Related
I know that many people will already know the answers, but starting to cook my own rom has raised a few questions, and I was wondering if anyone could provide some more definitive answers
I saw comments somewhere that suggested that the amount of files in the windows folder was a direct contributor to ROM responsiveness - is this true?
If so, why am I bothering to cook a rom when I should take the lightest one around and install everything via cabs into a different location.
Take Phone Alarm, that installs into the root program folder from a cab, but if I cook it in, it goes in windows as well.
Would anyone have any other advice as to the factors that contribute to the speed of the ROM? (I have seen the Page Pool tests that were done a while ago)
In my opinion, a rom filled with cooked apps seems to give better responsiveness than a rom filled with cab installed apps. After noticing a difference in this, I to starting cooking regularly used apps into my rom! trust me it does make a diff.
Hi, although I probably don't have the best answer for you, I have chime in a bit here, I kinda like this question.
I can't speak for everyone, but in all instances I have noticed, the more files in the Windows directory does affect ROM responsiveness to an extent, Im not saying that making it bare minimum will give you the fastest ROM when it comes to useability, I do think there is a point of removing files, where the extra little bit you remove really isn't going to be noticed when it comes to speed and usage.
If you cook in Phone Alarm, it might not actually give you any noticeable slowdown, but you're also wasting space in Storage, because you are having to duplicate the files to Program files, which you already knew, the only way to go around that would be to use your ext ROM, run your device low on storage in general, and I wouldn't be surprised if that alone didn't slow it down, no matter where the files are.
Im sure there are a few things you could cook in, registry edits, small apps that work in Windows, if you use a different dialer, you could cook it in, and remove/replace the default images, even I have noticed that some ROM's are a bit messy, parts of stripped stuff left in, you could even remove all of the help files, and change the default PIE page to Google..etc, and delete the files it pointed to.
Do I know for sure that will make the fastest ROM...no, I don't even find it worth the time to cook my own, I just run a old mostly clean big storage lvsw release, that runs sweet, and personalize it with cabs I create.
As far as page pools, I've ran a 4 and 6, I will say I did like the extra 2mb showing, but I can't say for sure myself if it really made a difference, this ROM is a 6.
I don't know if there are any really definitive answers, cause user results usually do vary, and Im sure there are even others that know better about it than I do.
Hmm slightly conflicting views. Anyone else got any thoughts....
Hi, I'm looking for a way to customise the icons for folders created on the Home screen. I realise that we can change the png files but that would change all folders, what I want is to be able to customise each folder I create separately.
Currently I'm using Apps Organizer to do this and while it works well it is slow to load the shortcuts inside.
I don't want to run a home replacement so does anyone know of a simple and effective solution to allow custom icons for each folder? (I think this is something that Android should have by default)
Is that a no then?
thats an option i would be glad to have in my device!
please suggest it to irrenhaus to aplly it in his AdvancedLauncher
in this thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=540880
I will think about this, it shouldn't be much work . But no promises yet
That's great to hear, it seems like a pretty basic function to me and I can't see why Android doesn't just support it to begin with. I hope you manage to conjure something, it will be much appreciated by many people I think
Mik
Hello.
This is not an 'android vs iOS' thread. I'm just trying to learn some differences between android and iOS.
This could be very interesting/useful I think.
Please don't ruin this thread with flames.
My question is quite simple:
What kind of apps are possible on Android that aren't on iOS due to its architecture?
Or, perhaps, what kinds of 'actions' are possible in Android apps that aren't in iOS?
Here's what I can think of offhand.
You have the obvious ones:
1) widgets
2) file managers
2a) Titanium backup (is this true?)
2b) Programs can open any file (so to speak, like you can e-mail any file as attachment)
2c) Ways to just copy stuff on/off randomly:
Android you can ftp/wifi explorer/usb drive/external sd copy/dropbox
2d) USB mass storage
3) custom launchers/homescreens
4) custom keyboards
5) custom dialers (?)
6) Live wallpapers
7) CWM recovery for installing stuff/backup/recovery
7a) what does iOS users do if they hose their OS, if they can't flash a stock rom?
Note 2(ish) specific stuff:
1) External SD card utilities (directory bind, etc)
2) app-in window (popup video, aircalc, overSkreen, etc)
3) multi-window
But actually, I'm curious about stuff like:
1) Do programs like tasker/llama work?
Do they have access to the hardware like that?
'simple' stuff like - if I'm at home, turn on wifi?
If I plug in my headphone, turn on bluetooth? (my typical car routine)
2) Quickboot -
3) Something like droidwall - blocking internet access for program X.
Anything else?
I'm geniuinely curious what else Android folk take for granted that iOS doesn't allow for the sake of speed/stability/safety.
(which I find understandable, to be honest).
- Frank
In android you can set your own default apps (browser, dialer, MAPS ... etc). Also, apps can communicate easily. For example, if you are in the gallery looking at a photo and hit the 'share' button you'll be able to send that photo to whatever installed app that accept a photo (gmail, social networks, messaging apps, photo editing apps ...). The same goes for every type of file (music, videos, zip archives, pdf files ...).
