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December 7, 2012 By: Joseph Hindy
Quality, source-built ROMs can transform devices ordinarily held back by manufacturer limitations. When CyanogenMod or AOKP are released for a device, pretty much everyone is happy about it. Of course, a lot of work goes into building such ROMs, and developers often provide guides on how to do it. Now, ASUS Transformer Prime users have a tutorial to build not one, but three AOSP-based ROMs thanks to XDA Senior Member craigacgomez.
Included in the tutorial are instructions for building CyanogenMod 10, AOKP, and TeamBaked AOSP ROMs. The tutorials are written for Ubuntu 12.04, so if you’re not running Ubuntu or a distro based on Ubuntu, then this tutorial isn’t going to work very well. The guide also outlines all the packages users will need installed, how to download the source for all three ROMs, and, of course building.
In addition to the basic build instructions, craigacgomez has included a mod or two to make sure the builds work properly. Users and developers who build AOSP often likely won’t learn anything new following the tutorial. However, if you have a Transformer Prime and are new at building from source, this is an excellent guide to use as a starting point.
For the full instructions, check out the original thread.
October 14, 2012 By: Joseph Hindy
The last time we brought you news about TWRP, it was to announce that TWRP 2.2.2 had been released. It had fixed a lot of bugs from the initial release of TWRP 2.2 and added a few new features. Very recently, TWRP has been updated again to version 2.3.
There were a whole bunch of awesome improvements with TWRP 2.2 and a lot of unique and brand new features as well. TWRP 2.3 promises no less. The official change log includes:
Rebased onto AOSP Jelly Bean source code
Rewrote backup, restore, wipe, and mount code in C++ classes for easier maintenance going forward
NOTE: backups from prior versions of TWRP are still compatible with 2.3
ADB sideload functionality from AOSP is included in 2.3, see this link for more info
Re-wrote fix permissions entirely in C++ and runs in a few seconds instead of a few minutes (thanks to bigbiff)
Improvements to zip finding in OpenRecoveryScript (should be a lot fewer GooManager automation issues)
Faster boot times
Added charging indicator while in recovery (only updates once every 60 seconds)
Additionally, XDA Recognized Developer Dees_Troy has reported that there is now support for spaces in backup names. Before, if you added a space to the name of a backup, it would not restore. Now users can use whatever naming convention they want.
One of the biggest changes, though, is all of the TWRP being rewritten in C++ and its move to recovery API 3 instead of API 2. With the code rewrite, it will allow TWRP to update more quickly and with more stability. With the API 3 change, it means that some flashable zip files may stop working because the developer needs to update the update-binary. If you don’t want to wait for the developer, or the developer has ceased working on the project, you can find one to use on TWRP’s official website. To install the latest TWRP, you can use the Goomanager application. Simply open the application, hit menu, and install open recovery.
If you want to check out the latest TWRP recovery for your device, check one of the links below.
September 12, 2012 By: Joseph Hindy
Here we go again. Lately, on the bootloader front, it seems companies are waffling in their stances. You have Samsung devices with locked bootloaders and Motorola unlocking bootloaders. One OEM that has been usually compliant with the demands of their customers is ASUS. We’ve brought you news on their frequently released unlocker tools before. As it turns out, one of them isn’t working.
ASUS Transformer Prime owners have been having trouble with their version of the unlocker tool for a couple of months now. It began as a few people having issues and has since ballooned into a sizable problem. The cause of the issue is unknown, but the long and short of it is that the bootloader unlocker tool for the Prime isn’t working. When attempted, users get this error message:
An unknown error occurs, which may be a network connection issue.
Please wait and try again later
XDA Senior Member nhshah7 created a thread on the matter to see how many users were affected. As it turns out, quite a few are. Developers and members alike became perplexed at the problems so they went about finding methods to fix the issue.
So where does this leave everyone? Users and developers have narrowed down the problem thanks to logcat to the following:
D/KeyBoxService(10158): === StatusCode: SC_UNAUTHORIZED!
D/KeyBoxService(10158): === OTA BEGIN
E/KeyBoxService(10158): === Connection to http://wvdrm.asus.com refused
D/KeyBoxService(10158): === Retry after 600 seconds.
