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Don't buy samsung

Samsung is a manufacturer which is having the most market shares currently.But, their customer aftermarket support is the worst.
As all of us know, the Galaxy line of devices are so successful today for having a sales of up to millions.The reason for this is from the start of the Galaxy S.It is their flagship phone in 2010, with a sales of about 20 million globally. Now, Samsung have made a decision not to upgrade the Galaxy S to the newset Android 4.0. Source: http://www.samsungtomorrow.com/2043
Translated English page by Sammobile : http://www.sammobile.com/2011/12/22/official-no-android-4-0-for-galaxy-s-and-galaxy-tab/
Is it a hardware issue?No, it is because they just don't want to upgrade it and wants people to buy their new phones so they can make more money.And even Sony Ericsson done soooo much better than them. They decided to upgrade their whole 2011 Xperia line of devices, even including the 150$ Xperia Mini.
Yes i know that the Galaxy S is an old device, which already exceeded the 18 months of software update. But well, what happens to its other brother? The Galaxy S Super Clear LCD i9003 which launched about the same time as the Galaxy S2, and the Galaxy S Plus which have not even exceeded 6 months,and the recently Galaxy W,what would happen to them?And also, the Galaxy S have so much similarities to the Nexus S, which had its Ice Cream Sandwich update about 1 week ago.
It is a BIG SHAME that Samsung would make this decision, as these devices are still in the 18 months software update timeline. Is the Google's Android Update Alliance dead? Most of us would probably say yes. If Samsung are not gonna rethink this and release the new update for the Galaxy S phones, I would be sure that this is my first and last Samsung phone ever.Samsung is just caring its sales of new devices and its money.My next phone would be only from Google, the Nexus line.

I'm guessing u have a galaxy s? All companies are like that all they care about is money. Why give it to the old phone when they can Just make a new one and give it to that one and make double or triple the money. Just because their greedy didn't mean its a bad phone. Just saying. Funny thing is I have an HTC
Sent from my Inspire 4G using xda premium

These companies are venomous, I'm going to get an n9 even if its a dying breed
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA App

The best part about this post is the last sentence. The Nexus is made by Samsung buddy...

LMAO he doesn't know that Google phones are still made by Samsung (cue the Galaxy Nexus)
Sent from my GT-S5830 using XDA App

ODD PHONE ERA Reply
boss man Kole said:
I'm guessing u have a galaxy s? All companies are like that all they care about is money. Why give it to the old phone when they can Just make a new one and give it to that one and make double or triple the money. Just because their greedy didn't mean its a bad phone. Just saying. Funny thing is I have an HTC
Sent from my Inspire 4G using xda premium
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The market is just a joke now - the devices are all junk really. Everybody can get one now because they're free on contract, and that has totally killed the value of a "smartphone", even if we can get them cheaper now. For this reason, there's no need to cry over spilled milk. I had an HTC Diamond from 2009 up until this year, when it wasn't worth it to repair because the market screwed itself so badly. I (sadly) carry around a Samsung Epic (the superior of all the Galaxy S series), but it'll never be able to replace the magic of Windows Mobile that our quickly moving market/retarded Microsoft has frowned upon.
- 2B

Motorola is the worse when it comes to upgrade
and with their locked bootloader you can't even load custom ROMs
HTC is heading the same way as Moto

If you want updates then next time just get a nexus device next time your available for an upgrade or get a crapple iPhone!! ;p
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using xda premium

If you are whining about updates why don't you flash a custom rom? Or get a nexus? Oh wait....
Sent from my E10i using XDA App

people who care about receiving the latest update would be on forums like this - by extension you will have dabbled with custom roms.
samsung gave their reason why they couldn't put ICS on the older devices - it involves touchwiz, which is their core skin - samsung aren't going to ditch it for their non nexus devices anytime soon (otherwise every android handset would really be "the same as the next").
load a custom rom with no skins onto your phone and stop complaining, or buy a new device. nobody guaranteed you any updates to the latest firmware - and hell, i wouldn't be surprised if the galaxy s 2 won't receive an update to android letter "J" because the screen resolution is too small or something.

