Now that you all have an overview on rooting, it's time to dive a little deeper into what exactly you can, and should do after rooting. First off, there are a few key components to your phones software that you need to be aware of.
The four key software elements that control the functionality, performance, signals, and look and feel of your phone are the:
1.ROM
2. Kernel
3.Modem
4.UI
1. ROM
ROM (Read-Only Memory) image files are the files that make up the barebones of the software in our phones, on cd's (CD-ROM's) .iso files, and old video game cartridges. The hardware simply reads the file, and displays whatever is in it. For learning purposes, I want you to think of ROM's as the skeleton of the software makeup of the phone.
2. Kernel
Kernels are the components of an OS (Operating System) that serve as the bridge between applications and the software. It dictates how your phone handles information, and where it goes. The speed of processing, how much battery to use when requested to do something, all of this is determined by the Kernel. Whenever there are battery issues on your phone, it is usually the Kernel's fault for not handling something designed in the ROM well. Boot Animations (the animation when you turn on the phone), and the Recovery (the special screen when booting up your phone that allows you to install all of these things, as well as make backups) are all Kernel related. Think of the Kernel as the brain of the software makeup of your phone.
3. Modem
The Modem (to the surprise of many of you) determines how well your phone transmits and receives signals. Some modems may perform better receiving a gps signal or receive faster data speeds than others. Since your phone emits power while searching for signals, having a solid modem can prove to increase battery life by not wasting as much resources searching for gps, data, or wifi signals. Think of the Modem as the sensory parts of the software makeup of your phone.
4. UI
The UI (User Interface) determines the look and feel of your phone. These are the skins, themes, and additional features of a phone. For Samsung phones, they come with a Touchwiz UI. For HTC phones, they come with a Sense UI. Nexus phones have no UI overlay on their ROMS, and are just pure Android. Think of the UI as the clothing of the software makeup of your phone.
So now that you understand the four different components that makeup the software of your phone, we can talk about how rooting your phone allows you to change each and every one.
To attain the full benefits of rooting your phone, you're going to want to install modifications for one, or all of the items listed above. If you want a ROM that has no UI and has pure Android? You can have it. Hate the battery life on your phone and want to install a different kernel which can slow down your processor or handle resource allocation easier? Install it! Getting really crappy Wi-Fi reception? Install a new modem! Want to keep the features of a UI but want more customization? Install a ROM with that UI still baked in.
Want a Star Wars theme to your phone? Find one and install one! Rooting your phone extends the amount of customization you can do to your phone in these ways, and all you have to do is install them to have them take effect.
Some places to look for ROMs, themes, and modems are:
XDA-Developers - http://forum.xda-developers.com/
Android Central - http://forums.androidcentral.com/
Rootz Wiki - http://rootzwiki.com/index
Some important rules of thumb though!
1. NEVER install a ROM, Kernel, Modem, or Theme developed for another phone! This is a SURE FIRE way to brick your phone! (UNLESS approved by the developer)
2. ROM, Kernel, Modem, and Theme combinations don't always play nice together. Be creative when mixing and matching, but make plenty of backups (done in recovery) just in case some things don't work.
3. Kernels designed for a specific ROM type (I.e. Touchwiz ROMs) do not work on AOSP (Android Open Source Project) AOKP (Android Open Kang Project), CM (CyanogenMod) or any other Pure Android (No manufacturer UI) ROM. ONLY use Custom UI Kernels for ROMS with that UI. Double-check if you are unsure. This also goes for Themes.
I think that wraps that up for today! I'll make sure to add any updates I forgot. Have fun guys, be safe, and keep flashing!
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Friday, December 28, 2012
Android App of the Day: Skifta
Allshare Play is the app used to accomplish this with Galaxy phones....but what if you don't have (OR LIKE) Allshare? THAT'S where Skifta comes in!
