The interfaces for both of these apps
are going to be very similar: just a list
of things you can tweak. The real
differences are going to come in what
exactly you can tweak.
The organization on both is pretty
standard, and once you get it all setup,
you likely won’t need to go back into
the app for much. Interface really isn’t
a deciding factor here, but at least you
know what you’ll be working with.
So What Can They Customize?
Short answer: nearly everything. These
modules are both fantastic solutions for
customizing your Android device
without flashing a custom ROM.
Your best bet once you download one is
just to run through every section and
see what you can change — you’ll likely
run into a customization you didn’t
even know existed, but soon will wonder
how you ever lived without it.
Above you can see the options for
customizing the status bar in both
apps. You get mostly the same types of
things with a couple of noticeable
differences. For one, XBlast has
gestures available for the status bar.
GravityBox, while it supports a double
tap on the status bar to turn off the
screen, doesn’t support other gesturing
like swiping left or right or long-
pressing.
However, GravityBox has Notification
Heads Up, a feature that gained hype
recently with the announcement of
Android L and the new pop up
notifications. If either of those tickle
your fancy, you may want to pick one
over the other.
Moving onto the lockscreen is where
XBlast really shines. GravityBox has its
fair share of lockscreen tweaks for sure,
but XBlast outdoes it with the ability to
change the unlock icon, the color
around it, the size, and many other
parts of the lockscreen like showing
notifications on it. XBlast pretty easily
takes the cake here.
Each app has so many of its own
customizations that it would takes
pages and pages to elaborate on all of
them. If you’re curious about the
smallest of the tweaks available in
each, like XBlast’s ability to customize
your build.prop or GravityBox’s ability
to tweak the Google Experience
Launcher, download each of them
individually and give them a shot.
However, don’t have both activated at
once or you’ll run into some wonkiness.
Multitasking Tweaks
Both of these apps take a slightly
different route for multitasking. There
are other ways of getting multitasking
on your device , but having it baked into
the module is super convenient.
XBlast takes this approach in three
different ways: a Circle App Launcher,
an Appbar, and Gesture Anywhere.
Circle App Launcher displays a cool
ring-like effects along one of the sides
of the screen that you can scroll
through to access other apps. Appbar
simply makes a list of apps appear on
the side of the screen. Both are
controlled by a swipe in from the
outside of the screen, and they make
for super simple multitasking.
They’re very customizable, from the
transparency to the size of the
activation area, and they work
surprisingly well. Circle App Launcher
can be seen below on the left, and
Appbar on the right.
For this kind of multitasking, XBlast is
your module.
GravityBox, on the other hand, has its
own kind of special feature: Pie
Controls. Pie Controls are useful if you
want to hide the onscreen navigation
keys and only access them from a
swipe up from the bottom (or in from
the side if you prefer). It comes from
the famous PAC ROM , and it has made
a name for itself as a staple of the
rooting and tweaking community.
You can customize the heck out of the
Pie Controls in GravityBox’s settings,
and it’s a fantastic way to save screen
real estate if your device has onscreen
keys. Plus, with the multitasking button,
you can reach Android’s built-in
multitasking super quickly anyway.
Above, you can see the Pie Controls in
action. On the left is what happens
when you swipe up quickly — releasing
from the swipe will press the button
your finger is on when you lift up,
making it pretty dang fast. However, if
you hold it and wait without lifting, it
greys out the background and gives you
some system info, especially helpful if
you like to live in fullscreen mode
without a notification bar.
If you like XBlast but still want Pie
Controls, check out another Xposed
module called Ultimate Dynamic
Navbar, which we’ve reviewed . It can
help complete your customization
experience.
Who Is The Winner?
You tell us. Let us know in the
comments which Xposed module you’re
using and why.
As for me, I would have to recommend
XBlast. It’s available on a wider range
of devices (Android 4.0+) and it has
significantly more customizations like
lockscreen notifications, quiet hours,
multitasking, and build.prop mods. Still,
I love GravityBox and have used it for a
while on my own device. Try both out
and see which you like best.
Is this a poem?
Since you guys peruse here and reddit.
-Stay awake while reading/holding
The same way the sony xperia series detects the phone is upright and being held, delays the screen time out.
- Setting to adjust the bottom round corner overlays
There two overlays at the bottom of the screen. Would be great to add some setting stop adjust.
-Hide Navbar
Similar to the GS8 That give you granular control over when it's hidden.
-Auto Pin unlock
Again the on the xperia series, the check mark is removed, so once you put the correct pin the phone accepts and unlocks.
More to come....
So most of the things suggested above are actually pretty gimmicky, imo.
Only thing I miss coming from other phones is gesture support for things like camera and flashlight with screen off. Double tap power for camera works fine, but no way to get to flashlight without turning the screen on, pulling down quick toggles, and clicking flashlight. Maybe holding down the volume down button with screen off?
Moto has the best gestures, then oneplus, then everyone else. Unfortunately, there is hardware support required for these to work without killing the battery, so totally understand if we never get gestures like these.
Those are pretty lame requests.. Essential runs AOSP.
A request that are needed & needs addressing:
- manual mode for camera
- hdr auto toggles the flash on??
