[Help Thread][Cosmo Communicator](2019) Ask Any Question, Noob Friendly

[Help Thread][Cosmo Communicator](2019) Ask Any Question, Noob Friendly - General Questions and Answers

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Questions & Answers/Troubleshooting
Specific to
Planet Computer's
Cosmo Communicator
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List of supporters............
To those seeking help: Please don't bombard the supporters with PMs asking for help. Instead, ask your question here in the thread so others can benefit from the solution to your problem as well. If you want to be sure someone particular gets notified of your question, put his / her username directly after an @.If you have ROM-related questions, post in the relevant ROM Q&A thread (if there is one) or directly in the ROM development thread. Thank you!Supporters: If you want to be put on or off the list, just make a request here in the thread!Before posting anything, I strongly advise you to read
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Cosmo Bug reporting
Muti-boot and Linux
Specs, Offical Site
https://store.planetcom.co.uk/products/cosmo-communicator
How to page
http://support.planetcom.co.uk/index.php/Linux_for_Cosmo
https://support.planetcom.co.uk/index.php/Latest_Cosmo_Firmware
XDA
https://www.xda-developers.com/cosmo-communicator-clamshell-android-pie-dual-boot-linux/
Features
Keyboard: Mechanical full keyboard
Backlit: Individually illuminated keys, with brightness adjustment
Fingerprint Sensor: Yes, sub-glass sensor

[email protected]
Your perk has shipped
-Nov 26, 2019, 6:04 AM

first impressions and rooting
Hi,
hope this thread is the right place - I'm new to posting on xda developers (but been reading here sometimes for a long time).
I received my Cosmo on tuesday (2019-11-26).
Overall I'm happy with the device. The keyboard is good and I can actually touch type with it - obviously not as fast as on a full sized one. But Sometimes it misses characters, expecially the space bar.
The german layout is a bit awkward for umlauts. To Type "ä" you have to press "Fn+a", for "ü", "Fn+u" and so on. There is only one Fn key on the left side so fluid typing of especially "ü" and "ß" is difficult.
Software on the cover display feels like an early beta. Very slow and e.g. music controls don't work with all music players - but it has it's value for checking the time or answering calls (and seeing who's calling beforehand).
Battery life is pretty bad but surprisingly unaffected by usage.
... well, it's a low volume device so I'm ok with the downside. And I hope some will be fixed.
Planet computers promised to release officially rooted images and linux support etc.... it's not there yet.
But rooting was pretty straight forward:
activate "OEM unlocking" in developer settings
install magic manager
adb reboot bootloader
fastboot flashing unlock
reboot to bootloader again (not sure if necessary)
fastboot flash boot boot-magisk.img
(most people seem to use SP Flashtool, but it worked for me with fastboot which is open source)
I got the boot-magisk.img from here:
https://www.oesf.org/forum/index.php?s=&showtopic=35879&view=findpost&p=292918
https://mega.nz/#!U8sFVACI!J-TS3q11Hak-zWt1_nyTyv4m87GkV1YIVDipez05BvE
When planet releases debian images I will try them out.
If you have any questions feel happy to ask.
edit:
the process does a factory reset. So back up your data!

Great
I was a little concerned when I got it yesterday.
Before powering on the first time I inserted a micro sd card.
Powered it on and it just said starting up for 39 mins
Ended up pulling the sd card out, now it works great.
Not sure what's up with that.
deadman96385 is supposedly working on TWRP and lineage os
Sent from my Cosmo_Communicator using XDA Labs

What filesystem do you have on the sd card?
The Android version is missing some filesystem drivers e.g. exfat and ntfs.
I have 64GB sd card formatted with vfat(32) and it works withoud any problems.

kineyDE said:
What filesystem do you have on the sd card?
The Android version is missing some filesystem drivers e.g. exfat and ntfs.
I have 64GB sd card formatted with vfat(32) and it works withoud any problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure it was likely exfat.
Sent from my Cosmo_Communicator using XDA Labs

Still waiting for mine in the UK

Muti-boot and Linux Cosmo support update
From email
Muti-boot and Linux Cosmo support update
In this update we would like to discuss plans regarding Linux support on the Cosmo Communicator.
With the Gemini PDA, Planet offered experienced users the ability to install Linux on the device, by connecting it to a desktop or laptop computer and flashing the device manually.
With the Cosmo Communicator we want to improve the user experience when installing a custom OS, such as Linux. To do that we upgraded two key components, the LK and the recovery mode.
The updated recovery mode can be used to partition the storage space of the Cosmo Communicator - see the option "Change the partition table of your COSMO" in the picture below.
This will allow the user to reserve space for the Linux operating system. As you can see in the picture below, there are currently 5 options:
1. Reserve all space for Android
2. Reserve 90GB for Android and 30GB for Linux
3. Reserve 60GB for Android and 60GB for Linux
4. Reserve 30GB for Android and 90 GB for Linux
5. Reserve all space for Linux
Once the storage for Linux has been reserved, you can install a custom OS on your Cosmo, by choosing the related option as in the picture.
This option will scan the microSD card for compatible installers and will present you with a menu showing the available installers as in the picture below.
Whenever new or updated custom operating systems will be available for the Cosmo, you will be able to download them into a micro SD card and install it in your device.
At the moment we have initial support for the following:
1. TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project)
2. Debian using KDE/Plasma
3. Debian using LXQT
4. Rooted Android
Once you select a custom OS you have to select where to install its boot firmware as shown below.
There will be 3 extra boot partitions that can host custom boot firmware.
Once you select the boot partition, the custom OS will be installed on your Cosmo Communicator. A boot menu will then appear when you turn ON the device, allowing you to choose what to start as in the following picture. The boot menu is integrated in the modified LK firmware.
Using this method you will be able to install a custom OS such as Linux on your device without the need for a laptop or a desktop computer. All you need to do is to download the installer in a micro SD card and use the recovery mode to start the installation.
Finally, a big thank you to our open source community (in particular to Sean, Adam and Nikita) which is working hard to get other operating systems supported on the Cosmo. In the following screenshot you can get a preview on what the community is working at the moment. We will provide a detailed Linux status update in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!
More from us this still this week. There will be another update later this week updating you on the over the air firmware update and Cosmo shipping.
Best regards,
Team Cosmo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

First Cosmo Firmware update - this week!
from email
This week, Planet will release the first Cosmo firmware update.
The latest Cosmo firmware includes new features and solves a number firmware issues reported by users:
1. New settings: switch OFF cover display on power down
This feature helps saving battery when Cosmo Communicator is powered down by switching OFF the cover display. When powered down in this way, you will only be able to switch on your Cosmo using the Esc key and charge your Cosmo using the left hand side USB-C port. We are looking at further power saving firmware possibilities
2. Fix for power charging indicator being on while the keyboard backlight is on.
3. The Duraspeed and Background Power Saving settings status is now OFF by default. This fixes the operation of many applications which were reported to be closing in the background when Duraspeed is ON. Some services were being closed down after some time of inactivity.
4. The eSIM chip status is now fixed after Cosmo restart, so eSIM selection is preserved (instead of switching to SIM lost 2)
5. Fix for Reject ringing call during another call from cover display
6. Fix for sending SMS reject call when two calls exist
7. Fix for Switch calls and merge calls from cover display
8. The Cover Display will now support the advertised landscape mode.
9. The Cover display will also support two font sizes for notification text.
10. Fix for icon sensitivity on top row of icons on the cover display
11. Optimisation for Contact list update on cover display
12. Some stability fixes for cover display
Cosmo Support Web Site
We have also started Cosmo support pages on support.planetcom.co.uk.
We will be updating these pages with more content in due course.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Cosmo Bug reporting
Cosmo Bug reporting
If you find an issue using your Cosmo Communicator you can report it using the
Cosmo trouble reporting board.
https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/cc92fc88ec4e469d8923c419ad9321b2

cover display firmware update error
Hello All,
Just received my communicator and during my cover firmware update there was an interruption when I attached the charger to the device. Received flashing error message then tried recommended steps on support site to no avail. Does anyone know where I can get the firmware for a manual flash? My cover display is now not working and won't communicate with the device. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Disregard. Apparently it can take up to 10 times for the flash to actually work.

new recovery
Does anyone have an idea when they are going to update the recovery so we can partition the drive for dual boot?

Anyone know how to make the Esc key behave normally in Android? I never had issues with using the Hacker's Keyboard escape key in Termux, but on my Cosmo pressing the escape key seems to work like Android's back button, which minimizes Termux. I just want to use it like a normal escape key. I currently have vim set to use tilde to go to command mode, but that's a janky solution for a number of reasons and it means that I have to use that setup on any other box I'm accessing a given remote server from. I've looked in Settings->Cosmo Settings and in the Planet Keyboard app, and didn't see it either place. Any help would be much appreciated.

Hi kineyDE,
Do you know which music player apps work with the music controls on the cover display front screen? I can't seem to get the cover display to respond to any of my inputs for any music player I have installed (music, FM, or video app).
VWrestle97

just installed a googlecam port. pictures are acceptable.. not as good as my old iphone 8plus, but good enough

this needed it's own thread:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/help/cosmo-communicator-to-post-t4032525
"I have a Cosmo Communicator that has been packed backed into it's box. I feel there are glaring security holes outlined in this article by Ninji:
https://wuffs.org/blog/pulling-apart...emfota-updater
With that said, I have not seen much discussion about the Cosmo Communicator here on XDA. I currently have a useless Cosmo because there is currently no Sailfish available for it, and it doesn't look like it will happen anytime soon. If there is a developer here that would like to work on it, I would be willing to loan out my device for that purpose.
Is there anyone else here who has a Cosmo?"
If a moderator want's to delete one or the other or let the separate one exist, i'm not worried. I just want to get this message out to the community.

masterhaides said:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/help/cosmo-communicator-to-post-t4032525
"I have a Cosmo Communicator that has been packed backed into it's box. I feel there are glaring security holes outlined in this article by Ninji:
https://wuffs.org/blog/pulling-apart...emfota-updater
With that said, I have not seen much discussion about the Cosmo Communicator here on XDA. I currently have a useless Cosmo because there is currently no Sailfish available for it, and it doesn't look like it will happen anytime soon. If there is a developer here that would like to work on it, I would be willing to loan out my device for that purpose.
Is there anyone else here who has a Cosmo?"
If a moderator want's to delete one or the other or let the separate one exist, i'm not worried. I just want to get this message out to the community.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi as stated by Ninji disabling the updater should secure the device (unless already compromised).
Code:
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.dtinfo.tools
And once there is an update fingers crossed that there will be no new backdoor and you can turn it on again.
Code:
adb shell pm enable com.dtinfo.tools
So far I am very happy with my cosmo, but I am missing working volume buttons when it is closed.

lobertDE said:
Hi as stated by Ninji disabling the updater should secure the device (unless already compromised).
Code:
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.dtinfo.tools
And once there is an update fingers crossed that there will be no new backdoor and you can turn it on again.
Code:
adb shell pm enable com.dtinfo.tools
So far I am very happy with my cosmo, but I am missing working volume buttons when it is closed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As stated by Ninji in the article:
"Disabling the SystemFota package should stop the device from communicating with Digitime and running the worker, but the backdoor service baked into Android is still there, which allows any app to execute a variety of privileged actions. I assembled a proof-of-concept with it which was able to dump the Android accounts database (including auth tokens) without using Android permissions or requiring user input, from a standard app at API level 28."
You should read the ENTIRE article before commenting.
https://wuffs.org/blog/pulling-apart-the-cosmos-systemfota-updater

A software bug or hardware issue?
The power indicator shows charging while not connected to the charger. Don't know its a software bug or hardware issue?
Battery drains very fast even not using.