About your tasker's question, I recently tried 'sony smart connect' on my note 2 and it works really well. You can activate tasks either manually, via events (headset plugged in, charging mode) or via the NFC enabled sony smart tags.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda app-developers app
I don't think this is a good section for your question. This is more suited for the General Section of XDA (Since you're posting in an Android section I can gaurentee you that you're only going to get over-positive android responses and/or Apple/iOS haters. If you are intentually posting here because you want to hear android users then ignore what I said ).
Ontopic:
I always see it like this, Do you want:
SMS
Phone calls
Internet
Facebook
Twitter
A smooth running phone
Then iOS is the way to go for you. Do you want anything more, then Android is the way to go. On an iPhone there is only one way to go, the same way everyone else is going (You know from the commercials "Think Different"...).
On Android however you can personalize everything you want. I've been enjoying Android for over 3 years now and the ammount of different rom's, theme's, hack's, mod's, etc I've had in the those years is just insane. The possibilty's are just endless and thats why I love android, you will never get bored with your phone ! Don't like something, just change it. So not only Keyboards, Launchers and dailers, everything!
Stoux
Stoux2 said:
I don't think this is a good section for your question. This is more suited for the General Section of XDA (Since you're posting in an Android section I can gaurentee you that you're only going to get over-positive android responses and/or Apple/iOS haters. If you are intentually posting here because you want to hear android users then ignore what I said ).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There shouldn't be anything positive or negative about this thread - I'm hoping it stays fairly factual.
If App X requires a permission that you can't get on iOS, then that's a fact.
Whether App X is a great or stupid app is besides the point.
You are right though, that ideally I need someone answering who is fairly knowledgeable about both operating systems.
- Frank
ChodTheWacko said:
Hello.
This is not an 'android vs iOS' thread. I'm just trying to learn some differences between android and iOS.
This could be very interesting/useful I think.
Please don't ruin this thread with flames.
My question is quite simple:
What kind of apps are possible on Android that aren't on iOS due to its architecture?
Or, perhaps, what kinds of 'actions' are possible in Android apps that aren't in iOS?
Here's what I can think of offhand.
You have the obvious ones:
1) widgets iOS has that
2) file managers iOS has that
2a) Titanium backup (is this true?)iirc, this just backs up all your custom settings etc? If so, we have multiple versions of that. also, cydia automatically stores ssh..shsh? idr lol, blobs.
2b) Programs can open any file (so to speak, like you can e-mail any file as attachment) that too
2c) Ways to just copy stuff on/off randomly: yep.
Android you can ftp/wifi explorer/usb drive/external sd copy/dropbox
2d) USB mass storage and again, yep.
3) custom launchers/homescreens By launcher, you mean themes I take it? and custom home layouts? yep.
4) custom keyboards have that too
5) custom dialers (?)and yes, even this.
6) Live wallpapers yep, though I don't use them.
7) CWM recovery for installing stuff/backup/recovery We can back up everything, even repos and installed tweaks.
7a) what does iOS users do if they hose their OS, if they can't flash a stock rom? what are you talking about? if you don't want a jailbroken phone you just install iOS again and restore your settings, can't android do that?
Note 2(ish) specific stuff:
1) External SD card utilities (directory bind, etc)
2) app-in window (popup video, aircalc, overSkreen, etc)
3) multi-window
But actually, I'm curious about stuff like:
1) Do programs like tasker/llama work?
Do they have access to the hardware like that?
'simple' stuff like - if I'm at home, turn on wifi?
If I plug in my headphone, turn on bluetooth? (my typical car routine) Used to have something that worked off gps locations, but there are a few different things that iOS can use atm. I personally don't know too much about it, but I believe similar things can be done.
2) Quickboot - What is quickboot? I'll tell you if I know haha
3) Something like droidwall - blocking internet access for program X. Not sure, never looked for it.
Anything else?
I'm geniuinely curious what else Android folk take for granted that iOS doesn't allow for the sake of speed/stability/safety.
(which I find understandable, to be honest).
- Frank
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I find most people who own android phones, yes, even on this forum, are quite ignorant about iOS. But hey, I'm ignorant about android! So we can learn from each other. Oh, and we have the drop down settings menu in a couple forms, and the better one, imho, sbsettings, is customizable as to what is put in it.
Replies in red.
There will always be more posibilities behind an opened door than a closed door.
Android is getting better and better and iOS has stayed the same since 2007. All iOS has over Android is games in app store and the apps are a bit more polished. Other than that iOS is for beginers.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium
SchusterIX said:
Hello.
This is not an 'android vs iOS' thread. I'm just trying to learn some differences between android and iOS.
This could be very interesting/useful I think.
Please don't ruin this thread with flames.
My question is quite simple:
What kind of apps are possible on Android that aren't on iOS due to its architecture?
Or, perhaps, what kinds of 'actions' are possible in Android apps that aren't in iOS?