Stop whining and get a new device. I was once a Galaxy S user, and have been through the Eclair, Froyo and Gingerbread era. I am more than satisfied to have this phone supported until Gingerbread. Besides, I can flash the ported ICS rom if I want to.

Wiggy Fuzz said:
people who care about receiving the latest update would be on forums like this - by extension you will have dabbled with custom roms.
samsung gave their reason why they couldn't put ICS on the older devices - it involves touchwiz, which is their core skin - samsung aren't going to ditch it for their non nexus devices anytime soon (otherwise every android handset would really be "the same as the next").
load a custom rom with no skins onto your phone and stop complaining, or buy a new device. nobody guaranteed you any updates to the latest firmware - and hell, i wouldn't be surprised if the galaxy s 2 won't receive an update to android letter "J" because the screen resolution is too small or something.
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Spot on! Most of the average consumer don't give a damn about what android version they are using, the manufacturer skin and other stuff about that. As long as the phone is works just nice, then they don't care about the versions they are using. I even saw phones (Xperia X8) still stuck at 2.1 and yet the phone works just fine. Did the phone render unusable for not having 4.0? No right? If those guys (especially techies) still whine about manufacturers not giving updates or some sort why don't they flash a custom rom? Problem Solved.

Bro!
This is ****ing XD-****ing-A!
root your phone and flash the ****!
You're pissed off at a company for not putting out OTAs of upgrades?
We're talking about Android here, the OS that I love, that i die for. What are we talking about, Android? We're talking about Android! What are we talking about, Android?
This is XDA homez!
root your phone and flash ICS!
How in the name of Zeus did you go 4 days with a stock ROM on ANY Samsung device? How the **** did you not void your warranty the second you unboxed your phone??
In ALL of the time you spent putting together this very eloquent and moving post, you could have rooted your phone and flashed a custom ROM.
Just wait for CM8 on EVERY device, don't worry about it, you're getting bent out of shape.

Can old S even handle 4.0 hardware wise? How much ram does 4.0 need to run comfortably?
Also, OP, you've clearly NEVER really been a phone enthusiast, have you? Go look up OMNIA HD, for example. People still used and more or less loved it despite how little support it got even from the community.

Skv012a said:
Can old S even handle 4.0 hardware wise? How much ram does 4.0 need to run comfortably?
Also, OP, you've clearly NEVER really been a phone enthusiast, have you? Go look up OMNIA HD, for example. People still used and more or less loved it despite how little support it got even from the community.
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yeah dude, ICS uses like so much less resources then even Sense 1.0, you could probably flash it on a motorola startac

orangekid said:
Bro!
This is ****ing XD-****ing-A!
root your phone and flash the ****!
You're pissed off at a company for not putting out OTAs of upgrades?
We're talking about Android here, the OS that I love, that i die for. What are we talking about, Android? We're talking about Android! What are we talking about, Android?
This is XDA homez!
root your phone and flash ICS!
How in the name of Zeus did you go 4 days with a stock ROM on ANY Samsung device? How the **** did you not void your warranty the second you unboxed your phone??
In ALL of the time you spent putting together this very eloquent and moving post, you could have rooted your phone and flashed a custom ROM.
Just wait for CM9 on EVERY device, don't worry about it, you're getting bent out of shape.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fixed. XD
It is just amusing to see that non-android techies just whine about (Insert phone manufacturer here) not giving updates to (Insert phone of the manufacturer). And OP even rant in a forum called XDA.... Head-------->Wall
What? Did the phone rendered unusable for not having 4.0? Well, you can get a freaking Nexus... and Problem Solved.
BTW Sammy is one of the most dev-friendly manufacturers out there. They tried to make everything open source, having an open bootloader and even gave SGS2s to CM7 developers. They hired Steve Kondik (The guy who worked on the popular CyanogenMod Rom) too. Unlike HTC which locks down bootloaders on their devices and lied about it about the bootloader unlock thingy.
---------- Post added at 02:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:32 AM ----------
orangekid said:
yeah dude, ICS uses like so much less resources then even Sense 1.0, you could probably flash it on a motorola startac
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I lol'd at this.

rocker529 said:
My next phone would be only from Google, the Nexus line.
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You do realize that last two Nexus phones were made by Samsung, right?

