I bought this phone to use google wallet will this be possible.... soon? I got the apk and it just said unsupported hardware... this kind of made me nervous...
Sent from my SGH-T769 using XDA
I'm not positive but I believe that Google wallet is currently Sprint network only.
Sent from my SGH-T769 using XDA
well thats not true i got it working on my nexus on tmobile and on my girlfriends galaxy nexus on verizon... i just need an apk that will make it work on the blaze is what im thinking
dudekiller said:
i just need an apk that will make it work on the blaze is what im thinking
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google Wallet depends on an NFC chip, which the Blaze may or may not have.
We have nfc, there are nfc apk's in the system and it says we have tag reading support.
There is NFC on the phone, but I do not think that alone means Google Wallet is supported. I have not found anything stating it can be used....or anyone who has got it working yet.
Google needs to add support for the phone in the app.
The Blaze does not seem to have the secure element necessary for Google Wallet. Besides support in the app itself, two things are needed for Google Wallet to work at this time: NFC, which the Blaze has, and a secure element (SIM cards are technically secure elements, but that needs certain connections between elements within the phone) for the secure transactions needed to support this sort of app. The Blaze does not seem to have the latter. Touch luck.
kmdub said:
The Blaze does not seem to have the secure element necessary for Google Wallet. Besides support in the app itself, two things are needed for Google Wallet to work at this time: NFC, which the Blaze has, and a secure element (SIM cards are technically secure elements, but that needs certain connections between elements within the phone) for the secure transactions needed to support this sort of app. The Blaze does not seem to have the latter. Touch luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This doesn't make much sense to me. What you're referring to is the SmartMX chip element - the NFC chip itself is the 'secure element' since SmartMX is built-in to the chip. Each NFC device has a unique identifier that an app can create an encrypted hash from for mobile payment. It is also a bit of a common sense issue too. If the Samsung Galaxy S has the ability to use Google Wallet, why wouldn't a newer phone? The Galaxy S and the Blaze likely use the same chip - I'm trying to find a teardown that shows the chip number, but so far I've not found the Blaze's info. I'll keep digging later tonight to see if I can find more info.
---------- Post added at 11:50 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:34 AM ----------
It is also worth noting that Google Wallet has a great many limitations and will likely be overrun by the much more supported ISIS nfc payment method, should they ever stop dragging their feet.
This doesn't make much sense to me. What you're referring to is the SmartMX chip element - the NFC chip itself is the 'secure element' since SmartMX is built-in to the chip. Each NFC device has a unique identifier that an app can create an encrypted hash from for mobile payment. It is also a bit of a common sense issue too. If the Samsung Galaxy S has the ability to use Google Wallet, why wouldn't a newer phone? The Galaxy S and the Blaze likely use the same chip - I'm trying to find a teardown that shows the chip number, but so far I've not found the Blaze's info. I'll keep digging later tonight to see if I can find more info.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It may not make sense to you, but that does not make it any less true. If you knew about NXP's NFC solutions, you would know that it is not a "chip," it is a family of chips with different features. NXP makes NFC controllers without secure elements. Some have the secure element, some don't. It is simple in that regards. I have to wonder if you know what a secure element really is, since you say that each NFC chip has a unique identifier that with which you can make an encrypted hash. Ok, it has an identifier that software can use to encrypt things. Any computer can do that. A secure element is much more than being able to encrypt something; it is a separate secure environment (usually a separate OS running on that element) that is only accessible in certain ways. Look up more about the way TPM (Trusted Platform Module) works. Basically, Android asks the secure element for information, and that is the only way it gets that info; it doesn't have full access to that information. It is much more than just encryption. Please, look it up. In short, NFC does not equal secure element, it is that simple.
Look, I know that we all want the Blaze to be able to use Google Wallet. I certainly wish it had the capability, since my wife has this nice phone, and loves it. I think it is a great phone for the money. However, no matter how much we want something to be, sometimes reality wins the day (only sometimes though). I would love to hear a revelation about the Blaze having all the necessary hardware to use Google Wallet, and in fact I don't know for sure that it doesn't. If someone is reasonably certain either way, please let us know.