D/KeyBoxService(10158): === OTA END
Thankfully, a public outcry or a petition may not be necessary as ASUS is trying to fix the problem. Most recently, as of 9/10/2012, ASUS actually commented in the thread itself to let users know that Canada and US customers’ tablets can be fixed, but it requires a RMA. Says ASUS_USA:
I cannot speak for other countries or regions, but if you are located in the US or Canada, our facilities do have a fix for the unlock error. However, as Mason said, it does require that you send it in for RMA.
The call center and technical support might not be aware, but our technicians already know the procedure on how to fix it. I apologize to all of those who have tried to get an RMA for this through the call center. They are instructed not to assist with issues regarding unlocking device – as we all are. However, we understand that this is a special issue, and have set-up a repair process for the affected tablets.
Granted, this is for US and Canadian customers only. However, this is a positive step forward, and it could lead to support for other countries as well. For more information, check out the original thread.
July 12, 2012 By: Will Verduzco
Just about three months ago, we brought you news that the Team Win Recovery Project had received a massive update to version 2.1. April’s release largely heralded the start of a new age in recoveries—where one would no longer have to deal with cumbersome menus, instead interacting with a very user-friendly GUI.
It wasn’t simply about the GUI either. In addition to bringing an unrivaled level of UI polish, TWRP 2.1 offered users many advanced features such as update.zip queuing, a basic file manager, and dual storage support for Nandroid backups. Additionally, TWRP added support for the open source scripting engine OpenRecoveryScript, which works in conjunction with the previously covered GooManager.
How do you follow up something as revolutionary as TWRP 2.1? With TWRP 2.2, of course. That’s how! The new release builds on the previous offering by delivering many recovery “firsts.” For starters, this is the first recovery to feature on on-screen keyboard. Why would you want such a thing? How about naming and renaming Nandroid backups! TWRP 2.2 is also the only recovery to split extremely large backups, allowing users to backup and restore /data partitions larger than the 2 GB FAT32 file size limit.
In the words of XDA Recognized Developer Dees_Troy:
- On-screen keyboard in recovery! — supports long press, backspace repeat, and swipe left deletes everything left of the cursor
- Name new backups and rename existing backups
- Rename files and folders in the file manager
- Pseudo-terminal emulator
- Support decrypting an encrypted data partition on Galaxy Nexus (enter password using keyboard)
- Backup archive splitting — allows backup and restore of data partitions larger than 2GB
- Simplified XML layout support between resolutions
- Added dual storage selection radio buttons to zip install, backup, and restore pages
- Improved zip install compatibility
- Updated update-binary source code
- Numerous small bug fixes and improvements
Eager to get started? I know I am. Head to the links below to obtain the appropriate version for your device:
June 14, 2012 By: Joseph Hindy
Many devices in the Android world have the capacity to share software. As anyone who frequently visits the Sony Xperia line up sub forums can tell you, a single modification for a device can often be used on a myriad of devices. Sometimes, it’s a simple performance mod or a theme, but other times it’s something important—like a root method. We recently brought you news of a method to root the Transformer TF300T without downgrading, and it turns out that this method can also be used for the Asus Transformer Prime.
The tool, called Debugfs Automated Root, was developed by XDA Senior Member sparkym3, who is no stranger to rooting the Transformer Prime. This particularly tools pulls from a variety of sources, all credited of course.
Debugfs is about as easy to use as a one-clock method gets. Users simply download the package, unzip it and run the .bat included. Need the drivers? No worries as they are included in the package as well. The best feature, by far, is the compatibility as this tool has been released in a few versions for a few Transformer devices including:
Latest Supported Versions:
v9.4.2.28 for the TF201
v9.2.1.24 for the TF101
v9.4.3.29 for the TF300
So if you own one of these devices, this tool will work for you.
For users who want to learn more, head over to the original thread.
Over the last few months, downgrading firmware has seemingly been all the rage. Not because the newest firmwares aren’t great, and not because there’s anything wrong with them—it’s because downgrading is often the last recourse left in device rooting troublesome devices. There are other reasons as well, but no matter what the reasoning is, users of the Asus Transformer can now downgrade as they choose, whether they’re rooted or not.
