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December 31, 2012 By: Joseph Hindy
For some Motorola Droid RAZR owners out there, this Christmas was a very Merry one indeed. As it turns out, Verizon had accidentally flipped the update switch, and some owners got a very early update to Android 4.1. Unfortunately, the switch was flipped off eventually, but not before a good number of people got the update. Now, that build is available for developers and users to try out and work from.
XDA Senior Member spc_hicks09 managed to grab the update as it was being pushed and uploaded it for all to have. Along with the download, spc_hicks09 has also provided a rather extensive set of instructions for users who want to install it. There are some risks though, as spc_hicks09 explains:
CAUTION!!!!! AFTER INSTALLING THIS UPDATE, IT IS COMPLETELY IMPOSSIBLE TO GO BACK TO ICS!!! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!
So if anyone is thinking of flashing this, do keep in mind that you won’t be able to go back—at least not yet. The good news is that if you follow the instructions precisely, you can even maintain root.
For additional details, check out the update thread. Just be sure that you are fine with the possibility of not being able to revert back to ICS after updating.
December 31, 2012 By: Jimmy McGee
External Mics on Galaxy Devices are just one resistor away and many mores stories are covered by XDA News Specialist Jordan. He talks about Sony releasing a beta flash tool for Unlocked Xperia devices. In other news, the infamous HTC HD2 is now running Windows RT!
In CyanogenMod 10.1 news, Jordan talks about the CyanogenMod 10.1 release for the HTC One X+ and the Nexus 7 3G getting an official release. Pull up a chair and check out this video.
December 31, 2012 By: Conan Troutman
As the official and unofficial builds of CM10.1 continue to roll out, yet another two lower specced devices, which some may have dismissed as not being capable of receiving such an update, are now running unofficial builds. Never let it be said that such devices aren’t well supported here at XDA. The Samsung Galaxy Mini and Samsung Galaxy Ace can both now be updated to the latest version of CyanogenMod thanks to XDA Senior Members AntiBillOS and Wayland_ACE, respectively. Both ROMS are still in their early stages, so there will be bugs. However, there don’t seem to be too many deal-breakers.
The version for the Galaxy Mini currently suffers from a some graphical and tethering issues involving both USB and WiFi tethering. Everything else is listed as functional, but be sure to read through the thread first to avoid any possible surprises. The version for the Galaxy Ace is struggling with video playback, and multi-user support is also disabled. Again, be sure to check the relevant thread thoroughly before flashing.
If you feel like updating your device to CM10.1 and seeing what all the fuss is about, you can find the Galaxy Mini version here and the build for the Galaxy Ace here. Happy flashing.
[Thanks to King_ACE for the tip.]
December 29, 2012 By: Joseph Hindy
Update: It has come to our attention that inappropriate credit was given for the Huawei U81xx releases. The builds for the U8160/U8180 are actually based on original work by XDA Recognized Developer psyke83 in this thread. Similarly, work on the U8120 ultimately comes from XDA Senior Member joilaroi in this thread, and work on the U8150 comes from XDA Recognized Developer tilal6991 in this thread. Please refer to those threads for the original works.
Despite not having their own forums, there are a lot of obscure and unpopular devices with outstanding developer support. It’s generally assumed that the big name devices will get updates and AOSP, but when lesser known devices receive support, it seems almost like a bigger accomplishment. Now, the Huawei U81xx series has gotten CM9.1 and CM10, the Samsung Rugby Pro has CM10 along with an official update to Android 4.1, and the Rugby Smart has a 3.0 kernel.
The Huawei U81xx CM9.1 and CM10 modified ports were released by XDA Recognized Developer Alberto96. So far, users are reporting that the ROMs are pretty well done. Of course, these are early releases, so there are a myriad of small bugs and issues that need to be fixed. However, there has been no reports of any serious issues. They may not be daily driver ready, but they’re well on their way. So if you have a U81xx series device and you’re looking for some AOSP-based goodness, these are worth at least trying out.
XDA Senior Member kemonine96 has posted the CM10 for the Rugby Pro, along with the Odin package for the official Android 4.1. This is a double dose of Android 4.1 for the Rugby Pro as users can now choose between AOSP and official 4.1. For the official update, root and recovery from the prior versions still work.
Lastly, XDA Senior Member Motorhead1991 has released a 3.0 kernel for the Samsung Rugby Smart. It’s experimental right now, but most have reported that it’s still pretty useful. Here is the list of working and not working:
*Bluetooth
WiFi
adb
GPS
touch and display
Governing
**USB storage mode
***Rotation
Proximity
Accelerometer(* Does not work on my ported ROM, but works otherwise)
(** Does not work on currently public builds, updated ones will be out shortly)
(*** Still broken on CM10, KemoNine96 is looking into it)
So if you’re on the Rugby Smart and you’re looking for a new kernel to try out, this is definitely something to look into for better overall performance.