Related

G.W.E.N.I. IS HERE - Giving Wise Educational Noob Instructions

Noobs, Moderators, Members, lend me your eyes:
I come to bury redundant posts, not praise them.
The evil that redundant posts do lives after them;
The good is often interred within the thread;
So let it be with G.W.E.N.I. …………………….
UPDATE – G.W.E.N.I. Moved to Kaiser FAQ’s.
Read Below
The moderators were quick to add the information in this thread to the KAISER FAQ located at
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=KaiserFAQ#Gettingx20.Started
You can look through and read this thread if you’d like, BUT…
ALL G.W.E.N.I. LINKS IN THIS THREAD AND ALL NEWLY ADDED G.W.E.N.I. links ARE NOW in the KAISER FAQ which is located at the aboive link.
I wasn’t aware that ANYONE could edit the Wiki. Did you know that? Anyone? I have added about 35 NEW links to the Kaiser FAQ page in addition to what I have posted here. If you are familiar with how to edit that page, YOU CAN ADD YOUR OWN PROVEN SOLUTIONS. If you aren’t comfortable with that procedure, PM me your solutions and I will add them to the Kaiser FAQ page for you.
Also – I have tested the Kaiser FAQ page in terms of being able to successfully flash a phone with the fundamental functionalities, i.e. sound, camera, gps, email, etc. and can happily report back that all was accomplished without incident and done with exclusive use of the KAISER FAQ. If you get bored, try it yourself. I already have 3 times so I know that if you are reading this and you are new to flashing, go to the KAISER FAQ and The WIKI pages and SPEND SOME TIME READING THERE INSTEAD OF POSTING.
Everything you need is right there in that Kaiser FAQ – clear, concise and to the point. No commentary, opinions or suggestions – just questions and answers.
~Gwen
Everyone who is both new and seasoned has heard of the Wiki’s - The place to go for all of your questions on a given topic. They are the definitive resource for anyone looking to do anything to their devices. We also all know that most do not use these highly informative threads. Knowing that and depending on your perspective, it can either be good news or bad news. For someone like me, a first time smart phone owner and who also created this document, it is certainly good news as I now will now have the convenience of having most of what I need in one document. This should also cut down on A LOT of the redundant threads on here (I hope. Fingers Crossed) I won’t go into a long and protracted explanation. It should be pretty self explanatory.
This page should serve as a central repository for most things lazy. In other words, you don’t want to search, fine. The MODS and members alike do not want redundant questions either which are asked ALL THE TIME which pushes relevant threads down the list. Initially I was creating this list for myself, but I know others can benefit from it so it now has a dual purpose.
If anyone has their own known verified solutions which work and it’s not shown on my list, please post here and I will add it and update the thread and give credit to the person who posted the fix. Well, hopefully, the MODS will take notice and update the thread. I’m not sure I have that kind of access. The idea is NOT TO HAVE multiple pages in this thread. The idea IS to have ONE thread with one post containing many, many, many links to solutions that users would post redundant questions to otherwise.
I am not looking for the tier 4 level super hero technical support solutions. I am only speaking about the fundamentals. If a person cannot follow the basic instructions to flash their phone, they have no business on this forum in the first place. YOU HAVE TO POESSES THE APTITUDE AND THE FUNDAMENTAL KNOWLEDGE to be able to do this on your own. That’s why you post so many redundant questions….because you are unsure of yourself and KNOW that what you are reading is beyond your scope of comprehension. The business side of me is thinking that there is a VERY lucrative service available right here in front of the faces of those who are proficient in flashing.
Just because you got yourself a snappy new phone and have seen what others have done to it, doesn’t mean you should do the same to your phone especially if you don’t, won’t or can’t get your head around the technical side of it.
I AM SURE there are duplicates on this list worded differently. I did that on purpose because I know some of you process things ass backwards and sometimes you get lost in the syntax and will post a question because the thread didn’t match your problem exactly when in fact, inside of that thread was the answer to your question if you had only looked. And since these boards are written in English, the most powerful language in the world, whose subtle nuances will blow your head clean off, I included the same links worded a little bit differently – Make sense now?
I am certainly want to hear comments, suggestions, criticisms, opinions, etc. I am new and a noob to this board as well, but now I consider myself an accelerated noob. In light of this, if there are any MODS out there who wish to organize my list in some other fashion you think will increase its’ efficiency and impact, please fell free to do so. I have been working on this for a while and have just about had it. In my haste to finish with a few brain cells left, I may not have taken the extra care in sorting the links as orderly as I could have. I just wanted to get it up and running and see what would happen - If it would make a difference.
HOPE EVERYONE ENJOYS!!! It looks like because of the size of my posts, I will HAVE TO POST SEPARATE POSTS – SORRY
P.S. I have approximately 20 more links I am verifying and then will add it to the list.
~Gwen

Getting Started Guides
Welcome to “G.W.E.N.I.”G iving W ise E ducational N oob I nstructions
GETTING STARTED READING
GO HERE FOR THE HTC KAISER WIKI – INCLUDES:
HTC P4550 / HTC TyTN II / Orange & HTC TyTN II / Vodafone VPA Compact V / Vodafone v1615 / SFR v1615 / Swisscom XPA v1615 / T-Mobile MDA Vario III / AT&T Tilt / O2 Xda Stellar / EMobile Emonster S11HT
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=HTC_Kaiser
TILT WIKI SPECIFIC PAGE – CHECK IT OUT
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=TiltSpecificWikiPage
RADIO WIKI –
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=349375
PAGE POOL PAGE -
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=295932
MAIN STICKY PAGE - ALL STICIKIES CAN BE FOUND HERE –
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=369282

Links - FLASHING YOUR DEVICE
LINKS - FLASHING YOUR DEVICE (TILT/8925/KAISER)
REMOVE BLOATWARE FROM STOCK AT&T ROM BY SOFT RESETTING AT 3 SECOND COUNTDOWN SCREEN
When your Device boots for the first time, WAIT FOR THE 3 SECOND COUNTDOWN and stick your stylus into the reset hole located at the bottom of the tilt next to the USB/Charger Port. That’s it. When device resets, the AT&T bloatware will be gone.
WHAT IS PAGEPOOL? (USE BEFORE YOU FLASH)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=295932
GET THE PAGEPOOL CAB HERE
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=362253
FLASHING FAQ FOR NEWBIES
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=356895
HARDSPL WHITE SCREEN SOLVED
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=354061
HARDSPL VIDEO WALKTHRU
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=355374
STUCK IN BOOTLOADER MODE – LOOK HERE TO UNBRICK YOUR PHONE
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=354553
AFTER A FLASH, YOUR TILT KEEPS SOFT RESETTING ITSELF BEFORE THE BOOT SCREEN
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=374388
MY SPEAKER/SOUND DOESN’T WORK AFTER FLASHING – OR MY CAMERA!!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=372524
NO SOUND OR CAMERA AFTER FLASH?? – UPDATE YOUR RADIO AT THE WIKI
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=349375
GOT A QUESTION ABOUT YOUR RADIO OR CAMERA ISSUE CLICK HERE FOR THE RADIO AND CAMERA STICKY
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=349375
FLASH FROM AN SD CARD – MICRO CARD
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=336158
SD CARD – FAT16 or 32 WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=355215
LEARN HOW TO FORMAT AN SD CARD HERE
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=MemMaid+PPC
WINDOWS HAVING TROUBLE RECOGNIZING YOUR CARD – CLICK HERE FOR SDHC SUPPORT Use to get widows to recognize SDHC cards
http://forum.xda-developers.com/archive/index.php/t-354422.html
ALL EXTRACTED HTC CABS + OEMS – IF YOU HAVE A HTC FLASHED ROM GO HERE
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=344533
BACKUP YOUR CONTACTS TO A STORAGE CARD FOR FLASHING
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=299705
CUSTOMRUU_KAISER – Splash and Radio Installer –
USE when YOU ARE NOT FLASHING A ROM
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=334890
PUT BACK THE OEM AT&T ROM
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=335568
ROM DUMPING AND REBUILDING
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=334680 – DUMPING
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=337066 – REBUILDING
ARE ALL ROMS THE SAME??
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=372197
HOW CAN I GET DUTTY’S CUBE? – Check Both Links
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=372226
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=374434
CREATE AND FLASH YOUR OWN SPLASH SCREENS – Check Both Links
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=334907
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=336174&page=
SLEEP OF DEATH (SOD) – TILT WILL NOT WAKE UP
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=339792
NEED TO RETURN YOUR PHONE TO AT&T, BUT HAVE FLASHED A NON-AT&T ROM?GO HERE TO PUT BACK THE FACTORY OEM AT&T ROM FOR WARRANTY/REPLACEMENT
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=335568
TURN DATA CONNECTIONS ON AND OFF AUTOMATICALLY
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=366054
NOTIFICATION REMINDER APPLICATIONS
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=362721

