A ROM, for those who don't know, is an operating system build that runs on your device with basic applications such as an address book, calendar, camera, etc.
A major advantage of Android smartphones is that they can be operated by third-party systems and not only with the original ROM. Custom ROMs replace the pre-installed version of Android on devices. The substitution is made by a variation of the AOSP, adapted by volunteers with 'too much free time'.
These volunteers often work more frequently than the manufacturer itself – at least when it comes to updates.
AOSP?
AOSP means Android Open Source Program. It is a version of the open source code of Android, developed by Google in its consortium of brands to offer a pure version of the system, which is available to anyone. It can be modified by developers without the need to follow standards of Google applications.
Thanks to this project, the birth of custom ROMs like CyanogenMod, Paranoid Android, MIUI and others have come about.
Advantages of custom ROMs
System upgrade for older smartphones
Many Android owners already know this problem: the smartphone is already a year old but the manufacturer hasn't released updates to the device. The new versions of Android are not only interesting because they bring new features but also because they fill security gapps.
Third party firmware uses the official codification of Android as well as a compatible driver for smartphones. This keeps everyone up-to-date on the newest version of Android. And it's not difficult for a custom ROM to be more updated than the original firmware
The smartphone is faster
One of the biggest advantages of using custom ROMs is your smartphone will be faster. Themes and applications preinstalled by the manufacturer are reduced to almost nothing. This saves a lot of memory space and increases the device's performance.
Customization options galore
Custom ROMs not only bring the latest version of Android but also give you many customization options. The possibilities are almost limitless.
You have root access (administrative)
With root access, you have control over all of the functions of your device. With the original Android, some functions are hidden. Now the modified firmware gives you unlimited access to all the features of your smartphone. Furthermore, backups are performed more easily.
Ideal for purists
Since custom ROMs are based on the 'Android Open Source Project' they are enriched with more functions and the appropriate driver by the team behind the community firmware. So if you bought a less stocky Android device like a Sony or Samsung you can still get a stocky experience.
Disadvantages
Custom ROMs are wonderful but before you decide to change your device's original firmware you should familiarize yourself with the disadvantages of the process.
They void the warranty
If your phone is still under warranty, you could have the possibility of voiding it if you decide to install a custom ROM. There are just a few manufacturers that will tolerate changes to the device system. Xiaomi is one of them.
They're a lot of work
Custom ROMs are perfect for those who love a good challenge. But if this doesn't sound like you then you won't like custom ROMs. Between updates, the system root and unstable versions of a device, your patience could reach its limits.
The lack of Google applications
Third-party firmware comes with very few Google apps. The Play Store applications have to be installed again. The Google apps that you will need to install again can be found on the site.
Credits @ SHAHJADE ALAM
Devendar Reddy D said:
A ROM, for those who don't know, is an operating system build that runs on your device with basic applications such as an address book, calendar, camera, etc.
A major advantage of Android smartphones is that they can be operated by third-party systems and not only with the original ROM. Custom ROMs replace the pre-installed version of Android on devices. The substitution is made by a variation of the AOSP, adapted by volunteers with 'too much free time'.
These volunteers often work more frequently than the manufacturer itself – at least when it comes to updates.
AOSP?
AOSP means Android Open Source Program. It is a version of the open source code of Android, developed by Google in its consortium of brands to offer a pure version of the system, which is available to anyone. It can be modified by developers without the need to follow standards of Google applications.
Thanks to this project, the birth of custom ROMs like CyanogenMod, Paranoid Android, MIUI and others have come about.
Advantages of custom ROMs
System upgrade for older smartphones
Many Android owners already know this problem: the smartphone is already a year old but the manufacturer hasn't released updates to the device. The new versions of Android are not only interesting because they bring new features but also because they fill security gapps.
Third party firmware uses the official codification of Android as well as a compatible driver for smartphones. This keeps everyone up-to-date on the newest version of Android. And it's not difficult for a custom ROM to be more updated than the original firmware
The smartphone is faster
One of the biggest advantages of using custom ROMs is your smartphone will be faster. Themes and applications preinstalled by the manufacturer are reduced to almost nothing. This saves a lot of memory space and increases the device's performance.
Customization options galore
Custom ROMs not only bring the latest version of Android but also give you many customization options. The possibilities are almost limitless.
You have root access (administrative)
With root access, you have control over all of the functions of your device. With the original Android, some functions are hidden. Now the modified firmware gives you unlimited access to all the features of your smartphone. Furthermore, backups are performed more easily.
Ideal for purists
Since custom ROMs are based on the 'Android Open Source Project' they are enriched with more functions and the appropriate driver by the team behind the community firmware. So if you bought a less stocky Android device like a Sony or Samsung you can still get a stocky experience.
Disadvantages
Custom ROMs are wonderful but before you decide to change your device's original firmware you should familiarize yourself with the disadvantages of the process.
They void the warranty
If your phone is still under warranty, you could have the possibility of voiding it if you decide to install a custom ROM. There are just a few manufacturers that will tolerate changes to the device system. Xiaomi is one of them.