Where did you hear that the Galaxy S (I assume you mean the original) can use Google Wallet, or NFC for that matter? It is not true. Maybe you mean the Nexus S or Galaxy Nexus? If so, then those two phones don't just have NFC, they also have the secure element parts to go with it. Like I said before, there are other methods to implement a secure element, like the SIM card (a smart card), but again, it requires proper implementation.
For the record, I wasn't saying you're wrong or anything near it. Just making a discussion. Sorry if it came off that way. I was just saying that it wouldn't make any sense to have fewer features on the chip than an older phone has (of course manufactures love to confuse us like that all the time too). I also think it is unlikely as Samsung likely bought the chip in ridiculous bulk quantities (again, unlikely, but not impossible).
It isn't a separate OS, it just has it's own memory that is only accessible by certain 'authorized apps'. This way many of the most common hacks, like a buffer overflow, are impossible since they don't have access to any of the memory containing the secure information. The commands and encrypted information (formed from by hashing the UID on the chip) are still processed by the phone's processor - that is why they had the hacking issues a little while back with other programs eavesdropping on the app.
Yes, I meant the Nexus S, my bad. The NFC chip itself is what has the secure element - the radio, software, and secure element are all on one chip. I just got back home, so I'm going to dig a little more and see if I can find the chip number in the blaze.
For the record, I wasn't saying you're wrong or anything near it. Just making a discussion. Sorry if it came off that way. I was just saying that it wouldn't make any sense to have fewer features on the chip than an older phone has (of course manufactures love to confuse us like that all the time too). I also think it is unlikely as Samsung likely bought the chip in ridiculous bulk quantities (again, unlikely, but not impossible).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem. We are all hoping the Blaze has what we need for Google Wallet. Actually, it does make a bit of sense to have less features on a newer phone when you look at it from a manufacturing and marketing perspective. Blaze - mid-range; Nexus - high-end. At the time of release of course. NFC technology has been available for a while now, it is not new. Sure, it is becoming mainstream now, but it is about cost and marketing.
It isn't a separate OS, it just has it's own memory that is only accessible by certain 'authorized apps'. This way many of the most common hacks, like a buffer overflow, are impossible since they don't have access to any of the memory containing the secure information. The commands and encrypted information (formed from by hashing the UID on the chip) are still processed by the phone's processor - that is why they had the hacking issues a little while back with other programs eavesdropping on the app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I still don't think you quite understand what a secure element is. Yes, in fact, they do have a separate OS with its own memory and cryptoprocessor. Don't think of OS in terms of hundreds of MB of Android. Think RTOS that fits in multiple KB. Seriously, read more. It doesn't work like you think it does.
Yes, I meant the Nexus S, my bad. The NFC chip itself is what has the secure element - the radio, software, and secure element are all on one chip. I just got back home, so I'm going to dig a little more and see if I can find the chip number in the blaze.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
An NFC chip, just like any other modern piece of silicon can have multiple microcontrollers/processors/etc, each having distinct functions, and sometimes running distinct controlling software. I will say it again, the NFC chip may have a secure element integrated with it, but that does not make the NFC microcontroller itself the secure element. It may have a secure element, but it is not itself the secure element. Modern smartphones generally have multiple OS's on them, sometimes on one chip, as is the case with the Blaze. No offense intended, but please read more about this, because I think there is some misunderstanding.
Sorry, I come off as a bit terse. I just don't want anyone to misunderstand.
Yep, you're right. The diagram that I was looking at before was wrong - crappy sources. I found this one that shows it has a micro-controller, not just memory. I have a computer science degree, so I have the technical knowledge, but apparently I suck at finding good sources. I'm a bit confused now how they had such problems with eavesdropping on the app. I'll have to read more on it if I can find the time.
