Pls enlighten this Android newbie - Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]

Hi all,
Am a newbie to Android tablets/devices both in terms of hardware and software. So if my post is posted in the wrong thread or reposted pls pardon me. I just want to understand a few basics.
As you all may know, now the market is being flooded by those Chinese made Android tablets. And many of them looks good (at least on paper) and at a very good price. But the problem is most of the time when come to chinese goods, they don't usually do what they claims (if you know what i mean). and the best part most of the salesperson don't know anything about the products they are selling especially when comes to tech gadgets like the Android tablets.
So here i am seeking help from you gurus and hoping i can start my Android journey on the right step. Below are a few questions. Hope I can get answers (links to somewhere where i can read up or anything).
1. What are the conditions (CPU make, firmware, etc) to fulfill if i wan to upgrade/root/hack the original Android OS? Cos most of the chinese made tablets are running on Android 1.5. Hoping to be able to upgrade the OS whenever a newer one comes out. Like the latest 2.1 And be able to download new apps from the apps market.
2. Which CPU chip is better and what are the common CPU chips in the market now? I know there are the Rockchips, VIA, Telechips.
3. Can we tell what are the hardware (CPU make etc) and software (OS/firmware version, etc) that are being used in the device from the system setting or something?
4. I read somewhere that not all CPU chips can be upgraded to the latest OS. i.e. that any upgrade is determined by the CPU chip. Is it true?
5. As for custom ROM, is it also device dependable? Like is there a generic ROM for all devices?
For now these are the questions which are bugging me. Hope the gurus here can enlighten this Android newbie.
Sorry for the long winded post and thanks for any help.

Hmmm. Just check that it is upgradable to froyo and it has more than 500mhz cpu
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App

if you are looking for a tablet just get an ipad. the android tablets i see floating around are just 1.5 or 1.6. even if you get a tablet that can do 2.2 (froyo)... i dont see how that can be any better than an ipad.
i just feel that 2.2 isnt meant to be in tablet form. if you can wait... wait for 3.0 before you decide. the main deterrent here is the maximum resolution for android (854 x 480 or something), and that the apps were made with phones in mind.
im very happy with my nexus one... i just cant imagine having a tablet running android as of the moment unless its very very cheap ($200 or so).
i for one will get an ipad next month. my nexus one with wifi tether + the basic wifi ipad will be gadget heaven. looking to get an ipad primarily for reading magazines (zinio) and comic books. android does not have zinio yet. the android comic viewer (ACV) i use on my nexus is ok... but not great. then theres the games. games on android are still so so with less variety and choices.
as a phone the android is great! better than the iphone (yes im an apple user through and through) even. but as a tablet... not quite yet.

Hp is going to release a tablet so is samsung with 2.2
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App

Hopefully start seeing some of these 2.2 tablets in the 3rd Quarter...

Related

Android tablets and support/customization?

At first I was in love with the iPad but now I've began thinking to go a much different route for a tablet..
after searching for android tablets I ran across two that caught my eye, one on ebay the sungworld 7in tablet and the Haleron iLet mini...
both feature similar hardware specs (same screen size, resolution, CPU speed, memory, price,etc). the main difference from what I can tell (aside from aesthetics) is the sungworld model looks like its running standard android 1.6 with gapps, whereas the ilet is running android with some UI.
does anyone have any input on how customizable these devices are? any chance of custom roms or app2sd or at least gapps on the iLet..would porting a version of 2.1 be considered impossible or at least not probable?
I love the idea of a cheap android tablet and would appreciate any input on this!
thanks in advance..
Sent from my Nexus One using the XDA mobile application powered by Tapatalk
Have you looked at the enTourage eDGe?
I just saw your post on the other tablet thread..I'm not really a fan of the design, its very strange. Plus i already have a netbook, so I'm in the market for a tablet now..
Check out enso-now.com for the zenPad..its a pretty cool 5'' android tablet starting at $155!

[Q] Can you all point me to a Reliable Fast and Supported Tablet?