XDA Forum Member wolf849 has written up a few useful methods for downgrading your Transformer to the firmware you want. There are three methods altogether, the first for rooted users only, the other two for unrooted users only. Let the downgrading begin!
All of the methods are similar in that users have to put a BLOB file onto their internal storage and then execute several ADB commands. This is nice because any user going through the process more or less has to run through the same experience, just with different commands. Just be sure that you’re doing the correct method before you get started because, as wolf849 says:
Note that downgrading method for unrooted devices is highly experimental and may turn your device into worthless brick. Read this WHOLE thread carefully before you start doing anything with your Transformer.
So as always, be extra careful about which method you intend on following, and be sure you fulfill all of the prerequisites. Otherwise, you could potentially damage your device permanently. It should be mentioned that these methods are also compatible with the Asus Transformer Prime as well. As with the Transformer, be sure you’re doing the correct method depending on whether or not your device is rooted.
For those looking to downgrade their Transformer or Transformer Prime, head on over the original thread for full instructions, credits, downloads, and warnings.
April 13, 2012 By: Joseph Hindy
For most users, tearing down a device is only something one needs to do when replacing the digitizer like on the MyTouch 4g or removing and cleaning parts in the event of washing machine accidents. However, there are a variety of other reasons to tear a device down and see what’s going on in there. One instance in particular is fixing that annoying GPS issue with the Asus Transformer Prime.
XDA Senior Member buxtahuda has posted not one, but several tear down videos and methods compiled from a number of other users for the Transformer Prime. The aim of these videos is not only to give users unrestricted access to the innards of their expensive tablet, but also methods to help users fix a number of issues.
The issues that are specifically dealt with are the legendary GPS issues, along with WiFi connectivity issues and light leakage. Buxtahuda has compiled methods from around XDA, to which he gives complete and proper credits for in his thread. Each method comes complete with screen shots at least and a couple have full videos explaining what is what, and how to complete the mod it is intended for. Obviously, any user who follows any of these methods does so at his or her own risk, as modifications at the hardware level can be very dangerous and can cause irreparable damage to the Prime.
Additional information, all the videos, and the full tutorial can be found in the tear down thread. As stated above, be extraordinarily careful when performing any of these hardware hacking methods.
March 3, 2012 By: Joseph Hindy
We all knew that with the unlocking of the bootloader, would come a boost in development for the Asus Transformer Prime. Not only are there new mods being released every day, but there’s some apps and mods that are helping out our more novice community members.
XDA Forum Member DrWowe brings us an application that overclocks the tablet with nothing more than a click of a button. No tricky user interface to learn, and no guess work. The application, named EZOverClock, does as its name suggests and allows users to change their clock speed using the Asus status bar using pre-configured settings. This is done to allow anyone to overclock.
In the words of the developer:
Once this application is installed, you can switch speeds as usual using the ASUS statusbar. The speeds become (by default, but there is a configuration menu) as follows:
Power save: 1.0 ghz
Balanced: 1.3 ghz
Performance: 1.6 ghz
Naturally, root is required to run the application. For those who want an easy way to overclock without all the mess, please visit the application thread for additional details and download links.
January 20, 2012 By: liwen
The ASUS Transformer Prime, one of the more popular Android tablets, has had its fair share of issues, but also some excellent support by ASUS. GPS performance is something that was supposedly improved in an earlier update, but apparently it didn’t solve the issue completely, and it remains to be seen whether any drivers can overcome the inherent design flaws posed by the metal unibody.
However, according to reports in our forums, GPS performance has indeed gotten better with the newest OTA update that started rolling out yesterday. It ups your build version to 9.4.2.11 (actually, people are receiving an even newer 9.4.2.11.1 build now), and the GPS driver version to 6.9.13.
Check out the forum thread for more details and download links for manual updating, in case you aren’t receiving it over-the-air yet.
January 17, 2012 By: liwen
ASUS Technical Marketing Manager Gary Key has ventured into our forums to provide assistance to owners of the Transformer Prime tablet with some issues they’re facing. Namely, they are:
1. WiFi and BT turned on and active.
a. Stream a media source via WiFi for playback to a BT device (headphones, speakers, etc) and the signal degrades to the point where the streaming source stops and requires a reset to the BT device. This is the most common problem reported although using several BT devices (keyboard, mouse, headset) and using the Internet Browser to simply view media content has also been reported as a problem when using BT input devices.