Setting Up And Configure Your Device
LINKS – GETTING YOUR TILT/8925/KAISER SET UP AND CONFIGURED
WM 6.1 START UP CABS Shutdown – Start-up – thanks Alltheway
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=379529&page=2 –
WM6 SOUNDS – WAY BETTER – GET THEM HERE
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=304494
WHERE ARE THE INSTALL CABS/EXE FILES FOR VOICE COMMANDS?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=369720
DUPLICATE CONTACTS IN OUTLOOK AFTER FLASH?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=362313
LOOKING FOR THE TOUCHFLO CUBE(S)??
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=Cube
EVERYTHING CUBES – WANT A CUBE – WANT CUBE RESOURCES
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=Cube – Cube Wiki
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=358102 – Slithers Cube
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=350011 - Poorly Duck’s
SCHAPS ADVANCED CONFIGURATION TOOL WIKI
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=317070
SET A DEFAULT KEYBOARD - CAB
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=363751
TILT KEYBOARD FIX - CAB
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=334911
I have a little issue: the tilt keyboard button mismatch: for example the combination for the symbol "!" returns the symbol "@"... almost 50% of symbols are misplaced from their screen print.
Is there a cab to restore the keyboard of HTC model?
Please find attached the keyboard of my kaiser:
I had the same problem and it was solved by this way:
Find this key: HKLM\Hardware\Devicemap\Keybd
Either delete "CWSLayout" or set it = 0
After that Soft Reset!!
CAB WON’T WORK?? TRY THIS FOR A KEYBOARD FIX
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\DEVICEMAP\KEYBD]
"CWSLayout"=dword:1
And see here - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=359143
WANT THE HTC SYMBOL PAD CAB? – (@#$%!) Get it here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=379815
TURN UP THE SOUND ON ANIMATION SCREEN
You can set volume of startup sound in registry here:
in HKLM\Software\HTC\StartupAnimation:
Volumn (DWord) : 63 (this is sound volume for startup boot sound, 0 means OFF, 127 means MAX Volume
HTC AUDIO MANAGER – Use to increase volume
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=355725
INCREASE RING VOLUME
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=356608
REMAP PTT BUTTON–
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=1570143&postcount=32
MMS HELP
MMS - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=365213&page=3
HAVING THIS PROBLEM??
With threaded SMS enabled, I received MMS, but couldn't open them so I did the SMS unthreading, but after that I didn’t receive any MMS.
The fix is to edited the registry to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Inbox\Setting s\OEM\ (MMSInboxThreadingDisabled DWORD=VALUE SET TO ONE).
NEXT
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Inbox\Setting s\ (MMSAvailable DWORD VALUE SET TO1) AND HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Inbox\Setting s\ (MMSDeliveryNotify DWORD VALUE SET TO 0)
THEN
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Inbox\Setting s\ (MMSUnicode DWORD VALUE SET TO 1) – This should fix most problems and everything should work great after (MMS/SMS)
TURN ON/OFF THREADED SMS/MMS
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=368046
ANOTHER MMS/SMS SOLUTION TO GET IT TO WORK
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=376738
ANOTHER MMS/SMS FIX TO RECEIVE THEM
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=379253
MMS/SMS MESSAGES TAKING FOREVER TO SEND OR RECEIVE – HERE’S YET ANOTHER POSSIBLE SOLUTION –
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=382242
SMS/MMS in WM6.1 NOT SHOWING UP?? WANT TO IMPORT SMS/MMS FROM 6.0 TO 6.1?– LOOK HERE
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=367486
SMS MESSAGES OUT OF ORDER AFTER A BACK-UP RESTORE??
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=1903404&postcount=749
GROUP YOUR TEXT MESSAGES/CONVERSTAIONS INTO ONE SCREEN –
No more going back and fourth to sent folders when you are texting
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=374776
WIFI WON’T TURN ON? CLICK BELOW TO GET IT BACK ON
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=372038
CHANGE YOUR LED COLOR LIGHT SEQUENCE – I LOVE This!
Look here to read about it - http://www.modaco.com/content-page/259062/Flashing-LED-Notifcations-for-SMS/page/60/
Go here to get it- http://www.modaco.com/index.php?automodule=downloads&showcat=28
TO PUT THE LEDS BACK THE WAY THEY WERE IF USING THE ABOVE CAB
"If you use the cab version and decide to remove it, you need to set
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Drivers\BuiltIn\AllLEDMgr]
"Index"=dword:1
and perform a soft reset to re-enable the old led driver. Also delete the [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Drivers\BuiltIn\nueLED] key."
WANT TO REMOVE THE TOP BAR (Start, Volume, etc)?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=367712
RSS MISSING? NEED AN RSS PROGRAM?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=371103
POCKET INTERNET EXPLORER (PIE) NOT WORKING?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=371532
WHERE’S THE WM6.1 GREEN THEME .TSK FILE?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=371621
GOT GPS/QUICK FIX PROBLEMS IN 6.1??
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=375172&page=2
Also see here - http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=HTC_Kaiser AND LOOK UP TOMTOM
LOOKING FOR A BATTERY STATUS METER??
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=375302
BATTERY STATUS ICON – PUT IT BACK
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=361500
AUTO COMPLETE WIDOW MESSED UP?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=367924

OTHER HELPFUL INFORMATION - Tips And Tricks
Other Helpful Information
tips/tricks
BOOT A BAD DEVICE - Disable activesync usb connections, open mtty.exe and connect to USB port, hit enter twice and you'll see the "Cmd>" prompt from the bootloader, then type the command "boot", should show something like this:
Code:
Cmd>boot
InitDisplay: Display_Chip=1
No card inserted
OSSIReadBack ++
Read SI data from flash success
tail signature match
Checksum match
UserStorageSIPreload ++
After that device should boot OS again
see this for FURTHER INFORMATION - http://wiki.xda-developers.com/uploads/mtty.exe
SCREEN FREEZE FIX – Using Total Commander, navigate to: HKLM\Software\OEM\TFLOSetings and changed EnableScroll to 0. Then soft reset. Done
DO YOU HAVE A “ATT TEST ONLY NOT FOR SALE SCREEN?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=371603 Read this
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=336174&page=1 Then go here and do it
BBCONNET FOR TILT RUNNING DUTTYS WM6.1 SOLVED
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=371652
RLOD – RED LIGHT OF DEATH
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=372266&highlight=rlod
DISMANTLE AND FIX GUIDES FOR KAISER/TILT/8925
www.mikechannon.net
NEW BATTERY – MUGEN 3000 mah
Read about it here - http://www.talkietech.com/attih89mupoh.html
Buy it here - http://shop.eten.hu/mugen-power-a701-battery-3000mah-p-58.html
TETHER MODEM – Use your tilt as an internet gateway on another computer
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=337714
RAR FILES WON’T OPEN –
Read about it here –
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=349737
Get it here - http://www.rarsoft.com/rar/pocketrar371.exe
MAKE YOUR DIALER NUMBERS MUCH BIGGER
Read about it here –
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=367852
Get it here - http://resco.net/pocketpc/keyboard/default.asp
GET AN AWESOME DIALER HERE – VISTA-ish
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=367423
INSTALLING CABS ALL AT ONCE - ONE TIME
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=351465&page=3
DO YOU HAVE A NON PASSWORD ROM ASKING FOR A PASSWORD (DUTTYS)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=368944
CREATE MULTIPLE TABS ON THE HOME SCREEN
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=369425
CHANGE COLORS ON HOME SCREEN WITHOUT CHANGING THEME
Read about it here –
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=371040 –
And then get it here - http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/img2/SS_UITweaker.gif -
CUSTOMIZE THE BUTTONS IN THE COMM MANAGER
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=371222
EXPORTING MP3s FROM iTUNES TO KAISER
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=372204
GET YOUR CLOCK SETTINGS UNDER CONTROL [/B](Format, Time Zone, Location)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=373394
SCREEN COLORS FADED – ARE THEY MISSING – HERE’S THE PROBLEM
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=374157
SCREEN GOING OFF TOO FAST DURING A CALL??
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=339309&highlight=EnableFastDormantDisplay
or Download Schap's Advanced Config OR Kaisertweak, you can turn it off from there too
DO YOU WANT TO REMOVE THE CLOCK FROM THE TODAY SCREEN?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=380066
MISSING YOUR DEVICE INFORMATION?? PUT IT BACK –
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=381449
WANT AN AUTOMATIC CONNECTIOIN HSPDA SWITCH IN WM6.1?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=382432
GOOGLE ANDROID ON KAISER??
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=343471
COOKING FOR DUMMIES – WITH SCREENCASTS!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=372469
CHANGE YOUR SOFT KEYS
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=368700
LATEST SOFTKEY CHANGER
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=369598
GET COLORED ICONS FOR HOME SCREEN
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=368633
PLACE SHORTCUTS ON YOUR PHONE
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=366732
INCREASING THE TOUCH SCREEN SENSITIVITY
If you want to increase the sensitivity of the touch screen, I recommend setting the registry key (HKLM\Drivers\TouchPanel\Pressure Threshold) to 5000. It may seem a little high, but the response time is practically instant, and very little pressure required (still enough to avoid accidental presses).
TURN YOUR TILT INTO A WEBCAM
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=356770
BLUETOOTH HOT FIX – USE FOR DROPPED CALLS WITH BLUETOOTH
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=352931
WANT A STOPWATCH-COUNTDOWN TIMER
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=350661
CLONING DEVICE – FULL BACKUP
http://www.spritesoftware.com/store...loneLink-TopNav&utm_campaign=CloneLink-TopNav
Link - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=349725
http://www.pocketpctoolkit.com/PocketPCInstallerEditions.php
Also see - Spb Backup
DVD’s on your TILT
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=358763
SCREEN PROTECTOR
http://www.invisibleshield.com/cell-phone/at&t/tilt.php
MEDIA NET SETTINGS
MediaNet
Cellular Line (GPRS, 3G)
Access Point = wap.cingular
User Name = [email protected]
Password = CINGULAR1
I use alternate DNS Servers (Under Advanced)
208.67.222.222
208.67.220.220
DNS is provided by Open DNS www.opendns.com
WANT TO REMOVE THE CARRIER LOGO FROM THE TODAY SCREEN?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=337788 –
WHAT THE IPHONE CANNOT DO:
Please note the following functions/services are not available for iPhone at this time:
3G (UMTS/HSPDA)
MEdia Net access
MEdia Mall access
Multimedia Messaging (MMS)
Text Messaging (SMS) to an e-mail address
Instant Messenger (IM)
Ringtones, graphics, & games through AT&T
Using device as a wireless modem
Wireless PIM synchronization clients such as Good Mobile Messaging, RIM BlackBerry, Xpress Mail, & Microsoft Direct Push
HEADPHONES – FM TUNER
Will Update with a link in the next couple of days (04/14/08)
MOTOROLA IN CAR – STREAM MUSIC TO YOUR CAR STEREO
http://direct.motorola.com/hellomoto/T505/
GREAT ALTERNATIVE TO BLUETOOTH HEADPHONES – KICK – AS*
http://www.accessoryjack.com/servlet/the-570/i.Tech-Clip-Radio-Bluetooth/Detail
PHONE CASES
http://www.noreveusa.com/brand/HTC/...4550_-_HTC_Tytn_2_Tradition_leather_case.html

stickied fttb

Wow this is impressive... Thanks for the links.
I have had a heremes and now moved to the mda vario III and this is a good source.
Dale

Agreed - this is very impressive!
Good job.

