Develop Bugs

Why havent we just made an app that is a copycat of AOSP dialer/contacts?

In another attempt of having a stable phone, with the AOSP dialer/contacts/messaging...
I know we have a few [stable, but sorta not stable] roms that are AOSP related,
I understand so much code can/cant be transfered from Sense into making an AOSP Rom, and I understand that. im an older C+ / VB programmer, and understand trying to make something out of decompiled code is a *****, so ...
instead of trying to make a rom that is all converted over,
why hasn't anyone, in the time of Hero/Sense, all the way till now,
hasent anyone just made an app that is coded/looks just like the regular
AOSP Dialer/contact/messaging stuff?
Not to completely replace our phones dialer and what not, but still id end up clicking this "made up" app before I would click my regular dialer icon..
I mean, there are plenty of apps that read our call logs, contacts list
stock dialer/contacts dont look too complicated, is it the layout that would be hard?
Are there any developers that read this? Can anyone lead me in the right direction? Like, list of APIs/whatever type of stuff that is called from in Android coding? Im no stranger to code, but i know nothing about android coding / java.
But again, can anyone send me the right direction? I understand get the Android SDK emulator and what not, but i dont feel like following slow moving tutorials for hello world widgets.
Ill be more than happy to do this day and night, to get desired results.
I dont think im asking too much, and I could make this a way longer explanation.
Thanks again to anyone / everyone thats willing to help, or that is interested.

Really? No one?
Just shed some light for me, come onn

why not extract some .apk's from a working ROM that has the aosp elements and putting them into another ROM you want to transfer them from? i dunno thats where i would start before trying to copy whats already created basically.

Can't you just push the mms.apk and contacts.apk from aosp via adb? I coulda sworn it worked on my hero

htc clock widget

ok so im trying to figure out how to edit the htc clock widget to open a different clock like desk clock. can this be done?

def's uncommon rom is the only one that i know of that does it. good luck getting him to tell you how. def is one of my favorite dev, i'm not calling him out. all the dev keep there findings to them selves really.
question... how come people don't share there tweeks and hacks anymore?
i remember full threads on reg edits, tweeks, and hacks, that people would share with the world. I actually had threads where i would take requests, and cab them up for people to be able to install easily.
big difference between the WM day to the current droid days.
cody

^be very nice if this were the case. As fully customisable, unique rom, suited to your needs.
Sent from my Droid Incredible using XDA App

i sent a pm to the owner of the rom and i am awaiting a reply back. im not trying to take credit for something i just dont want to have to run beautiful widgets when i spent all the time on making custom flip clocks.

codyppc said:
def's uncommon rom is the only one that i know of that does it. good luck getting him to tell you how. def is one of my favorite dev, i'm not calling him out. all the dev keep there findings to them selves really.
question... how come people don't share there tweeks and hacks anymore?
i remember full threads on reg edits, tweeks, and hacks, that people would share with the world. I actually had threads where i would take requests, and cab them up for people to be able to install easily.
big difference between the WM day to the current droid days.
cody
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That is a very ****-headed thing to say. I am MORE than willing to help anyone out with reproducing ANY of my mods. I keep nothing secret, and I literally JUST replied to the OP's PM, just before reading your completely asinine comment. My PM box is FULL of questions AND answers with guidance on duplicating mods. Truth be told, I do not POST these modifications and how-to in their own threads for one reason only. I do not have the time to support them.

ok so i can find where the activity is and change it but when i push to the phone nothing changes...