- release system images already
- beta program/Oreo
- timely security updates (just getting October?)
- fix touch issues and scrolling
- fp scanner causing lockups
Let's get the OS polished and working better before we add more features
tlxxxsracer said:
Those are pretty lame requests.. Essential runs AOSP.
A request that are needed & needs addressing:
- manual mode for camera
- hdr auto toggles the flash on??
- release system images already
- beta program/Oreo
- timely security updates (just getting October?)
- fix touch issues and scrolling
- fp scanner causing lockups
Let's get the OS polished and working better before we add more features
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I mean, those requests of yours are already what they're doing, and bug fixes. So like duh list.
As for essential running aosp. They do, and they are already adding stuff on top.
The elegant solution for the status bar is to run devices in full screen, then manually
bring back the nav bar and status bar. So options for that would just be additional to what they are doing.
The rounded corners. They are already overlaying black corners on top. So options for that would just be additional to what they are doing.
Double click power button for cam isn't aosp last I checked.
So hence "feature requests" not just another list asking for "do it faster". :good:
Fix the camera.
Show us you can do this and smash the naysayers. Please don't just throw in the towel and let companies like Razer come in and show you up.
I would like Oreo like everyone else, but keep the guns pointed at the cameras.
There's seriously no rush to race to Essential phone 2.
You have reduced the price and now have the stage yet again. (Not to mention a ton of dedicated customers waiting with faith and phone in hand. )
Seize the moment an knock it out of the park.
This is the perfect time for you to take gobs of consumers away from the Pixel line. Google is against the ropes with its own set of issues.
Now that your price is set where margins are thin, its time to prove your name. Fix the camera and move units like crazy to get it in as many hands as possible.
Essential Phone 2 will help when you user base confidently upgrades ans recommends your product.
I bought an Essential phone for tight finish. (Software & Hardware)
Oreo will clean up a lot of peoples wants.
Again though, make the hardware work to it full potential.
Essential, you put yourself in this position with Stock android promises coupled with exceedingly high end hardware.
If I wanted bells/whistles with headaches, I would have zero troubles finding and OEM for that.
I essentially want you to focus on the hardware and leverage what you have to a higher standard and level.
Fix the EIS
Bring the camera levels to LG G6 results since the parts are the same.
Fix the Camera Icon (The only one you created) - Its ridiculously amateur and sticks out like a sore thumb.
Keep up the AMA's
Stay focused and steady.
Don't just kick the can down the road.
Another point:
I feel you should point out and lean your American roots. Lots of consumers purchase phones from offshoot companies that are created outside of the USA. Subsequently, many of them have been busted by running data collecting and or malicious algorithms.
You will not have more attention than you do now. Get cracking on it and show us what your made of.
Show us you can do this!
I agree totally with Maven1975 this phone is an awesome piece of equipment, I think that the weak link is the stock camera app and the way it processes the photos taken (compression) I have been able to take some pretty good looking photos with the stock app, but both The GCam port and FV-5 take far better pics but why?
Over the past year I owned the G6 which took some really nice pics, I sold it to purchase the S8 which took some amazing pics but I just couldn't deal with the UI of either of those phones even with the themes and the S8 wasn't user friendly for myself because of how I hold a phone I need me some side bezels with how I hold phones. I ended up getting the U11 and I love HTC and the UI but the phone was "big" but it took the best pictures out of the three.
Then the Essential PH-1 came out with it's awesome form factor and amazing quality and design I figured hey it has the same image sensor as the G6 with newer hardware and dual camera setup I bought into the"Image Fusion" hype and figured the photos should be somewhere in between the G6 and U11
Fix the camera, give us a Pro/Manual Mode and Release the System Image
I love stock Android, so keep the updates quick and the owners of this high quality phone will be some of your best advertisement "bang for the buck"
Become part of the development community and make this a "flash happy" phone ..... I come from a time when the HTC Hero had so many options for flashing different roms and apps it was so pleasing make the Essential PH-1 an ICON like the Hero
Are you comfortable in your own skin? Is your phone comfortable in its skin? Rate this thread to express how you deem the skin on the Realme 2 pro. A higher rating indicates that you love it: it adds just the right amount of features, it's visually pleasing, and overall it's additive to the experience. If this is a Nexus phone (you didn't think we hand-wrote all of these prompts, did you?) then use this rating to indicate how the latest version of Android looks to you.
Then, drop a comment if you have anything to add!
XDA_RealLifeReview said:
Are you comfortable in your own skin? Is your phone comfortable in its skin? Rate this thread to express how you deem the skin on the Realme 2 pro. A higher rating indicates that you love it: it adds just the right amount of features, it's visually pleasing, and overall it's additive to the experience. If this is a Nexus phone (you didn't think we hand-wrote all of these prompts, did you?) then use this rating to indicate how the latest version of Android looks to you.
Then, drop a comment if you have anything to add!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Waiting for stock custom roms.