Both Allshare Play and Skifta use DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) technology. This allows you to share photos, videos, and music within a network between compatible devices. So for example if you have a Smart Tv which is "DLNA Certified" you could access your files on your phone from your TV! The most common DLNA compatible devices are Computers, Phones, Tv's, Blu Ray Players, and Consoles. What Skifta allows you to do is access these devices easily, and it allows your device to be accessed as well. To test it out, try it with your computer!
- First download the app here
(During the setup, I'd recommend making a username and password. It requires no confirmation and gives you access to the apps full potential for free)
-Next on your computer (I have a PC so here are the windows instructions)
- Open up Windows Media Player
- Click "Stream"
- Select "Automatically allow devices to play my media" (this will allow any device with DLNA capabilities that has joined your private network to be able to access your music, videos, and pictures.)
- If you don't want to allow all devices on the network, click "More streaming options" and configure the devices you allow.
-On your phone start Skifta if you haven't already
-Connect to the wifi network your computer is on
- Click "Choose a media source" and choose which computer in the network you want to connect to.
-Next Select "Choose a player" and select your phone.
Now if you open up windows media player and look under the "Other libraries" section, you should see your phone. You can access the media on your phone from the computer! When you go to your phone and browse the media, you see everything that you're sharing to the computer.
To have some more fun let's switch this:
-Set the source as your computer and your phone as the player
Now you should be able to see all the media on your computer and you'll be able to play any song or video.
Have a PS3? Connect it to the same wifi network as your phone, cut on Skifta, and then on your PS3, navigate to the media server. You'll be able to access the media from your phone or computer if you connected it to that instead.
If you registered, you now have remote functionality!
To enable this, go to windows media player, click stream, then select "Allow remote control access of my player"
Now select your phone as the source, and windows media player as the target.
Now when you click on pictures, music, or video, they will show up on your computer screen in windows media player!
Skifta also gives you functionality to add channels, which will allow you to do things like view your instagram photos on any device, or stream from r.dio.
All in all, Skifta is a cool app which makes great use of DLNA technology. You can easily display media on a friends phone as well, and if you want to show off a photo, you can have everyone in the room check out that photo. It doesn't have group cast photo like Allshare does though, but it's ability to be used on any DNLA device instead of just Samsung devices more than makes up for it! I know this was a long app of the day entry but try it out and tell me what you think! Also I HIGHLY recommend downloading the pc portion of Skifta here. You'll have to make a Windows Live ID to get everything working completely though. This will enable you to access your home network without being on the same wifi network. So for example with my Sprint 4G, I can still stream media from my home computer to my phone (albeit slower). Check it out and I think it's a pretty clear winner which phone dominated 2012, but there are still 3 days left to vote! Thanks for reading!
Thursday, December 27, 2012
How to Root Your Galaxy S3
Note: The hardest part about rooting the Galaxy S3 is just getting it in the damn modes lol I'll walk you through but I'll also have attach a video for you to follow along with just in case.
First off, if you need an overview for what rooting is all about, I invite you to read this wonderful post here before we begin.
This root method works for the Sprint/AT&T/T-Mobile Galaxy S3's. If you're on another carrier it may not work and therefore is not worth the risk.
The files you will need are:
The most important link. This is what will actually give you root access. Put this on your sd card (internal or external) and make sure you LEAVE IT ZIPPED.
Samsung Drivers -http://downloadcenter.samsung.com/content/SW/201206/20120620050453899/Sprint_L710_GSIII_Samsung_USB_Driver_v1_4_6_0.exe
Gotta have drivers so your computer can recognize your phone.
Clockworkmod Recovery - http://k0nane.info/rom/ecm/CWM-Recovery-LTE-SGS3-v5.tar.md5
Put this file on your desktop or somewhere you wont forget it. Make sure to extract it if you need to.
A recovery is the mode used to install updates and factory reset your phone manually. Just in case you can't get your phone to boot up. It's a mode which allows you to recover your phone still even if no operating system shows up. With a CUSTOM recovery, instead of using it to put the regular operating system you would put if you need to recover your phone, you'll put a CUSTOM one on there instead. The OS's that you put on are called ROMs. What you're on right now is a STOCK ROM so that's the ROM that comes fresh out the box. What we're going to do to start you off is add root capability to the STOCK ROM. That way you get the best of both worlds until you are ready to go full custom.