Related
http://www.electronista.com/articles/10/11/24/android.data.exploit.fix.may.be.limited.to.23/
Watch the video too--what do you guys think?
xredjokerx said:
http://www.electronista.com/articles/10/11/24/android.data.exploit.fix.may.be.limited.to.23/
Watch the video too--what do you guys think?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nope...doesn't worry me
OK, it is a real vulnerability, but because you have to know the file name on the SD card, what is the exploit really stealing? Only if some application stores its files on SD, and names this super secret file the same for everyone. Also, if the file is in plain text, then it is not really super secret to start with.
Real vulnerability, but easily mitigated by encrypted sensitive data. If you lose your phone, you have the same problem - I don't think you can remote wipe an SD card, and the thief could pop it out before you do anyway.
So, no real worry IMO.
Google is aware of the issue but has unusually said that the fix will come only with Android 2.3, or Gingerbread. The company didn't explain why it couldn't or wouldn't patch earlier versions but may leave many devices vulnerable due to the fragmented nature of Android updating, Cannon said.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
--from the article
Not to defend Samsung because via my experience with the captivate it has confirmed my belief that their support is terrible, but my first thought upon reading that paragraph was that if Samsung had issued a statement like there would already be 50 posts bashing samsung and their lack of dedication to provide good service to their customers.
Not worried at all. Nothing on my phone to steal.
What does worry me is this statement: "Google is aware of the issue but has unusually said that the fix will come only with Android 2.3, or Gingerbread."
We may never see Gingerbread for this device, that's what worries me the most.
Google should make a patch for existing OS available as well as addressing it in 2.3. Especially since they can't make manufacturers build new releases.
I don't have anything on my phone that would put me in jeopardy anyway, so no.
WTF, really? If you went to a website that started downloading stuff in the background, wouldn't you use task manager and close the browser and/or turn off your data connection as soon as possible? You can clearly see at :55 where it starts downloading a file.
It sucks that Android 2.2 has a vulnerability, but it's all about user behavior. I've gone without an actively scanning virus scanner on my Windows desktop for the last 4 or 5 years and have never once gotten accidentally infected. Security is more about user behavior than it is about fixing every single possible flaw, including those that require knowing the exact path of the files you want to steal from someone.
So I am about to get the Nexus S 4g when it releases on Sprint and I was thinking. Would a HID security card (the kind you would use to open security gates and doors at work or appartment complexes) be able to be theoretically loaded into the NFC chip on the Nexus? Just wondering if this has been thought of or not, but it would eliminate having to carry 3 of the cards on my person for work and to get into my apartment complex. Sorry if this has been discussed before but I've been looking around all day and havent found anything on this.
Label Facing Right said:
So I am about to get the Nexus S 4g when it releases on Sprint and I was thinking. Would a HID security card (the kind you would use to open security gates and doors at work or appartment complexes) be able to be theoretically loaded into the NFC chip on the Nexus? Just wondering if this has been thought of or not, but it would eliminate having to carry 3 of the cards on my person for work and to get into my apartment complex. Sorry if this has been discussed before but I've been looking around all day and havent found anything on this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Card emulation is supported by the hardware but not present in the API yet afaik.
You may also have some difficulty if the cards are not stored with the default read/write keys (they likely use Mifare chips, so you'll need to authenticate to each block with the appropriate key to read). So you may find some difficulty reading the contents even if you were able to do card emulation....maybe not though.
The current card reading apps all appear targeted towards NDEF messages, but the functionality is in the API to read cards (Mifare, NfcA, etc) block by block. You could poke around the market and look at various nfc apps to see if any are out currently for reading all contents, not just NDEF messages.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA Premium App
Thank you, some very useful information. Hopefully it will be supported soon. I mean I can see the security risks (someone just passes the phone over your card if you have it sitting out and they have a duplicate) but it would be pretty cool.
I am very interested in this myself. Has anyone else come across anything that would work? Bump on this thread if anyone has any more info..
thanks
Any new info on this?
I have never owned a cell phone before (yeah, I'm one of the last three who never has), and now am wanting to buy one. My preference is Android. I have some questions about this whole space:
* I don't want a contract. Is it generally true that I can buy any unlocked phone, and a prepaid SIM from Amazon or somewhere, and use them together?
