick to TouchWiz ROMs and it all works fine.
Edit: I just noticed that you referred to AOKP and AOSP separately, but they aren't. AOSP is the Google open source drop, and many ROMs from CM to AOKP to PAC and more are based on AOSP. So, AOKP *is* AOSP.

If you use a non-touchwiz rom, all the things that make the Note a Note, go away. All the Samsung features, multi window, s-pen, smart everything, s-pen preview, pop-up browser, s-planner, everything goes away.
You can use a third party note taking app, there are other floating browsers, s-pen works as a stylus only, not cut & paste or pop-up notes.
Stick with MeanBeans or CleanROM if you want full functionality.

Thanks for the quick replies. Very helpful information. It begs new questions.
1. Is there a TouchWiz ROM that is running 4.2?
2. If not, what's the benefit of installing a 4.1 TouchWiz ROM?
3. Can I easily tell if a rom is TouchWiz? Do they state it in their description?

TabGuy said:
Thanks for the quick replies. Very helpful information. It begs new questions.
1. Is there a TouchWiz ROM that is running 4.2?
2. If not, what's the benefit of installing a 4.1 TouchWiz ROM?
3. Can I easily tell if a rom is TouchWiz? Do they state it in their description?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. None of the TW ROMs are 4.2 at this point.
2. The advantages of the custom ROMs are that they combine lots of individual mods to improve overall functionality. Things like adding all apps to multi-window, editing the APN information to use another carrier's sim for data, changing the toggles in the notification window, etc.
3. The ROM description will tell you if the ROM is touchwiz based. Take a look at the dev forum...they are all listed there http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1888

There are no 4.2 TW ROMs. There are 4.1.2 ROMs, but they are not based on Verizon software. Whether or not that matters depends on whether or not you use Verizon apps. My Verizon works fine, but Visual Voicemail, NFL Mobile, etc will not work. All the Samsung stuff still works fine.
As for benefit, they are leaner, usually quicker, and have more features and customizations available. You can choose what stock apps you want to install and which you want to leave out, and generally give you more control over your phone. Possibly of particular interest to you since you mentioned multi-window specifically, all the TW ROMs I've tried allow any app to be added to the multi-window toolbar, and not just the few that Samsung decided to put in there.
Look for one that isn't AOSP, CM, AOKP, etc. Also, if it's 4.2, it's not TW. Generally, you're going to find TW ROMs in normal development, and non-TW in original development.

Clean ROM 1.5 is based on Verizon ll4 code base. Almost everything should work. You can pick and choose what stock apps you want to install when you flash it.
This is the closest to stock experience while still getting the benefits of a custom ROM.
Link to all the features
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2073390
Note 2 - Nexus 7 - Charge - Player 5.0 - Fascinate
Read twice, flash once