AnyMal said:
You do realize that last two Nexus phones were made by Samsung, right?
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Unless OP wants to get a Nexus One which won't be updated to ICS officially....

sooyong94 said:
Fixed. XD
It is just amusing to see that non-android techies just whine about (Insert phone manufacturer here) not giving updates to (Insert phone of the manufacturer). And OP even rant in a forum called XDA.... Head-------->Wall
What? Did the phone rendered unusable for not having 4.0? Well, you can get a freaking Nexus... and Problem Solved.
BTW Sammy is one of the most dev-friendly manufacturers out there. They tried to make everything open source, having an open bootloader and even gave SGS2s to CM7 developers. They hired Steve Kondik (The guy who worked on the popular CyanogenMod Rom) too. Unlike HTC which locks down bootloaders on their devices and lied about it about the bootloader unlock thingy.
---------- Post added at 02:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:32 AM ----------
I lol'd at this.
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lol thx for the fix, was laughing my ass off at Jim Rome and slipped the 8 instead of 9

Just get nexus end of story.

ainol novo novo 7 Aurora

Hi ppl!
I just received my 16gb aurora tablet and rooted it already :thumbup: OK so what do you think its gonna be a thread for this device? Some CWMRecovery, custom kernels or even roms?
HOPE YES!
Sent from my GT-P6210 using xda premium

saruba said:
Hi ppl!
I just received my 16gb aurora tablet and rooted it already :thumbup: OK so what do you think its gonna be a thread for this device? Some CWMRecovery, custom kernels or even roms?
HOPE YES!
Sent from my GT-P6210 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
YES! , it have CWMRecovery, but not many .zip rom for now
lets see :
http://www.slatedroid.com/forum/280-ainol-novo-7-aurora/

http://www.slatedroid.com/topic/29280-rom-novo-7-essential-clean-rom-v05-for-aurora/
I received my Aurora 16GB on Friday
I use a custom ROM which is stable, with a full access to the market (V0.4) see above
Happy until now

About ainol novo 7 aurora
I also buy it. As it is a Made in China product. Roms from China will be much more stable.
---------- Post added at 05:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:42 PM ----------
Here are 2 roms for you.
http://bbs.imp3.net/forum.php?mod=v...ra=page=1&filter=typeid&typeid=507&typeid=507
http://bbs.imp3.net/forum.php?mod=v...ra=page=1&filter=typeid&typeid=507&typeid=507
They are all stable and fast. I have tried them =]

I had posted this attached to a thread in the main Q&A but was suggested I post here. Rather then start a new thread thought I'd piggy back here. Thanks for any thoughts you have.
I will probably order the Ainol NOVO Aurora today or tomorrow and have spent a bunch of time finding customer experiences with the half dozen or more vendors and haven't found a consensus.
I wish there was a U.S. vendor that shipped from the U.S. I'd be willing to pay a small premium, but alas, it doesn't look like I have that option.
I've narrowed down the vendors to either Merimobiles or UPlayTablet. Before I flip the coin, I'll post here, a place where I've become very pleased with the quality posts and knowledge of the people posting.
Any final words of wisdom before I take the plunge?

It's okay.
Hope you didn't take the plunge just yet.
I received my Aurora 2 days ago and I have rooted it and put a custom rom on it.
rooting process and all was was fairly easy once I found the right stuff.
There's also a community out there that's of fair size, but it's not that amazing even for the price, the screen is okay and it feels pretty good to hold. But over all it's just too laggy in day to day things, typing for instance
With the nexus 7 coming out in the next little while you'd be much better off waiting for that.
Videos do play very well though, including 1080p mkv's, which makes me a little surprised at laggy everywhere else.
Also touch screen is a little unsensitive.
Just my thoughts.

alpward said:
Hope you didn't take the plunge just yet.
I received my Aurora 2 days ago and I have rooted it and put a custom rom on it.
rooting process and all was was fairly easy once I found the right stuff.
There's also a community out there that's of fair size, but it's not that amazing even for the price, the screen is okay and it feels pretty good to hold. But over all it's just too laggy in day to day things, typing for instance
With the nexus 7 coming out in the next little while you'd be much better off waiting for that.
Videos do play very well though, including 1080p mkv's, which makes me a little surprised at laggy everywhere else.
Also touch screen is a little unsensitive.
Just my thoughts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks but I already took the plunge. Hopefully it will arrive next week. I've spent the time since I ordered reviewing the slatedroid forum. I don't have any confidence yet to install a different rom. I developed that confidence on my KF from reading this forum in about a day.
For now I'll be sticking with the stock rom.
Where did you get yours?