* I'm old (early 60's) and have some generational cultural differences from many (but not all) of you that grew up with and accept social networking. Specifically, I have a zero tolerance policy towards my phone leaking ANY data, under any situation, and a zero tolerance policy for any outside control of the device. That is to say, I will not accept remote updates of software, nor any software which "phones home". I will only accept a phone that is 100% under my control. This seems to create complications, even under Android. If I run a custom firmware such as CM7, is this a goal that I can reasonably achieve? Perhaps with a local firewall on the device?
* I want to use the GPS for wilderness hiking, specifically, to retrace my (approximate) path in the unlikely event I become lost. Is the onboard GPS on phones adequate for such a purpose? I don't need meter-accuracy, but 10 or 15m accuracy would be nice, along with software that would sample my position every (say) 60 seconds and overlay this on a map that MUST be stored locally on the device. I will be out of cell tower range.
* These devices can carry a lot of data, but this seems dangerous on a device that may be lost or stolen. I know there can be a numeric code to unlock the device, but that provides no real security in practice. Is it possible for me to use encryption at the block level with a filesystem on an SD card? Conceptually, I want to mount that card through an encrypted loopback device, with a timeout that will unmount it after a period of inactivity. Possible?
* Specific phones: I liked the LG2X, but it seems many people have big problems with it. I liked the Sensation, but it has a locked bootloader -> nonstarter. So I'm looking at the Mytouch 4G. How big a limitation is GSM in practice, within the continental US?
* When 802.11 is available, will I be able to use my existing VOIP provider instead of a cell network to make voice calls?
Thanks for any help that anyone might give a complete phone newbie.
Is there perhaps a more suitable forum for me to ask "hey, I've never even owned a cell phone before" type questions? If someone could point me to a better place to ask my clueless questions, that'd be wonderful.
Maybe you will buy HTC HD2?
It's a good phone for start, and it has all of the things what you need
Thanks Rafal.Sw, but that seems to be a Windows Mobile phone, and I'd prefer to stick with open source operating systems.
In any case, I'm more after information here than specific phone recommendations. Thanks for your reply though.
But you can always install android on this Phone, i have it and it's wonderful for me
The specific phone model is really not my primary question. I'm looking for information on my questions above, or failing that, a place more appropriate for novices to ask such things.
Thanks...
Research is key. Search button is your friend and essential. friendly reminder as always
Yes unlocked GSM devices are able to connect to a compatible carrier / sim card. For instance I have an unlocked GSM from att but i hate contracts and burning a hole in my pocket. So.. i went to best buy and grabbed an h2o sim kit and poppeed. It in VOILA. Service= no contract = more money. Of course there are plenty others. With different. Pre paid plans. That's just one of many i use.
Alot of these devices will work around the world ESPECIALLY an unlocked GSM device. Of course they will have to have the WORLD phone type basebands. To achieve this if traveling the world.
GPS has come along way since eclair, and is getting signifucally better all the time. However this really depends on your device and its hardware/software When you see a phone you like find the oppropriate forum and thread and learn about that device. Here on xda.
As far as security with android its great and getting better and better. They stay up to date with the latest. The biggest RISK/ ONLY common are with an OPEN all wifi access connection. Also The problem lies when someone( the user) puts bad apps or pirate apps and files in the device making it vulnerable.