So after the past week or so i have done some casual research. Looking thru various sites getting some not so reliable feedback i figured i would just ask at the top.... And i dont know why i didnt in the first place..
I am looking to get a Android Tablet when taxes come. Something not to expensive but not a cheap piece of junk either.
I am looking for something reliable, fast good graphics, a decent camera if possible certianly gps, wifi, bluetooth. I would like to dock it in my car for its Gps potential, and for movies and certianly its music capabilities (like power amp) and pandora last fm ect. I figured i would tether it to my Droid 2, and no i wont be watching movies on it thats more for my wife, friends ect.
I would defenatly want it to have the android market on it, wether i have to put it on there myself or if it was stock. I want to be able to play games like angry bird or whatever. Not just simple low end games but the potentintal to play anything i might want to..
And lastley i would like something that defenatly has some community backbone to it. Something that has been rooted, that people know and i can get reliable support on. I dont want to be running 1.6 on it it has to be like 2.0 or 2.2 and i can upgrade it. Something that runs really smoothly and has at least one decent rom.
I see some of these people who bought cheap tablets off ebay from Hong Kong or whatever and there having to scour the net just to find out what excatly it is called.. I dont really wana do that lol.
If i can find it locally great! If i got to order it off the net then so be it. I just want something that is open, reliale, smooth, fast and has some support behind it...
Sorry if this is the wrong section i looked for a overall tablet form but couldnt find one on XDA and i didnt want to post in every forum. If you have anylinks or even one u are thinking about buying like a link let me know id love to check it out!
Thanks Everyone!
Dude, get a NookColor! $249, supported in ROM Manager, and I'm sure soon to have full ROMs released..
It doesn't have a camera (but your Droid 2 does...) so that might be a deal breaker. It's not a tablet, it's an e-reader, but it's a neat little thing. I can't wait to see the development take off.
Other than that, the Motorola Xoom looks promising, but it's currently unreleased.
-pd
I would recommend the nook Color as well except for the fact that it is lacking a GPS. Therefore it does not fit into the car model. I have one for my son and it is a nice device.
The gps is kind of a nessisity for me, i could give up the camera but im stuck with the gps. But the nook or nook color is out for me. I see it as lacking later on because of its processor and it wasent built to be a tablet. I want something that will ride out for a few years if possible. It needs a 1 ghz prosessor and sufficent ram. And i got to have 2.2+ on it. And 7 inch minumum. Thank you for the suggestion thus far though
Consider the Archos 101 or 70.
Pretty sure it has everything.
There is a forum for it here too.
as far as I know no tablet meets your demands ( 1ghz/2.2/lotso ram/etc) probably best shot at the moment is a flytouch II from lightinthebox ...
10", decent rom support coming together, inbuilt gps, 2 cardslots for storage, android 2.1 with kernel 2.6.32.9 once you upgrade/update it to v1568 firmware.
another OEM provider promised 2.2 was going to be out last weekend but havent seen anything filtering out as of yet
chachi said:
as far as I know no tablet meets your demands ( 1ghz/2.2/lotso ram/etc) probably best shot at the moment is a flytouch II from lightinthebox ...
10", decent rom support coming together, inbuilt gps, 2 cardslots for storage, android 2.1 with kernel 2.6.32.9 once you upgrade/update it to v1568 firmware.
another OEM provider promised 2.2 was going to be out last weekend but havent seen anything filtering out as of yet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, Archos already has 2.2 with 1ghz
http://www.archos.com/products/ta/archos_101it/specs.html?country=ca&lang=en
The RAM is not listed on that page but it would be easy to find out.
I'm just stepping out.
And there seems to be a GPS solution here http://forum.archosfans.com/viewtopic.php?f=63&t=37910
Sry... what I meant was I want to run the most uptodate firmware I can so im kosher with 2.1 what im hoping to avoid is where I have seen a lot of them running 1.6. I've been thinking about archos but I just haven't heardb from anyone who ones a archos or a flytouch.. I would defenatly like to hear experiences... thanks again everyone
Sent from my DROID2 using Tapatalk
Also and i forgot to mention it.. It has to have a Capacitive and Multitouch screen like my Droid X or Droid 2.... Does that FlyTouch have that? cause i cant seem to find any information pertaining to that.
no flytouch2 is not multitouch but otherwise i am more than happy with mine, best €130 ish i've ever spent