For additional details, check out the following threads:
December 28, 2012 By: Joseph Hindy
In most cases, users are just happy to get an AOSP-based ROM on their devices. Which flavor of AOSP is usually inconsequential, as just having a vanilla experience is more important than which specific vanilla experience. After all, most people consider true Android to be far better than any OEM skin. The HTC One X+ now has not only Android 4.2 AOSP, but also CyanogenMod 10.1, and Android 4.2-based AOKP.
XDA Recognized Contributor and Developer Lloir has released the CM10.1 and pure AOSP ROMs for the One X+. Presumably because much of the same source and proprietary binaries are shared between these releases, the number of things wrong with both ROMs is pretty much the same. As Lloir states:
Data seem’s a bit “funny” so im working on this
camera is buggered to high hell
While the CM10.1 ROM has only the camera as an issue, data problems can be unpredictable and vary from person to person. So it could very well be an issue on both ROMs as well. As the camera is a frequently used feature, many won’t find these ready for daily use quite yet, but work is being done to fix everything.
XDA Senior Member maxwen has been working on the AOKP offering for the One X+. While the number of serious issues seems to be zero, as even the camera is reported working by some, users have had a myriad of other, smaller problems with the ROM. This includes no video recording, paid apps not working properly, and some other minor things. As per the norm, experiences will vary.
To check these ROMs out, head over to the vanilla, CM10.1, and the AOKP threads.
December 28, 2012 By: Joseph Hindy
Android 4.2 AOSP development has been pretty widespread. Despite the busy holiday season, developers have found ways to get Android 4.2 AOSP ROMs on devices of every shape and size. Recently, two more devices have been given some Android 4.2 goodness—the ZTE Blade and the Nexus 7 3G.
XDA Senior Member eak1080 has released an official CyanogenMod 10.1 build for the Nexus 7 3G. Given that the Nexus 7 is a Google-controlled device, the CM10.1 build is pretty much complete. All of the main features work, with only a couple of ROM features not working properly. If users want Picasa Sync, there is a fix they’ll need to flash; and the Quick Settings Toggles are a work in progress. Otherwise, the ROM should be pretty stable and usable.
The ZTE Blade port was actually built by MoDaCo’s KonstaT, but posted to XDA by Forum Member android@sam. Even though the ZTE is not a pure Android experience like the Nexus 7, the ROM is still pretty complete. There are only a few things wrong, including:
Bluetooth (& bt-tethering)
Wifi tethering (use an external app, e.g. WiFi
Tether for Root Users)
USB-tethering (use an external app)
FM radio
Despite the small number of things wrong, KonstaT has stated that this ROM is really only for developers, advanced users, and testers as it is not yet a complete ROM. So this probably isn’t 100% ready for daily use, although it could be used that way if Bluetooth is not needed.
For additional details, check out either the ZTE Blade thread or the Nexus 7 3G thread.
December 28, 2012 By: Jimmy McGee
Revolutionary SD Card Bootloader Work-in-Progress for Galaxy S III, Galaxy Camera and how to easily compile CM10, CM10.1 or AOKP on Ubuntu 12.1 are just two of the stories this week, from the XDA Portal. In other XDA Developer TV releases, Jordan talks about XDA Elite Recognized Developer AdamOutler‘s Best Hacks of 2012 video and XDA Developer TV Producer TK’s roundup of the top apps of 2012.
In CyanogenMod 10.1 news, Jordan talks about the unofficial release for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9. Also, Jordan mentions the releases for the Samsung Wave. Many more devices got releases this week, so pull up a chair and check out this video to find out which ones did.
December 27, 2012 By: jerdog
Security applications are a dime-a-dozen these days. While it normally wouldn’t be noteworthy to have a new entry into the fray, this one is different in one very important way: The developer knows none of your information. AeGis, which comes to us from XDA Recognized Developer Decad3nce, is unlike competing applications in that it does not require a data connection, you are not asked to log in to anything, and you do not need to register and pay a large firm a yearly fee in order to use the below features:
Features:
- Ability to remotely lock your device via SMS
- Ability to remotely enable sound on your device via SMS
- Ability to remotely locate your device via SMS
- Ability to remotely wipe your device via SMS
- Ability to lock application with a password
In what may be the best feature of them all, Decad3nce has chosen to completely open-source the application, giving you the ability to fork and add new features as you see fit. AeGis utilizes the latest in Android’s Holo design principles, and requires Android 4.x.