To keep data safe on your phone can be achieved in a number of ways, to name a couple, numerous locks can be applied on apps files even before the device boots up, there are also apps that will wipe every thing on your device if lost or stolen by using your computer to control it. Also apps that will track your phone so you can find it
I to are very strict on the control of my device and with that there are great apps with the kind of extra protection you look for ex. Firewalls, malwate spyware blockers etc. There is no need to unmiunt an SD card. Do you take out your harddrive on your computer when not in USE? "Rhetorical "
CM7 is built AOSP from the ground up. They are in no way or have anything to do with the carrier or its original manufacture. Its totally custom build. Extremely knowledgeable developers who take pride in their work for all of us for free. This is not for your average user. These builds are still in ongoing development and not available for every device. However these builds are very stable for and a daily driver
YES YOU CAN, For VOIP calls, there are apps for that and I've used it for a couple years now, alot of devices can and have already support it, and takes a litle tinkering to get them to work. Now days the Devices coming out have VOIP already ready for setup out of the box. With easy setup
If you want the the best bang for your Buck,
Samsung Galaxy S 2. Is what i recommend. It's truly the best of the best. Along with EVO 3d. And Motorola D3
Sent from SGS Captivate CM7 or MIUI with Escapist orTKGlitch using XDA premium app.
Search button is your friend and essential
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
<nod> I've done some, but there are things I can't quite find anyone discussing, like the use of GPS for wilderness hiking, or the details of block level encryption.
I agree with you 100% about contracts. I'm not sure why they're so popular. They seem more expensive overall, and less flexible.
There is no need to unmiunt an SD card. Do you take out your harddrive on your computer when not in USE?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, no, but I don't carry the whole machine around in my pocket, either. Somehow the only thing I really trust to keep my data secure is encryption, but then there's this issue of how long the data stays decrypted. You have to be able to use it, but if you lose the device, no one else should be able to see it.
CM7 is built AOSP from the ground up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, which is why I'd trust it more than the carrier supplied software. I'm pretty much restricting my device choices to ones that CM7 supports, which does rule out several otherwise attractive phones.
Thanks - the Galaxy S2 does look interesting. Is it supported by CM7? Their "devices" page only lists the Galaxy S.
Thanks for the insights, rwells813!
YES, Samsung has sent a SGS2 over to an Cm7 dev. To play with. So i assume in do time it will be a supported mainline. I believe he has test builds for it already . I haven't tried them yet with mine yet. I stick with one dev. Phone at a time. My captivate is the Guinea. Pig. Good luck mate.
Sent from SGS Captivate CM7 or MIUI with Escapist orTKGlitch using XDA premium app.
This may be a strange request, but I would like to get a phone for my young child that is unable to access the internet. I can disable data services through my network provider, but need a phone without Wifi capabilities. However, I would like to get him a touchscreen smartphone if possible.
Does anyone know of such a phone? The only one I have found so far is the Sony Ericsson W150 Yendo, but are there any others?
Thanks
Samsung Touchwiz i think
its pretty old so i dont have that option
The HTC Freestyle from at&t in the United States doesn't have a wifi chip built in so it is required to use cellular data. If you block it there won't be a way for that phone to access internet.
Its basically a dummed down android phone (lower specs and no wifi).
It is GSM, and unlockable for cheap .
Specs are here: gsmarena.com/htc_freestyle-3707.php
I order my unlock codes from a site: unlockusa.com
It has more than USA unlocks available and does AT&T unlocks pretty cheap .
Sorry for not posting the links, only my second post
---------- Post added at 08:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:38 PM ----------
deadlocked007 said:
That's horrible man. Don't taunt a kid with a smartphone but disable the WiFi. That's just plain horrible. The point of smartphones almost entirely revolves around their advanced use of the internet. Just buy the kid a feature phone for goodness sakes...
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A smartphone without any data options is still better than a feature phone without them. . .
Better OS, better phone experience.
Also to the OP.. if you disable data to the device that doesn't have any WiFi ability.. it will be impossible for them t download apps or use any of the features like the google play store, maps, etc without you calling in to re-enable the data for the time being, and then disabling it again afterwards.
Well.. you said touchscreen not smartphone. There's the Samsung champ which doesn't have Wi-Fi
Sent from my GT-S5360 using XDA
SeaTan said:
This may be a strange request, but I would like to get a phone for my young child that is unable to access the internet. I can disable data services through my network provider, but need a phone without Wifi capabilities. However, I would like to get him a touchscreen smartphone if possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Out of curiosity, what are the reasons? Does he need a phone at all? Why a touchscreen phone and not a regular one?