NOOB, my wife want's a ereader... WHAT'S THE BEST ANDROID TABLET

Hi people,
This is my first post.
I am looking to purchase a 7" - 8" android tablet for my wife.
I was told that the people in xda - developers know the most about the android so that i why I am posting this question.
I plan on using it for a ereader... but would use it for games, video, etc...
I am not an apple fan, and want the android. I download alot of stuff and thought an android could handle any format I shoot at it, like pdf, txt, etc...
What's your advice? AND THANKS!!!
p.s.
even if you point me to another thread that discusses the best android to buy, that would be great.
Get a Barnes and Noble Nook color e-reader.
Root it and you can transforms it into an affordable Android tablet
Domosan said:
Get a Barnes and Noble Nook color e-reader.
Root it and you can transforms it into an affordable Android tablet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks... THAT'S what I'm talking about. Really don't want to shell out to much $$$$
and I am a BIG pc downloader... use mostly IRC.
I will start to research this idea. Is there a thread dedicated to this?
Thanks again.
Domosan said:
Get a Barnes and Noble Nook color e-reader.
Root it and you can transforms it into an affordable Android tablet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I looked into it. It is cool. BUT IT'S $249!!! and for $299 you can get the ...
eLocity A7 Touchscreen 7-Inch Android 2.2 Tablet , hast HDMI, USB, nvideo GPU, dual processor.
Am I missing something?
No your not missing anything the nook color is a dedicated e reader that is meant for the average to low level using how only WA TS to read books......for you I would go and get a better suited tablet with more options and functions nook is the best dedicated. Ereader out but not even close in being a top android tablet
Sent from my LG-P509 using XDA App
The nook. Got a recovery
S.I. 77
Now this may be expensive, but I recommend the Samsung Galaxy Tab...I mean it lets you surf the net, games, android market, etc.
...But thats just me.
If you want an e-reader, get the Nook Color, if you want a tablet, wait for Honeycomb.
mayurolla said:
If you want an e-reader, get the Nook Color, if you want a tablet, wait for Honeycomb.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I will wait for the honeycomb! Thanks...
I just started doing research. Don't understand the android market place? I would just search for cracked software to install... am I missing something?
It would be used primary as an ereader, she now has the itouch... but it is a little to small. But it will also be used for movies (on plans), reading PDF's, and all other formats. And I will use it for games...lol.
She has dozens of apps on her itouch... I am sure she will download all kinds of stuff for the android.
advice on android tablet
Hi!
For me,
the best tablets on the market are :
- Viewsonic viewpad gtablet 10.1" (android 2.2, capacitive multitouch, 1GHz CPU,512Mo RAM, USB, 16GB,Camera, G-sensor, supports :wav,wma,mp3...;avi,divx,xvid,wmv,rmvb,mkv,mp2,x264,x263; epub,pdf,...)
At OfficeDepot: $379.99
-Samsung GAlaxy Tab(Android 2.2, capacitive multitouch, 1GHz, 512 RAM, front camera,rear camera,G-Sensor, supports all the formats above).Price varies depending on the Carrier($400 to @560).
But , If you really want a very good tablet you might as well wait 6months to the newer versions with android 3.0 honeycomb(OS specially designed for tablets).
Good luck on your new tablet!
The Notion Ink Adam is another device which I think is extremely good - it uses a Pixel QI screen which makes it especially good as an E-Reader. Also it uses a specialised version of Android which makes Android amazing on it. However it is a bit expensive at $550.
I have been very happy with my Archos 70. It comes with a nice eReader and with the Google Market installed, I have the Amazon Kindle app. It is a little hard to find right now, $275 is the retail, which is what I waited for and got direct from Amazon. Although my wife picks it up to read and ends up playing Angry Birds...
I was under the impression Archos had their own market software and thus it made a bit of problems getting the real Market on it. I don´t own one though so I might be mistaken. As for Adam (Notion Ink´s device) yea theres reviews and such but IIRC Notion Ink has pushed Adam back, the pre-oder people aren´t getting their devices because Notion Ink can´t handle the demand or something it´s pushed back for one reason or another (from androidtablets.net) Android 3.0 aka Honeycomb is Android (re)designed for Tablets. My advice wait for the release of Android 3.0 and the explosion of new devices that are sure to follow in it´s wake. This, my guess is, will bring competition and make for a large selection and maybe price wars which is always good for the end users
Nook Color. End of lol.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
....apad...epad...lol hope that's more helpful. There's a variety of specs and sizes.
I've recently purchased the Amazon Kindle and it has completely replaced books for me. The e-ink technology doesn't bother your eyes so you can use the device for what its for.
Honeycomb in Eken
I have heard (and read) that Honeycomb is already released.
My questions:
1. How can I have it?
2. How to install it in a Eken tablet?
Thanks for help.
"NOOB, my wife want's a ereader..."
made me LOOL
Cheap alternative
How about Apad , Irobot?
Eken M009s - Android 2.2, 7" Resistive LCD, WiFi, WM8650 300~800Mhz, Oficial Market after updated firmware - 88.99$
Can't beat that price