Related

[Q] Quick questions re stock ROM

New owner of an SG2, which I'm liking so far. Am coming from N1 Cyanogenmod.
At present I've rooted my phone and am running the stock rom with Launcher Pro.
I'm liking a bunch of the features of the stock rom (well trying them out) and am deciding whether I keep the stock rom or move to a custom rom.
I do have a few questions about the stock rom, which I wonder can be answered here:
- With the pull down menu you have the options of wifi, bluetooth etc in the status bar. Is there anyway of changing these options (for example want to remove bluetooth).
- With the dialler, once I make a call it goes into a screen with a bunch of options, like, save contact, etc. Is there anyway of avoiding this screen and going straight to home? (incidentally you are given the option of "voice call". Is this something provided by your network or another service?)
- Autorotate. Is it possible to NOT have it working on the homescreen, but available in your apps?
In relation to custom rom, what do you guys reckon is as close to stock as possible, but with a bit more customisation. I'm guessing a custom rom would be able to deal with most of my queries.
1) majority of roms have that bar modified where you can slide it across and have upto 12 triggers, although you can't really remove them. However with cm7 and miui you can customize that bar to your hearts content.
2) no idea
3) look in the launcher pro settings, you should be able to set it there so it doesn't auto rotate
Give cm7 a try.
peachpuff said:
1) majority of roms have that bar modified where you can slide it across and have upto 12 triggers, although you can't really remove them. However with cm7 and miui you can customize that bar to your hearts content.
2) no idea
3) look in the launcher pro settings, you should be able to set it there so it doesn't auto rotate
Give cm7 a try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cheers mate. Was using CM7 fine with my N1, guess just wanted to mix it up a bit. There are a bunch of features I do like about the stock rom though.
I'll run it for another week and then may give MIUI a go.
Checkout jkay mods and themes for stock roms in the theme section.
Can do basically what you want Plus more.
Also many launchers (home screens) can set whether to auto rotate. Set it to off in launcher and leave the system auto rotate on.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Thanks, will have a play with the custom themes.
Also, I presume, if I install MIUI or Cyanogenmod, I could still install the Samsung specific apks?
browngeek said:
Thanks, will have a play with the custom themes.
Also, I presume, if I install MIUI or Cyanogenmod, I could still install the Samsung specific apks?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you can not install any Samsung apps on CM. (May be you're thinking you like the stock browser so you want to use it on CM, but you can not).
droidphile said:
No, you can not install any Samsung apps on CM. (May be you're thinking you like the stock browser so you want to use it on CM, but you can not).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for the newb qustions, but is this because of the ROM itself?
droidphile said:
No, you can not install any Samsung apps on CM. (May be you're thinking you like the stock browser so you want to use it on CM, but you can not).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cheers mate. I note you are using GingerMod, may give that a try as it seems to be the AOSP, with the ability to add certain TW apps.
qureyoon said:
Sorry for the newb qustions, but is this because of the ROM itself?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. CM7 and MIUI are build from scratch and doesn't contain anything related to Samsung. So unlike stcok based custom roms, these two roms doesn't support Samsung apps.
browngeek said:
Cheers mate. I note you are using GingerMod, may give that a try as it seems to be the AOSP, with the ability to add certain TW apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, the reason you wanted to try is exactly the reason why so many users love GingerMod rom. It has some good apps from Samsung, like the gpu accelerated browser, camera app, fm radio. Rest 95 % is aosp.
So it's pure google experience,no Samsung bloatware, and we can still enjoy some of the real good apps Samsung made.
droidphile said:
Yes. CM7 and MIUI are build from scratch and doesn't contain anything related to Samsung. So unlike stcok based custom roms, these two roms doesn't support Samsung apps.
Well, the reason you wanted to try is exactly the reason why so many users love GingerMod rom. It has some good apps from Samsung, like the gpu accelerated browser, camera app, fm radio. Rest 95 % is aosp.
So it's pure google experience,no Samsung bloatware, and we can still enjoy some of the real good apps Samsung made.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
heh, would love a cyan-samsung bastard child port. If only I had the skills to do that.
Love the ability with Cyan to tweak a whole bunch of settings, but am liking quite a few of the Samsung apps.
Will look into GingerMod as it may be a good compromise.
browngeek said:
heh, would love a cyan-samsung bastard child port. If only I had the skills to do that.
Love the ability with Cyan to tweak a whole bunch of settings, but am liking quite a few of the Samsung apps.
Will look into GingerMod as it may be a good compromise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is one more reason why i personally like GingerMod.
It is 99% (or 100%) bug free. Infact, i find it more stable than any official firmware.

Touchwiz Vs AOKP based roms?

Ive been messing around with root privileges for a while now, an think its nearly time to flash a new rom to get rid of all the crappy bloatware that comes preinstalled, and just generally get a few more features
What features will i lose if i chose to flash an AOKP rom rather than a modified touchwiz rom? i dont want to be losing NFC, Wifi Direct, Quick toggles or anything like that really if i can help it
Is there any benefit to an AOKP rom other than its an unaltered android experience?
Thanks
DUBS73P said:
Ive been messing around with root privileges for a while now, an think its nearly time to flash a new rom to get rid of all the crappy bloatware that comes preinstalled, and just generally get a few more features
What features will i lose if i chose to flash an AOKP rom rather than a modified touchwiz rom? i dont want to be losing NFC, Wifi Direct, Quick toggles or anything like that really if i can help it
Is there any benefit to an AOKP rom other than its an unaltered android experience?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From my experience AOKP roms are usually noticeably faster to switch between apps, to launch apps, multitask, and the home button lag is almost inexistent so they are really quick doing most of the stuff, there is a NFC fix somewhere around here in XDA I think most of the fixes you can find them on the Paranoid Android rom or the Super Nexus rom. On the other side... With the sammy roms you get all the cool extra features AND the camera! That they really come in handy most of the time!
Touchwiz is a ... Samsung ROM (sammy) launcher , AOKP is a ROM series based on CM anyway we've got and above description is more then enough . You better visit those threads to complete your doubts instead opening a new thread . AOKP = android open kang project
Sent from my GT-I9300

[Q] AOSP ROMs etc..