ColorOS has its pros and cons ....i think developers are trying hard to make it better every day. I Personally prefer Stock Skin
The main downside is limited level of customization, especially when it comes uneven icon size and iconpack support. Using Evie Launcher for the time being. A few of my concern regarding the software :
1. No reboot option, seriously ????
2. No native dark mode
3. Limited theme customization
4. No global option to hide notif on lock screen
5. Blinking charging status and notif counts/dots while charging (AOD like)
6. Only single quite time scheme available (aside from repetition option)
7. Icon pack support, individual custom icon support
8. Native notch hider
9. Night mode on camera
10. Larger battery status
11. Bolder and customized option of navigation keys
12. Multiple pages of quick settings would be nice
13. Undismissable accessibility warning in notification and blinking warning is a major turn off
14. No option to turn on app status bar icon, such as messenger's icon (a suggestion from forum participant).
15. Camera2api support
16. Feel free to add the list or even disagree ...
There is a new update, few fix for above limitations. Appreciate Realme team for the quick update and responding to what other Android based OS commonly capable of or don't have issues with.
1. We have reboot option now
13. No more intrusive accessibility warning
New icons and slo-mo, will update any differences once found out.
Stock rom and stock recovery
where i am find stock recovery or stock rom qfill rom
When Oppo created Realme, I was like finally I might get to use this. Please why is this brand not on AliExpress?? How can i get this phone or U1????
It might have something to do with Oppo branding and distribution strategy. It's probably due to unavailability of the device in China market.
Really Awful
Completely hated the Color OS. Willing to sell my phone (only 20 days old) at around Rs.9500. It would be appreciated if official custom ROMs come to the device. :crying::crying:
Yes, yes, it's possible to love a phone. Heck, you sleep next to it, don't you? Rate this thread to indicate your love for the Xiaomi Mi 9, all things considered. A higher rating indicates that the Xiaomi Mi 9 is an incredible phone that you enjoy tremendously. You love it.
Then, drop a comment if you have anything to add!
I absolutely love the lock screen that shows the earth and moon in sync with realtime. And you can check notifications this way, swipe them away if you want, and when you put the phone down it will go to sleep immediately! And it will wake when you pick it up. Nice little touches.
It's great. Fast, bluetooth is working, sound quality is great, feels so premium, battery seems like it's doing well, the screen is magnificient, the camera fast and accurate. For a phone without OIS, I was pleased my little parakeet running up my arm could be captured sharply, she never stops moving.
So far, day one? I'm in love.
Real review
- super hard to unlock bootloader
- very easy to root then, with OTA and everything staying (main difference vs Samsung - no OTA, no bluetooth, no encryption etc)
- no Lockdown feature, even with external activities
- there's no SD card and TWRP doesn't support USB, so you're broke when travelling, USB flash with flashfiles won't help
- absolutely bloated, incl. chiness apps even in EU version (need to disable all *xiaomi* and *mi* apps, firewall the rest)
- they override every app, every dialog, and modify even innocent com.android packages, so it's super hard to debloat
- insane settings, too much and not easy to read. Easily the hardest to set phone ever
- many of those million settings simply don't work, especially permissions, lot of glitches like double power key to flash is blocked by screen off action
- example of stupidy is battery section, have to click so much to see the chart and there's no % anywhere! Basic value. Like you virtually have no chance to know %, unless you set such status icon. why not reveal % when expanding notification menu like other models?
- some settings are strong, like complex Data limits, AI remapping, call recording available without hack etc
- "AI" button easily programmable via Xposed
- nice to have apps like Music and Video which vanilla OxygenOS skips, but they're weak and no DLNA which is advertised
- volume buttons on the right? excellent, never ever could touch those on the left easily. However no easy shortcut for Dont Disturb (only the stupid long press to mute just ONE volume) and no activity for it available (to let Xposed handle it).. OnePlus wins with the dedicated button easily
- data collection and privacy agreements virtually everywhere, in any simple app (that's why AOSP would be lovely choice instead of XIAOMI ROM)
- battery life is insane when active (like pure 10 "configuration day" hours or 7.5hr with 31hr overall), got mediocre in standby after configuration (no good kernel exists, stock kernel is crap, not aware of deep doze, so pushing Naptime and Servicely at least, so far pushed it to est 78hr wifi_standby vs 178hr standby on 6T! update: pushed it to 267hr in a quick test, but real test req full charge and >3hr standby to be meaningful, anyway potential is there), still early to say what will be final 3g and wifi standby (in progress)
- notification ecosystem is very good (except by default they disabled notifications for most apps!), you can customize popups, AOD magic light (however AOD won't show any app icon for me), and the LED make sure you know about notification or charging (and charging produces very nice animation - very important for Qi to know you place phone right!)