Port Honeycomb the Blackberry Playbook

Hello,
I'm getting a free Blackberry Playbook, I know it runs on QNX OS, but is their away to put Honeycomb on it, seeing as it has no physical buttons.
I want a 7 inch tablet, and the Galaxy Tab and Flyer(wi-fi) is not doing it for me, seeing how the Playbook is 1.0Ghz dual core, it will keep up with every one else.
Plus the fact Android on BB would be pure swagger.
Iv spent 3 hours researching it and all i get is the fact that their porting apps.
Thanks
50 views no comment?
Since Google didn't release the Honeycomb source code, this task may be impossible.
but they will release for 4.0 ice cream sandwich... will then be someone who will be brave enough to unlock the device and port android to BB?
bsdnix said:
but they will release for 4.0 ice cream sandwich... will then be someone who will be brave enough to unlock the device and port android to BB?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, maybe.
Amazon has just released their kindle fire source code. I hope it helps porting playbook to android
http://kindle-src.s3.amazonaws.com/Kindle_src_6.2_11185402.tar.gz
Instead of posting in a new thread I will post here. Where can I find anything that would help me port android as an app to the playbook since the playbook as of now has a very secure boot mechanism. I have not tried to exploit it but from what I have seen QNX is insanely restrictive, you cant even read system logs. Is it even possible to port android as an app?
Afaik RIM added Android app support to the playbook?!
The classes are identical (j2me/java) so as a developer it shouldn't be to tricky to port it.
I'm asking about running android (the entire os) as an app. The android player wont do android native sdk among some other things so not all apps will run. I'm asking if its possible to for example take android and run it through a translation layer that will take calls to the gpu and just use opengl on the playbook to render things. So kind of like vm but specific to the device and version of android so its actually fast and not an emulator.
HC source code is released comparative with ICS one. You need a good experienced dev for that type of action.
Didn't think it was supposed to go on sale until Black Friday, but just left Best Buy. It's going for $199. Android and I'd buy quickly.
if you were lucky you could've picked up a 64gb playbook for $229 before tax at best buy.
chaose said:
if you were lucky you could've picked up a 64gb playbook for $229 before tax at best buy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how so? price mistake? please do tell.
edit:
Scratch that. I found it over here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=19519966
Looks like the price was either a mistake or they're out. Either way... we need some devs hacking this thing.
Does anyone know if qnx uses a bootloader/recovery layout like Android? I would be interested to know how much reworking of the firmware would be needed and even so, would it be possible?
Deleted. Wrong thread.
Got one also.
Great video quality, fast, QNX not so bad;
but
App Store a real disappointment.
RIM wants paid for Apps that are free on Android; big big fail!
There is a loader (PowerUp & Volume + and volume minus; hold for 20 seconds)
Hopefully some xda weeney will jump all over this thing.
Great hardware.
Actually faster than my Gtablet w/FB10 (which is great too)!
Picked up one when it went on sale, and has been playing around with it. hardware is nice, QNX is very smooth. The machine is a multi-tasking beast.
Some android apps work,but you have to convert it to a .bar file first. The process can be frustrating.
Apparently people have gotten android app market to work on the playbook through the app player; not exactly sure how it's done but this gives me some hope.
App World, on the other hand, subpar apps that offers a quarter the functionality of free apps on the android market have a price of >$2.99. I can't find a single decent e reader on the app world.
I'm also interested in for getting android to Playbook, even webos if it is possible...
Vote here for playbook forum,
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1416406
ICS is now out and so is the source so who wants to start hacking it?
It can be found on their site. I wanted to put a link in here but I am to much of a newbie.