Odin is a special tool that is used to Root and add custom things to Samsung phones only. This is the tool we're going to put the custom recovery on with. Make sure you extract this.
So here is a quick overview of what you'll need to do.
We're going to install the Samsung Drivers so your computer and Odin can recognize your phone. Then we're going to use Odin to put a temporary custom recovery on your phone. Once you are in the temporary custom recovery, we're going to install the root zip. Then you're done! Easy right?
To get into Odin mode (or Download mode) you turn off your phone, then once it's completely off you're going to turn it on and hold the POWER, HOME, and VOLUME DOWN buttons before you see any text. Once some text flashes you should see like a warning message shortly after. THAT'S when you let go. If it still is turning on and you never get the warning message, you gotta power down and try again.
To get into recovery is much easier. Power down your phone, and then when it's completely powered off, turn it on and hold the POWER, HOME, and VOLUME UP buttons this time. Look for some tiny blue text to flash for a split second in the top left corner. Once you see it, let go and you'll be in Recovery.
NOTE:
If your phone starts to load the Stock ROM when you boot it up, it will erase the temporary custom recovery and replace it with the stock recovery. Therefore, it's imperative that after you finish using Odin when you reboot your phone you have to get it into the custom recovery or else you have to re-do the Odin portion.
Here is a step by step breakdown:
1. Download and install the Root.zip and place it on your internal or external sd card.
2. Download and install the Samsung Drivers
3. Download and extract the Odin tool
4. Unplug your phone (if it's plugged in)
5. Run Odin as an administrator.
6. Uncheck auto reboot
7. Put your phone into download mode (Turn it off. Then once it's off, turn it on and immediately hold POWER, HOME, and VOLUME DOWN)
8. Once in download mode, press Volume Up to continue
9. Plug in your phone to the computer. If done correctly, a blue box should pop up in Odin with the word "Added!" inside.
10. Click the PDA button and select your recovery tar file.
11. Once the file has been selected click "Start" to start the Odin process.
12. Once completed, you should see the word "PASS." Once you see this word, unplug your phone and turn it off (pulling the battery is the best way to ensure power off)
*NOTE: THIS IS THE IMPORTANT STEP! IT WILL NOT BRICK YOUR PHONE BUT IF YOU DON'T GET THIS RIGHT YOU HAVE TO START OVER AT STEP 7*
13. Turn on your phone and immediately hold POWER, HOME and VOLUME UP. If done correctly you will be in your custom recovery. It should be turquoise color and have many options.
14. To navigate the recovery, you will use volume up and down to move up and down, power button to make selections, and back button to go back.
15. Once here you will go to the "install from sd card" option. If you put the root.zip on your internal sd card (the one you can't take out) then select install from internal sd card. Vice versa for external.
*NOTE: This next step is how you're going to install custom things on your phone from now on. You will boot into recovery, wipe your data and cache's, and install ROMs, Modems, Tweaks, anything via recovery.*
16. After you have installed the root zip (the text will tell you when the process is completed) go back to the main screen and reboot your phone. CONGRATULATIONS! YOU NOW HAVE ROOT!
Now that you are rooted, you can download special apps that require root like ad blockers (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.adaway&feature=nav_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDNd ), but you won't be able to enjoy all the advantages of being rooted until you install a custom ROM or Kernel. When you are ready to do so, you will have to backup your texts, contacts (verify that your contacts are backed up), and apps (note, never backup system apps, only apps you can download from the playstore), use Odin to put the custom recovery back on, wipe data (if installing a ROM), cache (located in cache section on main menu), and dalvik cache (located in advanced section of main menu) , then install the ROM or kernel. Once you have done this you will have a permanent custom recovery until you change ROMS or kernels again.