- AOD exists unlike in OnePlus, and in battery app its got its own category
- overall fast, currently the fastest phone on market
- yet another Pie implementation of navbar with some crazy gestures from the left/right which collide with its own GBoard gestures (still the Oreo task manager was better)
- QC charging is fast and supports QC2-3-4 (that is very very good unlike properietary OnePlus charging, who's got OnePlus chargers around? Noone. Who's got QC chargers? Many), fast Qi not working on legacy chargers (not a showstopper as i like slow charge to treat battery right, and will have one 27W Qi for urgency)
- super fast face unlock during day, poor during night just like 6T as there's no infra, however 6T can raise identification chance to 100% with ugly but working display flash
- unreliable fingerprint unlock (same as on 6T, doesn't work in 50% cases and won't autolearn nothing)
- looks much better and less bulkier than 6T even in supplied cover. also 12g lighter but still heavy unlike sweetspot-weight champions S10 (157g) and S10e (150g)
- notch is bad, it cannot disappear smart like on 6T (with status bar still on, yes the newest versions adds change of shape - useless), to add to insult, the cutting of corners is wrong (prepare to see ugly fullscreen with different type of corner rounding)
- camera is poor in dark, no night mode (6T night mode is awesome)
- no IP certification, but ok to clean under water, not ok to immerse as the rubber in SIM card is poor quality, however display to phone is stuffed with branded water sealing solution
- camera is raised a lot, will scratch (the sapphire nonsense doesn't work)
- night mode renders some gfx unreadable, but this is problem with every android phone
- screen is nice, and super bright if needed
Overall hardware is no brainer for the price, software is total crap.
doggydog2 said:
- super hard to unlock bootloader
- there's no SD card and TWRP doesn't support USB, so you're broke when travelling, USB flash with flashfiles won't help
- absolutely bloated, incl. chiness apps even in EU version (need to disable all *xiaomi* and *mi* apps, firewall the rest)
- they override every app, every dialog, and modify even innocent com.android packages, so it's super hard to debloat
- insane settings, too much and not easy to read. Easily the hardest to set phone ever
- example of stupidy is battery section, have to click so much to see the chart and there's no % anywhere! Basic value. Like you virtually have no chance to know %, unless you set such status icon. why not reveal % when expanding notification menu like other models?
- unreliable fingerprint unlock (same as on 6T, doesn't work in 50% cases and won't autolearn nothing)
- camera is poor in dark, no night mode (6T night mode is awesome)
- camera is raised a lot, will scratch (the sapphire nonsense doesn't work)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well a nice feedback list, I just try to keep some points to clarify/to propose another perspective from another users to help others
- there's no SD card and TWRP doesn't support USB, so you're broke when travelling, USB flash with flashfiles won't help --> This is not really a problem to many users, just find a computer and not many people really have a need to do anything flashing without a computer.
- absolutely bloated, incl. chiness apps even in EU version (need to disable all *xiaomi* and *mi* apps, firewall the rest) --> Just put all those apps to a folder to forget it, and don't use them. easy, it doesn't take that much space. In EU rom, there's very few apps like that, and I can avoid them completely without removing or de-bloating them.
- insane settings, too much and not easy to read. Easily the hardest to set phone ever --> I found no problem this, you just change the one you need, in English there's nothing seems difficult to understand, at least to me.
- there's no % anywhere! Basic value. Like you virtually have no chance to know %, unless you set such status icon. why not reveal % when expanding notification menu like other models? --> just turn % battery on that just one tick.
- unreliable fingerprint unlock (same as on 6T, doesn't work in 50% cases and won't autolearn nothing) --> It works 80% number of times for me, of course, can't compete with real physical fingerprint, but definitely not 50% for me.
- camera is poor in dark, no night mode (6T night mode is awesome) --> Defaut camera has night mode, + Google camera is a much better choice
- camera is raised a lot, will scratch (the sapphire nonsense doesn't work) --> Yep, buy a camera glass protector + a case with the higher back which protect the camera
Some info hopes can help others as well.
It's weird that there are actually alternative ROMs, kernels, but not published here. Just installed the kernel with lovely wakelocks disabled. Hope it helps the terrible battery life.
The Xiaomi software is the worst seen while on XDA, cannot imagine it's even worse in non-EU version. Already thinking how life was easy with "configure and forget" 6T except omission of QC, QI and LED diod, which are the huge hardware advantages i'm dying for.
To make this phone usable, one needs to get rid of the software. The horror called MIUI. However switching to vanilla ROM brings common problems like on Samsung (Bluetooth not working, limited fingerpint, limited camera, no OTA). So the best would be heavily debloated ROM published here, injecting some vanilla stuff back. I'd remove Pemission manager, Security manager, clouds. Good luck!
Extra bizzare behaviour:
- if you don't set float notifications for the app, they will never show up (disabled for all by default so have to click hundred times just to change this settings, and another thousand clicks to recover other choices), however if you turn it on, they float notifications will be forced! (like VPN starting, navigation starting - events that never show up as popups)
- if you click clean memory from Security manager, battery manager or even "X" button in task manager, it will kill ALL apps (incl. apps which have highest priority due to notification, incl. VPN!) - how insane can this be?
- DLNA proudly in spec, but their apps can't cast or read UPNP folders, while all others can. But at least they can connect to Alibaba servers...
- nonstop popups about app going full screen (while there's no visual difference! already navbar gone because of Pie gesture setting)
- nonstop popups about downloading files on 3G (they had to touch this sacred group of processes too - Media+Download manager)
- you can change notification bar Setting icon to Search icon, feature mimicking the best Samsung's tool "Finder" except this one is weaker but with ad/spyware . Not only it won't trigger search but also you can't get to settings anymore (what if you don't have Settings icon in app launcher? reflash ROM?)