[Q] Generic Chinese Clone Devices

Ok, so I'm pretty new to this whole Android thing, but I'm not daft and know a think or two about computers and software, so I'm not a complete 'noob'...
However, to spare me the drama of trawling through thousands of pages, I have a few quick concise questions, and would appreciate concise answers.
So I bought a generic handset, branded as an Onyx Dragon though AnTuTu benchmark app tells me its a Yusu... details and specs from Chinavision.com (search Onyx Dragon).
I initially bought it because I needed a new phone (been on a Moto V3 Razr for about 6 years!) so got this cos it was cheap and looked good. Runs Froyo on what I have found to be pretty **** hardware (MT6516, advertised as 416MHz but shown to be around 207MHz, but not sure if this is main CPU or radio core...) with not a lot of RAM. I installed an 8Gb SD card to save the apps and keep as much free internal space as possible, in case the OS supports disc memory (?). The wireless is good and screen works well, but the GPS, navigation and camera are rubbish, but they are not why I bought it; I have a decent camera and I can read a map. Its definitely 'entry level' so I'm not too bothered if I brick it.
Since I got it, and seeing the many cheap 'clones' out there, I'm keen to get into them a bit more and start developing. I already rooted it with z4root, BusyBox and Superuser all installed fine. ROM Manager is running but because I don't know the actual brand I'm not yet running ClockWorkMod (doesn't show up in the list). I'm keen to install Gingerbread or maybe even CyanogenMod 7, but cannot flash the ROM without CWM. Can anyone tell me what phone 'model' I should use for this particular handset?
I can't overclock the chipset, but have been looking at other clones to play with, such as htc Incredible G11i Pro clone from etotalk.com and 'CyberStar' 3G handset with MT6573 650MHz chipset (also from Chinavision).
Does anyone have any knowledge/experience with these clones? They look great and if they work as well as the budget model I have now then there is certainly potential. Sure, they may not be as good as a genuine Galaxy or Nexus, but then the price reflects that. However, as a cheap development platform you can't really go wrong! I'd like to see faster processors and more hardware mod ability such as clocking, just to see what is possible. Anyone tried ICS on one of these? I read elsewhere that if Froyo runs ok on a cheap device then GB should be better. My friend has GB 2.3.3 on a genuine $500 Galaxy S2 and I'd love to show him up with a rooted and clocked clone running ICS for a fraction of the price!!
Well, thats not as concise as I would like, but it covers pretty much everything. One last thing though, I cannot install ES File Explorer 1.6.1, it will download from Market and attempt to install but then fail. The latest version I have is the pre-installed 1.4.2.2. I've tried everything I can think of; downloading on my Mac and copying via USB to install from Astro making sure ES is not running, failed. Tried uninstalling ES with ROM Toolbox having root access and disabled AVG, failed. Tried to launch new version from package options, failed. I have installed ES Task Manager v1.2 but cannot use all the features as it says File Explorer needs to be updated, and needless to say updating it from the prompts failed as well... Any ideas? I'm thinking a flash to GB should include the latest version (or better alternative).
Thanks all in advance!
I don't think it's possible to run ICS on such a low spec'd device. This onyx dragon runs on a 416Mhz ARM9 processor with a 200 Mhz ARM7 GPU. Even the G1 that uses a 528Mhz ARM11 CPU can't run ICS well. I would suggest that you give up on theses crappy chineses devices. If you don't have money you can find a LG Optimus One for 100 bucks on ebay and it is A LOT better than any of these chinese crap phones
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