Here is the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=XoEVDgjTTdg
And instructions (If you didn't like mine): http://www.epiccm.org/2012/06/cwm-recovery-on-all-sgs3-lte-variants.html
Also for ROM locations, I personally like to use xda-developers to search. When you are ROM and Kernel shopping, make sure to read the posts to see the experiences others are having (good battery life, bad apps etc...) and always always ALWAYS! Read the instructions before flashing a ROM to make sure you do it properly. The ROMS and Kernels are in development sections and the themes and apps are in the themes sections. General section has general topics about the phone, and Q&A is self explanatory.
Here are the forum links:
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions!
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Android App of the Day: SUPER VIDEO! Watch videos and do anything else on your phone at the same time
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gpc.myweb.hinet.net.PopupVideo&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsImdwYy5teXdlYi5oaW5ldC5uZXQuUG9wdXBWaWRlbyJd
Taking Your Phone To the Next Level: An Overview on Rooting!
Finally, the much anticipated Rooting series has come to the blog! Over the past few months, more and more of you fellow Android owners have wondered just what "Rooting" is; what's it for, is it dangerous, why do it? In this overview my goal is to clear it up as much as possible, and in future segments dive a little deeper into the subject. So, without further ado!
What is Rooting?
Well rooting your device gives you administrative control over your phone. You get access to the root directory and in doing so, have direct access to the system files that reside there. With this new found access comes the ability to install custom firmware, as well as modify anything on your phone. Not being rooted is akin to not having administrative access on windows, or having some parental controls on your web browsing. You can do a lot, but there are boundaries. When you root your device, you now have the ability to enhance, tweak, or bork your phone as you see fit.
Please leave any questions/comments/concerns/suggestions/observations in the comment box below! And don't forget to vote up top for which phone you think will be the top phone of 2012! Thanks for reading!
What is Rooting?
Well rooting your device gives you administrative control over your phone. You get access to the root directory and in doing so, have direct access to the system files that reside there. With this new found access comes the ability to install custom firmware, as well as modify anything on your phone. Not being rooted is akin to not having administrative access on windows, or having some parental controls on your web browsing. You can do a lot, but there are boundaries. When you root your device, you now have the ability to enhance, tweak, or bork your phone as you see fit.
What are the benefits of rooting?
As you know by now (I hope) rooting gives you administrative access over your phone. Some of the things you will be able to do are
- Upgrade your software to the latest version of Android (or a more recent one)
As you know by now (I hope) rooting gives you administrative access over your phone. Some of the things you will be able to do are
- Upgrade your software to the latest version of Android (or a more recent one)
- Install custom firmware which comes with all sorts of new tweaks, enhancements, and features (for example Beats audio)
- Install new apps which allow you to tweak your phone (like being able to change the boot animation, installing fonts you wouldn't be able to normally, applying a theme otherwise unavailable, calibrate your battery etc...)
- Install new apps which allow you to tweak your phone (like being able to change the boot animation, installing fonts you wouldn't be able to normally, applying a theme otherwise unavailable, calibrate your battery etc...)
- Uninstall apps you don't want (like bloatware)
- Improve your phone's performance via Overclocking (speeding up the cpu in your phone to work harder and produce better performance)
- Improve battery life through underclocking and unvervolting (slowing down the cpu in your phone to a lower frequency which uses less battery power, as well as lowering battery output to save battery)
- Unlock tweaks that you would previously have to pay for (free wifi tethering)
- Enable functionality your phone initially did not have (For example screenshot for older devices)
- Improve your phone's performance via Overclocking (speeding up the cpu in your phone to work harder and produce better performance)
- Improve battery life through underclocking and unvervolting (slowing down the cpu in your phone to a lower frequency which uses less battery power, as well as lowering battery output to save battery)
- Unlock tweaks that you would previously have to pay for (free wifi tethering)
- Enable functionality your phone initially did not have (For example screenshot for older devices)
Is rooting dangerous? Will I void my warranty?