Sent from my Epic Touch (Blazer ROM) using XDA
LG Cookie? Not a smartphone, but no WiFi and a quite decent touchscreen... Lot of kids have it since it has touchscreen and it's very cheap
deadlocked007 said:
What do you mean better experience -_- you can't do anything with it.... Like what you are saying. The kid will just lust for the use of data man
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The feature phones don't have as nice of a touchscreen (such as the response to touch). They also don't have as nice of menus, or anything to do with messaging is just easier with an android os device. Calling / Contacts, use of an SD card is all much better with a smartphone. Feature phones are quirky with reading pictures off of an SD card that didn't originate in the phone. Whereas android phones have no problems reading any picture files on an SD card.
Bottom line, if you could pick a feature phone, or an android device. Neither getting WiFi or any data connectivity.. which would you choose?
Is it not possible to root and just delete the WiFi modules on any phone?
Send from beneath my cloak of magic
Also, the absence of data transfer plan or wifi seems kinda stupid on a OS (Android) that was made to be in sync to the services it provides generally (Google). You even need to login in order to use the device.
The touchscreen argument generally will not hold a lot of water. ZTE even makes Android phones with resistive touchscreens.
Sent from my ICSed HP G42 using XDA
The original Palm Pixi? That's one of the only modern touchscreen smartphones that I can think of without WiFi.
Just dont tell him the wifi password?
Jk, but if your coming to XDA for help i would suggest rooting it and taking out everything related to wifi from /system
You could use any android phone and simply lock wifi access with https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sp.protector.free&hl=en so that you could install apps they need but they could not.
That way they get the benefit of new apps or updates without them being able to access the phones wifi.
It also allows locking any app such as browser etc.
Dave
( http://www.google.com/producer/editions/CAownKXmAQ/bigfatuniverse )
Sent from my LG P920 using Tapatalk 2
bigraymeehan said:
The feature phones don't have as nice of a touchscreen (such as the response to touch). They also don't have as nice of menus, or anything to do with messaging is just easier with an android os device. Calling / Contacts, use of an SD card is all much better with a smartphone. Feature phones are quirky with reading pictures off of an SD card that didn't originate in the phone. Whereas android phones have no problems reading any picture files on an SD card.
Bottom line, if you could pick a feature phone, or an android device. Neither getting WiFi or any data connectivity.. which would you choose?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol what? If you have Verizon I suggest you check out the envtouch by LG. Touch screen, 3" display and you can flip it open for a full QWERTY keyboard that in my opinion no phone stands up to not even Droid 4 even though I like that phones keyboard envroich's is still better.
Never had trouble with SD card, or pictures that where not from that phone. Hell all of my razr v2 camera pics all displayed fine.
Video was a bit of a pain but its a feature phone. And unless you are going from android to envtouch you want notice anything wrong with how well the touch screen works.
Can envtouch be a bastard yeah but so is my dx2 hell I like my envtouch a little bit more then my dx2. Well my old dx2 anyway just got my replacement dx2 and its bugs are far less (though that damn music skip is still there.
For a feature phone the envtouch was the best out of my (unnamed Samsung, my razr, and my razr v2).
Good touch screen
Full QWERTY keyboard
Stereo audio
SD expansion
Good menu system
Good basic apps
Nice build (never needed a screen protector nor case and syllable in great shape)
No wifi.
Sent from my DROID X2 using XDA
You are the most worst parent in the world.
OptimusLove said:
You are the most worst parent in the world.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's an oxymoron
Send from beneath my cloak of magic
Getting a touchscreen smartphone without WiFi will be awkward as most of the apps need and use WiFi.There is no use of a smartphone without WiFi And i think you cant call a phone without WiFi a SMARTPHONE.:
He'll be able to side load apps from the SD card, won't need wifi necessarily. Still think it would be easier to just disable the wifi modules on any phone. How old is the kid?
Nokia 5230 or Nokia 5233 if you don't want 3G.
Lets face it, OP is a idiotic child abuser that wants his child to not use new tech. Id rather molest a child than give a low end phone, Its okay 2 years ago, now its not.