For CWM, take a look at this site http://www.koushikdutta.com/2010/02/clockwork-recovery-image.html and the quote below
Don't see your phone? Email me if you want to help me get it working!
And of course, all the source can be found on Github.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please use the Q&A Forum for questions Thanks
Moving to Q&A
Hey all, thanks for the feedback. Basically, sure I don't want to spend a lot being a student, I don't have a lot, but I'm keen to get more out of what I can afford, hence the Chinese crap (yes it is crap but if it does what you need...) : ) just a shame I can't clock mine! Does anyone know if ANY MediaTec chips can be?
Sure, I think running ICS is a bit optimistic, but I'd still like to give GB or C-Mod a go, providing I can get CWM installed. I'd like to compile myself and even think about refining my own version, perhaps slimming down a newer version to run on low performance hardware. What's this about a special cable needed with a 3.5mm jack?
And am I right in thinking Honeycomb was only for tablets, not phones...?
droidscope said:
Hey all, thanks for the feedback. Basically, sure I don't want to spend a lot being a student, I don't have a lot, but I'm keen to get more out of what I can afford, hence the Chinese crap (yes it is crap but if it does what you need...) : ) just a shame I can't clock mine! Does anyone know if ANY MediaTec chips can be?
Sure, I think running ICS is a bit optimistic, but I'd still like to give GB or C-Mod a go, providing I can get CWM installed. I'd like to compile myself and even think about refining my own version, perhaps slimming down a newer version to run on low performance hardware. What's this about a special cable needed with a 3.5mm jack?
And am I right in thinking Honeycomb was only for tablets, not phones...?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you are right about honeycomb. As for the device. Without kernel source which will never be released due to copyright issues you may have a bit of trouble Modding it. CM only supports authentic devices and not clones as the hardware specs as you learned are faked and never true.
droidscope said:
Hey all, thanks for the feedback. Basically, sure I don't want to spend a lot being a student, I don't have a lot, but I'm keen to get more out of what I can afford, hence the Chinese crap (yes it is crap but if it does what you need...) : ) just a shame I can't clock mine! Does anyone know if ANY MediaTec chips can be?
Sure, I think running ICS is a bit optimistic, but I'd still like to give GB or C-Mod a go, providing I can get CWM installed. I'd like to compile myself and even think about refining my own version, perhaps slimming down a newer version to run on low performance hardware. What's this about a special cable needed with a 3.5mm jack?
And am I right in thinking Honeycomb was only for tablets, not phones...?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi droidscope,
Not all the Chinese phones are crap there are a few very capable phones now entering the market and they are catching up the bigboys rapidly.
For more info & reviews on the latest Chinese phones check over here http://www.gizchina.com/category/phones/ Try to stick with the branded chinese phones such as Zopo, ZTE, Newman etc because there is at least some support where as the direct copy/clones have no support at all. If buying try to get the phone pre rooted because some of the Chinese phone are getting more difficult to root. I would look here http://www.etotalk.com/ if buying and select the MOD ROM $4.99 for most phones then the phone will come pre rooted with working playstore language etc. They do not 1 to 1 copys although some of the phones have more than a passing look of some of the more famous brands. I have used them a few times and they have not let me down be sure to email them first to ask about stock levels though.

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