They're a lot of work
Custom ROMs are perfect for those who love a good challenge. But if this doesn't sound like you then you won't like custom ROMs. Between updates, the system root and unstable versions of a device, your patience could reach its limits.
The lack of Google applications
Third-party firmware comes with very few Google apps. The Play Store applications have to be installed again. The Google apps that you will need to install again can be found on the site.
Credits @ SHAHJADE ALAM
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Click to collapse
A custom rom is anything that is not stock from a manufacturer first off, you can have modified stock rom and it is a custom one bc you modified it. What you are talking about here is a source built rom with heavy modifications. Secondly they do not void your warranty. Tripping knox or bootloader security voids your warranty. And this does not always occur when rooting and you can reset that flag most of the time and flash stock firmware before sending your phone back in for warranty.
Related
Hi,
I'm kinda new to android, I've rooted my phone and I'm ready to flash a custom rom (SlimKat to be specific). I feel the stock rom can be "trusted", but can a custom rom be trusted to be secure and have privacy? I'm concerned that a custom rom dev may have added anything to the rom to be a security or privacy issue (where they can listen in on texts or phone calls, steal contacts or even steal passwords).
What are your thoughts?
p.s because I have limited knowledge of android I can't look through the code to inspect it.
You can consider the "safest" Roms to be built on AOSP, and have their own open source code repository where you can build from. Something like cynaogenmod comes to mind.
Source code is not available for all parts of most stock Roms for non-nexus phones (Sense, touchwiz, etc). But many stock-based Roms such as what I use (insert-coin), have completely open codebase with the base ROM files copied in (and certain files modified / deleted--these changes visible in the source tree). So using a ROM with a large development community probably isn't much more risky than using stock (especially since many stock phone manufacturer include spyware on the phone)
The big problem is closed source firmwares. This is unavoidable when you consider the radio--even on nexus phones. As far as I know, the radio firmwares are completely opaque on every since phone available, which ****ing sucks.
You can take steps to make sure the phone isn't doing weird ****, like configuring a VPN to send all phone data thru a firewall appliance which does packet inspection. A device like Sonicwall would do nicely. This will also warn you if any apps are misbehaving (unexpected p2p, TOR, i2p, DHT, or anything weird)
At this time I believe phones are inherently insecure, but the best you could do is a nexus device with stock Google OS.
If you want a completely secure computer, check out libreboot (open bios), only a few models compatible. And a good OS like hardened Gentoo or openBSD.
Source code source code source code ...
Anytime I'm hearing this I must be laughing. The code is useless if most of people are not able to read and understand it and also not if nobody really makes a proper audit (which means that it usually takes some hours/days and a lot of knowledge). OpenSSL was also vulnerability for years and it is open source.. So stop telling the people any myth about that open source is a benefit. It could but mostly nobody cares much since nobody want's always spent hours/days for every new release to re-audit everything.
I guess every guy that care much about secure something must read, read and read. There is no common setup or tool or guide, stay up-2-date, try to update things asap and inform yourself about known attacks. It's aslo a known myth that changing any rom more secure anything. There are rare roms/OS which are build to be "more secure" but in fact such mentioned attacks like Openssl affects a lot of OS and apps even if they are build with more security inside.
If you want a completely secure computer, check out libreboot (open bios), only a few models compatible. And a good OS like hardened Gentoo or openBSD.
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Click to collapse
Nothing is "completely secure" as long the user without knowledge controls it or if there are attacks which can't be controlled easily ...e.g. if you are already infected since the first day/boot with malware which the av or you can't access/scan that easy (for example usb firmware malware or hdd boot partition malware which are locked because no tool can't access it under a booted up os).
Original Post : linkedin.com/pulse/google-android-guys-here-idea-you-prashantha-mundkod
Today, I have some business ideas for Google Android guys..
Idea
A tool (a desktop tool and/or android app tool ) for creating ROM and installing stock android.
This tool basically does 3 major tasks.
1. Reads hardware information of an Android device through the desktop/android tool and creates a stock android ROM for that device.
2. Creates a super user , roots the device , installs the ROM created in step 1.
3. Provides an option to keep/remove the super user after the installation based on user sophistication.
(Alternatively, tool will install a generic stock android and then look for appropriate drivers for the device after the installation)
Why do we need a tool ?
Here is what I found while playing around with stock android.
1. Majority of handset manufacturers simply don't bother provide updates . Even if they do, its ridiculously delayed.
2. The UI created by most manufacturers is not innovative or user friendly. They are loaded with ridiculous amount of bloatware. Since they don't bother to provide timely updates either, end user is stuck with an older version of Android regardless of device's capability to support newer versions of android.
3. For an average user, there is no simple way to install a stock android . Users are in mercy of tech forums and developers who volunteer to create custom ROM. Expecting a ROM from volunteers for all devices out there is unrealistic . Trusting those ROMs is another biggest concern as well. Despite the volunteer efforts , installing a stock android ROM still needs some level of IT knowledge , not the cup of tea of an average android user.
