Why are the apps subforums specific to each device? - About xda-developers.com

Wouldn't it be better if the apps subforum was a general forum as opposed to a specific subforum for each device?
All Android devices use the same Android apps

I don't believe it would make things easier to be honest.
Not all android apps are compatible with all android devices. There are quite a few that are OS specific and if there was a separate sub-forum for each, that would create more mess.
And also, as is the case a lot of the time, an app is made just for whichever specific device the developer has. It's only after that, that the game/app is introduced to a wider audience or ported over.
Velcro. What a rip off!

apollero said:
Wouldn't it be better if the apps subforum was a general forum as opposed to a specific subforum for each device?
All Android devices use the same Android apps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not true at all, for example there are apps written for my Galaxy Note which make use of the Spen which would be pretty hard to use and useless without.
There are plenty of devices that have apps specific to them as well, for example HTC sense devices would have Sense apps no other phone could use etc etc.
It makes perfect sense, and there is a app section in the general android to so devs can post there apps that are for all devices there

There is an apps forum under the Android section for apps that are compatible with MOST devices. There are plenty of apps that are device specific as well. Like the Galaxy Note mentioned above. Phones that are NFC capable have seperate apps, the Galaxy Nexus has on screen buttons, therefore it has different themes and apps not available on other phones, kernel developers will make their own apps for use with their kernel on a specific device...there are tons of reasons for this.

Oh I see, that makes sense. Thanks guys

Moved to About XDA section.

apollero said:
Wouldn't it be better if the apps subforum was a general forum as opposed to a specific subforum for each device?
All Android devices use the same Android apps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well some apps are exclusive for each device. for example, one of our mods ported temple from armv7 to work on our device. and that wouldn't fit in general forum.
and there are some apps, like maybe a custom themed contacts.apk. that would fit into a specific devices rom, therefore that would have to be in the device's app subforum

Or for example the HTC one x has apps that are optimized for the tegra 3 CPU. These apps will NEVER work on other phones.
So the apps subforums aren't senseless.
... Or maybe you find a way to run those H1X optimized apps on a galaxy fit or any other really small phone

Related

software under device forums?

Is this a good idea? as it causes fragmented discussion, eg. dt-apps2sd is something that works across devices but I see it discussed under one particular device meaning generally only owners of that device will take part in that discussion. BLN is another example.
chrcol said:
Is this a good idea? as it causes fragmented discussion, eg. dt-apps2sd is something that works across devices but I see it discussed under one particular device meaning generally only owners of that device will take part in that discussion. BLN is another example.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BLN though can be pretty device specific... Even down to the actual kernel you're using... I think there's always going to be a need for device-specific discussion of these things tbh - I doubt that would change
Or a mod for a Sense ROM, wont work on different Sense ROMs and non Sense ROMs etc.
yeah roms make sense of course that doesnt bother me, was just a thought tho

Define "the Google Experience"

Maybe I'm missing something. People talk about The Google Experience a lot in this forum. For me that sounds like saying "I don't install programs on my PC because I like the pure Windows experience."
I guess for me, the Google Experience just means that AT&T doesn't get to molest my phone with their apps, weird settings or worst of all, imprint their name indelibly on the front of my phone. To a much lesser extent, it means that I don;t have to worry about TouchWiz.
Is there more to it than that? What does it mean to you?
For me, it means Android as Google designed it, rather than how manufacturers think it should be to separate their phones from the competition and it means an unlockable boot loader out of the box without having to register with the manufacturer. It also means no carrier pre installed apps except stuff necessary for the phone to operate on their network.
When you buy a PC, you don't get manufacturer customized versions of Windows. You get the same Windows no matter what system you buy, so manufacturers compete on hardware, extras, etc. Sure, manufacturers pre load apps on Windows installations, but the fundamental UI remains the same.
Unfortunately the only way to get Android the way Google designed it is to either get a Nexus, or get some cheap budget Android device that uses the stock UI because its hardware can't handle anything more than that.
It's a shame that for each new major version of Android, Google needs to issue a Google-experience de ice to showcase the raw vanilla UI, but alas that's reality.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
You mean pure Android Experience.
But I agree with you on most counts.
Pure Google experience is just that, pure.. Foundation for customization. Everything is built on top, if you strip any android phone down to the bones you''ll get get pure android, AOSP sitting on top of the Kernel. Some like it, some don't, some prefer something else. That's the way I look and understand it maybe I'm wrong in thinking this way.
Most of the replies have focused on the Android experience. I think the Google experience can also mean that you use many of the Google services (search, reader, drive, gtalk, voice, etc). Using all of this is easier on an Android phone vs iOS because of the apps and single sign on.
Simply put, not only do carriers install apps and themes, such as their custom interfaces (touch wiz sense); but they go further into the operating system. They edit and tweak various code in the underlying OS (framework kernel mods), block stock features like AT&T removing the option to install non market apps. Install tracking software however invasive you allow yourself to believe it to be (carrier iq). Ultimately these developers for the carriers and manufacturers might not be as good as the Google developers. Having used a phone both with and without having carrier iq installed (og epic) i know it performed significantly faster sans the carrier code. Pure google is just that, the code and features that Google released, not touched by outside developers which a majority of its code is still in every spin off to be found. The question is does your potential rom enhance that experience or hinder the phone from what it performed stock.
Sent from my Sprint Galaxy Nexus
-Everything i post is opinion based on my experiences and should be taken a such.
dreamsforgotten said:
Simply put, not only do carriers install apps and themes, such as their custom interfaces (touch wiz sense);
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Carriers do not install custom interfaces, the OEMs do. The carriers can decide the layout, color scheme, and features of the interface, but the skins and overlays are all on Samsung, HTC, Moto, etc. There was a regional carrier that had a phone with the stock Google experience on a device that was skinned on other carriers, so the carrier can also specify to remove the overlays as well.
As for what Google Experience is, look at stock ICS and that is the Google experience. Nothing on the phone that isn't coded by Google,except for a couple items from VZW on their Nexus, which are easily disabled and removed with no change in functionality. All apps come from Google that are installed, and if you want more features or functionality, you choose it from the market or elsewhere. You don't use other services if you don't want to, and you aren't forced to have them either.
Its more of a minimalist philosophy. Simplistically having nothing but the core functions I use, which happen to be a load of Google apps, is what its all about. Then having all that extra ram resources not wasted on crap and fully available to my usage needs only. Its the less is more theory, elegant yet functional on the basic core stuff.
RogerPodacter said:
Its more of a minimalist philosophy. Simplistically having nothing but the core functions I use, which happen to be a load of Google apps, is what its all about. Then having all that extra ram resources not wasted on crap and fully available to my usage needs only. Its the less is more theory, elegant yet functional on the basic core stuff.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is pretty right on. I think you will find, generally, that the people who like stock Android like it because they subscribe, as Google does, to the design philosophy that less is more. Therein lies my problem with custom Android implementations, both at the OEM and open source level. So many of them throw in everything AND the kitchen sink. I find that pointless.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Archpope said:
Maybe I'm missing something. People talk about The Google Experience a lot in this forum. For me that sounds like saying "I don't install programs on my PC because I like the pure Windows experience."
I guess for me, the Google Experience just means that AT&T doesn't get to molest my phone with their apps, weird settings or worst of all, imprint their name indelibly on the front of my phone. To a much lesser extent, it means that I don;t have to worry about TouchWiz.
Is there more to it than that? What does it mean to you?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google Experience:
GSM Quad/Pentaband
Completely Unlocked (fastboot oem unlock)
No bloatware or custom skins
Instantly getting the newest Android version
----
This is basically what defines the "Google Experience"
There are also many specific things about the phone that add to the Google Experience.
oldblue910 said:
This is pretty right on. I think you will find, generally, that the people who like stock Android like it because they subscribe, as Google does, to the design philosophy that less is more. Therein lies my problem with custom Android implementations, both at the OEM and open source level. So many of them throw in everything AND the kitchen sink. I find that pointless.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
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Click to collapse
It actually goes with Google's whole design. Ever notice how most Google services like Gmail are functional but not really flashy so much and sometimes a tad bland, like Gmail for many years in the beginning. More about simple to use rather than fancy and fully loaded. This is slowly changing though.
In my opinion, having a Nexus device is a much better experience than using a device that has had an AOSP ROM ported or kanged. I can't remember which phone(s) it was but I remember a carrier adding apps to an AOSP ROM as well as another one themeing their overlay to look like it AOSP. Lame.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
DeezNotes said:
In my opinion, having a Nexus device is a much better experience than using a device that has had an AOSP ROM ported or kanged. I can't remember which phone(s) it was but I remember a carrier adding apps to an AOSP ROM as well as another one themeing their overlay to look like it AOSP. Lame.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
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Click to collapse
The HTC G2 (great phone BTW) and LG G2X both ran stock Android builds, but they were loaded up with T-Mobile bloatware. Maybe those are the phones you were thinking of?
Google Experience to me:
Turning a phone on without having to see a app draw full of apps that are trial versions or just plain bloat (Verizon loads Tunewiki on my Thunderbolt by default, I will never touch this app but unless I root there is absolutely no way to remove it, it will inevitably launch and eat up my resources, not cool).
Not seeing some OEM skin. I like android's stock look, I like that I can get different launchers to change it up a bit but stock android is still the best to me. If I need extra features there is always the Play store, where I can download what I WANT, not be forced to have widgets out of the ass that I will never use.
I really feel like I could go on forever but I will stop there and just get to the point, when I turned on my Nexus I saw an open canvas, there was nothing on it but I could see the potential. If I wanted to keep it to only a few apps I could, if I wanted to load it with features and apps and go the whole 9 yards I also could. Basically to me the "Google Experience" is choice. Being able to turn the phone on and just do what I want with it without being told you have to use this skin or you have to have these apps preinstalled. Yes I know I can root (And always do) to remove the bloat but that doesn't remove the OEM skin (Unless I install a kanged AOSP ROM which almost always have a bug or two) but why should I have to? This is my phone, right? I just payed up to $700 to own it, I should be able to do what I want with it from the get go, and make it mine.
Sadly, not enough people see Android for what it is. The see bloated up phones, that run slow 2 months down the road, they see 4 different "Versions (OEM skins)" of Android and don't know which is which. They don't experience Android as it was meant to be experienced, which to me is way better than any iProduct could ever be.
For me the Pure Google Experience means being a good 'lil soldier and using my phone in such a way that adds useful info to their databases.
My Google Experience :
US first
Rest of the world : months later

Difference between normal and original android development

Can anyone tell me what's the difference between this 2 categories? Because the description is VERY enlightening
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1407
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=2214
nobody00 said:
Can anyone tell me what's the difference between this 2 categories? Because the description is VERY enlightening
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1407
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=2214
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It pretty obviously states somewhere that original development consists of clean, source-built ROMs whereas the normal android development category can contain anything under that name.
Harakhti,
I'm relatively new to "rooting" and am doing my homework before going all in.
Could you expand this definitiona little more:
"...original development consists of clean, source-built ROMs whereas the normal android development category can contain anything under that name..."
I don't know what clean, source built ROMs are. I thought all Android software was from the same place??? (Or more specifically, if it's "android" it's android... like Windows is Windows.)
TIA,
I know, total n00b. I'm still working google-fu like a madman trying to get as much info as i can.
Example: there is a clean cm7 rom in original section.
In the normal section there is a rom based off that rom, but with a modified theme, added apps,...
Original are clean roms, cm7 and nothing more.
Normal is modified.
Sent from my GT-S5660 using xda app-developers app
I know this thread is old, but ppl are looking for an answer. And the explanations I found in here are not satisfying.
So here is a link that helped me a lot: ^^
http://www.xda-developers.com/android/introducing-original-development-forums-for-more-devices/

[Q] Good day XDA Community

I'd like to introduce myself being both a new XDA community member as well as a relatively new android owner, having recently purchased a Galaxy Tab 3. I had been referred to this site through my cousin having been interested in rooting my device. I have had some prior experience with installing custom software etc, on other devices (none of which were android) so I came here looking for information.
Now I've read your forum rules about searching and I did as such before proceeding with this thread, so please bear with me. I still however have some questions that I would like the community to answer or point me to the relevant thread(s). Any assistance is greatly appreciated.
To begin the device I'm using is the Galaxy Tab 3 SM-T210R US version. I've seen threads about flashing the device with a ClockWorkMod using the Odin software, which i found in this thread and this thread about the custom Crash Rom.
Is there a difference between a ROM and the OS or are they one in the same? I understood it as being the custom firmware/OS for the device, henceforth replacing the Official OS, mine being 4.1.2 Jelly bean. Correct me if I'm wrong here.
Probably should have asked this first but, for anyone with the Tab 3 device, I understand it has a lot of unnecessary apps (at least from my perspective) which can't be removed, only reset to their factory installation. I understand that rooting means that I would be the superuser of the device and I would have complete control over what affects my device. The question i pose is about RAM usage and background applications. Currently, having 1GB ram, I average around 697/833MB of ram usage. The 833MB i assumed was the max allowed to other applications and the remainder for system applications? Again correct me if I'm wrong. When clearing background processes through task manager, the highest i've removed was around 31 applications (so it says) which reduced the usage to about 497MB/833MB.
So the final overall question here is, would rooting my device be worth it and if so, how is it beneficial? Like i said, I've read a few threads before coming here, but i still long for a little direct feedback, be it from current users of the same device or anyone else. I was also going to contact the thread owners of the two threads posted above but went along with this first just to see how it goes.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I apologise for the wall of text but I tried to get what I was a little edgy about into one thread.
For me I rooted because of being able to use certain backup programs and adaway. I do like looking at the system files and exploring (hacking) game files for fun.
Sent from my SM-T210 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
After rooting you'd be able to uninstall basically any app you choose (although some are necessary for the system to function), thus having more free memory and a faster/smoother system. Also there are a lot of apps that require root.
You could say that the ROMs are the OS (Android) + apps. Basically every ROM (including the offcial one from your device) is customized, I think only Google's devices have clean AOSP.
After you install CWM you can make a backup of your current ROM and install a different one, if you don't like it you can just restore the backup.
Thanks for the responses and sorry for my late one. I can say i understand the processes a lot more in depth as opposed to when i wrote this thread, courtesy of a lot of research lol.
But thanks again.

[Q] General information

I just ordered the 7. I will want to root it, but I have some questions.
Right now I have a rooted Nexus 4, and got a notice for a system update. I looked on CM and can only find nightlies for download.
I'd prefer the stable version. What are CM ROM are people downloading and how stable is it as a nightly? Is there another ROM that might be suitable for a plain jane reference library?
I see about the same for the 7 - No stable version, but a lot of people running some form of CM.
The camera, speed, removable battery and the SD card are the main reasons, plus the carrier (TMO) is switching 2G to LTE and upgrading a lot of other towers, so I will need LTE eventually.
I usually remove most of the entertainment, social apps and widgets. I have a fairly extensive information library - all apps purchased, and all with rather large databases. Every update seems to increase the memory used, so I'd love the extra. I also use the camera.
I also get rid of most of Google. The only Google app I need is Play Store. I don't socialize and do personal info like banking on the phone.
I also won't use the built in apps. I dislike widgets and prefer folders. Yes, I do need a smart phone to run these apps. I run ADW Launcher.
Right now the Nexus 4 is on Android 4.3 and I like it. I usually only update for security. How would I find an equivalent ROM and keep it?
I see differences in battery use and a few other areas.
I also see it is almost identical to the new LG in size - can I use a case for that phone? Like one poster, I want a holster case.
With the sound player - I didn't see the play specs. I assume it does do MP3, but how about AAC and MID?
Thanks
there are a lot of 3rd party ROMs that are stable enough, only have a few non threatening bugs to iron out. Depending on the ROM, it is pretty easy to stay updated with it as they usually have a built in update manager. Look in the 7a forum as most of the builds are unified across the 7a/7s.
The audio question you have is in regards to codecs, not hardware. I haven't personally played those file types, but you shouldn't have a problem.
opie546 said:
there are a lot of 3rd party ROMs that are stable enough, only have a few non threatening bugs to iron out. Depending on the ROM, it is pretty easy to stay updated with it as they usually have a built in update manager. Look in the 7a forum as most of the builds are unified across the 7a/7s.
The audio question you have is in regards to codecs, not hardware. I haven't personally played those file types, but you shouldn't have a problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So where is a unified sticky or post that discusses all ROMS? I do like CM. I'd like to read through it.

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