Here's what I can think of offhand.
You have the obvious ones:
1) widgets iOS has that -Are you kidding me? I think you don't know what is a widget.
2) file managers iOS has that Not without voiding your warranty with jailbreak. And it is not as extensive as the ones on Android
2a) Titanium backup (is this true?)iirc, this just backs up all your custom settings etc? If so, we have multiple versions of that. also, cydia automatically stores ssh..shsh? idr lol, blobs. -Titanium backup backups all your apps with their data and you can restore them anytime you want. I don't think iOS has anything like that(I think iTunes can do it...But you cannot backup and restore from your phone itself)
2b) Programs can open any file (so to speak, like you can e-mail any file as attachment) that too
2c) Ways to just copy stuff on/off randomly: yep.
Android you can ftp/wifi explorer/usb drive/external sd copy/dropbox
2d) USB mass storage and again, yep. Maybe with jailbreak(i dont know) but you cannot do it out of the box. I stuggled with an iPad 2 and a Linux computer as I couldn't copy files without UMS
3) custom launchers/homescreens By launcher, you mean themes I take it? and custom home layouts? yep. iOS doesn't have customization to this extent. You can only change the theme of the icons and transtitions that too with jailbreak only. We can transform our phones to Windows Phone 7 style interface, iOS style interface, etc and much more!
4) custom keyboards have that too
5) custom dialers (?)and yes, even this.
6) Live wallpapers yep, though I don't use them.
7) CWM recovery for installing stuff/backup/recovery We can back up everything, even repos and installed tweaks.
7a) what does iOS users do if they hose their OS, if they can't flash a stock rom? what are you talking about? if you don't want a jailbroken phone you just install iOS again and restore your settings, can't android do that?
Note 2(ish) specific stuff:
1) External SD card utilities (directory bind, etc)
2) app-in window (popup video, aircalc, overSkreen, etc)
3) multi-window
But actually, I'm curious about stuff like:
1) Do programs like tasker/llama work?
Do they have access to the hardware like that?
'simple' stuff like - if I'm at home, turn on wifi?
If I plug in my headphone, turn on bluetooth? (my typical car routine) Used to have something that worked off gps locations, but there are a few different things that iOS can use atm. I personally don't know too much about it, but I believe similar things can be done.
2) Quickboot - What is quickboot? I'll tell you if I know haha
3) Something like droidwall - blocking internet access for program X. Not sure, never looked for it.
Anything else?
I'm geniuinely curious what else Android folk take for granted that iOS doesn't allow for the sake of speed/stability/safety.
(which I find understandable, to be honest).
- Frank.[/COLOR]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some corrections in green
Sorry if it's not visible. Turn down up screen brightness!
system.img said:
Some corrections in green
Sorry if it's not visible. Turn down your screen brightness!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use a readable colour, I'll take you seriously then. -sigh- Honestly, the unwillingness to even listen is amazing on this forum. The little I read, was that I don't know what widgets are...yes I do. And yes, iOS has them. Oh...and you couldn't transfer files? lol...my god. All you have to do is plug the phone in or use ftp. Wow...just wow.
SchusterIX said:
Use a readable colour, I'll take you seriously then. -sigh- Honestly, the unwillingness to even listen is amazing on this forum. The little I read, was that I don't know what widgets are...yes I do. And yes, iOS has them. Oh...and you couldn't transfer files? lol...my god. All you have to do is plug the phone in or use ftp. Wow...just wow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah...I should have used a better color. I realised it after posting and I didn't wanna edit the whole thing again..
And plugging the phone does nothing. You cannot read the internal memory and you have to use the stupod iTunes which is not available in Linux.
But this discussion is going nowhere. Better say on topic! "What apps are not possible on iOS?" instead of saying what is possible(Even if the OP stated some things wrong)
system.img said:
Yeah...I should have used a better color. I realised it after posting and I didn't wanna edit the whole thing again..
And plugging the phone does nothing. You cannot read the internal memory and you have to use the stupod iTunes which is not available in Linux.
But this discussion is going nowhere. Better say on topic! "What apps are not possible on iOS?" instead of saying what is possible(Even if the OP stated some things wrong)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, linux must suck more than I thought. I can use a number or programs to access the memory of the iPhone, or even set it up so that winblows or OS X sees it like a usb drive.
Oh, I managed to read one more thing...WP7? iOS has that as well. You must never have owned an iOS device, or at least jailbroken it. As for backing up settings? iTunes does that, so does aptbackup etc.
Maybe you should use a better OS than linux? I want to like linux...but it supports nothing. If linux has the programs os x / windows does, I'd use it in a heart beat.
Well I can share my thoughts after spending a year with the iPhone 4 as my main mobile device.
2) file managers: iFile is good. It's like Root Explorer on Android. It did everything I needed it to do.
2a) Titanium backup (is this true?): Backing up an iPhone was HARD for me. I didn't want to use iTunes for it, so I ended up doing manual backups, pulling database files for contacts, sms, call logs and things like that from system folders using SSH. There is no Titanium Backup for iOS. Trust me. I spent DAYS looking for a good backup app in Cydia. Nothing. There are apps that back up your Cydia sources and packages, so that's useful, but they wouldn't back up system settings, sms, call logs, apps and app data.
2b) Programs can open any file (so to speak, like you can e-mail any file as attachment): There is a tweak in Cydia that will allow you to attach any file to an e-mail.
2c) Ways to just copy stuff on/off randomly: I used SSH and an FTP client
2d) USB mass storage: DiskAid, http://www.digidna.net/products/diskaid
3) custom launchers/homescreens: You can arrange your icons freely... Tweaks in Cydia will allow you to put icons anywhere without them snapping to the grid. Pathetic customization options, absolutely awful and very boring.
4) custom keyboards: Well, not really... You can theme it black if you want... and add emoji support... And add a fifth row. With Cydia tweaks, of course not if you're not jailbroken.
6) Live wallpapers: vWallpaper in Cydia. It destroys battery life though. http://appadvice.com/appnn/2011/12/...per-2-live-wallpapers-get-ios-5-compatibility
7) CWM recovery for installing stuff/backup/recovery: I almost LOL'd... That's a no. :laugh:
7a) what does iOS users do if they hose their OS, if they can't flash a stock rom? Restore with iTunes (the equivalent of re-stocking using Odin)
For automatic wifi/bluetooth toggling and similar, look here: http://lifehacker.com/5908536/how-to-make-your-iphone-read-your-mind
You CAN do those things but in my experience the whole setup process is just infuriating. Many times you have to install small individual Cydia tweaks for every little thing you want to change, and it will make your iPhone slower and more unreliable, more prone to random things happening like MobileSubstrate crashes, reboots... My iPhone once mysteriously uninstalled two games on its own, they were just gone. No doubt due to my jailbreaking and all the tweaks I had, but still... Random things can happen is my point.
The iPhone is known for being smooth in operation, reliable, and a jailbreak will really mess with the stability. It's ironic, that you have to make the phone more unstable and compromise its smoothness and battery life in order to get it to do things that we take for granted on Android.
Overall applications quality is better, if not way, in iOS. We Need 100 good quality apps rather than 50 average and 50 below average ones. Frankly too much crap apps are in Play Store with top rating.
And even iOS 5 is hell of a lot smoother than JB. Still I keep using Android for 3 years as there is too much restriction in iOS.
And people who don't own an iPhone, you don't own an iPhone, so they don't have right to comment. I do, thus I did.
Sent from my GT-N7100
SchusterIX said:
widgets are...yes I do. And yes, iOS has them. Oh...and you couldn't transfer files? lol...my god. All you have to do is plug the phone in or use ftp. Wow...just wow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Give me examples of iOS widgets then.
And you can ftp to an iphone? or ftp from an iphone to another box?
Give a link to a video demonstrating this.
- Frank
system.img said:
2) file managers iOS has that Not without voiding your warranty with jailbreak. And it is not as extensive as the ones on Android
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it is still valid to include (perhaps in a separate list) what is possible with a jailbroken phone, just as I'd include stuff possible on android with a rooted phone. I suppose custom rom territory is getting a bit much, since technically anything is possible with a custom rom.
So some further questions:
My crude research says there are file transfer tools on IOS, but it's not direct. You can only send 'supported' file formats , so it goes through some sort of proxy. correct?
ChodTheWacko said:
I think it is still valid to include (perhaps in a separate list) what is possible with a jailbroken phone, just as I'd include stuff possible on android with a rooted phone. I suppose custom rom territory is getting a bit much, since technically anything is possible with a custom rom.
So some further questions:
My crude research says there are file transfer tools on IOS, but it's not direct. You can only send 'supported' file formats , so it goes through some sort of proxy. correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you mean that you only want the answers to be about what can be done on an unjailbroken iPhone? Or did I misunderstand?
iTunes file transfer is of course massively limited, you can only send supported formats through there. But if you're jailbroken and send things through SSH for example, you can send anything you desire.
Kiahnlliya said:
Well I can share my thoughts after spending a year with the iPhone 4 as my main mobile device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, that is quite insightful - thank you very much.
I'll be updating my first post when I have time to go through your post more and the relevant links.
- Frank
Kiahnlliya said:
Did you mean that you only want the answers to be about what can be done on an unjailbroken iPhone? Or did I misunderstand?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You didn't misunderstand - my question wasn't well formed.
To be honest, I hadn't thought that far.
As I mentioned in my first post, I'm basically trying to understand the differences between iOS and Android.
That way, if I recommend a phone (to others, or myself), I can make an informed decision based on their needs and style.
So I think it's useful to know what Androidian things aren't possible on stock iOS.
And also useful, for the more adventurous/tolerant folk, to know what's possible on a jailbroken iOS, or other unorthodox means.
- Frank
ChodTheWacko said:
As I mentioned in my first post, I'm basically trying to understand the differences between iOS and Android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By the way, when you have time, you should check out this video series highlighting the differences between iOS and Android: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMiY1kSTHZw
It's in five parts. VERY enlightening, well worth watching. When I still had my iPhone and was starting to feel like it was time to move back to Android, those videos really opened my eyes and helped me make my decision.
Welcome to Part II of the basics of ROM building.
If you have not had a chance yet, please check out this link. This should be followed after all of the "files" are gotten from the first part of this Trilogy of tutorials. Okay enough Lord of the Rings, the true trilogy (nerd reference may be criticized below, I preferred the matrix until the third one lol) I digress.
So, we have the files we downloaded them, Red bull/Rockstar/Monster/Bawls, whatever your legal poison. Let's set up working directories.
Organization is critical to the development process. I mean, I only realized this after I started modifying. I mean wow, it was so much easier once I started to record notes and logs.
To begin, always go to a root of a hard drive
Create a folder called
Rom
Tools and then create a new folder called Smali and APKTOOL
Multimedia and then create a new folder called Pictures and Sounds
So we have created 5 folders, do you need 5? No. Do you need 20? It doesn't matter, do what you are comfortable with. It is about staying organized.
Take the ROM you have selected from the first Basics Rom Tutorial. I assume for (hint hint) simplicities sake you chose a DeOdexed rom version of the Sprint S3 MD4 rom. Freeza Thank you. It will be in a zip file
Called: MD4_update_FULL_DeOdex.zip
Rename it to MD4.zip, feel free to call it whatever you want (remember feel comfortable). I will refer to it as MD4 from now on for simplicities sake.
So you have 7-zip installed right? Uh Oh, check, make sure that is ready to go before we start.
I cannot go into that tutorial because....well come onnnnnnn is it really that hard to press next 10 times or less ?
Extract all the files to MD4_Version_1
Oh yeah, we will be making hundreds of versions if you want. Trust me later down the line, after each mod is good, you can just continue naming them in increments. But version control should always be implemented in case you mess something up. So the logic is:
Make 1 mod or set of mods, try mod, if it works keep using that version as your base version and keep going until you are ready to try it again. Mind you it is time consuming but the only way you truly learn this backwards art of reverse engineering.
So lets look at this disaster. I mean it's overwhelming so do not think you are King of the Hill or Any hill. Maybe a mole hill because this a very complicated system in front of us.
Let's analyze the anatomy, BTW, I do not even know what everything does or is, but by all means, ask questions and we will find out. A forum is meant to voice opinions and feedback to those opinions.
The root folder has 2 folders and 2 files
META-INF
system
boot.img
installbusybox
The META-INF folder is extremely important. It contains useful information about signatures and is very necessary for android to" say its official software" remember the idea of this folder, not its contents. I do not mess with this META-INF but there are so many all over the place down the road that we will need to know it plays an important role.
The system folder has every file that we are going to modify, we will hit this folder harder than a head crab being hit by another "delay" at Valve.
The boot.img is an important file for booting up android. We will not be touching that right now. Can you? Sure but hell, don't bother with it for this tutorial. If you know all about ROM mods like some of our bad-ass developers ( yes Cyanogen all of you are badass), Stop reading get to better pastures.
The installbusybox should be there for tools for ROM modifications. It is basically a set of functions that makes Android have teeth. I will not be using it right now but we can keep going. The best tools collected into one so do not delete or modify
Lets get to the meat, the big shabang, the wholy mole(for my Latin friends), the kabosh(for whoever knows what that is)
System
The sub folders are:
app: Contains all the apps that come with the ROM. Remember android operates by utilizing apps for different functions. Modify the files in here can be good and bad, we can make the best tweaks ever here or ruin everything. Be very careful, I have had boot hangs happen to these files
bin: This folder appears mysterious but it contains important files, the binary files. Complexity gets checked right here. This folder is extremely sensitive, I have not modified this folder just yet but when I feel like bricking my phone like a gravity gun dropping combine soldiers, I will get to this asap.
cameradata: Contains important files for camera raw data to JPEG conversion, I do not mod this folder.
csc: This is a jewel, it contains Consumer Software Customization. It has multiple XML files that can be edited and modified critical settings for various functions. Very nice to start your ROM customization here, but not the easiest, lets ease in with another folder first.
etc: This folder contains critical data storage. It has things like the hosts file which will allows you to block ads(cough cough, youtube) and many other files. This folder can brick your phone. Lets not get crazy here...yet
fonts: Pretty obvious, fonts for the ROM, oh and it requires True Type Fonts so contact your local free repository for those.
framework: This folder is an important folder, almost just as important as the app folder
hdic: Language files they are based off the first 2 initials of the language. Not affecting anyone if we are not trying to pinch each ROM's size down to the bare minimum
lib: Library folder, this has files with extension .SO, they will contain libraries of information for different functions. For example, how to take a "Best Pose" picture mode would have functions in this folder as well as other areas of the rom.
media: Contains the most obvious of sounds and a prime location for android universal sounds and bootimages. The bootimages is a touchy subject, the files are Samsung proprietary which makes them useless to us for modification, but we can make the puppet dance one way or another. The sounds, however, are key as we can isolate sounds when the phone starts up, or mute certain camera functions here, we can even make it sound like all of your favorite games(Yes I did, Mechwarrior boot sounds are acceptable, F.E.A.R. sound effects and some DOOM noises added for ambiance and of course Half life 2 noises for complete nerdgasm)
T9DB: This folder contains T9 predictive text in I believe 3 languages: English, Spanish and Korean, can you get rid of 2 of these sure, but expect problems if you decide later you need them. I mean they are not that large in size but at the same time, everyone has their own way of doing things
tts: This folder houses the Text to Speech programs. They suck. I am sorry but they do, SVOX is better, I love IVONA personally. I always like a british women to wake me up and tell me I am late. But that's me.
usr: This folder is not really meant for us to modify as it has to do with the keyboard layout, grammar recognition and customization. Realistically though, I use Swiftkey and call it a day. So do not hate me if I do not bother with mucking around here. It is useful to some I am sure but nothing I want to dabble in. But by all means, it can be useful for setting well Settings.
vendor: Contains library and binary files for certain features from the vendor, I would say camera related but I do not care for this folder just like people really hated the HEV suit announcing all of its amazing features, are you kidding me that was the best part. Yes I fell 100 feet, please let me know about my fracture and how this suit somehow repaired it. It might have well said "Oww". Nothing wrong with that.
voicebargeindata: From my understanding, Svoice related. No need to bother, that feature is about as useful as a Crowbar in a Gun Fight.
vsc: Version Software Control
wakeupdata: Acoustic and Grammar models contains several languages as well
xbin: Has busy box and Super User, a useful tool to become well super.
build.prop: Very sensitive file that is magical and detrimental. There is a lot of false promises on performance with this one. We will dig through this one carefully.
CSCVersion.txt: Should have the model number of your phone
SW_Configuration.xml XML file with more model number configuration
Please feel free to let me know what is understood or not.
This run down allows us to attack the appropriate folders for the next parts
Before we even begin with the complicated mods, let's attack the basic mods first.
The media Folder then go to audio, there is 4 folders
alarms
notifications
ringtones
ui
The first 3 folders you can place anything you want inside. They each correspond to the default ringtones you would like in the phone. I recommend using .ogg files or .mp3 files, you can use Audacity to modify your sounds. Sometimes the length of the sound plays an important role. Short sounds should be kept short for a reason. If you play a noise and its barely half a second, do not make it 4 seconds long because it will sound ridiculous longer than what is meant to sound. Taking a picture while hearing Puff Daddy's Come with Me can be quite awkward but hey its all about your ROM, your choice, your likes. Who the hell is going to tell you that you cannot have a sound of a crowbar whacking a headcrab while in the middle of a busy subway.....besides the police. This works similarly to the situation of ringtones, keep them full blown songs and I have noticed some lag. Do not be discouraged, but most modern phones end the call after about 30 seconds. This time limit has to do with how long the phone is takes to find the phone and ping it. Of course, I safely recommend 45 seconds of your song to cover yourself.
Take note that there are 3 files in these folders that are set to default (ringtone, alarm and notification). We can change that with the build.prop but that's after we mess with the ui folder that contains the User Interface Sounds.
Alert_on_call.ogg: An Alert when you are on call. This should be subtle noise
Auto_focus.ogg: Tricky one, I modified this, still makes an auto focus noise. Clearly a trick has been devised
Auto_focus_error.ogg: Same as above
Call_Connect.ogg: When the call first connects
Cam_Start.ogg: Video Recorder start noise
Cam_Stop.ogg: Video Recorder stops noise
camera_click.ogg: Camera Click noise
Camera_click_short.ogg: Camera Click noise
Camera_empty.ogg: Camera related
camera_focus.ogg: Tricksie this one is, mute and still makes noise, will discuss where noise is coming from
Camera_Timer.ogg: Timer for camera countdown
Camera_Timer_2sec.ogg: 2 Second timer
Charger_Connection.ogg: When you plug in your phone to charging port
Dialer_new.ogg: Tricky one will get to later
Dock.ogg: When you put the phone on dock, useful to distinguish from charger_connection.ogg
Effect_Tick.ogg: I have heard it whilst changing pictures but not sure
Highlight.ogg: I Silenced it, and "I dont know whhhyyy"( Can you guess which comedian said this line and if you know it say it in his voice)
HoverPointer.ogg: I Silenced it, and "I dont know whhhyyy"( Can you guess which comedian said this line and, if you know it, say it in his voice)
Insert.ogg: Google Voice Noise
KeypressDelete.ogg: Default keyboard, I do not use this
KeypressReturn.ogg: Default keyboard, I do not use this
KeypressSpacebar.ogg: Default keyboard, I do not use this
KeypressStandard.ogg: Default keyboard, I do not use this
Lock.ogg: When you press the power button and it instantly locks. This noise will play. Mechwarrior noise here
LowBattery.ogg: Doom low amm noise here to indicate I should have brought a charger becuase my battery is low
New_chat.ogg: Chat software related, I got rid of that junk but thats for another tutorial
PowerOff.ogg: Most people silence this as it is the noise that powers off the phone, I got creative here but you do not have to.
PowerOn.ogg: Most people silence this as it is the noise that powers on the phone, I got creative here but you do not have to.
S_HW_Touch.ogg: The HW indicates Hardware touch, basically the buttons and any touch screen action
S_SIP_Backspace.ogg: Backspace stuff
Sent_chat.ogg: See New_chat.ogg
Shutter.ogg: Silence this for sure if you do not want noise but really silence everything camera related here and it wont be 100%. So just do it
Shutter_multiple.ogg: Burst shot related
TW_Battery_caution.ogg: Any TW has to do with TouchWiz related actions. This one is for battery
TW_Call_Disconnect.ogg: The tricky thing is, some of these are controlled by another piece of software, this one is one of them
TW_Error.ogg:
TW_Silent_mode_off.ogg:
TW_SIP.ogg: Sounds like the default tapping sound for the rom's built in keyboard
TW_Touch.ogg: The default TouchWiz touch noise. Tricky little one this was as I had to verify there was no other location for the droplet noise, it turns out there is, so stay tuned as we dig into the apps and locate where the rest of the sounds are
TW_Unlock_Glass.ogg: Gallery Noises for file management
TW_Unlock_Puzzle.ogg: Gallery Noises for file management, not sure why I heard these exact noises in the gallery app other than they are linked
TW_Volume_control.ogg: The volume rocker button on the side, i mean logically there is only one choice, the Half Life 1 Medical Bay MedShot sound, okay maybe too annoying sure, but bada$$
Undock.ogg: Removing the phone from the dock that so few of us get because you know it doesn't fit my big case, or expanded battery or whatever. You know what, custom solutions are too expensive but trust me people do make the docks that accommodate bigger cases
Unlock.ogg: When you type in your Pin/Password/Pattern, the sound that it makes to unlock
VideoRecord.ogg: Camera video start recording noise, of course, I silenced this one as well
So this takes care of some of the noises, the problem is, Samsung software actually hides the rest of the noises. They are actually hidden away in the APK files in the system/app folder. Do not worry, in future parts of this Discovery channel special on Black Mesa, we will be investigating why they detonated a nuke in the first place if it didnt do anything to stop the invasion. I mean future parts of this series
So where do we go now? Well modify the sounds you want or add the ringtones you want. But something that I felt was important was that certain noises be set when I reboot my rom by default. No I do not want that stupid Samsung whistle! NO ONE DOES SAMSUNG!.
Lets set the default sounds on ROM start up, we will need to modify the build.prop file
This file contains an amazingly large set of instructions for the start-up of the phone and features in the phone. it is therefore, very sensitive to screw-ups. Hopefully, notepad++ was installed.
Navigate in Windows to the working directory of your ROM in our case MD4/system/ there is a file there that says build.prop
Let's open that up in notepad++, we should see some intimidating pieces of code or more like lines of text that tell the phone what and when to do something.
A caution to all, the build.prop has been synonymous with words like "increase performance", "maximize battery life" and other claims that are unfortunately sometimes not always true, for every mod someone makes to this file, someone traces the code to a Gingerbread rom that is useless on Jelly Bean, or an old reference to ICS(Ice Cream Sandwich),
I would highly suggest we not dabble too much on this. XDA has some great people who have found great information about the build.prop file. This link, user Chris_84 has put a great Wikipedia together on this so I will not try and explain each one. But there are so many other links that can show a post of good tweaks and bad tweaks and useless tweaks that I will not go into. Let's instead focus on our start-up sounds
The build.prop code we will scroll to with the ctrl+f button should be enough for us to get started is
Code:
ro.config.alarm_alert=
ro.config.ringtone=
ro.config.notification_sound=
Each of these do have a word after the equal sign, which means if you configure the correct file in the correct folder(hint hint) alarm, ringtone,notification folders we talked about earlier, all you have to do is add the name of the file exactly as it appears, please only use .ogg files here. MP3 files also work but you know just do it okay. I don't ask Alex why she never made a move on me, I just know she cant have a meaningful relationship with a guy who doesn't even say hi, that's a little creepy but you know and I know she loves Freeman alright.
As an example, just in case my rant did not make any sense,
let's say you put the following sound in the system/media/audio/ringtones folder kick_push_lupe.ogg
you would put in the code the following
Code:
ro.config.alarm_alert=
ro.config.ringtone=
ro.config.notification_sound=[B]kick_push_lupe.ogg[/B]
And that's how simple that is.
So you say you have ranted on too long. Sure I have, but that's not going to be the end here. We will be modifying the rest of this rom business in the more difficult lesson which is part III, that will take the longest because we want to have fun. And I still have some Freduian issues with my role model Gordon Freeman that I need to bring out. Anyway
Also, before I go, you might ask, how do you execute TEST BATCH ALPHA-TRON!.
Go Back to your Home Folder MD4_Version_1/. You should see the folders we discussed earlier
META-INF
system
boot.img
installbusybox
Select all of those files and right click the mouse button to get a context menu from 7-zip or WinRAR and click Add to archive. Make a ZIP FILE ONLY. You can choose to compress the file if you want, I just click fastest compression options available and proceed.
When the zip file is in hand, I take the file and put it on the SD Card root directory. When it transfers(in about 5 minutes), you can open the CWM (clockworkmod) recovery or the TWRP recovery and install the ROM. Sure I did skip some steps here on how you get these recoveries and the like but this tutorial is about ROM modification and the sort not the super basics, you need those to even be reading these. If you need to get those going, let me know in the comments and we can spool that up in part III.
I do not know how many parts this will take, but it is time consuming, i have to research this stuff and recall my notes. I know the spirit of the guide is in the right place but please be patient. I will not fail you Krypton(YES I LIKED MAN OF STEEL, let the downvotes begin, oh wait not imgur).
I appreciate all feedback, do not get me wrong, and I will work whenever I am free to add as many of these parts as I can. I do want to help anyone out who has their own twist on what they want their ROM to do. It is the least I can do to payback this great community and assist one person or inspire one idea. That is all it took for me to get going, the next part will also have a very heavy hand in taking code from other people for examples of mods. I want to say from now, I did not do any of these codes, I used common sense to implement somehow into my own rom mods. They deserve all credit as they are amazing coders/crackers/hackers/whackers/ whatever you name it they truly deserve the praise. I am just compiling their logic into our ROM that we are building together. And has anyone seen the YouTube channel Vsauce, that channel is AWESOME.
Again, thank you. Very, very helpful.
-------------------------
Sprint Galaxy S3
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Hit the "Thanks" button if I helped you!
This is great. Man u really put this down in a way that is really understandable!
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
Appreciate it
Thanks guys, seems you are tracking my every word, I posted the other ones it seems you hit those up as well. Appreciate it and everyone, please let me know if something did not make sense, we got a great pool of people that can help out.
(first time on XDA, let me know if this should be on a different thread, or if I should add any tags)
Hi!
Intro/Plea for Help:I have found partial and indirect answers to some of my questions, I'm hoping someone can help with my particular situation and answer all questions clearly, in one place. Maybe someone could answer these questions off the top of their head, whereas I would have to do lots of reading to figure it out. At a minimum, if someone is able to answer if this is a realistic goal or not, that would be great!
What I'm trying to do:I want to turn my smartphone into a dumbphone (with select additional apps). I think the best way to do that is by installing lineage OS and removing any apps or features I don't want. But I don't know what apps/features are safe to remove without breaking the functionality of the things that I want to keep. Ideal scenario is I could install Lineage OS with exactly these apps, nothing more and with no ability to add any apps. So its not entirely "dumb", but is limited in the sense that you would have to plug your phone into your computer in order to add an app (more context at the bottom, in case it helps)
Questions:
Big question: if there is a GApps package, could you build a package that removes some of those and adds the additional apps below and then install it the same way you would install GApps? If so, can someone either build it for me or show me how? I have friends who may want to do the same thing and I could help them do it if I knew how to.
Is there anything missing from the list below that would cause stuff on the list not to work properly?
If you're phone only had these apps and wasn't capable of installing any new apps, what other stuff doesn't work? (i.e. updates, maybe syncing calendar/messaging/contacts to the cloud? idk...)
If you want to have the below list of apps and make it nearly impossible to add any others, is this the best way to do it? What others steps could you take to make it really difficult to install apps? Do you know of other methods that would work better?
other questions may arise during the process but that's a start
Canvas StudentFile ManagerGoogle AssistantGoogle HomeGoogle/Android MessagesGoogle MapsGoogle CalendarGoogle DriveGoogle PhotosGoogle KeepGoogle Play BooksGPayGmailJoinNow MultiOSAmazon KindleOutlookNiagara LauncherOnedrivePhoneParkMobileGoogle StadiaUSBankSlackUltimate Guitar TabsUSAA SafePilotVenmoSpotifyTSheets
More Context:
I enjoy projects like this and a regular dumbphone doesn't meet the crucial intersection between what I need and what I'm trying to get rid of. I need some features on my phone to function day to day (navigation, apps for school and work, Google Home), but I really don't want other stuff on my phone (internet browser, play store, social media) because it is getting in the way of my values. This is a big part of my effort to develop healthier habits, maybe other people can sympathize with that. Simpler ways of blocking these things can be worked around too easily and I don't have the sheer self-control to just not use them (others may relate with these dilemma as well). The hope is that this will be annoying enough to make it not worth it, or to give me time to ask myself if its really what I want.