4. There is no generic stock android ROM. Reason perhaps is that, creating a package with drivers for thousands of manufacturers would be practically not feasible as the package size would be enormous.
User Experience
An end user who wants a stock android doesn't need to be an IT guy and the tool should be simple to user. Example : Click a button that would read hardware and create the package, next user interaction is a prompt asking the user to install the stock android ROM. All other user interactions such as retaining super user etc is an an option for advanced users.
Manufacturers
Any custom UI or App package a manufacturer wants to push for their device should be updated as App package from manufacturer over a pure android . (Example : Once user install the stock android, manufacturers like Samsung, can push their app like Galaxy gifts etc as a package. )
This would shorten the development cycle for manufacturers as well. Thus updating Android for their device becomes purely a app package for an android version , rather than individual device.
Advantages
For users, clearly the benefit is the ability to have most updated software and experience of pure android and freedom from abandonment of device from manufacturers.
For Google (and Android as a platform ), one of the biggest competitive disadvantage is , its fragmentation. One of the reason for fragmentation is that, for a large number of devices, simply there is no easy way to update the software. The tool could help solve fragmentation issues.
The tool may be included as part of Google's attempt for Android One initiative. Certainly , no explanation is necessary on how it benefits Google from having one single version of android in all (or at-least as many devices as possible) android devices.
For now, that's it . When i am free, I will post the details on how exactly they should do it .
Experts... What do you think ?
Disclaimer : Views expressed are my own.
Does anyone think this will happen? I hope not. The main reason I use Android is it's open source nature. And what about custom roms? What will happen to them?
Google is preparing to seize control of Android with its own proprietary closed-source version of the mobile operating system, an analyst claims.
Technology analyst Richard Windsor says that a highly confidential internal project is underway to rewrite the ART runtime, removing any lingering dependencies from the freely downloadable open source AOSP (Android Open Source Project) code base.
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Full story: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/06/08/google_is_taking_android_proprietary_heres_how/
It will happen, there are too many risks now with un-patched OS versions
While Google are promptly releasing fixes, the OEM's are not pushing them out.
(They claim testing/compatibility issues, but really mean, we want you to buy a new phone)
Why should I have to pay ~£500 every year for a phone with the latest OS just to stay safe.
I have a 2010 HTC Desire HD running MM perfectly happily (thanks to XDA developers), it just goes to show it can be done !
Even flagship models are slow to receive latest updates while OEM's re-tweak all their 'crapware' to work with the updates.
The only way Google can force updates out is to lock down the underlying OS so that it removes the OEM's excuses.
Its a shame that OEM's laziness/greediness is going to ruin it for all.
Unfortunately closed-source = death of custom ROMS :crying::crying::crying:
Will 'alternate' ROMs appear 'rooted' to mobile device management systems (for example vmWareAirWatch)?
I'm talking about alternate ROMs like Nitrogen or some other Android 7.1.1 and later that bring a version of Android that has current software updates, patches and risk reduction features.
Hoping to find out before I spend time installing alternate ROM.
Thanks!
If you'll remember the April Fools joke on Lineage OS's website, there was this fake program called Br0Zip:
We know our users; their biggest desire is to be able to get a stable custom rom on their device. Painlessly.
Lineage supports a lot of devices, but this big number is still small when compared to the amount of the devices available in the market.
One of our main goals is to bring the latest Android version to all those forgotten devices, but we also focus on user experience and security improvements.
The main problem with this cool thing is that you need a developer that builds and fixes all the bugs. It’s a pain, we’ve done it many times.
But these days are gone now. We’re deprecating maintainers. Yeah - you read it right.
We’re proud to annouce our AI-powered revolutionary product called Br0zip.
Br0zipperEngine, is a powerful AI that powers Br0Zip. Given any .zip ROM or .img kernel of any device (yeah - any device) it’ll be able to generate a properly working ROM.
It’s cool, isn’t it? But wait - there’s more: we believe customization is important, and that’s why we implemented a feature selector in the ROM builder wizard, so you can make your ROM truly yours.
Anyone, including those who have never touched a single line of code now can be a talented developer and create their own bugless custom ROM for their device in seconds.
The best thing? It runs directly on your phone - you don’t even need a supercomputer.
Br0zip trial will included for free in the LineageOS builds.
We can’t wait to see what you’ll build with it.
Keep romming,
The Lineage Ink. team
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Despite the obvious fact that no such thing had been developed, it's actually a good idea.
Picture this: instead of flashing a ROM that adjusts itself (option 3 in the poll - imagine how large that would be if it had support for EVERY SINGLE FEATURE ever developed for Android devices!), have a program which, after the initial setup wizard, detects and downloads the necessary components for your device over the internet via some cloud-based server, then installs those components, restart if needed, and voila! You have a working ROM installed on your Android device. Very much like what Ubuntu, Debian, Mageia, and other Linux-based OSes do when not all the components required are supplied by the live CD or USB image.
What do you all think?
Ah, yes. this old thread. How popular it was back then... Well, at least I got an avatar out of that April Fool's joke.