Hi there! I was curious as to the ROM developer workflow. I'm somewhat familiar with building AOSP for x86 VMs and have done some skinning and manipulating system apk's ... but I have some other questions:
1. What distinguishes a ROM package from other zip installers, I guess since it is *nix, everything's a file and most ZIPs then just have the files changed?
2. Jokersax makes mention of doing all development on the device itself... What this workflow, just doing a lot of nandroid backups then, or just replacing things on the fly and hoping for the best?
3. What options exist for adapting system level native code, perhaps I guess I'm asking if, for instance, the camera works with Blur stock SBFs, how could one go disassembling the functionality and deriving CM9 compatible packages? Are the drivers that tightly coupled with the UI elements? That would seem impossible to maintain, and say what you want about Motorola, I couldn't imagine this to be the case.
Thanks -ap
Sent from my MB855 using xda app-developers app
antipasto said:
Hi there! I was curious as to the ROM developer workflow. I'm somewhat familiar with building AOSP for x86 VMs and have done some skinning and manipulating system apk's ... but I have some other questions:
1. What distinguishes a ROM package from other zip installers, I guess since it is *nix, everything's a file and most ZIPs then just have the files changed?
2. Jokersax makes mention of doing all development on the device itself... What this workflow, just doing a lot of nandroid backups then, or just replacing things on the fly and hoping for the best?
3. What options exist for adapting system level native code, perhaps I guess I'm asking if, for instance, the camera works with Blur stock SBFs, how could one go disassembling the functionality and deriving CM9 compatible packages? Are the drivers that tightly coupled with the UI elements? That would seem impossible to maintain, and say what you want about Motorola, I couldn't imagine this to be the case.
Thanks -ap
Sent from my MB855 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) You are pretty much correct....and rom can be turned into a simple one file zip or vice versa
2) He actually uses the device along with a build machine. You can do some simple stuff on the device itself, but if you're going to get into decompiling jars or apks, you will need a bot or a PC.
3) Apktool (Linux/Windows) or Android Suite (Windows) will allow you to break down the apks like you are describing. I'm sure you can make a blur apk work with CM9 (obviously app developers on the Play market do manage to make both). I'm not very familiar with Blur/CM7, as I started work on ROMs after ICS had hit, and I really didn't see much real desire to do something that wasn't forward from where my phone was.
Mainly, you can do source work, which you are most likely familiar with the process of.
I do "port" work...taking the framework, apps and some other necessary functionality-related parts and making a new rom for my device with it.
If you are interested in the process, by all means get in touch with me via PM. We are in need of some people to help with a void that has been left by our team member Spleef taking on a second job.
Thank you so much for the extensive reply. I have about a kabillion personal projects, it would be perhaps interesting to ruminate some on the metadevelopment as it were, I do notice that the Cyanogen project seems to have a lot more ability to automate their workflows, it would be cool to try and get more people into those kinds of logistics to help out... Anyway, I'm trying to remain productive, I'm a long time lurker, and I can't bring myself to post unnecessarily to even get to the 10 posts I need to provide feedback in the development forums, but I'll try
I've been really inspired with the Clojure / Java community, especially "Leiningen" and things like Jenkins for continuous integration. Could be cool to try and think at this level, perhaps like a chrooted VM or something that enthusiasts could run to assist in build CPU times, or hell I dunno, this kind of thinking is all pie in the sky and is hell to set up possibly for little gain, although I'm encouraged that Bittorrent is being used a little more here and there perhaps to offload some of the hosting costs. FWIW I have used S3 in my own projects, and for various static sites I have, I've been hard pressed to pass 30 cents a month in hosting costs on S3, but this is all low traffic stuff and there's a lot of options out there with various kinds of advantages and disadvantages.
All in all, thank you all for your continued efforts, especially going into the later part of this year when JB will mature, and the possibility of ICS drivers being integrated. You guys rock!
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.
Is there a phone/android version that allows someone whos not an Android expert to actually have control over what their phones doing? Or is it just not possible nowadays for a regular person to fully control the info their phone sends?
Sorry if this sounds cynical, it really is a genuine question.
Thank you.
Hi Steve, it sounds like what you need is a rooted phone. Forgive me if you're already familiar with the term, but rooting basically gives you administrator rights over just about everything on your phone, with only a few exceptions depending on which Android version the phone is running. This allows you to do stuff like revoke permissions for apps, block ads, and change how Android looks and behaves.
Do you have a phone in mind already? If not, what's your budget?
questions should be posted in q/a Thread moved please review the rules ( located below)
rhythm_dx said:
Hi Steve, it sounds like what you need is a rooted phone. Forgive me if you're already familiar with the term, but rooting basically gives you administrator rights over just about everything on your phone, with only a few exceptions depending on which Android version the phone is running. This allows you to do stuff like revoke permissions for apps, block ads, and change how Android looks and behaves.
Do you have a phone in mind already? If not, what's your budget?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your help. I had a rooted phone, but a friend did it for me. Now I have a S8 active on Pie and from my research the bootloader I have (V5) is not rootable. I'm definitely not well versed in Android though and could be wrong. That's why I was wondering if there was a device that offered full control without the need and rick of rooting. If there's not, could you suggest one that is perhaps the simplest and least risky to root? I don't need top of the line, I don't game or anything and would be fine with getting something used. thanks again!
Luckily, there is a way in stock Android to control permissions! I forgot about it when I was typing my previous response. Here's an overview: https://www.howtogeek.com/355257/can-you-control-specific-permissions-on-android/ Hope that does what you're looking for.
If you want to do more with a rooted phone like block ads, there are some that are easily rootable, like the Google Pixel series. Here are a few options: https://www.androidcentral.com/best-phone-rooting-and-modding I liked the Pixel 2XL I used through my previous job, and I've heard good things about the other Pixels, for what that's worth. I haven't tried the other phones in that link, but the OnePlus phones have an excellent reputation.
There are many other phones that have varying degrees of difficulty for rooting, but I'm not aware of any relatively recent ones not on that list that I'd consider easy to root. I've found that the best approach to finding a new phone is going to GSM Arena's Phone Finder to put on my criteria, then coming back to XDA and searching through the forums to find out whether my prospective phone of choice has root yet. As you've discovered with your S8, some phones just never get there, which is pretty frustrating.
I hope that helps! Holler if you have any other questions.
Well, that's my main issue, you can only control certain permissions there. When I click "all permissions" I can see them all, but not turn them off. It's just a bummer that one has to go thru all this rigmarole to control a device they supposedly own. I was hoping maybe someone made a device that you could control stock, but I guess that was wishful thinking. Thanks again.
SteveJustSteve said:
Is there a phone/android version that allows someone whos not an Android expert to actually have control over what their phones doing? Or is it just not possible nowadays for a regular person to fully control the info their phone sends?
Sorry if this sounds cynical, it really is a genuine question.
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You must distinguish between Android OS itself and the apps that run on it: Android OS has no permissions you can invoke/revoke, only hardware/OS specific settings can be made there, but permissions can be granted/withdrawn from an app - if its developer has allowed the latter. To change the permissions of an app basically no rooted Android is required, this is done either via Android->Settings or via a 3rd-party APK editor.
BTW: It exist 3rd-party apps that can show you what apps are sending/receiving data over Internet.
Hint: Use your Android phone without Google.
Is root required to disable hardware?
SteveJustSteve said:
Is root required to disable hardware?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, only a hammer. :laugh: