I just got my T-Mobile variant m8 and had been sticking to the rather limited rom selection in my variants forum, but I discovered the general HTC One_m8 forum had tons of roms that supported GSM and CDMA phones. I'm feeling a bit confused, since any phone I've had previously never had been on multiple carriers. If a rom in the general android development section says it supports gsm variants ( using my brain when selecting, of course), will I be able to just change APNs to make it work with my network?
Apologies for noobiness, I'm just finding the world of roms again after my last phone had none.
themacman1000 said:
Apologies for noobiness, I'm just finding the world of roms again after my last phone had none.
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Its not a stupid question, by any means. And the answer is not simple either.
Any ROM intended for GSM versions of the M8 should be safe to flash, and will for the most part work (and if fact may work perfectly). The hardware for all GSM versions is essentially identical aside from cosmetic differences.
However, some folks have gotten slower data speeds on ROMs not intended for their carrier. In particular, I've seen this mentioned by some folks using "international" based ROMs on the AT&T version. Your mileage may vary, and it might not be an issue for you. I don't want to discourage you from using any particular ROMs; but just want you to be aware.
Flashing the most recent radio for your carrier may or may not help, and is probably the smart move. s-off required to flash a radio manually, alternately can be installed by official OTA or RUU, and your phone may already be up to date.
In any case, stay away from ROMs intended for the CDMA versions of the M8 (Verizon, Sprint) as the hardware is actually different, and I've seen folks brick from accidentally flashing things meant for the wrong hardware version M8 (CDMA vs. GSM).
redpoint73 said:
Its not a stupid question, by any means. And the answer is not simple either.
Any ROM intended for GSM versions of the M8 should be safe to flash, and will for the most part work (and if fact may work perfectly). The hardware for all GSM versions is essentially identical aside from cosmetic differences.
However, some folks have gotten slower data speeds on ROMs not intended for their carrier. In particular, I've seen this mentioned by some folks using "international" based ROMs on the AT&T version. Your mileage may vary, and it might not be an issue for you. I don't want to discourage you from using any particular ROMs; but just want you to be aware.
Flashing the most recent radio for your carrier may or may not help, and is probably the smart move. s-off required to flash a radio manually, alternately can be installed by official OTA or RUU, and your phone may already be up to date.
In any case, stay away from ROMs intended for the CDMA versions of the M8 (Verizon, Sprint) as the hardware is actually different, and I've seen folks brick from accidentally flashing things meant for the wrong hardware version M8 (CDMA vs. GSM).
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Click to collapse
Thank you redpoint, that helps a lot actually.
I swear I saw you on the HOXLs forums when I had that phone... Am I crazy?
themacman1000 said:
I swear I saw you on the HOXLs forums when I had that phone... Am I crazy?
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Click to collapse
Are those 2 things mutually exclusive?
Yes, that was me. I was on that forum a lot and maintained the Index thread.
Related
Hello fellow Canadian GSIII owners: please see below and note which forum you should be looking in for ROMs for your devices:
AT&T forum: SGH-I747 (AT&T, Rogers, Bell, Telus and SaskTel)
T-Mobile forum: SGH-T999 (T-Mobile, Wind, Mobilicity and Videotron)
Sprint forum: SPH-L710 (Sprint only)
Verizon forum: SGH-I535 (Verizon only)
Developers, please put carrier support in the title of your threads. Thank you!
---------------------------------------
Hello XDA,
Can we please get an android development forum for Rogers, Bell, Telus and Wind? Rogers/Bell/Telus phones are SGH-I747M and the Wind version is the SGH-T999, but they all have different basebands and stock ROMs. Trying to put Canadian threads in AT&T and Sprint forums will result in a big mess.
Alternatively, instead of separating by carrier, separate by model number. Keep all the I747 development threads in one forum and T999 threads in another. Then people can put the carrier into the title of the post.
Just something to think about.
Thanks!