I had a few questions about AOSP ROMs and such. Firstly, I know what an AOSP ROM is, don't get me wrong, but one thing I didn't know is if an AOSP ROM for the S4 came with the features the phone is supposed to have like smart scroll, air gestures etc. Do they, or is there one that does? My second question was, if AOSP ROMs do not include these features is there a way to theme the phone to look like AOSP or a ROM (other than Eclipse) that looks like AOSP but has the features of the phone? I really like the AOSP look, but I want the features the phone is supposed to have. Also, the reason I don't want to run Eclipse is because I've tried it and loved it, however, the clock with the owner information for the lock screen doesn't work (at least for me, the owner info doesn't show up) and I really want the owner info there. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
By its v very definition, those features are not part of AOSP roms. They ate proprietary to Samsung's TouchWiz overlay.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

[Q] S Pen and Roms

Ok so I'm in the market for a large phone and I decided to get this one used. Spent about 200 on a decent one. Im planning on unlocking it and rooting it so that I can flash away. However I notice that you lose some features Samsung pushes when you refrain from stock ROMs ( i had a S2 and I would lose all those special features when switching to custom non stock ROMs). So does the same rule apply here in regards to the S pen?
Sent from my Atrix HD using xda premium
There is like 1 or 2 custom roms with s-pen features. They are based on android version 4.1.2 and have touchwiz in the framework. Any 4.2 roms won't have touchwiz or s-pen features. The pen still works on them to write. But the button and gestures are limited.
440bro said:
There is like 1 or 2 custom roms with s-pen features. They are based on android version 4.1.2 and have touchwiz in the framework. Any 4.2 roms won't have touchwiz or s-pen features. The pen still works on them to write. But the button and gestures are limited.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you clearly have never flashed carbon, or cm10.1 ...
im not sure which others, but both of those support s-pen button gesture support, and allow for plenty of note apps from the market
Thanks were given to both of you. I can't wait until my note comes in. You guys have any tips or can you enlighten me on any persistent problems? Ill be using Tmo services on the Note btw.
Sent from my Atrix HD using xda premium
Possible problems will depend on the roms/kernels and other mods that you are going to apply to your phone. It will be best for you to read and research the roms/kernels and other mods you are planning to use before diving in.
If you want stock-based roms, you can go to the dev section and try Padawan or Blackstar. They are both very popular.
Like Jamie mentioned, non-stock-based roms may have some/similar s-pen gestures. Some people prefer the stock s-pen setup, some don't. I personally used to prefer to stick with stock-based roms for the stock s-pen features, but not anymore. I just found that I can place a widget (google keep, evernote or sticky note, and others) or a shortcut to a note-taking app (papyrus) for quick note-taking.
I only use the pen for notetaking and drawing. The s-memo app is nothing to cheer for.
Since you spend most of your phone time doing other things, base your rom choice on the features that you like . . . and just use an app you like for notes and drawing.
Use papyrus and apex launcher for double tap on home screen and you will be fine
2$HAYNE

[Q] Custom 4.3 JB with Touchwiz for i9100

Hi guys,
As the title says, I'm looking for some custom Jelly Bean 4.3 Roms based on official Samsung Rom for my i9100, so it would have Touchwiz also.
Currently i keep switching between CM10.2 (4.3.1) and Wanamlite 14.7 (4.1.2).
I like Wanamlite just because it uses the Samsung Touchwiz interface i like so much. Other than that, any other stock Rom, rooted and debloated would do just about the same.
What i like about CM10.2 and cyanogenmod in general is the speed and stability the Rom feels like. Also, the latest 4.3 Roms gave me infinitely great battery lives compared to any other JB Rom i tried since. And judging from other posts and reviews on the internet, Google worked their magic on 4.3 to help small batteries run through the day (almost double the life of 4.1.2 or even worst 4.2.x).
So it seems the perfect combo for me would be a 4.3 custom with TW.
Is there such a Rom, because it seems i can't find it.
Thanks.
There is no such thing. TouchWiz is more than a launcher. It`s a full system framework integrated in pretty much everything. For example, TW ads the speed dial and video call in phone app, the swipe to quick call or message in contacts app, SNS integration, FM Radio. And of course all the other "smart" features, like smart display.
If however, you don't need any of the features mentioned above, you can find custom launchers with skins that look exactly like TW and use them on any custom rom.
Thank you for your reply.
I realize i can install some Launcher apps to get some of the TW "feel", as i already tried Apex and Nova launchers. But they don't come even close to the real TW experience. As you said, TW is more than an icon set or interface color set. It's also about built-in apps and features. I know nothing about coding and programming on Android, so i thought one could implement TW along all those apps into some custom ROM like CM10.2 (4.3).
So, i guess i was wrong.
If so, this thread can be closed.
Thank you.

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