Thanks,
Just got a Kaiser today so this is a BIG help.
G

Wow Gwen you've outdone yourself! Incredible. Must of taken a long time

Mods should post link to this thread when they close a redundant NOOB thread. I just saw two closed just before I started to read this one.
Very well done and I will also be referring to this thread when possible.
A+
***Signature has been updated***

Great Job...but ask one thing
Can we please keep this thread away from saying good job and thank you.
I am definitely not advocating that we don't praise the greatness that Gwen has bestowed upon the Kaiser Community but this thread should be kept for updating the original post by Gwen with new things that users find. I think we would all agree this will be beneficial to all.

I'm going to update my sig to include this thread. My standard reply to anyone with under 15 posts will point them to the Wiki and to this thread.

well organized
Easy to browse and find useful links. Should we PM you with broken links?
Thanks

i flashed my rom now i cant hear ANYTHING!!!! HEEEELLPP!!!!!!!!!
nah im just yankin' your chain. this is an awesome source!!! thanks

Sub comes to mind... Sorry

1 word: RESPECT !
I would expect this from an old dweiler but a rather new mamber coming up with this lexicon is indeed very impressive.
Better than 10x improved Google search here on the site

starting today, I'm your slave

where'd the SIM unlocking threads go?

Feel free to delete this redundant message after you've read it gwen, but well done, that's some nice legwork you've done there, and must have taken a damned age.
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[GUIDE][INFO] Android-On-A-Shoestring Budget [General Android Info] New Topic Posted!

I am putting forward the following premise:
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"You can enjoy the joys and wonder of Android without spending a fortune...!"
I now intend to see if this is true!
Thread Purpose:
Provide a discussion area for those of us who are financially impaired, like myself, but want to experience the joys and wonders that tablets and android might hold...
At the moment the thread may also touch on android on mini-tablets (which might also make calls...) and larger tablets (with keyboards...hdds...lcd monitors etc) simply because on a shoestring budget you have to make do with what you have.
I hope to explore ways in which you can use Android it in new and interesting ways without paying out massive amounts on expensive hardware.
I'm not sure if it is totally achievable or not, but I'm sure it will be interesting to find out what you can do for less compared to the expensive options which are out there.
Idea's, comments, thoughts, discussions are all welcome.
The more unusual and interesting the better!
Thread Structure:
This first post will provide an index and links to the main discussion points/topics on the thread.
[Will see how this works!]
Periodically I shall post a new topic to discuss.
23March2011 - Topic One : Show Me The Droid
Method One: Using your existing laptop or PC
Method Two: Using the android emulator (also on your existing laptop or PC)
Method Three: Using your existing phone
29March2011 - Topic Two : A Low Cost Tablet
Part One: Justifying the purchase
Part Two: Android From The Box
Part Three: Passing the grade? (A-E)
Part Four: Passing the grade? (Continued...F-J)
12April2011 - Topic Three : Low Level Basics
Part One: Oh ADB Debugger!
Part Two: The Root Of It All
Part Three: Backups, ROMs and Flashbacks
Part Four: First Time Flasher! (added 1stAug11)
27June2011 - Topic Four: Low Level Interfacing
Part One: Android RS232 I/O
22Sept2011 - Topic Five: Development Tools & Tricks
Part One: Screenshots & Remote Control
Part Two: Scripts & Shortcuts
Side Topics
04May2011 - Side Topic: The Future! Quad core and beyond
02June2011 -Side Topic: Multi-Touch Technology - with No Touch Screen!
Q&A:
crevlthe: Are most apps up-sized to fit the resolution of tablets?
[I'll keep updating this thread every few days]
- please post comments, thoughts and ideas anyway, particularly if topic related.
I would love to hear about peoples thoughts and ideas
(simply reference Topic X:Method X/Step X etc if you want to comment on one item in particular).
Enjoy!

Small Print:
For the following posts I shall try to reference the source websites where possible, however apologies if I get this wrong, please feel free to pm me or post on the thread with any corrections and I'll amend the entry. Regarding images, where possible I shall try to use my own images, but at times this may not be possible. If you find I have used your image and you do not wish it to be used, then simply let me know and I'll change it. Where possible I shall state where the images have come from.
Clearly, the details in the thread are purely discussion and while I try to make them as accurate as possible I can not guarantee this. Damage or loss may occur by following some/all of the instructions, so if you do, do with care and at your own risk, I take no responsibility for your actions.

Topic One : Show Me The Droid
Before you can do anything with Android, you probably want to see it!
This topic will outline various ways you can "get at the driod" without spending anything.
Method One: Using your existing laptop or PC
This was the first way I got to play with Android (a long while ago), and that is using an Android live CD. I used something similar to the live CD from http://www.android-x86.org/ (images taken from site), which allows you to boot your computer with Android.
You can burn the image on to a CD/DVD and boot it cleanly or you can use a virtual machine and boot within that.
With a little bit of legwork, and a compatible computer you can boot from a USB key so you can carry your droid with you.
You can even install it, even dual boot, if you are brave!
While this is a simple and very cheap option (at most it should cost a CD/DVD to burn on), there is one slight problem...most computers don’t have touch, gravity sensors etc etc!
You have a number of options if you are seriously wanting to use this more:
1. You can continue to use the mouse (at least they seem to have a cursor now!)
2. You could probably make use of a large touch-pad (can be expensive, but cheaper ones are around)
3. If you have a small screen you could try adding a touch screen (8-10” touch screen overlay can be quite cheap but you will need to install it yourself and that can be tricky and will risk damage).
Perhaps this method could be interesting to try out as a low cost GoogleTV platform, but there would need to be some work done regarding the control method. Someday I may look into this option in more detail...
Microsoft Kinect not been plugged into to android yet???
Anwser: Yes it has! Ok, shame I don’t have one.

Topic One : Show Me The Droid
Method Two: Using the android emulator (also on your existing laptop or PC)
Of course for the developers out there, there is always the Android emulator which comes as part of the Android development package. Each time Android update the SDK (software development kit) for the latest release of Android, the emulator is updated to run the newest version of Android (this is often the source of early ROMs).
This does allow you to play with the latest Android version as soon as it is out, so you can get a feel for what features are improved etc and you can try out different versions to get an idea about the differences between them. You don't even need to install anything more than the Android emulator SDK if you don't want to write any code, as you can run the emulator separately to the development environment.
However, not only does this have similar control issues (except maybe that you get “soft-buttons”) but it is quite slow even on a fast machine.
(Click Image For Larger Version)
The advantage of course is it opens up a whole world of development options. The google developer site provides instructions for getting set up. Once you’ve jumped through the hoops, you can try it out by having a go at the various tutorial applications.
(Click Image For Larger Version)
Again this is something I may look at in more detail another time (such as getting setup, exploring what you can do with it and perhaps some simple development steps).

Topic One : Show Me The Droid
Method Three: Using your existing phone
You might just have that elusive Android device already, you just don't know it yet!
Clearly this option will vary wildly on the type of device you have and how in-depth you are willing to go. I’ve not managed to find a full list of devices which do support running android but it is safe to say that the “list” is growing all the time.
For me, my Phone is a Windows Mobile Phone, the HTC Blackstone, it’s quite an old device (in relative terms) but it has a good screen (3.8", 480 x 800) and modest processor (528 MHz ARM 11).
Fortunately for me, the XDAndroid group support this device, so I was able to make use of one of the many Android builds on the forums. I’m not quite sure what the current status is of this project, it seems although device specific threads have stopped, there are Android builds going up to 2.2.3...which I’ve had working on my device.
For the blackstone, running android is fairly pain free, since you install the files to your sd-card and if things don’t work out, you just delete them. One key component I required, was ditching (swapping) my class-6 SD card for a slower one (yes, slower!), once I’d switched to a class-2 one, android was up and running nicely.
(Click Image For Larger Version)
However, don’t get too excited yet, as many of the builds will have features which don’t work yet, such as Bluetooth support, camera and in-call voice (you can spend a long time getting the right mix of files for your device to get all these working) and many 3D accelerated games won't work. A lot of progress is being made here (I’ll go into this in more detail another time). Some issues you can live with and some you can’t. Also, if your device (like mine) is not a total powerhouse then you can expect things to run at less than optimal speed. Overall, don’t expect to be replacing your OS with an all singing all dancing Android one this way, unless you have decent device to start with.
All is not lost! By using one of the many dual-boot apps (they simply show a splash screen as soon as possible on power up) allow you to quickly select between your normal Windows Mobile OS and the Android one.
i.e. Gen.Y DualBoot by yozgatg
(Click Image For Larger Version)
This means you can keep a build of Android (or several if you wish) on your SD card and have a play with Android from time to time.
Personally I think this is an excellent option, even if the results aren’t perfect and it’ll probably cost you a fair bit of time experimenting, but the results are totally worth it.
I might revisit this in more detail if people would like me to. Hopefully I can learn a little more about the internals of how it fits together and provide a post on that.
For HD2 users (and some other phones), who are just too spoilt for choice, they can also install Android to their NAND (internal memory). This means they can totally replace the Windows Mobile OS on their system with Android, and because the device is fast, it apparently runs well enough to do so.