I agree. But AFAIK, the Wind/Mobilicity/Videotron S3 is the same as T-Mobile's, not Sprint's.
TLS2000 said:
I agree. But AFAIK, the Wind/Mobilicity/Videotron S3 is the same as T-Mobile's, not Sprint's.
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Indeed it is. I stand corrected.
TLS2000 said:
I agree. But AFAIK, the Wind/Mobilicity/Videotron S3 is the same as T-Mobile's, not Sprint's.
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Click to collapse
and the Rogers is the same as AT&T's
historically Rogers and AT&T have been interchangeable in almost every aspect on all the devices they shared. Rogers uses the exact same frequencies as AT&T, and the devices are the same aside from some minor differences in bloat, lte toggle, and native wifi tether
What about the Telus, does that fall under at&t also?
Thanks
I agree very hard to follow on what is for which phone, not going to take any chances until things are a little more clear. Still have the old S1 to mess with.
rail205 said:
What about the Telus, does that fall under at&t also?
Thanks
I agree very hard to follow on what is for which phone, not going to take any chances until things are a little more clear. Still have the old S1 to mess with.
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Click to collapse
AT&T, Rogers, Bell and Telus have the same phone, the SGH-I747. But just because it's the same hardware does not mean it's the same software. It may or may not have different basebands and certainly has different carrier customizations. As Pirateghost mentioned, AT&T removes some features in its ROM (software), the most important being, at least for me, the ability to tether. So if you flash a rooted AT&T ROM on your Canadian device, it will most likely work but you will lose features(!) That's why we need to be very clear about what carrier each ROM is for. Furthermore, if you flash the wrong baseband (i.e. flash a Rogers baseband on a Bell phone), your phone may not work as a phone or it may connect to the wrong network and you will be charged roaming fees. At the moment, I can see that AT&T has a different baseband version from Bell, but Rogers and Bell seem to have the same baseband version. Are they interchangeable? I have no idea. Anyway, it's better not to mix these things up. That's why separate forums are a great idea.
As a SaskTel customer coming from the international i9000, these forums are very confusing and not very organized. I would definitely support more organization.
I guarantee that you won't roam on the other carrier if you flash the wrong baseband (Telus/Bell/Rogers). They don't have roaming agreements in place to allow that. That's why you won't get service with Rogers in some areas where Bell does have service.
TLS2000 said:
I guarantee that you won't roam on the other carrier if you flash the wrong baseband (Telus/Bell/Rogers). They don't have roaming agreements in place to allow that. That's why you won't get service with Rogers in some areas where Bell does have service.
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Click to collapse
That is how it was with the i9000. If I flashed the wrong baseband (for example, a US modem that did not support 850 band), I would just have no reception when I left the city.
Sasktel, Bell, Rogers, Telus all have the AT&T version with tethering left in.
Jsick said:
That is how it was with the i9000. If I flashed the wrong baseband (for example, a US modem that did not support 850 band), I would just have no reception when I left the city.
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Click to collapse
OK. Either way, flashing the wrong baseband is a bad idea.
Pirateghost said:
and the Rogers is the same as AT&T's
historically Rogers and AT&T have been interchangeable in almost every aspect on all the devices they shared. Rogers uses the exact same frequencies as AT&T, and the devices are the same aside from some minor differences in bloat, lte toggle, and native wifi tether
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Except this time around, it seems that there is a slight difference between the two in terms of software, and enough so that I've read posts of people having issues when using at&t based stuff on their rogers phones.
ootz0rz said:
Except this time around, it seems that there is a slight difference between the two in terms of software, and enough so that I've read posts of people having issues when using at&t based stuff on their rogers phones.
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I've been here before with the vivid, skyrocket, and the one x. You can ignore anything I say but I HAVE dealt with this stuff before.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
So is it safe to say that you can flash the Stock Rom or Custom ROMs for T-Mobile T999 on Wind Mobile's T999V. And at most you lose Roaming and/or a few features?
I already see that there is one or two ROMs that are confirmed for multiple carriers.
A dedicated Canadian Forum is a great idea! There is so much information floating around out there with the multiple variations of the sgs3.
Pirateghost said:
I've been here before with the vivid, skyrocket, and the one x. You can ignore anything I say but I HAVE dealt with this stuff before.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
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Click to collapse
As a Rogers user (and relatively new to Android) it freaks the hell out of me to flash custom ROMs based on the AT&T version, because I'm sure I *will* lose tethering and the ability to turn off LTE.
That's the stupid thing - it'd be rather simple to have subforums dedicated to the canadian devices, because the software is different (not only the bloatware, but apparently some more stuff too) and the baseband is also different, which could lead to problems down the line, no?
TimeKillr said:
As a Rogers user (and relatively new to Android) it freaks the hell out of me to flash custom ROMs based on the AT&T version, because I'm sure I *will* lose tethering and the ability to turn off LTE.
That's the stupid thing - it'd be rather simple to have subforums dedicated to the canadian devices, because the software is different (not only the bloatware, but apparently some more stuff too) and the baseband is also different, which could lead to problems down the line, no?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If a rom is done the right way you won't lose any functionality. You can't honestly believe that at&t users don't want those features. I prefer to build all my roms from a rogers base for the simple reason that it is less work for that functionality.
PS. Any rom dev should know better than to force a modem/radio/baseband change on their users.
Sent from my GT-P7510 using Tapatalk 2
BlackDino said:
Sasktel, Bell, Rogers, Telus all have the AT&T version with tethering left in.
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Click to collapse
That might be true but if you check your firmware versions, they aren't the same as AT&T's.
Also, I have flashed most of the international radio's on my older I9100 and never had a problem in Canada or US when travelling. They may not be customized for that country but they do work.
I PMd one of the mods with a link to this thread. There seems to be interest in a forum for Canadian carriers, so let's see if we can make it happen.
By the way thanks to everyone chiming in with their two cents. I am not a developer, and although I've been around xda a while, it was always as a user. I''ve written a guide or two on how to root and flash devices, but it was always based on other people's work. So I am learning all this as I go along.
I come from the desire z/g2 forums. G2 is t mobile, The desire z is run on multiple networks globally. Baseband are set by the phone, not the radio (I think that is the same thing as a modern?). On my Desire z running on Rogers, I flashed T-Mobile radios and international radios which worked on Rogers no problem.
Features of a rom are determined by the dev, if you don't like something, flash something else or restore your nandroid backup. Read the op and ask the dev if you are unsure about any features on a Rom.
I would think the only models that should be separated in forums are the international version, totally different processor and maybe Verizon cdma. From a sheer volume of users standpoint, further division is warranted. You think this is bad, wait until Verizon and At&t widely launch, this current setup will be complete chaos.
Sent from my SGH-I747M using XDA Premium HD app
hello guys
im planning to buy htc m8 from a guy, the phone has verizon brand on it and the question is: is there any difference between the international m8 and verizon one? and can i flash the official's one rom on the verizon's one? and in general, is there any hardware or sofware difference?
The Verizon and Sprint models are different hardware, due to the CDMA (plus GSM) radio. All the GSM versions of the M8 are essentially the same hardware, but the CDMA versions are the exception. Trying to flash GSM software onto the Verizon version won't work, and might even brick the phone. I'd stay away from the Verizon version, unless you happen to need CDMA (not likely in most parts of the world outside the US).
redpoint73 said:
The Verizon and Sprint models are different hardware, due to the CDMA (plus GSM) radio. All the GSM versions of the M8 are essentially the same hardware, but the CDMA versions are the exception. Trying to flash GSM software onto the Verizon version won't work, and might even brick the phone. I'd stay away from the Verizon version, unless you happen to need CDMA (not likely in most parts of the world outside the US).