Well as stated earlier, when you root, you have the freedom to make or break your phone really. Breaking your phone is called bricking it (because that's what it becomes when you mess it up that bad). Also as long as you are rooted, you are not covered under warranty. However, you can always unroot and return to stock to be covered under warranty again (Granted if you brick your phone, unless they use a special process called a J-Tag (which may or may not work) it's not like the carrier can know you were rooted anyway).
What are the chances of me bricking my phone?
In my personal experience the chance of bricking your phone is low, but it really depends on how well you can follow directions and read. Bricks are very real and can happen, but once you root, it is your responsibility to do ample research before you flash any new firmware on your phone. "With great power, comes great responsibility" definitely applies to this process.
Well as stated earlier, when you root, you have the freedom to make or break your phone really. Breaking your phone is called bricking it (because that's what it becomes when you mess it up that bad). Also as long as you are rooted, you are not covered under warranty. However, you can always unroot and return to stock to be covered under warranty again (Granted if you brick your phone, unless they use a special process called a J-Tag (which may or may not work) it's not like the carrier can know you were rooted anyway).
What are the chances of me bricking my phone?
In my personal experience the chance of bricking your phone is low, but it really depends on how well you can follow directions and read. Bricks are very real and can happen, but once you root, it is your responsibility to do ample research before you flash any new firmware on your phone. "With great power, comes great responsibility" definitely applies to this process.
Is rooting my phone easy?
Some devices are easier than others. For example Samsung phones are well regarded as the easiest phones to root. Samsung will even attempt to restore your phone if you brick it (but won't replace it) and support the root community. HTC phones, Motorola phones, and phones on some carriers usually are harder to root because they come with locked bootloaders. When a bootloader is locked, you can't install customer firmware on the device. Therefore that's an extra step that needs to be taken in order to get the full root experience. Not to mention S-On and S-OFF (commonly found in HTC Phones) which prevents some changes from being made to the system partition. So yes, different phones come with different levels of root difficulty, and the older your phone is, the less available working resources there are to root your phone. Often times necessary files and applications will be long deleted if your phone is old or not very popular. With other phones, rooting can be as simple as one click.
Some devices are easier than others. For example Samsung phones are well regarded as the easiest phones to root. Samsung will even attempt to restore your phone if you brick it (but won't replace it) and support the root community. HTC phones, Motorola phones, and phones on some carriers usually are harder to root because they come with locked bootloaders. When a bootloader is locked, you can't install customer firmware on the device. Therefore that's an extra step that needs to be taken in order to get the full root experience. Not to mention S-On and S-OFF (commonly found in HTC Phones) which prevents some changes from being made to the system partition. So yes, different phones come with different levels of root difficulty, and the older your phone is, the less available working resources there are to root your phone. Often times necessary files and applications will be long deleted if your phone is old or not very popular. With other phones, rooting can be as simple as one click.
Will you root my phone for me?
I'd gladly walk you through the process and answer any questions you may have, but since rooting your phone is a big step and a big test of personal responsibility and accountability, I don't think it's wise to do the work for you, because eventually you're going to want to flash something else and I won't be there to do it for you everytime you want to try something new. You have to learn it on your own. (It's not hard though).
I'd gladly walk you through the process and answer any questions you may have, but since rooting your phone is a big step and a big test of personal responsibility and accountability, I don't think it's wise to do the work for you, because eventually you're going to want to flash something else and I won't be there to do it for you everytime you want to try something new. You have to learn it on your own. (It's not hard though).
All in all, I HIGHLY recommend rooting for all Android users who want to get the most out of their phones. High end stock Android phones are already better than iphones. Rooting your device makes them even better. With a rooted phone, you could essentially have a new phone every week if you chose. Don't like something? Uninstall it. Is there a process on your phone that's acting up? Freeze it. Not getting good cell service with the modem you have? Install a new one. The possibilities are absolutely huge. If you're responsible, understand that there will be a lot of reading and learning involved, and are ready to take your phone to the next level, I welcome you to the rooting community, and hope you enjoy the rest of the series that is to come!