Topic Two : A Low Cost Tablet
Part One: Justifying the purchase
First off, the most important bit for this topic, how much does it cost?
I managed to get (buy) it for $90 (£56), including free shipping (limited time special offer).
Note:
I would not recommend this tablet at it's "normal" price of $130, since there are other tablets in that price range which are clearly better.
However, for me, the lower price was key here.
To put it in perspective, the Samsung Tab 7 Inch was £500 here - or $800!
The specs:
Code:
Model: Haipad M701
CPU: Telechip Tcc8902, 800MHz (ARM11)
OS: Android 2.1
RAM: 256MB
ROM: 2GB
Screen: 7 Inch Resistive (800 x 480px)
Ext Ports:
9v Supply
3.5mm Audio
Mini Usb (OTG Host) - hopefully will support Mass Storage devices
HDMI
TF (MicroSDHC)
Size: 192 x 114 x 15mm
Weight: 330g
Extra Details:
Gravity Sensor
Android Market
Adobe Flash (not supported)
Camera 0.3Mp
Wifi 802.11 b/g
My thought process regarding the purchase is this:
1. I really want an Android tablet, I’ve been look at them for months (in fact probably just after the iPad came out). In all that time I’ve lusted after tablet after tablet, but each time it came down to the cost, and the fact that I simply did not have $200/$250/$300 laying around. Throughout that period the number of tablets available have ballooned, the capabilities and specs too. I found myself looking at the affordable tablets, and then looking at the next one up (hdmi), then the next one (10” screen) and then the next one (multi-touch), until I’d priced myself out of my purchase.
2. With the advent of the tegra chips and honeycomb, the price of admission has been bumped slightly (I’d say you are starting at $300 for a low end one (quality of the screen/touch is be compromised - Advent Vega)) - previous to that an A8 based tablet, such as the A81 for around $200-250 was a good deal. To be a serious contender for anything which comes after honeycomb (for the tablet branch), and gaming platform that is developing (of which Cordy is the thin end of the wedge), the power step provided by the Tegra family is a must.
3. Back when I first started looking at tablets, I was in fact considering a very similar device (the X10 and the G10, of which the Haipad M701 is fairly similar).
4. Aside from wanting to use the latest and greatest releases from Android and games etc, there is a need for more modest requirements to be met. Can a basic tablet do this, I intend to find out?
These "modest" potential uses would be:
A: Replace/supplement a poorly designed portable Toshiba DVD player for in-car use, which in my opinion was probably the worst product I’ve ever purchased (despite the quite promising spec sheet) - although obviously I may need to revise this status soon!
B: A Doodle pad, something which my phone gets commandeered for quite often by my off-spring. So a slightly larger screen would be useful for this.
C: Simple Web-browser, most of the time only a quick check on the web is needed, so this may be more helpful than firing up the laptop (which being a work one, dislikes my wifi and network most the time).
D: Music player, either from connected memory for in the car or perhaps from the network.
E: eReader, I’ve read a few books on the Blackstone’s 3.8" screen, so a larger screen would be helpful.
F: Require a device with camera and HDMI at minimum, since this will hopefully provide more options to experiment with (1st build of Android on the blackstone, didn’t have camera support which ruled out things like google goggles etc).
G: USB Host (mass storage), I am hoping that the device will allow me to use external storage devices via the usb, this would be very handy for dealing with camera pictures and videos etc.
H: USB Device keyboard support, I find it very annoying that the Blackstone has no h/w keys, this seriously limits what you can do with it (such as emulation programs etc) as there is no easy way to control things.
I: RS232 Support: Although I seriously doubt it, it would be really useful to get RS232 monitoring running on the device.
J: A development platform for writing android software on and to learn about android.
In Summary:
Overall, aside from the video/USB requirements, I hope that I am not being too ambitious for this device, but clearly I probably am. If/Once I get the device, I shall evaluate it against these requirements and also see what other uses I can put it to. I don’t expect the device to manage all of the uses above (particularly out-the-box), but hopefully it an fulfill at least some of them (even if it takes some custom firmware/modding or even some custom hardware to achieve this) I shall be happy.
For all I know, the tablet may well never turn up...and if it does it could be next to useless (i.e. next to that Toshiba DVD player...). As it happens, one review of a similar device was “expensive paper weight”, I’d estimate it about the weight of a medium sized cup of coffee (without the cup), so might be useful for when we get the fans out in the office this summer.
My purchase timeline:
Purchased tablet on 17th March (estimated delivery 10 working days).
Item shipped on 18th March (estimated shipping 15-20 days).
“Departure from outward office of exchange” 22nd March - Left the source country.
Received item 28th March!
Overall Delivery time: 11days (7 working days).
In return for the excellent shipping, I can say that the item was from PandaWill.
Out of the box review coming soon!

Thread has moved from "General" to it's new home in "Android Software and Hacking General". At first I didn't plan for it to be Android exclusive but as it turns out, it is, so hello to all on this thread.
I am very new to Android, so please be kind!
I hope this thread can be a beginners introduction of some kind, let me know if there are errors or if you would like more information on parts etc.
Regards.

Topic Two : A Low Cost Tablet
Part Two: Android From The Box
Packaged in a retail box:
(Click Image For Larger Version)
- Tablet (thankfully)
- 9volt 1.5Amp Output Power Supply (US plug)
- US to UK plug adaptor (a nice touch, clearly they take notice of the shipping address)
- 2x USB Cable (mini USB to USB male, short mini USB to USB female)
- Basic set of ear phones
- Product dimensions measure exactly as stated in the spec (I’d previously printed out picture of the screen to 1:1 scale based on the measurements).
Although I didn’t expect to get an HDMI cable, I didn’t expect the HDMI port to be a mini one, so it would have been helpful to have included one here (or at least an adaptor).
(Note: The USB car adaptor is not for it and did not come with it, but I thought it helps as a guide for size - it won’t charge by USB).
Charging:
(Click Image For Larger Version)
The first thing I did was to plug the tablet in for a charge, there are two reasons for this. Firstly to check that the power supply is functional and safe (i.e. does not over heat) and secondly for the battery.
If the battery is at a low level, you have to treat it carefully - particularly if was in storage (as it will gradually lose charge over time). Li-ion batteries if drained below their bottom limit, will “crash” their voltage, this causes a lot of damage to the battery and it may never recover fully (or in attempting to do so it may cause excess heat == bad news). You should always avoid switching any device on when the battery is in this state, so always charge just in case before trying to switch on (most electronics should refuse to turn on, but best not to count on it).
For this reason I was pleased to find that the battery was charged to approximately 60-80% (I guess) which is around the recommended storage/shipping level. Also the charger or tablet did not burst into flames, which was nice too!
Turned On:
Switching on the device, immediately the screen shows a colourful splash screen, then some linux penguin/mole, before displaying the normal android boot. Instantly I am pleased that the screen is working! I am also impressed that the screen quality, brightness and colour look quite good.
(Click Image For Larger Version)
60 Seconds later and Android has booted!
I would be interested to know if this is particularly fast or slow (my only comparison is booting the Blackstone Android from SD, which takes about 4 mins). For me, 1 min seems fast enough, certainly as fast as starting windows mobile. For normal use, the device can be put to sleep with the main ([]) button, which is instant on and off.
Screen was already calibrated, and the normal start-up wizard ran for Android.
Pre-Installed Software:
Aside from the standard stuff, you get ES File Explorer, Meridian Media Player, Skype (I’ve not tested that yet), SkyFire Browser, Aldiko eReader, QuickOffice, YouTube App and Android Market. The pre-installed Android Market worked fine, and I was downloading new apps in seconds. There are also some Chinese apps which I’ve not tried, but overall, there is everything to on there to get you started off and enough for you to use it directly out of the box.
Aside from some demo pictures and a video, there was also some video which I guess was taken when they tested the unit, it is a good sign that they appear to have taken the time to check the unit works, calibrate it, check things like the camera are functional etc (not sure if this was Pandawill or the manufacturer, but it was within an office so I suspect the former). At 0.3mp, the front facing camera clearly isn’t amazing, but in reasonable lighting it is good enough to see the subject in question quite clearly (one thing though is it is mirrored - guess for skype use (if that works)).
Out Of The Box Impression:
Overall initial impressions are, the screen appears to be pretty good for the money. Colours are slightly more washed out than a more expensive screen, but not overly so. The resistive touch screen does take a firm-ish touch to use, but again, not overly more than other resistive touch screens.
The size and weight of the unit appears to be nicely balanced, it is easy to hold in a single hand (for an adult) while using it with another (or thumb typing and holding either side). The outside bezel is just the right size that, if you need to, you can hold the edge with your thumb without touching the screen etc. The plastic housing, which is rigid and feels solid, makes the unit feel quite good quality. The piano black finish of the back (like a psp) does attract fingerprints however the screen itself doesn’t, which is great.
Although it was never going to be the fastest Android experience, however the unit does seem to keep up with the operating system fairly well, definitely fast enough to be usable.
The unit feels nice and appears to work well, so far excellent value for money.
Next time I shall evaluate the tablet against my requirements and see how it fares...

Topic Two : A Low Cost Tablet
Part Three: Passing the grade? (A-E)
Crunch time! How does the low cost tablet fare when lined up against my expectations and needs?
Meeting My Requirements:
A: Replacing A Portable DVD Player
Viewing photos, videos and listening to music from the pre-installed samples was easy and the units response was reasonable. There was good video playback of the 720p sample (I expect this was encoded to suit the device obviously), and the photo browser did a nice job of displaying and sorting through the photos. Sound was ok, by no means hi-fi standard but enough to listen to over moderate background noise (sound as good as the DVD player - but can’t really say this is hard). This will take a bit more investigation to determine what formats are supported and from where (local storage, microSD, flash stick, HDD, network, internet etc etc). However, even if videos need to specifically encoded as long as they can be played from a mass-storage device (or at a push the SD card), this should meet this requirement fine (did I mention the old DVD player is terrible...).
B: A Doodle Pad
It took no time at all for my offspring to try this, safe to say the unit passes this test with flying colours. One huge improvement is that the Blackstone touch sensitive call buttons etc were not in the way any more. Still to find the perfect app for this:
On Windows Mobile its My Note by MyLostBlog which is a good balance between clear interface and function (I still prefer 2.1 over 2.6).
(Click Image For Larger Version)
On the DS, Art Academy is favourite (although what it has in features, it lacks flexibility). Also Flip Note is worth a mention, I would love to find a similar app on Android.
Art Academy (art software) / Flipnote (animation program)
(Click Images For Larger Versions)
At the moment the star for Android is AutoDesk’s SketchBook Mobile (perhaps a little complex for younger children to fully do everything but easy enough for them to use and enjoy most of the features, excellent for adult use too!). AutoDesk’s app shows the quality that is possible with Android (although at the expense of lag free response on this particular device), I’m still very impressed and the 7 inch screen makes it all the more enjoyable.
C: Simple Web-browser
First off the lack of flash is annoying, but there is at least “some” flash support (I assume flash lite) from the Skyfire Browser, and even the google browser when it came across an embedded YouTube video it directed it to the YouTube app to play.
Browsing is reasonable, the wifi signal is probably below normal, but if you have a good signal, the browsing speed as comparable to my phone (for me the google browser appeared to be faster, but that might have been down to my wifi signal at the time). Here, multi-touch or at least the dual-touch of the later M701 models would be useful, as Pinch-to-zoom would be helpful. At least with the 7 inch screen the need to zoom in and out all the time is reduced (also I’m sure by experimenting with different browsers and settings the perfect balance will be achievable). It will never replace the desktop for web-browsing, but it is fine for quick searches etc.
Google Browser / Skyfire Browser
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D: Music player
I’ll hold judgement on this until I find a more flexible app, since I had problems navigating around my music and playing it by folder unless it was on the SD card (I was only using some files I had available, I’m sure it is a lot simpler with correctly tagged albums). Once playing the music though, it managed ok (although it did experience issues if you attempted to “multi-task” and load apps etc while music was in the background - although that may have been the app I was using and/or fiddling around with the usb connections). The quality isn’t the best I’ve heard, but it is sufficient. I think overall, with the right app, the unit will perform this task without issue.
E: eReader
Just by trying the pre-installed Aldiko application, it is clear to see that this unit is great for reading. The text was very clear and easy to read with plenty of text visible and even on the smallest font setting (point 10) you can easily read without issue. The g-sensor rotates the screen as required (hopefully there is an option to turn it off - for reading while laying down [Yes, there is a setting for android generally]). The screen is slightly shiny so would suffer in direct sunlight, however it is reasonable for reading in average lighting. I also tested with a pdf, which displayed ok using QuickOffice, but features such as re-flow (available with Adobe’s reader) would definitely help to fit things on the screen.
[Update: Once I've installed Adobe reader, pdf's are very easy to read, although the lack of resuming where you left off means you have to keep track of page numbers yourself (this is no different to the Windows Mobile version).]
CONTINUED BELOW...