deficitism said:
That is a very ****-headed thing to say. I am MORE than willing to help anyone out with reproducing ANY of my mods. I keep nothing secret, and I literally JUST replied to the OP's PM, just before reading your completely asinine comment. My PM box is FULL of questions AND answers with guidance on duplicating mods. Truth be told, I do not POST these modifications and how-to in their own threads for one reason only. I do not have the time to support them.
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Def, I was not trying to be a **** head and don't see that my post directed anything negative towards you. I was iust stating that a few years ago, members in the Windows mobile forums shared everything. Infact, there were http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/windows-mobile-hacks-tweaks/ forums just for regedits and hacks. I don't find that on the 2010 Android forums.
I didnt mention the guy who posted a zip file that was able to put the 6 bar signal meter in the task bar. He clearly stated that he pulled it out of your Rom. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=8758884&postcount=22 Then your reply saying something about you not liking what he did. To me that said the Android developers didn't want the secret out of the bag. It's not just you. I have ran quite a few roms and really liked certain parts, but didn't keep it for the fact that I didn't like other parts. I have searched for ways to get just the good hacks and tweeks, but there just not there.
For the record..... I am sorry Def. I was not saying that your bad for not posting everything you do. I was just trying to say that there's a good chance he will not get the information he seeks. That's just the way Android forums are going these days.
here is a couple thing i would like to add to my roms, but cant find information on them. correct me if i'm wrong, but people just dont share this stuff.
1. 6 bar signal
2. htc clock widget launching vanilla clock
3. app drawer 5 icons wide,
4. battery percentage in battery icon
yes, def's roms have all of these. that is why i run his rom. at least until he bans me from his roms due to this thread.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App

codyppc said:
Def, I was not trying to be a **** head and don't see that my post directed anything negative towards you. I was iust stating that a few years ago, members in the Windows mobile forums shared everything. Infact, there were forums just for regedits and hacks. I don't find that on the 2010 Android forums.
I didnt mention the guy who posted a zip file that was able to put the 6 bar signal meter in the task bar. He clearly stated that he pulled it out of your Rom. Then your reply saying something about you not liking what he did. To me that said the Android developers didn't want the secret out of the bag. It's not just you. I have ran quite a few roms and really liked certain parts, but didn't keep it for the fact that I didn't like other parts. I have searched for ways to get just the good hacks and tweeks, but there just not there.
For the record..... I am sorry Def. I was not saying that your bad for not posting everything you do. I was just trying to say that there's a good chance he will not get the information he seeks. That's just the way Android forums are going these days.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
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Well I would like to say he got me started and I found where the attribute is for opening world clock and I have changed it to deskclock but I think I'm doing something wrong with the apk tool because when I push it to the phone and launch it still opens world clock but in the files its self it says deskclock. I wish I knew more about the Android language but sadly I don't and I'm going to keep trying.

synisterwolf said:
Well I would like to say he got me started and I found where the attribute is for opening world clock and I have changed it to deskclock but I think I'm doing something wrong with the apk tool because when I push it to the phone and launch it still opens world clock but in the files its self it says deskclock. I wish I knew more about the Android language but sadly I don't and I'm going to keep trying.
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i am am really glad to see people like def who is trying to help others instead of just posting there roms.
I am 38 years old, married with 4 kids. i have been on the forums for a long time and know what and how they work. i was not trying to start anything, i love helping people and learning. that is why i like the forums.
i have made 2 apps for windows mobile and never thought of charging for them. one of the apps had over 20,000 downloads. my favorite thing to do was help people learn to make there own.
back on topic....
i would really like to have a zip to flash this htc clock mod. it is one of my favorite parts of def's uncommon rom. i dont have the time anymore to learn a lot of coding. at least i don't think so. kind of new to android so i dont know if it's easy or not. flashing zip files is easy. lol.

^ That would be pretty sweet! Wish everything was easy as flashing a zip.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App

KGBxxx said:
^ That would be pretty sweet! Wish everything was easy as flashing a zip.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
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i use to cab up rededits for easy installs. i dont know if you know what red edits are or not, but many people wouldnt do them because they were tough. cab files were just like apk for android. zip files are just as easy really. maybe someday.
http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/windows-m...e-regedits-get-em-here-requests-welcomed.html

[Q][DEV] What are you using to make the roms? [Software or whatnots]

I was curious to what you the Developers of the awesome stuff we have for the Epic are using? Are you using the SDK tools we get from Google to make new things? Or are you using some other stuff? I kind of want to make some stuff but I don't know how?
Can you tell me what you used or are using to get where you are now? How do you do it? Can you tell me where or something?
Anything would be helpful.
And please no random "I want to know this too" or arguing to whats better? That would be saved for another post/thread. I do apologize if this is a repeat thread. I didn't see it on the front. I think this should be though.