OptimusLove said:
Lets face it, OP is a idiotic child abuser that wants his child to not use new tech. Id rather molest a child than give a low end phone, Its okay 2 years ago, now its not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends on the child. If the kid is responsible enough, give him/her a phone. I see many kids abuse the power of smartphones by taking pictures, harassing other people by calls, SMS or internet, porn, etc... .
I am accustomed to using and working within the generic android environment. I generally like it. I am pretty much exclusively a Samsung guy but I just recently got my wife a G3. I have read all the things about how I can make my phone lightning quick without all the bloatware and I can be entitled to all the event driven programming that stock android allows me but I have to say, I 90% like what I get out of the box. Sure, there are little annoyances that come up but mostly what I want to gain is the 10%. I don't want to reinvent the wheel and put in a new launcher and then have to get accustomed to a whole new way of doing things. Or worse, my camera might not work as well etc.
I am mostly sold. I don't care about voided warranties. I am going to drop $800 on a Note 4 in the coming weeks when it finally rolls out and frankly I would like to really access the power of that processor and ram (whether it is 3 or 4 gigs - only Samsung knows right now). A big part of my buying the phone is the compatibility with the SPen. I am a business man so it would negate me buying it, to root it and then see the SPen go bye bye. In short, this phone is to be a simple tool for my business but I am afraid of what I am about to get.
Let me go back a bit. Last week, I bought my wife a G3. Another top of the line phone. I bought it and am considering the note 4 for the same reason, they can do split screens. I thought I might be able to do limitedly with the phone on the go what I do with my laptop, drag and drop from email to email, files. The note 4 is going to be a powerful phone but who knows if we are there yet. Regardless, from these forums and around the net, it seem the technology is there. So what is there to do? I like the bulk of Samsung's programming but it really angered me when I started toying with the LG G3 and I discovered that I could not open all apps in their duel mode. I mean what the H E double hockeysticks! How does LG know what I would find valuable to have open at once?
So, I am committed to the Note 4 because I know I will get top of the line. I am assuming that I am going to be restricted from using the phone like I want, like the LG and will be faced with: to root or not to root. What I am saying is, can I root the phone and still keep all the stuff I like? yes I know one of you nifty busy-bodies have not even gotten your hands on the phone yet to discover how to mess with it and get by knoks etc but do you feel my pain and understand my quandary?
It is not that I am afraid to root. I am adventurous at heart but I need to make money. I am a business man. I don't make money by the hour but by the opportunity. When I see something that can help me be productive, I try to implement it into my way of doing things. I like tinkering like you guys. I appreciate you but I only have limit time to do these things, otherwise they become distractions. So I don't have hours to figure out why my main camera is now only taking selfies on the face of the phone instead or why the SPen doesn't work. I want what I want but the move needs to make sense to me.
So the basic question is: if I go down this path (with any phone) can I root and still have touchwiz experience, for instance just so I can mess with the phone ever so slightly? A side question would be - am I going to find many disadvantages for the right of having full control of my phone such as having to update the phone or having bugs? I guess, the simple short question is: Do the challenges outweigh the benefits?
I have currently an old S2 that is working. I am using a galaxy LTE awaiting, the note 4. But, I assume I am going to get pretty angry when I find that an $800+ phone won't what a hack can make it do. I just don't want to lose everything else for the sake of one entitlement. So, I can practice seeing what it is like doing these things with my S2 or even my recent LTE. I just have not seen anyone bring this up. People go on about the romance of blanking out a phone for total freedom but they don't tell me much about how close the new launchers are going to be to what I am used to.
Thanks, community for all that you develop. You are cool. I only wish I had countless hours to mess around with this stuff but money has to be made. Believe me, I am looking for any excuse to have a "lightning fast" phone or to do some funky things like you guys do, but give me the war stories. Tell me if I have to decide to compromise. Recommend a launcher maybe. Yes I know the Note can't even be developed yet but it will someday. Anyway, thanks.