I've had one for about a week (v3, lg screen). For the price it is very good value for money, but definitely not perfect. It does lag, terribly when using the keyboard. I bought it for watching video, internet browsing, reading ebooks and fire occasional gaming. Despite the lag issues it's a great tablet.
Edit:
I've now overclocked mine using setcpu. My settings are stable at 1152 max, 600 min, performance governor. It has made a huge difference to the lag and I highly recommend this. I've also used titanium backup to freeze some of the bloatware. As I do not use this with a 3g dongle I will shortly remove the phone apk's (Phone, TelephonyProvider and Wappushmanager) to remove the mobile standby wakelocks as mentioned in post 109 here.
Lee
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

Ive had mine for 2 weeks, and having owned 6 tablets so far, everything from the Augen7 to the Nook Color (3 of those in the house now)
Until I got this the NC was the tablet I always recomended in the under $200 category.
Well having used it daily for 2 weeks and not updated anything (yet) this is now my #1 recommendation.
As for 'local' retailers, if you dont mind the "premium" MP4Nation is delivered through Amazon. For me that gave me a good sense of security since as a prime member I was able to have it ovenighted to me for $5
Im color blind but can see a difference in the screen. everyone at work who ses it starts telling ME I must have droppped IPAD $ on it.
I work in IT so most tabs are IPADS, at the moment. Ive had 3 folks order these since.
Ill slide over to slate and see whats up with new roms, but honestly stock really works well, for my needss anyway

Ad Hoc Wifi Support
hi guyz, I need help, i have wifi but its ad hoc connection, android doesn't support ad hoc, so i hope u guyz can help me. i saw enable ad hoc at galaxy tab, so i think this tab also will support ad hoc.
so guys plz tell me how to enable ad hoc wifi support on this tab? whats the process?..
& one another thing, how to root this device?
plz reply..

Need HELP!
dekylee said:
I also buy it. As it is a Made in China product. Roms from China will be much more stable.
---------- Post added at 05:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:42 PM ----------
Here are 2 roms for you.
They are all stable and fast. I have tried them =]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey... I haven't installed any ROM on my Aurora yet. And I'm a beginner at this stuff.
My tab details are:
Android version - 4.0.3
Baseband version - 0.9
Kernel version - 3.0.8
Build number - 20120228.142352
Can you please tell me which of one these two chinese ROMs (mentioned above) will work great for me?

Try the CM10 for allwinner A10 devices. It's jelly bean and works great for me. much faster and smoother than ice cream sandwich

philippu1988 said:
Try the CM10 for allwinner A10 devices. It's jelly bean and works great for me. much faster and smoother than ice cream sandwich
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would this work on the A2? I'm currently running DS24
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

Lack of development

Just curious...What's the deal with the lack of development with our tab...specifically with the wifi version? Are the developers more interested in other tabs or what? Development just started to pick up and then went dead.

cavsoldier19d said:
Just curious...What's the deal with the lack of development with our tab...specifically with the wifi version? Are the developers more interested in other tabs or what? Development just started to pick up and then went dead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not a developer but speaking strickly as a tablet user I can honestly say this is the first tablet I have owned where I had no desire to modify it in any way. This tablet functions just the way I want it too right out of the box.
So for me , lack of development has never been an issue.

Have to admit, even though I rooted so I could use Apps2SD, my Note is fairly perfect just the way it is.