I'm not at my computer at home right now, I'll update it later all of the apk tools.
1) Version control - I use subversion
2) Diff tool - I use beyond compare
3) Zip tool - I use 7zip
4) Issue tracking - I use Google code
5) Text editor - gVIM
6) Graphics - Photoshop CS5

I am curious as well.
Plapczyn, do you know of any tutorials on developing ROMs for the Epic? Does it require a lot of coding?

Source.google.com
Read it follow instructions to get and compile code. That lets you build a rom from source code where you can alter the os. The only source code that is released for the Epic is 2.1 As of now. If you have specific problems with doing any thing in their directions pm me.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk

ryno502 said:
I am curious as well.
Plapczyn, do you know of any tutorials on developing ROMs for the Epic? Does it require a lot of coding?
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There are lots and lots and lots of tutorials. Google is your friend.
It doesn't require much coding, but you can do plenty of coding if you want.

Will check it out, thanks.
I was just curious because I am not much of a programmer. XHTML, CSS, and Basic PHP is about my limit lol.

These might help...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=667298

ryno502 said:
I am curious as well.
Plapczyn, do you know of any tutorials on developing ROMs for the Epic? Does it require a lot of coding?
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Click to collapse
If you want to make roms, check out the Chef Central forum here on XDA. There are threads with a lot of info on how to do things. Also, you should check out what is going on the other Galaxy S forums. If you want to do dev stuff, you first need to figure out what you want to do, and then go from there. Making a rom (actually any development really, agnostic of device or system), is more about making and pulling in small incremental changes and testing them.
That's the best advice I can give you...is to always break things down into small incremental changes that can be tested in between. Use source control and CHECK IN your changes. This goes for simply swapping out pngs in apks, or doing kernel mods. That way, you always know where your latest working copy is and you what changes caused your system to break...which it inevitably will. Nobody codes things correctly the first time every time. We all have the urge to just make a whole bunch of changes at once and see if it works. The thought is that we don't have enough time to test everything in between. Trust me, you will spent 5 times more time fixing bugs by doing it this way, over just doing it right the first time.

thats good advice plapczyn, thank you. I will evaluate what I want to do and go from there. my #1 priority is app developement, to better my resume and help with my career, but I am interested is possibly experimenting in ROMs too.

Rom Development / Modding How to get started?

Hey everybody,
I recently bought the galaxy nexus because I wanted to start getting into Rom Development.
I can programm Java and also programmed some simple apps..
But what I really wanted to do is to modify a Rom.
Can anybody tell me where to start? I read guides on how to compile from source and so on, but I don't know if that's what I need.
I want to add things like Notification bar quick settings to the rom.. Are there tutorials on how to develop these things?
Every help is appreciated, maybe you've got some great links for me, thanks!

00hero00 said:
Hey everybody,
I recently bought the galaxy nexus because I wanted to start getting into Rom Development.
I can programm Java and also programmed some simple apps..
But what I really wanted to do is to modify a Rom.
Can anybody tell me where to start? I read guides on how to compile from source and so on, but I don't know if that's what I need.
I want to add things like Notification bar quick settings to the rom.. Are there tutorials on how to develop these things?
Every help is appreciated, maybe you've got some great links for me, thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
start with decompiling apks (SystemUI.apk and framework-res.apk for example) , if u've wrote android apps before (and u said u did), then it shouldn't be that hard to look into the .xml and .jar files. when u finish, compile the .apk back. if u've worked with Eclipse then u probably know the android structure.
Edit: Here is an example of a "ROM modification" - just posting it to give u an example..