I'm not sure you understand exactly what root does. Root gives you "root" level access, aka Superuser, aka Administrator access. Think of Android like a computer in a public library. Lots of things (settings, certain programs, certain directories mainly) are locked down and inaccessible by people who don't have the password or an admin account, because they don't want people messing around with them. Android is the same way. Many (most?) people think of smartphones as just that - phones. They don't think of it as a computer, even though that's exactly what it is, in every aspect of the word. Without restrictions, it would be very, very easy for the average user to completely screw up their phone.
And that is why Android comes with these restrictions (which carriers exploit to install unremovable apps). Rooting your phone removes many of these restrictions, which is also why rooting typically voids your warranty. You might want to root to get rid of useless bloatware like NFL Mobile or Verizon Navigation or Samsung's browser because you only use Chrome. But it's just as easy to (accidentally or stupidly) delete a core Android program, and now your phone is stuck in a crash loop and you've got a $700 battery powered paper weight.
That said, root gives you Superuser access. And that's it. Root doesn't change anything, for better or worse.
It's what you do with that access that matters. Freezing/deleting bloatware that would otherwise be constantly running in the background can improve your phone's performance. You can install the Xposed framework to clear up your notification panel and status bar, add functionality to your buttons, and port features from other brands to work on yours. Tasker is a very powerful (and very confusing) app that you can use to make your phone do things automatically depending on where you are, when it is, etc. You can block ads within games and browsers. You can do back-ups of your apps and data and share them between devices, or when moving from and old phone to a new one. With root sometimes you can bypass restrictions imposed by the carrier because they want to milk you for more money (like wifi hotspot).
I'm also not certain you understand what a launcher is. The launcher is merely the interface. Homescreens, app drawer, dock, icons, etc. I honestly don't know what a 3rd party launcher like Nova, Apex, or Go does to S-Pen functionality on the Note series. But it's merely a different interface, which can be disabled or uninstalled without issue.
What you might be thinking of is the ROM itself. ROM is a bit of a misnomer (meaning Read Only Memory, like a CD_ROM or DVD-ROM), but in the Android world, the ROM is what we have taken to call the operating system. For example, a TouchWiz ROM is heavily modified, and very different than the ROM of a Nexus, which is 100% "stock" Android. Then you have custom ROMs like Cyanogenmod. Installing a different ROM on your Note 4 will absolutely kill your S-Pen functionality, unless it's based on the stock N4 ROM (for example, stock, but debloated, streamlined, and tweaked a bit) and retains those features that Samsung built into it.
With a launcher you can make one phone's homescreen and app drawer look like another's. But when you go into the settings, they'll look different, because that's the ROM, not the launcher you're looking at.
One thing to nota bene is that Samsung has become increasingly restrictive about root and unlocked bootloaders. An unlocked bootloader is required to flash a different ROM (although running different ROMs in Safestrap is usually still possible). Samsung flagships from AT&T and Verizon are notoriously restricted. Google "towelroot" to find out just how restrictive they're getting. Of the "big 4" US carriers, T-Mobile is undoubtedly the least restrictive. With AT&T and T-Mo you also have the option to buy an "unlocked" device, but you won't get the pay-over-time benefits of a subsidy or payment plan. "Unlocked" refers to carrier compatibility, not the bootloader (although carrier unlocked phones are typically easier to unlock the bootloader). But if you subsidize a phone from VZW or AT&T, particularly one from the Samsung Note or Galaxy S line, it's entirely possible that root might never be achieved, or might take a long time. We're talking about rooting a phone that isn't even out yet, and we have no idea what kind of "security" measures are in store.
Root is a powerful tool, but the most powerful tool for your phone other than root is knowledge. Read, read, read, read, ask some questions, and read and read. Find some "for dummies" guides and read those. Watch some youtube videos. The problem with XDA, if there is one, is that stuff like this doesn't have a learning "curve" so much as a learning "sheer cliff made of buttered ice". Lots of acronyms, jargon, technical terms, and other gibberish. Grab some coffee or Red Bull, and start learning.