Congrats!
Really great post

enotar said:
Congrats!
Really great post
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! I should be adding some more later on today.
I'm open for suggestions for topics etc.

Topic Two : A Low Cost Tablet
Part Four: Passing the grade? (Continued...F-J)
Meeting My Requirements (Continued...):
F: Camera & HDMI
As I previously mentioned the camera is not very good, but since it is front facing (it’s located to the right side of the ([]) button) it clearly is not suitable for taking snaps etc. Using google-goggles, the images are just about usable, but it appears the google-goggles app can’t take the pictures directly (you can import pictures which then allows you to take photos using the standard app and open them).
(Click Image For Larger Version)
[Android Logo taken with camera]
I’ve just tested the HDMI (I’ve managed to get a mini-HDMI cable) and after enabling the output via the settings page and restarting, the screen correctly displayed on the TV. Films and games do look good on the TV, although some adjustment to the alignment would be useful. Although you can output in either 1080p and 720p, the resolution is matched to the device 800x480 (although I might be wrong for direct video output), also from first impression, 1080p is lower colour depth than 720p output.
G: USB Host
Ideally the USB connection for host/OTG would be it’s own full size female usb socket (i.e. a normal USB socket) but instead you need to use the USB cable provided which converts the miniUSB to a USB socket. Tested with microSD card reader, flash memory stick (4Gb Kingston), the Blackstone (in mass-storage mode) and even 2.5 HDD which worked even without extra power (I was surprised at this as it is only a generic enclosure with a random laptop drive, however I did not try this with a low battery just in case that did damage). All of which appear under the /scsi/ directory. So far I’ve been unable to find how to “unmount” the drives (you can unmount the sd-card and the internal nand memory via the settings but not the OTG device), so when you disconnect you get “USB Device unexpectedly removed” message.
H: USB Device keyboard support
Using the same OTG cable, plugging in a keyboard was easy and seamless (it just works straight away). In fact, I tested this using a Logitech wireless Keyboard and Mouse and both worked perfectly (aside from the fact the keyboard is about 5 times the size of the tablet). I also tried another USB keyboard, which in the past I've noticed does not work when within DOS on a PC (where the Logitech does), this did not work, but I suspect this is simply the keyboard being slightly unusual. Keeping an eye out for a small and cheap keyboard now.
I: RS232 Support
I attempted this just out of interest but not really knowing what to look for can’t be sure it did anything. I don’t expect this to work without some serious work, but will see what can be achieved if anything. The reason for this is that many low level electronics projects can be controlled/monitored using RS232. In addition to this, I’ve also tried a bluetooth dongle (it has no bluetooth built in), and LAN adaptor, clearly they didn’t magically start working (no doubt the build does not have the correct drivers installed etc), but this is something I will look into.
J: A development platform
At a basic level, I can copy over built APK (android application) files and install them, even the ones which I had issues with on the Blackstone work fine on the device. Developing applications and working directly with the tablet is possible (will look at this in more detail another time), as a development device it is ideal.
The not so good...
Hardware Interfaces:
The single OTG mini usb port is annoying, it would be help to connect more than one device etc and not need to use an adaptor cable.
The mini HDMI, again would be good not to need a special cable for this (at least would have been useful to know ahead of time).
Buttons...no physical home or volume buttons, this does make things difficult sometimes (I believe there are software solutions for this, or options to re-map the keys).
Out-Of-Box mapping is: ([]) is power/screen key, right-side of rocker (with Home Icon) is the menu key, left-side of the rocker (with menu icon) is the back key! Once you get used it, it may be the best layout anyway, will need to experiment.
No Usb charging, from a pure ease of use point of view this would be very helpful, but most tablets don’t support this.
Sticking out of the SDHC card (puts the card at risk of snapping) - later version of this tablet this doesn’t stick out.
Obviously multitouch, bluetooth etc would be nice, but we know that.
The Grey Grey market:
This device “IS” a fake...Real Haipad vs. Fake
I can’t work out though if the unit functions any worse than a real one, all I know is, this one functions better than I was expecting and I’ve not found anything which the originals (if it is a fake) did which this doesn’t (so far).
I've now confirmed this with Pandawill, that the tablet is OEM, not a HaiPad original (at least they 'fessed up to it!). Considering it was sold as part of their own "Fight Against Internet Crime" promotion due to their recent DOS hack attack, it is a little naughty but as you can probably tell by now, I am still very happy with the device, no matter it's origin (but glad it was discounted). Also, the device does function as described by the specs, so other than the manufacturer the rest of the listing is accurate.
The only real issue is that new firmware will be a problem since I can't be sure if it will work or not.
Not all joy and perfection (I’d be mad to expect it):
Most applications appear to work, however, I’ve found that Angry Birds has issues with the surface texture graphics (the text which shows the menus/scores - a pain, but the rest of the game is playable). Apparently later versions such as Rio work fine, this just appears to be a feature of the telechip processor and does this for all HaiPad M701. Since I am not obsessed about Angry Birds (I can stop any-time I want, no really I can...) I can live with it. Also Raging Thunder 2 isn’t playable since I can’t see the menu blocks to select anything, I guess for the same issue.
Most games appear to work fine, such as Air Control, TurboFly 3D (lags sometimes, but not surprisingly since its full-on 3D graphics), Waveblaster (works very nicely, with G-sensor working), Pacific Wings (no g-sensor control). The G-Sensor doesn’t work on some games, but fortunately most have alternative options if that is the case.
It's a mixed bag for games, but fortunately I never intended games to be it's main use and I am quite happy with decent puzzle games etc anyway.
Overall - "A solution for now, but not the future":
The unit runs an ARM11 at 800MHz, with 256RAM, lets face it, it will never do all the graphical gymnastics that the Nvida Tegra 2 processors will perform and doing all but the very basics will probably leave it out-of-breath. Such a device is no laptop or even netbook replacement, but much like the iPod touch, it is a media player with many bonus features (& on a much better budget).
I’m sure as time passes (probably not long either) more and more applications will leave this type of low cost tablet behind, with the pace of processor development at the moment this should really be no surprise at all. But for now, the market is open and the apps are flowing, so I’ll sit back and enjoy them!

Topic Three: Low Level Basics
Part One: Oh ADB Debugger!
One of the first steps in getting properly connected to your devices innards is to ensure you are able to use the ADB (Android Debug Bridge).
The ADB is command-line terminal which allows you to directly control the device and file system of the device (or emulated device) from a PC or MAC.
On the face of it you might wonder why the ADB is of much use, the answer is that it allows a direct route to the entire file system as well as providing debug access directly on target as well as monitor log outputs as programs run. Overall it is similar to ActiveSync for windows mobile. Another reason to have this working is that if your device fails to boot, something messes up your system or say the touch-screen fails, you can use ADB to access everything on the device and also re-flash it. Also you will probably need ADB to root your device (more on that later).
There are a number of guides available for setting up ADB, so I won’t go into detail on them. Personally I followed Google’s own developers guide for setting up the Android SDK (Software Development Kit) since I also intend to write Android software and the ADB is part of that.
However, after a quick search, the following guide appears to cover most of the details.
The UnLocker - How To: SetUp ADB/USB Drivers for Android Devices.
For my device, the ADB driver needed some fiddling around with, since windows would not accept the driver was for my device [Editing the ini file and adding the VID and PID of the hardware didn't help me].
Eventually I found the following (following a tip from SlateDroid): The app PdaNet appears to supply suitable drivers.
I also recommend adding the location of ADB to your system path, so that you can call it from any command-line location.
Once the drivers are installed, check that when the device is connected (and debugging is enabled via settings) that typing “adb devices” from the command-line shows a device).
C:\> adb devices
List of devices attached
0123456789ABCDEF device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to write software using Ecilpse you’ll also want to check that it can connect and deploy applications directly to the device for testing.
Within the Ecilpse, under the run menu select “Run Configurations...”, within the Target Tab, the “Deployment Target Selection Mode” must be set to “Manual”.
(Click Image For Larger Version)
This enables the “Android Device Chooser” to prompt when you attempt to run/debug from Ecilpse.
(Click Image For Larger Version)
Build and run your application or a test one and it should now run directly on your device.
There are also a number of GUI apps around which make use of ADB to provide easy ways to manage applications, transfer files etc all without needing to mount and unmount your sd cards to and from the device. At the moment I’ve started using DroidExplorer, even from initial impressions it is clear the features are quite extensive (you could probably write about 20 guides on how to use all of it correctly).

an excellent article overall.
question about the tablets: are most apps up-sized to fit the resolution, or are there a large variety of apps natively designed to run at the bigger resolution?

crevlthe said:
an excellent article overall.
question about the tablets: are most apps up-sized to fit the resolution, or are there a large variety of apps natively designed to run at the bigger resolution?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is an interesting question!
Although my tablet is WVGA which is the same as the blackstone (so I can't test this directly!).
You'd need a much higher resolution device to go beyond the officially supported resolutions, (obviously Android 3.0 supports more).
From what I've read and from doing some app development, apps should scale to fit the screen (if programmed correctly). I've read that some apps don't scale for some tablets, what the root reason is for this, I wouldn't know, since the support is there in the API.
Basically, the android sdk provides various ways to describe the layout of your screens, and they encourage you to use ones which describe them in terms of proportional amounts (for the Linear Layout) or in terms of position of items i.e. to the left of item A (for Relative Layout) etc. The other layouts all work along the same lines, i.e. you don't worry about the size of the screen and calculate each position by hand like you do with windows mobile etc, it is all determined by the API.
You can see the different layouts code here and if you find the ApiDemo APK (I'll post if you like) you can view them. However, you can break all the rules and still use the Absolute Layout, where you return to the good old days of x,y co-ordinates. Even then you can use a values which are relative to the screen size and pixel pitch (see Difference of px, dp, dip and sp in android..) so there really is no reason to hard-code it.
As for graphics, I've not done this yet, but I know this handled if you use "9-patch" png files...they describe them here.
The idea here is that the black pixels around the edge allow the designer to say which bits are fixed size and which bits can be stretched to fit etc. It is a really tidy way to do it I think. Imagine how you'd have to do it otherwise if you created a button image with an icon on which would need to be resized to fit!
Oh, there are also provisions to provide low-res, med-res and high-res versions of the graphical resources, so again everything should scale nicely and look good without the need to scale everything all the time. There shouldn't be any need as such for "large" versions of apps, unless the developer wants to change how the app works by making use of the extra space or if they want ensure the "small" version takes up less space. I'm not sure how it determines which resource to use etc or if they all get installed etc, I've not looked into it.
So as long as the designer of the app has done all this correctly then it "should" scale correctly to whatever resolution. Of course, to claim this is true, they would need to test all resolutions. Fortunately you can manually create high-resolution emulated devices so it can be done but that is not the default.
[Now you mention it though, I shall ensure I test any apps I create at least once in high-resolution, it sounds like a good idea!]
I think this might have been why the retina display didn't make it to the iPad2, it would have required app developers to produce yet more app versions to deal with it and re-do the graphics yet again. Unfortunately I don't know anything about how iOS deals with these things, but you don't get the standard sized app in the middle of the screen or a x2 type option as you do with iPads.
Thanks for posting the question, hopefully it answers it (in theory anyway).

Topic Three: Low Level Basics
Part Two: The Root Of It All
I looked and looked for this information but I couldn't find the clear answers I wanted regarding rooting, so here is the info I was after.
What is ROOT, do I need it?
Rooting your device is not essential, for most the things you do with a tablet you will not need root access. Rooting is the process by which you enable “Root” access to the system’s low level files and hardware, this is achieved by enabling “super user” [Linux term for the highest level access which has higher level permissions to files than a normal user (like an Administrator)] access.
In most cases, apps will access hardware and files through the Android API, but in some cases they may need better control of the hardware than the API allows or access to files which are normally locked.
For this reason these applications require “root” access, typically apps which take screenshots (I assume to allow access to the screen data) and backup programs (I expect to allow access to all your files) are such programs.
Am I Rooted?
One thing I had trouble working out was working out if the device was rooted already or not. The quickest way to find out is to try to use an app which requires root access, if you device isn’t rooted it will tell you.
A good way is to download “Terminal Emulator” from the market (or direct from the author) . Then type: su which stands for Super User! (if your device is correctly rooted the “$” will change to “#” (ideally it will also prompt you for permission to enter superuser mode first - see SuperUser.apk below)).
Other signs you are rooted is to look for the “su” file in /system/bin/ but this will not confirm if the file is set to be executable correctly or in some cases different names are used to make it harder for unwanted apps to locate it.
Can I break/brick my device by ROOTING?
Actually ROOTING the device shouldn’t really cause any problems (since all you are really doing is installing a file which allows you to grant “Superuser” access). However, since ROOTING (by definition) allows entering into “Superuser” mode, this mode does allow you make much more serious changes to the system than you would in a “Normal User” mode (which is the whole point!), so clearly there are some risks involved while in this mode (and you may want to consider how this fits with your warranty). If your device isn’t open, then I suspect the main risk is getting your device into an unlocked state so that you can perform the root process first (since my tablet was not locked in anyway, I don’t know about this aspect).
Once ROOTING is complete, you don’t remain as a “Superuser” but any application is able to use it if they require. For this reason, the Superuser.apk application is typically installed, which detects when a request for “superuser” permissions are made and allows you to accept or reject the request.
The ROOTING process itself is reversible, which you may wish to do if you need to return your device for repairs etc.
How to root?
There are many guides and methods, but I shall take one specific to my tablet (posted by OffWorld on androidtablets.net) and explain each step in detail, since none I found explain what it is you are doing.
First you need to get the latest su and superuser.apk files from here.
Now, connecting the device to your pc, open a command prompt and type:
adb devices
Adb will respond hopefully with your list of devices:
List of devices attached
0123456789ABCDEF device
This confirms your device is attached and adb is able to communicate correctly.
Command 1:
adb shell mount -o remount,rw /dev/block/mtdblock3 /system
This runs adb (the terminal program to your device) and mounts the specified folders with read/write access.
Command 2:
adb push su /system/bin/
This sends the “su” program to the location on the device (note this assumes have the “su” in the same directory as you are running adb from). You can confirm this by navigating to the location on your tablet and see that the file has been transferred.
Command 3:
adb shell chmod 4755 /system/bin/su
This changes the permissions of the “su” file you’ve just transferred [details about chmod].
By using the command: adb shell ls -l /system/bin/su you can see the permissions.
We’ve changed the permissions from -rw-rw-rw- to -rwsr-xr-x, this allows the file to be executed.
Command 4:
adb push Superuser.apk /system/app/
This installs the Superuser.apk package on the device. This is important since this app allows you to control superuser access, rather than just allowing any program to obtain “superuser” rights.
Command 5:
adb shell reboot
Restarts the device.
Following this process, you will have the SuperUser application installed and applications will request Superuser access if they require it.
Note:
You may find for screen capture programs you need to allow permissions automatically or you may only end up with screenshots of the permission screen! Yes that's how I got the above one...

Excellent topic ! i've got the same pad and was wondering if you did find out a good way to completely backup the firmware. I've used Titanium but that's not a complete dump.

JiePieWie said:
Excellent topic ! i've got the same pad and was wondering if you did find out a good way to completely backup the firmware. I've used Titanium but that's not a complete dump.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome to Xda!
That was going to be my next topic.
I've just been focusing on my WM development stuff at the moment (new RSSTab in the works), but will return to the tablet after I am done.
I'm not quite sure the best way to back it up yet, I was planning on trying out the ClockMod route, trouble is I'm quite new to it, so a little cautious about doing it before holidays.
I hope to try out some low level interfacing using the usb at some point too, as I've got a development board to play with.

Side Topic: The Future! Quad core and beyond
This time next year, Rodney...
Just saw this, and thought I would share here!
ASUS planning quad-core Tegra 3 tablet
See the two videos which are on the linked page...
Yes that is 2560x1600 resolution, hopefully to go into a 10" retina display.
Simply said, the future of these chips look rather interesting to say the least (no doubt are related to Sony's NGP).
Looking at the video, what we will be able to do with mobile devices will be rather impressive. Combine that with the new touch and perhaps kinect type control technologies as well as improvements with battery capacity/recharge tech, improved clear & colourful screens and things are shaping up nicely.
Boy are we going to have some fun hacking the innards out of them!
It is easy to see that for me, I've made the right choice by not spending lots of money on an impressive and expensive tablet at the moment. Since I'm happy to wait for a better tablet and until then I can have fun playing with my basic one.
Let just hope that the manufactures come up with a decent device, that is able to be hacked and perhaps might even be half decent out-of-the-box.
What is next? Who knows!
It's interesting really since I think that phones are quite close to the point where they have about as much processing power as they need** (perhaps with the exception of ones which include extra connectivity to HDMI/pico projector, keyboards etc). When they are subjected to the confines of a 3.8"/4" screen, you start to hit the limits of usability rather than processing power. Tablets have given the hardware room to stretch it's legs a little and show us what it can do!
**I'm not saying they won't need more in future, but I think perhaps an upgrade won't be as essential or spectacular, as it once was, until they evolve to the next form of course. I suppose the ultimate progression though is the usability of something like a tablet or pc but packaged in the form of a phone or smaller device in some form or another.
The software needs to catch up now though, we need better multi-core programming techniques, far far better privacy protection, and better stability overall. Thankfully hardware gives us the grunt to do this, it just needs to develop and improve to the point where coding can be done at the highest level of abstraction (which allows time to be spent on creative aspects rather than low level code details).
If you want to look even further, the prospect of re-programmable hardware is getting closer. This is where all the single purpose chips (such as video decoders) are replaced/supplemented by ones which can be re-programmed. Not only does this allow for codecs etc to be updated while still keeping the advantage of hardware decoding/coding (i.e. realtime without loading the main processor or drawing lots of power), but some applications could in-theory call in dedicated processing for specific tasks allowing for some amazing performance when performing complex and processor intensive tasks.
Fun times are a-coming!
Bright things are ahead for our fondle blocks, I don't even care too much if they are android or ipad or something else, as long as we can buy it (without selling a leg or two - ok, not iPad then!), program it, play with it and push it to it's limits and beyond!

Side Topic: Multi-Touch Technology - with No Touch Screen!
ZeroTouch 'optical multi-touch force field' makes a touchscreen out of just about anything
I wonder how much this costs to produce, quite a nice solution and ideal as a add-on to current screens. Depending of the cost of each infra-red and LED module it hopefully won't be too much. Imagine getting it fitted to your coffee table at home!

[BETA] RT Desktop Store (moved from RT General forum, NOT Subvert)