It could be that they're waiting for jelly bean.
And yeah, the note is pretty much perfect the way it is.
I will say that I had the same problem with my note GT 7000 (the phone) having the perfect GUI.
It would be nice to see some fast kernels and slim Roms though. Maybe some themes.
Sent from my GT-N8013 using xda premium

blud7 said:
It would be nice to see some fast kernels and slim Roms though. Maybe some themes.
Sent from my GT-N8013 using xda premium
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Click to collapse
+1. Exactly my point. ROMs arent always aosp. With our tab, because of the s pen functionality, its a given that custom stock roms would make more sense. But stock roms can always be slimmed down and tweaked.

I have asked a few devs if they could consider developing for the Note 10.1. And they have all asked they have a very tight schedeule but maybe later ( Indiemega) and another said about the same but he would be glad to help (Wanam) if i liked to develop myself. And its really no point in just building something thats no better or diffrent from stock. And that would be what i would have come up with, i dont have any skills to see what MOD or TWEAK would fit nice and that doesnt interfere with some other tweak. Lets just hope for the best and maybe when prices goes down in a couple of months the devs start coming.

I too don't pretty much have any issue in the way my Note 10.1 performs. It is already cool. Plus the promised JB update will make it even better. So why bother developing anything for something that's bound to get better in near future?
Let's wait and see and in the meantime enjoy our precious

Im going to say this again... theres always a need for development. No matter how good the stock rom is we as a community need custom roms. Lol
Sent from my GT-N8013 using Tapatalk HD

I don't feel the need for this tablet... Just waiting for Jelly Beans!
Also can't wait for the Note II!
Develop for those that really need it.

this is the first tablet where i've had where stock is pretty damn good. great battery life, snappy processor, no real bugs... other than some apps i don't need this thing is great as is. even overclocking wouldn't make much of a difference in my usage.
still i'd probably flash a good JB rom when ever they start rolling out.

Devs come super handy when the product you like so mucho gets dropped officially, say goodbye to sweet potatoe pie 6.0, unless you upgrade the hardware.
dont burn bridges man, we need devs in the later years, no doubt.
This thread may interest some of you,
[PETITION] Let's get some Exynos sources!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1925709
spreading the good word

[Q] Do you buy phones for custom ROMs?

How many phones do you have? Do you buy a separate phone to install custom ROMs?

I have only one and for last few months I am playing with custom ROMs. It is great when you give new life to older phone, like mine. Motorola Defy+ with Quarx custom kernel and CM10 4.1.2. Like new phone. :good:

I just have one, but I change my custom romantic weekly. it's fun
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app

Just one. Can't afford two lol
Sent from my HTC One S using xda app-developers app

Three, all have custom ROMs. Captivate Glide, Samsung Infuse 4g, and my gs2. The gs2 is all I use right now, the others are laying on the desk. Might sell them.
Sent from my SII(i777) SuperNexus 4.1.2 10/17/12 build

I have two...Samsung Infuse and HTC Vivid. As you can see by my signature...i get devices to mess around with and try may hand at developing
(nowhere near a developer yet...but one day )
but i just love android in general...if i could afford it i would get sooooo much more phones lol

Think my signature says it all.
Back from the days of WM it's always been a thought before purchase.
Ignore current device as it's a get thru.
Previous have been s620/Rhodium/Rapael/ZTE Blade/DHD/SGS2/XT910 "there are others"
All of them had been customised and not just via flashing ROMs as back when time was not so valuable my time was taken in Kitchens editing resourses but now minimal I'm happy just to have tether work lol
Sent from my MotoMB511 using xda premium

Custom ROMs are the best
If I could afford multiple devices, I would buy separate phones for ROMs:laugh:

stylez said:
Think my signature says it all.
Back from the days of WM it's always been a thought before purchase.
Ignore current device as it's a get thru.
Previous have been s620/Rhodium/Rapael/ZTE Blade/DHD/SGS2/XT910 "there are others"
All of them had been customised and not just via flashing ROMs as back when time was not so valuable my time was taken in Kitchens editing resourses but now minimal I'm happy just to have tether work lol
Sent from my MotoMB511 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow we have shared alot of the same devices
Now to stay on post. I never buy a phone based on custom roms. Why you ask? Well here is the thing. Developers are always looking for the next big thing and change phones often. No promise that there will be custom roms for it. So I set out to get a phone that will suite my needs. Making sure it has an unlocked boot loader is all I need. If I want a custom rom bad enough then I will make it myself.
Sent from Arkham