If you want to check out what could be one of the best new security apps, visit the original thread for more information or you can view the source at Decad3nce’s Github.
December 26, 2012 By: Haroon Q. Raja
The Galaxy Tab 8.9 was one of Samsung’s flagship Honeycomb devices, but with the latest focus being on Galaxy Tab 2 and Galaxy Note 10.1, the device seems to have fallen out of favor in Sammy’s court. Not so here at XDA, though. Fortunately for the owners of the device, XDA Senior Member C-o-M has ported the latest Android 4.2.1 to the tablet in form of an unofficial CyanogenMod 10.1 nightly ROM.
Do note that this is an experimental build. Several core features such as WiFi, Bluetooth, sound, cameras, display, storage and rotation sensors work, but everything else is pretty much untested. Don’t fret, though. The ROM is a work-in-progress, and we should hopefully start seeing updates soon to fix these problems, and make it suitable enough for a daily driver.
Head over to the forum thread to give it a try for yourself.
December 24, 2012 By: Jimmy McGee
XDA University is live! XDA University is live! That and many mores stories are covered by XDA News Specialist Jordan. He also talks about Android code disallowing teleporting goats. In other news, you can now unbrick your Samsung Galaxy Ace with an all-in-one package!
In CyanogenMod 10.1 news, Jordan talks about the unofficial releases for the LG P350 and AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note II. Also, Jordan mentions the HTC One XL getting an official Jelly Bean 4.1 update. Pull up a chair and check out this video.
December 24, 2012 By: Haroon Q. Raja
Our developer community at XDA is known for making operating systems work on devices they weren’t intended for, and Samsung’s Wave series of devices is no exception. Originally shipped running Samsung’s Bada OS for mid-range smartphones, the series first saw an Android port in 2011, got its first AOKP Jelly Bean ROM in June, and got CM 10 ports for both Wave and Wave II just over a month back. In the latest developments for Samsung Wave, XDA Senior Member hero355 has released not one or two, but three popular Android 4.2.1-based ROMs for the device: CM 10.1 nightly, Slim Bean, and Tsunami.
At the moment, the port is in early alpha stage, and several important features necessary to make it a daily driver such as modem, GPS, microphone, and some sensors aren’t functioning. Though WiFi, sound, accelerometer, camera, SD card, and app installation works. You can even overclock the processor to 1.2 GHz.
Want to give Android 4.2.1 a shot on your Samsung Wave? Head over to the forum thread for detailed instructions and download links.
December 22, 2012 By: Joseph Hindy
It’s official: Android 4.2 AOSP releases are flying off the shelves like space toys in the 1960s. While it took a little longer than the frenzy of 4.1 AOSP-based ROMs, momentum has finally picked up on the latest version of Android. It likely won’t be long before a whole bunch of devices get releases. For now, AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note II and LG Optimus Me P350 owners can have some CM10.1 fun.
The stark contrast of new and old truly shows the versatility of developers here on XDA. The AT&T Galaxy Note II CM10.1 release was posted by XDA Senior Member madmack, and the Optimus P350 CM10.1 build was ported by XDA Senior Member PecanCM. In terms of stability, they aren’t half bad, and are more stable than some releases we’ve talked about. The not working list for the P350 includes:
Audio
Bluetooth
and other all things that not added in working list
and the AT&T Note II not working list:
-In call audio.
While neither may be fully daily driver material just yet, the ROMs are not far off. Additionally, as most of the Galaxy Note II variants are pretty similar, users not on AT&T may see CM10.1 for their devices sooner than later.
For more details on the ROMs, check out either the AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note II thread or the P350 thread.
December 22, 2012 By: Joseph Hindy
Most of the time when we mention Jelly Bean being released to a device, we’re usually talking about a port or something compiled from source by our developers. They happen far more often than official updates, which already don’t happen nearly often enough. For the HTC One XL, HTC decided that it felt like spreading some holiday cheer and released an update to 4.1.1 Jelly Bean.
XDA Senior Member itzsnookums posted about the update in the One XL forums, including some screen shots to demonstrate that the update is, in fact, real. In the thread, users will find a quick root method for the OTA, the OTA itself for developers to download and make ROMs from, and some other informational tidbits about the update. As always, users who are already rooted should proceed with caution or use a pre-rooted build such as the one produced by XDA Senior Member ChongoDroid, who released a stock, deodexed version for ROM cooks and themers to play with. It’s based on a stock odexed version by XDA Senior Member Tachi91. So if you don’t want to go through the OTA process, there are at least two ROMs to try.
For more info, check out the OTA thread, the odexed ROM thread, or the deodexed ROM thread.
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