Well first thing is first. You need to have the bare basics of Android thoroughly understood obviously. Often overlooked as a first step in this process, just learning about(different than knowing about)the Android Open Source Project first will give you a specific sense of direction, purpose, as well as an identity in the community..
So again- I don't just mean knowing about it- I mean knowing exactlyhow the whole project is structured. Read about all the different types of contributions you/anyone can make to the Android ecosystem. Are you an aesthetics kind of person who would excel at UI designs for apps or whatever; Are you a person who has a good eye for problem solving? Maybe you should be scouring source code, trying to fix little-noticed "bugs" that "bug" the hell out of you. Once you know what you want to do, make sure you find out exactly how much Google provides for you, and what your own roles/responsibilities would be in the whole scheme of things.) This should give you a good idea of where you might fit in (with your current skill-set)and hopefully, it gives you some inspiration about the direction you might want to take it in the future.
Once you do this and "find your calling", post back here, and I'm sure that others qualified in that field will be more than happy to share how they got started.
There is no substitute to just jumping in and trying things though. Everybody makes their own journey differently, so do what comes naturally, and you can't go wrong.

Here ya go
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1661770
and maybe this as well?
http://www.xda-developers.com/andro...rs/ShsH+(xda-developers)&utm_content=FaceBook

Wow thank you every body for these great comments! I think I'll compile a Rom from source first and look through all the files..
Decompiling apks looks interesting too.
Thanks for the fast responses & links, you're awesome!

Okay so I've got another question..
One thing I always liked on some custom roms was the lockscreen flashlight..
If I would hold power for 3 seconds, the flashlight would turn on until I let go the power button.
I decompiled the framework-res.apk but didn't find anything there, just .xml files.
Where are the files where I can actually code / programm something for the lockscreen?

Try android.policy.jar
Usually the jar files contain the code, xml are for visual stuff.
But my question is, are u sure it is a lockscreen feature? (I mean the torch option) . Tbh this is the first time i hear of such a mod and i've been using android devices for over 2 yrs
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

[Q] Adding phone functionality to "inactive phone rom"

Hey everyone, I have a couple of questions. First off as you can see from my post count I'm a lurker. I can remove/install ROMs, the basics, but never have I tried to add/remove apps or functions to one. So I've found a ROM I love, but it was designed with inactive phones in mind, to make them into second life usable music/video players. It has no phone functionality because of this. The one I'm interested in is by frickinjerms - Ubersonic - I hope I can modify others work for my personal use. Guess that should be a question too.
Would it be ok to add in phone functionality or would it be easier to find one with that already and just remove the fluff I don't want and add what I do?
As I understand it, I can just add it back in, but I'm unsure what files go back in. Is there a resource that outlines that anywhere, or can anyone throw me a bone?
Is it ok to modify the work of others for your personal use without asking, or should you seek approval first out of proper etiquette?
I've been searching through XDA and other sites looking for some basic beginners stuff for cooking up ROMs, but have only come across limited collections. I'm toying with dsixda's Android Kitchen right now, but would love to find other resources. So any pointers to learning resources would be great too.
Thanks!

For the last one, I personally believe that its not necessary to ask before modifying a rom thats for your personal use because only you will know about it anyway, and people do it all the time
You only need to ask for permission if you're reposting your personal version of someone elses rom
Sent from my PG06100

CNexus said:
For the last one, I personally believe that its not necessary to ask before modifying a rom thats for your personal use because only you will know about it anyway, and people do it all the time
You only need to ask for permission if you're reposting your personal version of someone elses rom
Sent from my PG06100
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I figured that was likely the case I just wanted to clarify it for myself. I know people put in a lot of work on some of their ROMs and don't want to step on toes.
Thanks for the response.

You know you could use a rom that does have phone functionality. Just throwing that out there.

PlatinumPenguin said:
You know you could use a rom that does have phone functionality. Just throwing that out there.
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Whats the point of flavors if you're forced to pick the one you don't like? Just throwing that out there.
I don't think my questions were unreasonable either. I'm not asking for someone to build me something, I'm asking for the fishing pole, not the fish.