- boot keyboard.. are you kidding me.. unresponsive, hardly can type password there.. Shift equals Caps lock. Tt behaves like TWRP keyboard, don't type more than 1 character per second
I absolutely love Xiaomi devices but don't use them until I install xiaomi.eu rom. Of course you need to unlock it first and install TWRP but it's a must to get rid of some of the annoying things you wrote on your list. The roms are great and I use it on all of my Xiaomi devices. Check it out: https://xiaomi.eu/community/link-forums/roms-download.73/
razor_amd said:
I absolutely love Xiaomi devices but don't use them until I install xiaomi.eu rom. Of course you need to unlock it first and install TWRP but it's a must to get rid of some of the annoying things you wrote on your list. The roms are great and I use it on all of my Xiaomi devices. Check it out: https://xiaomi.eu/community/link-forums/roms-download.73/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The xiaomi.eu is so much better than the stock ROM ?
ManuBBXX said:
The xiaomi.eu is so much better than the stock ROM ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is the same thing. but the developer version it has no ads, no bloat, clean and fast.
Here is the version that I use, scroll down the page and choose which options you want. This is a custom rom based on the latest Xiaomi.eu developer rom. The only difference is that you can add root and adblock.
https://mi-globe.com/rom-builder-features/?id=18&codename=cepheus&phone=Mi+9
@doggydog2 several things on your list are not correct. You are stating the USB OTG doesn't work? ( It does work) Spend some more time understanding how Miui works and then you will be able to cross off most of your list. Also you would be better off using the developer rom, or the Mi-Globe rom listed above.
tsongming said:
It is the same thing. but the developer version it has no ads, no bloat, clean and fast.
Here is the version that I use, scroll down the page and choose which options you want. This is a custom rom based on the latest Xiaomi.eu developer rom. The only difference is that you can add root and adblock.
https://mi-globe.com/rom-builder-features/?id=18&codename=cepheus&phone=Mi+9
@doggydog2 several things on your list are not correct. You are stating the USB OTG doesn't work? ( It does work) Spend some more time understanding how Miui works and then you will be able to cross off most of your list. Also you would be better off using the developer rom, or the Mi-Globe rom listed above.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no OTG in TWRP that's valid except one recovery ppl avoid as it's Chinese. It's a huge deal especially when you have a device without SD card. Just today had to escape home early to recover the phone..what a new way to operate.
After hundreds of flashes, test of all available ROMs (except this one), recoveries, kernels and full functional check on this particular phone i've a good overview. Overall Xiaomi is a very outdated, over modified bloated ugly software. They should start from the scratch to be honest. Yes 10 years ago ppl would celebrate their extra functions, but today it's intrusive, useless or duplicit. That's why unique Samsung features are now dead (multiwindow etc) as Android implemented it. Xiaomi insists on their irrational UI, worst Settings UI hierarchy in the industry and replacement of everything. There's literally nothing innovative in the UI except single functional extra - data usage control - and you get more functions in AOSP. Few non-innovative things to like? Sure, notif lights, charging animations, call recorder not hidden.. But that's nothing new. The stuff like disabling all notifications and auto starts until users enables it, is insane. Memory management is a joke. Overriding all system dialogs is pathetic. Inserting wait times in confirmation popups is aggressive. Intrusive download manager is good just to block desired downloads from Google etc. Fantastic Pie features (QuickStep, switch apps by navbar) are disabled. Minimal difference in Global vs EU version spotted, i'd prefer global one and delete few extra spy/bloat/malwares myself just because of the ugly icons.
But anyway, I like that webpage. Thanks. It's cool to cook a ROM. Wished the updates were via OTA and directly from OS. They rip some more crap off, which is so much needed in Xiaomi phones. The question is: does mi-globe keep modified 3rd party app icons like Xiaomi.EU? Does Magisk18.1 work? I'd like to try luck with version 18 to improve battery life.
doggydog2 said:
no OTG in TWRP that's valid except one recovery ppl avoid as it's Chinese. It's a huge deal especially when you have a device without SD card. Just today had to escape home early to recover the phone..what a new way to operate.
After hundreds of flashes, test of all available ROMs (except this one), recoveries, kernels and full functional check on this particular phone i've a good overview. Overall Xiaomi is a very outdated, over modified bloated ugly software. They should start from the scratch to be honest. Yes 10 years ago ppl would celebrate their extra functions, but today it's intrusive, useless or duplicit. That's why unique Samsung features are now dead (multiwindow etc) as Android implemented it. Xiaomi insists on their irrational UI, worst Settings UI hierarchy in the industry and replacement of everything. There's literally nothing innovative in the UI except single functional extra - data usage control - and you get more functions in AOSP. Few non-innovative things to like? Sure, notif lights, charging animations, call recorder not hidden.. But that's nothing new. The stuff like disabling all notifications and auto starts until users enables it, is insane. Memory management is a joke. Overriding all system dialogs is pathetic. Inserting wait times in confirmation popups is aggressive. Intrusive download manager is good just to block desired downloads from Google etc. Fantastic Pie features (QuickStep, switch apps by navbar) are disabled. Minimal difference in Global vs EU version spotted, i'd prefer global one and delete few extra spy/bloat/malwares myself just because of the ugly icons.