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Click to collapse
Thank you man, you saved me, i apologized to the guy.actually, one of my big concerns is custom roms, i ordered my 4g note 3 from outside my country just because it has more support.
Thank you again man
hii guys ,,
im going to buy the HTC m8 next week
i'v seen many type of version of the phone
like AT&A , Verizone , Sprint , Google Edition
so anyone can tell whats the different between them if there any !!
thank you
I believe the hardware is the same on all M8 variants (apart from the dual SIM ones) so all the differences lie in the software side.
AT&T, Verizon and Sprint will have a few differences to each other due to the bloatware they decide to add in.
The Google Play Edition (GPE) is running vanilla android rather than Sense (the same as Nexus devices). As they're Google devices, they'll get updates quicker than the other M8 variants (just slower than Nexus).
There's the developer edition which runs Sense but comes with an unlocked bootloader and will get updates quicker than the other Sense M8's, but not as quick as the GPE.
Then finally there's the Windows M8. This is simply running Windows 8.1 (I think) instead of Android.
It would help to know what region you are located in.
Some of the US carriers (Verizon, AT&T) have their logo on the phone, so you might not like that. And there is some difference in the colors available (for instance Verizon has red, Sprint Harmon Kardon edition has black back and sides with gold front). Other than those minor cosmetic differences, the hardware is identical, from what I understand.
Band compatibility is different on each carrier version, but is software based and can be changed by installing the proper radio (S-off required, which will probably also require sunshine s-off, which costs $25 US).
And as mentioned, the only other difference is the stock ROM, which for US carriers will have their own carrier branding and (tons of ) bloatware. Again, easily changed with unlocked bootloader or S-off.
redpoint73 said:
It would help to know what region you are located in.
Some of the US carriers (Verizon, AT&T) have their logo on the phone, so you might not like that. And there is some difference in the colors available (for instance Verizon has red, Sprint Harmon Kardon edition has black back and sides with gold front). Other than those minor cosmetic differences, the hardware is identical, from what I understand.
Band compatibility is different on each carrier version, but is software based and can be changed by installing the proper radio (S-off required, which will probably also require sunshine s-off, which costs $25 US).
And as mentioned, the only other difference is the stock ROM, which for US carriers will have their own carrier branding and (tons of ) bloatware. Again, easily changed with unlocked bootloader or S-off.
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Click to collapse
Software wise theres carrier bloatware on each device. But hardware wise the Verizon / Sprint ones have an added CDMA chipset and from what ive read they are different from the GSM units hardware wise.
Blowing a GSM rom into a CDMA unit will brick it, or so ive read.
IAmSixNine said:
hardware wise the Verizon / Sprint ones have an added CDMA chipset and from what ive read they are different from the GSM units hardware wise.
Blowing a GSM rom into a CDMA unit will brick it, or so ive read.
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Click to collapse
I thought and had heard the same as well (hardware difference between CDMA and GSM M8's). But several folks here have strongly claimed otherwise, that the radio difference is still in software; and that all M8's are the same hardware-wise aside from the dual SIM M8. So I'm not really sure what to believe.
That being said, the OP should probably get the version offered by their carrier, or intended for their region. Even if it can be "converted" by software, it just makes for less steps and less hassle. Unless there is some strong reason to do otherwise, like a much lower price.
IAmSixNine said:
Software wise theres carrier bloatware on each device. But hardware wise the Verizon / Sprint ones have an added CDMA chipset and from what ive read they are different from the GSM units hardware wise.
Blowing a GSM rom into a CDMA unit will brick it, or so ive read.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
redpoint73 said:
I thought and had heard the same as well (hardware difference between CDMA and GSM M8's). But several folks here have strongly claimed otherwise, that the radio difference is still in software; and that all M8's are the same hardware-wise aside from the dual SIM M8. So I'm not really sure what to believe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not too sure about this either. I've seen a lot of people saying they have the same hardware and seen a lot of people saying CDMA have different hardware.
KidCarter93 said:
I'm not too sure about this either. I've seen a lot of people saying they have the same hardware and seen a lot of people saying CDMA have different hardware.
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Click to collapse
And I haven't actually seen any definitive evidence for either case.
Looking at specs, both (GSM and CDMA versions) use the same chipset (Qualcomm MSM8974AB). I would think if there was a difference due to CDMA, it would have a different chipset number. But that's just a guess.
OP should stick to the version that matches their carrier (GSM versus CDMA) to be safe.
redpoint73 said:
And I haven't actually seen any definitive evidence for either case.
Looking at specs, both (GSM and CDMA versions) use the same chipset (Qualcomm MSM8974AB). I would think if there was a difference due to CDMA, it would have a different chipset number. But that's just a guess.
OP should stick to the version that matches their carrier (GSM versus CDMA) to be safe.
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I actually thought the most "obvious" difference in hardware was the actual circuitry itself. They use similar components etc but the way it's "wired" is a bit different, but I don't recall where I got that info from
BerndM14 said:
I actually thought the most "obvious" difference in hardware was the actual circuitry itself. They use similar components etc but the way it's "wired" is a bit different, but I don't recall where I got that info from
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It would be great if you could link the source, it would settle this debate.
So you mean the copper trace/tracks between components on the board are different? I would assume that some of components and/or the layout is also different, otherwise why have different trace paths?
The following teardown shows the layouts of the Verizon PCBs, but I can't find similar into for the GSM version to compare it to:
https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/HTC+One+%28M8%29+Teardown/23615
Anandtech actually has a great write-up on the differences between the various models.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/7893/the-htc-one-m8-review
Specifically, the chart on the supported bands is useful.
Thanks for the help guys
I think all the versions supported here with operator, im located on Israel for now
If there is no hardware different is it possible to flash a firmware from Google edition HTC to another versions?
So I dont have to wait too long for updates
Thanks again
sparxx4 said:
Thanks for the help guys
I think all the versions supported here with operator, im located on Israel for now
If there is no hardware different is it possible to flash a firmware from Google edition HTC to another versions?
So I dont have to wait too long for updates
Thanks again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The main difference in GSM version is the frequency/band it uses for 3G/LTE.
Everything about the GSM version is the same except for each have different frequencies enabled.
So find out in Israel what cellular company you will be using and what frequencies their 3G and what LTE band if any. Then you'll be able to pick which m8 is right for you.
jshamlet said:
Anandtech actually has a great write-up on the differences between the various models.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/7893/the-htc-one-m8-review
Specifically, the chart on the supported bands is useful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what ever model its a amazing phone .
It is amazing indeed
It seem im getting the Gunmetal version
Any ideas about it!?
When an update roll out for HTC Google edtion is it possible to flash it on my phone after unlocking bootloader?
Thanks
sparxx4 said:
It seem im getting the Gunmetal version
Any ideas about it!?
When an update roll out for HTC Google edtion is it possible to flash it on my phone after unlocking bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gunmetal finish is available for a great many versions/regions, so telling us that alone doesn't say much.
But GPE full conversion is possible with unlocked bootloader and I think S-off also.
Looked around and not sure if this is even possible. Could I get a H/K M8, unlock it and use on T-Mobile's network to receive LTE? Thanks!
Is there a reason why you are looking at the Sprint version?
Its been argued whether the CDMA versions of the M8 are any different in hardware, but I haven't seen anything definitive either way. I'd err on the side of caution, assume the CDMA version is different hardware, and stay away from it. Buy any GSM version and you can convert it to work on T-Mobile (after s-off, unlocking the bootloader, etc.), no question there.
quailallstar said:
Looked around and not sure if this is even possible. Could I get a H/K M8, unlock it and use on T-Mobile's network to receive LTE? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no, Sprint version got some weird **** to it...
redpoint73 said:
Is there a reason why you are looking at the Sprint version?
Its been argued whether the CDMA versions of the M8 are any different in hardware, but I haven't seen anything definitive either way. I'd err on the side of caution, assume the CDMA version is different hardware, and stay away from it. Buy any GSM version and you can convert it to work on T-Mobile (after s-off, unlocking the bootloader, etc.), no question there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only reason I'm looking for the Sprint version is because of the look. I like the dark back metal and gold upfront a lot. Sucks its an exclusive look only to Sprint. I read that you can flash the other non H/K models to have the same software so that is confirmed and all good.
Now I need to find someone who is using this Sprint model and can confirm it has the needed GSM radio(s) for TMO LTE.
quailallstar said:
The only reason I'm looking for the Sprint version is because of the look. I like the dark back metal and gold upfront a lot. Sucks its an exclusive look only to Sprint. I read that you can flash the other non H/K models to have the same software so that is confirmed and all good.
Now I need to find someone who is using this Sprint model and can confirm it has the needed GSM radio(s) for TMO LTE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm pretty sure that Sprint models are CDMA only. You can't use their phones on GSM networks. I don't think what you are trying to do will work. I may be wrong here, but I really doubt I am.
xunholyx said:
I'm pretty sure that Sprint models are CDMA only. You can't use their phones on GSM networks. I don't think what you are trying to do will work. I may be wrong here, but I really doubt I am.
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Click to collapse
This is incorrect (that the Sprint variant does not work on GSM). Both the Verizon and Sprint variants support GSM and CDMA. Folk on here (including myself) tend to refer to them as "CDMA" for simplicity; but they are in fact also compatible with GSM, as well as HSPA, LTE.
http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_one_(m8)_cdma-6233.php
Now the question is whether the difference between the GSM and "CDMA" variants are purely in software, or there is an actual hardware difference. Its been argued both way, and I haven't seen any proof either way (although my gut tells me the latter is the case). And the question relevant to the OP is whether the T-Mobile LTE bands can be "added" to the Sprint device by software.
I used a verizon LG g2 on T-mobile a few and the phone im writing on now is a verizon iPhone full lte but i dont know aboit the sprint versions
I understand the device works on Verizon but am curious if all custom roms will support the bands verizon requires? I am guessing that the modem is complete (works through and through) for all bands but not sure so am wondering if separate roms will need to be created for the network (really theirs only one, verizon) that uses different bands. I would love this device running Liquid Smooth or similar on verizon!
stackz07 said:
I understand the device works on Verizon but am curious if all custom roms will support the bands verizon requires? I am guessing that the modem is complete (works through and through) for all bands but not sure so am wondering if separate roms will need to be created for the network (really theirs only one, verizon) that uses different bands. I would love this device running Liquid Smooth or similar on verizon!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This shouldn't end up being the case as custom ROM's will use the Nexus binaries provided by Google available to developers which will support all of Verizon's band so no need for a Verizon specific RIL implementation for example. As a result you will be fine to run AOSP based ROM's such as Liquid Smooth. The thing for ROM's will be more about whether you have the American model of the device or the International model. Let me me know if you still have questions!
shimp208 said:
This shouldn't end up being the case as custom ROM's will use the Nexus binaries provided by Google available to developers which will support all of Verizon's band so no need for a Verizon specific RIL implementation for example. As a result you will be fine to run AOSP based ROM's such as Liquid Smooth. The thing for ROM's will be more about whether you have the American model of the device or the International model. Let me me know if you still have questions!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. Which model do you suggest for putting custom ROMS on?
stackz07 said:
Thank you. Which model do you suggest for putting custom ROMS on?
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Click to collapse
If your going to use it on Verizon, I would recommend going with the North American model which is model number LG-H790 for US carriers. Both models will have a great selection of custom ROM's and goodies, and with only minor differences between the two models the hard working developers won't need to do to much extra to support both.