The phones I've got are Sony Xperia S, SGS2 & SE Xperia X8.
Although I only use the X8 now and again when I'm bored and wanna test on it. Apart from that, it doesn't get used
I definitely don't buy a phone based on the custom ROMs available. The Xperia S kinda proves that because there's not too much available for it really.
When buying a phone, it's gotta have whatever I'm specifically looking for at that time. In regards to ROMs I'm not really too fussed because a good phone with a crap ROM is still much better than a crap phone with a brilliant ROM.
"My badboy megazord whip's got more features than iOS5"

yes, because Arc stock ROM has lot of redundant apk

zelendel said:
Wow we have shared alot of the same devices
Now to stay on post. I never buy a phone based on custom roms. Why you ask? Well here is the thing. Developers are always looking for the next big thing and change phones often. No promise that there will be custom roms for it. So I set out to get a phone that will suite my needs. Making sure it has an unlocked boot loader is all I need. If I want a custom rom bad enough then I will make it myself.
Sent from Arkham
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Ez
Keeping it on topic that should have been my answer ya brain pilpher...... :silly:
Sitting in the shadows i see.........

Juz one device...n playing with it n custom roms...grt...
Sent from my GT-S6102 using Tapatalk 2

Lee Frederickscii said:
How many phones do you have? Do you buy a separate phone to install custom ROMs?
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Click to collapse
I have three phones. Iphone 3g, Gamsung galaxy sII and huawei u8836d dual sim. For the two android phones i use custom roms ( due to : root , titanium backup, tweaked kernel etc..)

yup
one phone.........surely for custom roms:good:
hope many at xda use it for the same:laugh:

Still worth buying as a budget device?

Hi Blaze friends,
I'm looking for a budget device for some family members and am curious if the Blaze still fits the bill. I'll be able to buy them new at $130 off contract and am looking to upgrade from a Galaxy S 4g, mostly because they're having some hardware issues.
My goal is something less than $150 and I think this is the best Android option I'm able to find. I'm mostly considering this or a Lumia 521 (no need to warm me about WP8 ).
Also, if you guys still suggest buying a Blaze, could you also recommend a rock solid ROM (stock is a valid option if y'all say it's good) that won't require regular tech support?
Many thanks from a Nexus/AOKP guy!
-Jax

Jaxidian said:
Hi Blaze friends,
I'm looking for a budget device for some family members and am curious if the Blaze still fits the bill. I'll be able to buy them new at $130 off contract and am looking to upgrade from a Galaxy S 4g, mostly because they're having some hardware issues.
My goal is something less than $150 and I think this is the best Android option I'm able to find. I'm mostly considering this or a Lumia 521 (no need to warm me about WP8 ).
Also, if you guys still suggest buying a Blaze, could you also recommend a rock solid ROM (stock is a valid option if y'all say it's good) that won't require regular tech support?
Many thanks from a Nexus/AOKP guy!
-Jax
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recommend getting this phone! It's amazing. Especially with all the new ROMs we are receiving from the amazing developers on here! A good solid ROM is Dirty Unicorns (my opinion) but it would vary among other users. Always read the bug list though. Its fairly stable now and I'm sure most of the bugs are squashed. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask this spectacular community!

xWolf13 said:
I recommend getting this phone! It's amazing. Especially with all the new ROMs we are receiving from the amazing developers on here! A good solid ROM is Dirty Unicorns (my opinion) but it would vary among other users. Always read the bug list though. Its fairly stable now and I'm sure most of the bugs are squashed. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask this spectacular community!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. I really appreciate the feedback!