But anyway, I like that webpage. Thanks. It's cool to cook a ROM. Wished the updates were via OTA and directly from OS. They rip some more crap off, which is so much needed in Xiaomi phones. The question is: does mi-globe keep modified 3rd party app icons like Xiaomi.EU? Does Magisk18.1 work? I'd like to try luck with version 18 to improve battery life.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have time at the moment to address every point you make in detail. But I wanted to respond with a couple of brief suggestions that hopefully help. When I first tried Miui, I also hated it. But, I ended up trying it again and again via custom roms and eventually grew to love it. Many of the quirks have a workarounds, and some things that seem to be missing can be found deep in device settings, developer options, or app settings. You can often find some good info using the Mi Community app.
First full disclosure, I have a Mi8, my brother is the one with the Mi9. He travels alot for work and isn't very technically adept, so he is mostly fine with his phone as it is. As you know the Mi 9 is still so new and many of the stock AOSP features will be available to you when custom roms arrive...it will not be long.
The OTG issue that you are experiencing is tied to the version of TWRP that you are using. OTG will end up working and apparently it does work with some versions. I would guess that you are already experimenting on your own to find the right one.
Since no official version yet exists here is one that I found that supposedly works well : https://mega.nz/#!CH5jgYTB!yNqOiVoo3cf0_15jIwZ-btO52cvpOG7iZrRCe19V2Nc and Here is another one: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=79431805&postcount=215
Unfortunately, you will have to wait for a highly stable TWRP to become available that is able to survive through updates and remain in tact. We had these types of issues with the Mi8 as well, and I have had similar issues with my previous phone. But eventually things should work as expected.
I don't know how well you know Miui, some of the things you are missing can probably be activated deep within settings. For example, if you turn off Miui Optimization within developer options you can the install and use your missing Pie features. Such as https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.wellbeing&hl=en_US
I use gestures instead of the NavBar, now that I have become used to it I can't stand using buttons. Also, I do get notified of OTA updates while using the Mi-Globe rom. I can select the rom to download automatically > about phone> system update settings. Once I receive that notification, I will usually manually go to the Mi-Globe page and download their updated version, and dirty flash it over the previous version. Occasionally I will need to reflash Root. But most of the time it persists. I keep a magisk flashed backup boot image in downloads just in case.
I use Magisk 19 Canary and have never had issues with root.
Good Luck
tsongming said:
Since no official version yet exists here is one that I found that supposedly works well : https://mega.nz/#!CH5jgYTB!yNqOiVoo3cf0_15jIwZ-btO52cvpOG7iZrRCe19V2Nc and Here is another one: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=79431805&postcount=215
Unfortunately, you will have to wait for a highly stable TWRP to become available that is able to survive through updates and remain in tact. We had these types of issues with the Mi8 as well, and I have had similar issues with my previous phone. But eventually things should work as expected.
I don't know how well you know Miui, some of the things you are missing can probably be activated deep within settings. For example, if you turn off Miui Optimization within developer options you can the install and use your missing Pie features. Such as https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.wellbeing&hl=en_US
I use gestures instead of the NavBar, now that I have become used to it I can't stand using buttons. Also, I do get notified of OTA updates while using the Mi-Globe rom. I can select the rom to download automatically > about phone> system update settings. Once I receive that notification, I will usually manually go to the Mi-Globe page and download their updated version, and dirty flash it over the previous version. Occasionally I will need to reflash Root. But most of the time it persists. I keep a magisk flashed backup boot image in downloads just in case.
I use Magisk 19 Canary and have never had issues with root.
Good Luck
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Click to collapse
Thanks for a good reply.
Yes TWRP situation is tight right now, with "xiaomi9" vs "cepheus" errors, variety of gapps errors etc.. Testing all of them. Good to know this beta exists, i missed this recent info even when active on forums currently. I tried now and it looks great. Luckily on this phone encrypted sdcard doesn't cause any problem with flashing, so i'm ok to wait for TWRP updates.
I agree the full screen gestures are fantastic, i used them on Note9, 6T and Mi9. All of these phones customize original Pie navigation. Once i saw the original behaviour in AOSP ROM, the Pie task manager "Recents" with "QuickStep", and the navbar, i enabled buttons as this is so productive.. Scroll through full screen app previews back and forth, or swipe up app drawer from any app, hmmm. So cool.
Alright, OTA looks great. Although I believe OS doesn't know about your customization, so you better go to the webpage to decide which package to download.
I'm going to try this ROM. I'm not a gfx guy, i hardly ever used a wallpaper, but i really don't like the EU changes to app icons system-wide. I just can't look at 10 year old shortcut like TitaniumBackup looking different. Please let me know if you are aware of a fix. Thanks.
doggydog2 said:
Thanks for a good reply.