1. System will not auto or manual update to the latest firmware or image.
a. Go to Settings, Backup and Reset, start a Factory Data Reset. Please do this and after the reset let the unit remain active (settings, display, sleep, always on) for 15 minutes with a WiFi connection active so the system can sync with the ASUS servers. Hopefully the system will see the update, if not please go to settings, About Tablet, and then double tap on System Firmware Update please. If that does not work, please PM the serial number of your unit.
Random Lockups after ICS update
1. System might randomly lockup or generate a blind screen effect after the ICS update. I have received a few reported cases matching this behavior and we will be in contact with most of you in the near future.
a. If we do not contact you directly, it does not mean we are not working on this problem. I have read all the messages and randomly selected a couple of users for further contact. We will have a fix for this problem shortly.
The serial number issue is related to the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update, which began its rollout last week. The Bluetoooth/WiFi issue is still under investigation, while fixes for the other ones are forthcoming.
It’s great to see official support from a device manufacturer coming to our forums, so if you want to read up on any of those particular issues click the corresponding link to their respective forum thread. To give you some history, we’ve tried working with HTC, Samsung, and Sony Ericsson in the past, but always ended up at a dead-end. The companies have a strange stance towards XDA: the more technical people at the companies see value in our community and what the developers do, but at the same time, executives are scared to do anything with us because we void warranties and all that stuff.
Considering this, it’s definitely refreshing to see ASUS taking a different stance. Props to them and Gary for that. And just so you know, dear other companies: ASUS scored some major karma points with us. Especially after giving in to community demands to unlock the Transformer Prime bootloader. Motorola, it’s your turn.
January 16, 2012 By: Joseph Hindy
Getting Netflix for your Android device is only half the battle for those who enjoy using their devices to watch TV shows and movies. The experience isn’t quite complete unless you have the dynamic duo of Netflix and Hulu at your disposal.
For those carrying the Asus Transformer Prime, obtaining the second half of that duo is now possible. XDA Senior Member compuw22c has developed a mod that he has used on prior devices and has ported to the popular Asus tablet, giving everyone unrestricted access to the media streaming app.
The process relies on putting a lib file and then running a script that modifies Flash Player and can be a little complicated to those who aren’t so knowledgeable in these things. Therefore, a backup is recommended.
Besides unrestricted Hulu access, compuw22c adds:
This should also work for any other sites that restrict mobile devices. This hack simply changes 3 characters in the flash library file from AND to WIN, and copies my modded file over the stock/updated adobe file upon each boot.
So there’s a possibility that more sites, which is always good news. You can follow the link to the original thread for more information, installation instructions, download links and awesomeness. The more Hulu the merrier!
January 9, 2012 By: Will Verduzco
Pinch me; I must be dreaming! About a week ago, Asus gave word that the Transformer Prime would receive Google’s latest tasty treat on the 12th. In a surprise move, Asus started the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich roll-out today to lucky device owners worldwide!
Barring strange budget tablets that no one really wants, the Transformer Prime is now the first real tablet to be officially updated to Ice Cream Sandwich. Now this brings up the pressing question as to why the Motorola Xoom—a Google Experience Device and Google’s lead device for Android 3.0 Honeycomb—has not yet been updated. Shame on you, Motorola. Amazing job, Asus!
Now, however, is when the real fun begins. Sit back, grab a cold one, and watch in the Transformer Prime Development Forum as the inevitable flood of Ice Cream Sandwich ROMs appear. Go, go, go!
January 9, 2012 By: liwen
The ASUS Transformer Prime, the first tablet to have a Tegra 3 quad-core CPU, is already up for a refresh, undoubtedly keeping pace with the race to 1080p on tablets, also being brought forth by Acer and their upcoming Iconia A700. The upgraded Prime, model TF700T, will have a full 1920×1080 resolution IPS+ panel and will also have an upgraded 2MP front-facing camera. Also different will be its shipping operating system, which will be Android Ice Cream Sandwich, instead of Honeycomb found on the original Prime. Look for the upgraded Prime to arrive in Q2 for $600/$700 for 32/64GB.
Source: BoyGenius
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