Please leave any questions/comments/concerns/suggestions/observations in the comment box below! And don't forget to vote up top for which phone you think will be the top phone of 2012! Thanks for reading!
Monday, August 13, 2012
Android App of the Day: GSAM Battery Monitor!
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gsamlabs.bbm&feature=nav_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDMsImNvbS5nc2FtbGFicy5iYm0iXQ..
Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Review!
As you guys should know by now, with the numbering conventions of Android, changes in the first decimal usually mark minor changes/updates/tweaks instead of huge overhauls. Android 4.1 Jelly Bean offers these improvements over 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (courtesy of wikipedia):
Smoother user interface by:
- Vsync timing across all drawing and animation done by the Android framework, including application
rendering, touch events, screen composition and display refresh
- Triple buffering in the graphics pipeline
- Enhanced accessibility
- Bi-directional text and other language support
- User-installable keyboard maps
- Expandable notifications
- Ability to turn off notifications on an app specific basis
- Shortcuts and widgets can automatically be re-arranged or re-sized to allow new items to fit on home
screens
- Bluetooth data transfer for Android Beam
- Offline voice dictation
- New interface layout for tablets with smaller screens (closer resembling that of a phone)
- Improved voice search
- Improved camera app
- Google Wallet (for the Nexus 7)
- Google Now
- Multichannel audio
- USB audio (for external sound DAC)
- Audio chaining (also known as gapless playback)
The ROM i'm using to test Jelly Bean is CM10 for the E4GT http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1810315 (Fortunately the bugs don't interfere with the features or experience toooo much)
Feature Review
1. Buttery Smoothness!
The most noticeable feature that Jelly Bean brings is its buttery smoothness. No matter what phone you have or how fast of a processor there is, the Android OS' hasn't been as smooth as iOS on iPhones. Some phones get closer than others, and some android versions get closer than others, but Jelly Bean has finally caught up, and arguably surpassed, the iPhone in regards to buttery smoothness.
2. Google Now!
Google Now offers a completely new searching experience for Android devices. It updates various cards based off of the events you have scheduled in your phone and the things you search for. Some examples of cards are: Weather, Sports, Flights, and Locations. These cards will provide detailed information in regards to their respective topics and how they relate to you, and will update on their own.
3. Expandable Notifications!
With the notifications you get in the drop down bar, if there are multiples or more information on them, you can expand them to get a better preview of what all exist within the notification. So for example if you have 100 emails, you can expand that particular notification to catch a glimpse of who some of the emails are from and what their subject is.
4. Easier Widget Placement!
This new feature allows the widget you're trying to place to move other icons around when trying to put it on your screen. In previous versions, if you tried to place a widget and there were icons in the way, even if you had enough space on the screen, the widget would not place. This feature just makes your life a little easier during widget placement.
With the notifications you get in the drop down bar, if there are multiples or more information on them, you can expand them to get a better preview of what all exist within the notification. So for example if you have 100 emails, you can expand that particular notification to catch a glimpse of who some of the emails are from and what their subject is.
4. Easier Widget Placement!
This new feature allows the widget you're trying to place to move other icons around when trying to put it on your screen. In previous versions, if you tried to place a widget and there were icons in the way, even if you had enough space on the screen, the widget would not place. This feature just makes your life a little easier during widget placement.
5. New Camera App and Gallery!
The new camera app and gallery creates sort of a film strip effect when you take pictures. So after you take a picture, the phone will push the picture to the right in film strip fashion. Also when reviewing pictures, you can swipe up or down to delete a picture if you don't want it (similar to notifications).
The new camera app and gallery creates sort of a film strip effect when you take pictures. So after you take a picture, the phone will push the picture to the right in film strip fashion. Also when reviewing pictures, you can swipe up or down to delete a picture if you don't want it (similar to notifications).
These were the most noteworthy features to me, outside of additional CM settings (only offered for Root Users). So if rooted, I highly recommend checking out Jelly Bean!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)