Yes TWRP situation is tight right now, with "xiaomi9" vs "cepheus" errors, variety of gapps errors etc.. Testing all of them. Good to know this beta exists, i missed this recent info even when active on forums currently. I tried now and it looks great. Luckily on this phone encrypted sdcard doesn't cause any problem with flashing, so i'm ok to wait for TWRP updates.
I agree the full screen gestures are fantastic, i used them on Note9, 6T and Mi9. All of these phones customize original Pie navigation. Once i saw the original behaviour in AOSP ROM, the Pie task manager "Recents" with "QuickStep", and the navbar, i enabled buttons as this is so productive.. Scroll through full screen app previews back and forth, or swipe up app drawer from any app, hmmm. So cool.
Alright, OTA looks great. Although I believe OS doesn't know about your customization, so you better go to the webpage to decide which package to download.
I'm going to try this ROM. I'm not a gfx guy, i hardly ever used a wallpaper, but i really don't like the EU changes to app icons system-wide. I just can't look at 10 year old shortcut like TitaniumBackup looking different. Please let me know if you are aware of a fix. Thanks.
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Click to collapse
I forgot to mention DM verity, you can get it and read about it here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/software/universal-dm-verity-forceencrypt-t3817389.
Regarding the OTA, in my case it usually pretty seamless since Mi-Globe is based on the EU weekly build. ( I prefer these builds because they have more features and zero ads) However, the Global Stable to Weekly or vice versa usually requires a little more work. But you are correct, I want to know for a fact what I am flashing so I will usually just manually download the update if using the Mi-Globe build.
Backup
I haven't had alot of luck with using Titanium backup recently on any of my phones that have recent Pie roms. I remember reading something about it being due to some changes Google made with security in late February? However, the built in Local Backup has worked for me every single time except once. It will backup all apps, and many of the settings not covered by Google restore. Its my main source of restoring settings and for me works better than Titanium backup. There is also the option of using Mi-Cloud ( which I also use redundantly) Then of course we can sometimes restore a TWRP backup data.
There are several other options, including free options that are similar to Titanium backup. Programs such as Migrate I have not used it yet. but I have read that it works. Like the Miui Local backup, Migrate supposedly restores everything. Including apps, that are not from the playstore, apps data and even flashed system apps such as Pixel/Sony/Samsung Live Wallpapers and then the remaining Google restore just takes a couple of minutes
Running global MIUI now. the Battery life is great.
The cooked version with Magisk 18 indeed doesn't work. Just upgrade to v19.
QuickStep magisk plugin doesn't work, i keep trying even if it looks like first OS must be able to provide Pie functionality, then you can tweak. Therefore: AOSP only Stuck with this
XiaomiEU app icons can be removed here: non-destructively rename /system/media/theme/miui_mod_icons (thanksgod)
tsongming said:
Also, I do get notified of OTA updates while using the Mi-Globe rom. I can select the rom to download automatically > about phone> system update settings.
Good Luck
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didn't find this setting, instead i was offered with xiaomi_eu version from today so i downloaded and pressed install which is quite comfortable. The only glitch is need to wait til TWRP installation is done and press Vol+ button (new Magisk 19.1 feature since today) to root with dedicated TWRP button 'Install root' (comfy). Then do some maintenance as many permissions are reset. Luckily disabled apps stay disabled. I'd like to script this and stick to xiaomi_eu as practically there's just miuidaemon extra feature in miglobal.
two problems:
- "can't connect to camera" for portrait mode in stock cam
- TWRP sees unencrypted files, other TWRPs won't boot
tsongming said:
It is the same thing. but the developer version it has no ads, no bloat, clean and fast.
Here is the version that I use, scroll down the page and choose which options you want. This is a custom rom based on the latest Xiaomi.eu developer rom. The only difference is that you can add root and adblock.
https://mi-globe.com/rom-builder-features/?id=18&codename=cepheus&phone=Mi+9
@doggydog2 several things on your list are not correct. You are stating the USB OTG doesn't work? ( It does work) Spend some more time understanding how Miui works and then you will be able to cross off most of your list. Also you would be better off using the developer rom, or the Mi-Globe rom listed above.
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This mi-globe rom seems insane !!
Great for the money but with software bugs that affect the usability. Video stuttering at 30fps and notifications issues.
As always, MIUI is the problem from a Xiaomi device.
4 me, xiaomi.eu is not an option, since they use chinese builds as a basis. If anyone known a project similar to him, but based in global ROMs, I appreciate it. Tks!
I think the MI9 is the best phone out there because of
1. Software (it rocks, especially RevolutionOS debloated)
2. Camera (the best one on the market as of now)
3. Performance/Display
4. The notch (I feel uncomfortable having retractable camera + I think a waterdrop notch looks sick)
It charges really fast and battery time is pretty good! Amazing phone for 400€!
Bought mine for 300£ the 128gb version. At that price could have bought a oneplus 6 but this phone is amazing. Compared to the oneplus 7pro the size is great and performance is really good. Will definitely buy again. The only pain is having to wait for the bootloader unlock!