Jaxidian said:
Thank you. I really appreciate the feedback!
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Click to collapse
this phone is good and bad.
figure out if you need the size. If you don't want to go larger, this is about the best phone you can find.
There are some restrictions though. This isn't one of the mainstream CyanogenMod phones so doesn't get updates as fast as some others, even older ones. Also since it's been orphaned by Samsung, we probably will have a kernel problem within the next few generations of OS.
Also. The tiny internal storage has been a problem. Mostly this means you have to use a SD card and then install a 3rd party Camera app to allow for storage to the SD card, which can't be done automatically. I'd suggest Snap Camera or Camera JB+ for this (both $).
I have one with a cracked screen that I'm selling for $50. It's on T-Mobile right now though.
I wouldn't pay $130 for it since they are going on Craigslist for about $90 in good or near new shape. But I'm okay buying and selling used and do it regularly so that's a factor.
Overall. I'd go with a SGS II instead of the Blaze if size and the small price difference isn't a big deal for you. The SGSII has similar specs and a larger screen but with better XDA support as well as a lot more people out there with them, so the community is a bit stronger.
Just my not so humble opinion.

Just bought this phone for $130 new from HSN for my mom (her very first smartphone). What's the latest official update for this phone, I know it at least has ICS correct? Is it still stuck on that or has it been officially updated to JB? Thanks guys!

mackster248 said:
Just bought this phone for $130 new from HSN for my mom (her very first smartphone). What's the latest official update for this phone, I know it at least has ICS correct? Is it still stuck on that or has it been officially updated to JB? Thanks guys!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're stuck on ICS unless you go aftermarket. They've stopped releasing updates for this phone. That said, ICS isn't too shabby.

Jaxidian said:
You're stuck on ICS unless you go aftermarket. They've stopped releasing updates for this phone. That said, ICS isn't too shabby.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks man! Tempted to root it... But I suppose ICS will suffice.

mackster248 said:
Thanks man! Tempted to root it... But I suppose ICS will suffice.
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If it were for me, I'd root it. If for somebody I don't want to provide tech support for, I'd leave it.

Jaxidian said:
If it were for me, I'd root it. If for somebody I don't want to provide tech support for, I'd leave it.
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Lol yeah my thoughts exactly. Does it require a micro SIM or regular one?

mackster248 said:
Lol yeah my thoughts exactly. Does it require a micro SIM or regular one?
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Regular

I'm in the same boat as mackster in that I bought it on HSN and am now waiting for the shipment... on the bright side it's not for my mom.
I'm not one to spend as mush as I might on a laptop for a phone so this will be a step up from my Exhibit II 4g from two years ago. Faster processor and larger screen... I'm happy with that for $129.00
I've rooted and tried various roms on my Exhibit so I'm scannig the roms availalbe here now. If anyone has already done the heavy lifting I'm open to suggestions for your opinions on the best rom. My needs in order of importance are:
1. STABILITY
2. Battery life
3. Photos (and ability to save to external DS)
4. Bloat removal (in rom if possible)
4. Wi-Fi calling still functioning
5. Root would be nice (i have many apks)
6. Mapping (aka driving directions) works
I see many roms listing problems with the compass and the camera. I guess I would like a newer version of droid but if ICS meets all of my above needs then I'd be perfectly happy with that too.
Anyone have suggestions?

I have a feeling that you should be looking at mature ICS ROMs. I don't have the phone so I can't say for sure, but that's my gut feeling based on your requirements.

If I remember right, you might want to stay on stock ics. Wifi calling is a no-go on jb. Not sure if it's up and running on jb 4.3, but know for sure it's not on 4.1.2.
Sent from a Blazing PACMAN devouring ALL...

njstein said:
If I remember right, you might want to stay on stock ics. Wifi calling is a no-go on jb. Not sure if it's up and running on jb 4.3, but know for sure it's not on 4.1.2.
Sent from a Blazing PACMAN devouring ALL...
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I don't think WiFi Calling has been ported to any non-stock-based JB ROMs for any devices. Definitely not available for general use.

Thanks for the replies... I don't suppose there's a bloatfree stock ROM like I had found for my Exhibit? Otherwise I guess it's time to dust off Titanium and start freezing/uninstalling bloat

gmolds said:
Thanks for the replies... I don't suppose there's a bloatfree stock ROM like I had found for my Exhibit? Otherwise I guess it's time to dust off Titanium and start freezing/uninstalling bloat
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There are several AOSP-based options. I can't vouch for the quality of them so you'll have to play with them to find out. But I'd stick with what seems like mature ICS offerings though.

Where is this thank button... I don't seem to see it.

Found it