Bought mine 6/128 Gt version at 498 € price. After a week I decided to switch to xiaomi.eu rom and with some additional tweaks (debloating with Xiaomi ADB/FastBoot Tool) I start to feel that the software starts to match with the hardware. I love the design, it feels comfortable in your hands (I use the soft case what was delivered with the phone) and with the tweaks it feels quite snappy and powerful tool for everyday tasks. MIUI mostly sucks but luckily you can use Nova launcher. I've been satisfied with the camera at this point (especially with the ultra wide lens) but I think it can still be improved and I should give a try for the GoogleCam as well.
Now in every new android release since kitkat there has been regressions, but in PIE I noticed this one has a fair few so I googled and I observed that almost every article was only praising the release as if they just there to promote and suck up to google developers.
Then I found this very honest post from a guy on reddit.
https://old.reddit.com/r/Android/co...eatures_since_the_pie_update_and_the/ejrdwnp/
I will quote also.
Neutered navigation bar with an increased focus on gestures rather than buttons (wit the bar using up the same amount of space with decidedly half-baked gestures). Some companies at least maintained the options of buttons or gestures, but I think the Google Pixel 3 prevents users from having the option of using the classic navigation buttons.
Horizontal Recents/Overview screen instead of a vertical variant - this "feature" is more subjective, I guess.
Enforced 3-icon limit for notifications in the status bar, all thanks to notches - for certain phones, this change completely removed the option to have as many icons in the status bar as you have space for.
The Digital-Clock/Time's position was enforced on the left instead of the classic right-side position - again, all thanks to notches..
The Volume Slider got changed to a "vertical" variant if I recall correctly, and I think that certain volume sliders can only be changed by actually diving into Settings, whereas the Android 8/Oreo implementation gave a simple quick drop-down to change all 4 at once, and Samsung even added the option to switch the controlled volume default from Ringtone to Media.
Removal of easy access to viewing System Uptime in Android Info (WHY? It's a useful metric that just sits there harmlessly!).
The DevCheck application thankfully still indicates System Uptime, although the read-out isn't as "fluid" (doesn't refresh as much) from what I've seen.
Neutering of the "Quick Toggles" pop-up thing, where you can adjust certain quick-toggles' settings quickly without actually diving into the Settings screen.
certain "Do Not Disturb" mode capabilities/workflows that were possible in Android 8/Oreo are apparently harder, if not impossible, to achieve in Android 9/Pie.
I think that the Android 8/Oreo Easter Egg got removed..? (if one counts that as a feature).
Call Recording got heavily hampered.. I'm not sure of Screen Recording... Custom theming on Samsung devices also seems like it will be harder to achieve in the near future (going by a recent changelog entry for the "Theme Galaxy" application), although "One User Interface (One UI)" seems to be softening the blow.
as others have mentioned, the method to access Android-native "Split-screen/Multi-Window view" has been altered a bit...
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Click to collapse
For me on a personal level the nasty ones are the removal of battery saving location from UI (the underlying code still supports it), removal of expanded controls from quick toggles, and the call recording hampering.
Now personally I dont think I have recorded more than a few calls in my lifetime on a smartphone, but I believe in user's been in control of their own device and user choice. The change to quick toggles is just mind baffling and makes no sense whatsoever, the changes to GPS may possibly make sense but it needs to be explained to users, instead of just silently removing the feature and have the media pretend its not happened.
Their minds would be better focused on fixing the flaws in the UI so e.g.
Black themes that are inconsistent so e.g. I have a black theme enabled but the navigation bar is white, and the notification boxes are white.
More control over UI elements, allow more freedom to do things like resize notification boxes (they way too large on stock android), reposition every icon and so forth. No choice on vertical or horizontal recent apps screen.
Consistency in UI, so e.g. on quick toggles when expanded you see text labels, when not expanded you dont, there is no reason for that, its just bad consistency.
I also hear of future regressions like plans to replace navigation buttons entirely with gestures, that I think is a disaster in the making as many users dont use gestures, and prefer buttons.
I think its clear changes are been made for the sake of change rather than functional improvement. I feel android UI peaked with kitkat.
Ironically that reddit thread has people praising samsung for adding sanity and reversing the changes, google dont like samsung changing the UI, but you cannot blame samsung when google are doing stupid things to the UI.
I am half tempted to go back to samsung on next phone, my oneplus6 is lightning fast tho and my s7 is really laggy and slow by comparison. But there is no doubt samsung phones have a better UI and feature set.
One thing that has always baffled me, is some users on XDA feel they must always be on the latest version of android, I seen users abandoning things like xposed, useful mods etc. just because they only support a rom version that might only be a few months out of date. This is baffling when you consider that new android versions usually have more regressions than new useful features. As an example on oneplus6 people are abandoning renovate ice because it only supports up to 9.0.6.
I will probably add my own quick toggles with tasker for GPS modes, still looking for call recording solution, as well as black notification theming, I expect the theming for navigation bar is not fixable tho. I had black notifications on havocos and to say they look better is an understatement.
Google sort out your UI department as its pretty bad right now.
rant over.
Also to mods if this post is in the wrong place, please move it rather than just removing it or warn me before removal so I can copy and paste the content to repost in right place, thanks.
Should have posted this on Google's forum, not a hacking forum