(got enough posts so I could move this thread here)
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Desktop Store
(didn't habe the brains to come up with a nice name like "Subvert", if you have something good in mind, tell me, but I still would be glad to merge with toxickills project, even if it's only for the cool name )
Screenshots
Program Download Links:
RT Desktop Store Installer
Features
50 apps packaged
install/uninstall packages
all items on the startpage get shuffled
tile creation
start apps directly from the store
Todo
sometimes uninstalled packages are still displayed as installed (restarting the store currently fixes this)
tile management (delete, check for already existant tile)
add store tile to the start screen
add screenshots to existing packages
pack the remaining packages
distributed repositories
package/installation updates
and much more - if you have ideas, tell me
How can you help?
If you would like to help me with the packages until I release the package manager: send me screenshots from the packaged applications available in the store, as this is hard for me to do (I don't even use every application myself).
Here are some criteria for screenshots I would like you to check before sending them to me:
make the size exactly 1366x768 or 683x384, so that they don't scale bad in the screenshots control
If the app can't run fullscreen or maximized window, its always nice to have the pc property window in the background showing the Windows RT logo text
you can also make only screenshots from the application window itself and place them on a canvas complying to point 1., maybe applying a nice dropshadow
don't edit the screenshots in any other way, let them look natural
and if you can: screenshot them in a productive/properly used scenario, that's always the best to see
Mail adress should be viewable in my profile, just sent it there, or if you have mailbox space issues, sent me a link to the screenshot(s), Thanks!
Further information:
Pretext
Hey guys, so i have been sitting some hours and tried to take up what djboo (thread) had no time to continue on.
I've build a little RT Desktop Store based on his idea on getting a repository to present packages and let you download them via a custom store client.
If you are confused: No this is not the store called "Subvert" build by Toxickill, which he posted on this thread.
So what's the reason for this "duplicate" ? Well i wrote my own store during the same time Toxickill did, but when i released my first screenshots, i saw he had released his first beta only a few hours earlier. We used the same UI Framework it seems, so our applications even look similar. I wrote him asking what to do, if we could work together, etc. because it would be dumb not to use our resources together, to make this work for you even better. But since he hasn't been answering my PM and I don't have the permission to post in his development thread as of yet, I thought i could at least release what i have build so far, let you review it and maybe even Toxickill will notice me And if not? Well i don't mind doing this alone since I already spent all this time doing it this way, and im so glad of being able to give back something to the community (This is my first ever publicly released application!). If you like my store (or don't like it), please comment so that I can make it better
And while I'm on the road, i can as well earn my 10+ posts, so that i can post in the development threads
If you are interested in working together: i have setup a TFS on my server which we can use for working on this project.
Ok now for the application.
Concept
Basically, it's the same concept djboo originally pointed out: have a repository with packages, let a store client download, unpack and install them. So far so good.
I've gone a bit further and tried to make the client look & feel like the normal windows store app (still a lot to be done, but it really looks alike).
The current repository is hosted on my server. While i have plans to release my the package creator too, i will first release the client, because the package creator is not that, erm, user friendly right now. In fact i have, because of my store client design, divided packaging and the repository, because the basic packages that can be build contain more that what is needed to simply install the application. After building a package you can add it to a repository (using a repository manager) which then will unwrap all that is only needed for the store client presentation of the package (tile images, screenshots, etc.) and present the rest of the package as downloadable file for the store client.
If you want to see it, here is a screenshot from my package builder application that I will release once all the applications available have been packaged and added to my repository (thinking of a simple package creation service that spawns new guids, so that ppl creating packages for the same application will get the same application guid to prevent presentation of duplicate entries by the store client)
Installation & Files
First and foremost: you need to jailbreak your device (Windows 8.0 only, hopefully 8.1 will follow soon)
To install the store client, simply download and run this Installer from my server.
The store client will get installed under your Program Files folder, creating a new Folder named "RT Desktop Store". Installation consists of 2 steps:
The Installer downloads and then and runs the launcher for the store client
The Launcher downloads the latest store client files and starts the RT Desktop store (this will happen every time you start the store client)
Packages that you install from the store will not be installed under your Program Files folder, but a Folder called "Program Files (RTDS)" (same parent directory as your Program Files folder). This is for not confusing the packages installed from the store with any existing applications in your Program Files folder. Uninstallers for all all installed packages will be held in the "__storepackages" folder of your RT Desktop Store installation directory (like C:\Program Files\RT Desktop Store\__storepackages).
If you install an app, the store client will also create a Tile on your start screen, using the command line interface of OblyTile - if a tile is supported by the package. If no tile is specified by the package, the application will start after installation, so that you can at least pin it directly to your task bar. Unfortunately, programmatic removal of tiles via OblyTile is not possible as of yet, so you would need to unpin them yourself. The same goes for checking of already existing tiles. The same tile will just get created a gain. But the will most likely be pointing to the same file, so just delete all but one of the tiles.
Shortcuts
As long as i dont release a proper installer that creates shortcuts, start menu entries and/or a live tile, you will have to pin the store client yourself. I recommend you to create a shortcut to "RTDStore.exe", not "RTDStore.Launcher.exe", because the launcher application may get renamed during an update process. That aside, it doesn't matter if you run the launcher or the store client directly, the launcher will be called either way to check for updates.
Packages
I have yet to package every application that has been ported already, but i got roughly 1/3 of them already packaged (they may not all include screenshots, tiles etc, but that will follow this week, along with the remaining ported apps i think.
Finally
Have fun and i hope everything works well. If you experience any errors, please comment here or sent me a PM, so that i can fix them and let the new versions get pushed to you by my launcher as soon as possible
Disclaimer
THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE REGENTS OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION)
HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

NICE WORK BRO!!!
Question) after installing an app though your store, could we specify the desktop-shortcut-Icon in your package Manager? (Im asking this because some of my Projects use a cmd file to start the app, and the Icon is pretty boring)[subvert has NOT this Feature]
Cheers
Blade
EDIT:
Just tested it. it Looks AWESOME
Notes:
-No Settings available (how to add own repo-URLs?)
-We Need your Package-Manager
Improvements:
-small visual bugs while going through. Perhaps you can include a "wait-till-loaded"-function, this will solve all visual bugs and make it all soo much smoother
-Possible to add "touch-scrolling"? that would be soo cool, if we dont Need to use the scrollbar at the bottom and are able to also scroll via dragging in the middle...just like the real store
(also the scrolling brings visual bugs while moving. Bug disappear on stopping...)
I think this has got a HUGE potential! Please Keep it up the good work.

BIade said:
NICE WORK BRO!!!
Question) after installing an app though your store, could we specify the desktop-shortcut-Icon in your package Manager? (Im asking this because some of my Projects use a cmd file to start the app, and the Icon is pretty boring)[subvert has NOT this Feature]
Cheers
Blade
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Blade! (Cheers from Cologne)
If I understand you correctly, you use some kind of launcher for some of your programs, which in turn starts your program (i guess you mean something like ClassicStartMenu, where you need to restart the explorer after launching the start menu, because otherwise it won't show up in the taskbar). And because of this, you pin, of course, your launcher to the desktop instead of the program that's getting started - makes sense. In my package manager you can specify a list of applications that are included in the package and, as of now, a small and normal sized tile for OblyTile to generate the start screen tile for each application. I guess i could extend this to support desktop shortcuts, but would have to look into the windows shortcut file format (.lnk) - which I had planned anyway, because I need more control over the created tiles than simply creating them, and they're essentially .lnk files, too. Currently you can put a launcher in the package and run it via the tile that will get created for it - I will show you how that works once I've released the package manager.
BIade said:
EDIT:
Just tested it. it Looks AWESOME
Notes:
-No Settings available (how to add own repo-URLs?)
-We Need your Package-Manager
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I've written in my todo-list above, distributed repositories are yet to come, I just have to find a way to make the packages unique - maybe by providing a packaging service for the package manager, that spawns a GUID for a given application name, so that the same package doesn't get listed twice in the store. But that in turn would create a new problem: how do you decide from where to get a package? As there is no real server behind an application that could work as some kind of load balancer. I would display a message from which hosting the package is being retrieved upon installation, but rather not show them as separate repositories in the store. But I think it would be reasonable to give the user the opportunity to select from which repository to get the package if he wants to install it - if a package is broken, or not available on the repository automatically selected by the store.
But furthermore, what about a package where someone includes a nice launcher and someone else doesn't? Need to think about it.
Today I will try to get over with packaging most of the remaining apps. After that's done, I will take up getting the package manager ready to release accompanied by a distributed repository mechanism, as those two go hand in hand.
BIade said:
Improvements:
-small visual bugs while going through. Perhaps you can include a "wait-till-loaded"-function, this will solve all visual bugs and make it all soo much smoother
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I did most of it with the new async-feature of C#, for the smaller installations that works perfectly, but larger ones make the application hang - that was to be expected because async just executes on the GUI thread too, just does lazy evaluation. I already moved a part of the installation to background threads, but will move the whole thing. And the last few days were just dirty hacking, so i don't have a centralized installation overview as of yet, that's why the installation messages start bugging once you switch to another app page.
BIade said:
-Possible to add "touch-scrolling"? that would be soo cool, if we dont Need to use the scrollbar at the bottom and are able to also scroll via dragging in the middle...just like the real store
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess that's somehow possible, just wasn't on the top of my list.
BIade said:
(also the scrolling brings visual bugs while moving. Bug disappear on stopping...)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I daresay that's an issue with the not-so-lightning-fast ARM processor, as this runs perfectly fine on my desktop pc. Surely GDI+ related, but i guess there is something that can be done for some smooth animation.
BIade said:
I think this has got a HUGE potential! Please Keep it up the good work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much!

Cheers back from Cologne
For the repos:
Adding a Settings-tab with a list of repos, where only your repo is listened, but where users can add/delete custom repos.
For the "not duplicated" and the "from whom" problem:
Custom-repos could get their own tab like:
[Available(perhaps rename it to "Main") | Custom1 | Custom2 | Installed | Settings]
And Custom-Titles could been set in settings to make it look like:
[Main Apps | Blade's Apps | xda-Apps | Installed | Settings]
Totally off topic:
On the 12.12 I write an important exam in the uni. But after that I would like to meet you for a coffee, if you want. Since we both live in cologne, perhaps we can share some ideas or/and learn something from each other. I would love to help you with your store, and perhaps i got some cool stuff for you:
(ps3-hacking, Android-app-development, Micro-controller-programming, home-automation, and many many more....)

Your idea for the different repositories is quite nice, I will implement this soon, as it will be quite easy I think. But for the long run I will still be looking for a more integrated solution.
Offtopic too:
Sure why not! Just PM me the details of the approximate when and where and we'll go for it You can also write your PM in german

Hit the 50 packages mark! Hurray!
And ~160 RT Desktop Store Downloads!
If you would like to help me with the packages until I release the package manager: send me screenshots from the packaged applications available in the store, as this is hard for me to do (I don't even use every application myself). Here are some criteria for screenshots I would like you to check before sending them to me:
make the size exactly 1366x768 or 683x384, so that they don't scale bad in the screenshots control
If the app can't run fullscreen or maximized window, its always nice to have the pc property window in the background showing the Windows RT logo text
you can also make only screenshots from the application window itself and place them on a canvas complying to point 1., maybe applying a nice dropshadow
don't edit the screenshots in any other way, let them look natural
and if you can: screenshot them in a productive/properly used scenario, that's always the best to see
Mail adress should be viewable in my profile, just sent it there, or if you have mailbox space issues, sent me a link to the screenshot(s), Thanks!

Hi
Tried to install it today but cannot.
My device is nokia lumia 2520
Before installation i did jailbreak, looks done well.
When im trying install desktop store getting info there is it not possible, please visit market etc.8

wojtas29 said:
My device is nokia lumia 2520
Before installation i did jailbreak, looks done well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You didnt do the jailbreak then. the jailbreak works on RT 8.0 only, it does not function on 8.1 and the lumia 2520 comes pre loaded with 8.1.

wojtas29 said:
Hi
Tried to install it today but cannot.
My device is nokia lumia 2520
Before installation i did jailbreak, looks done well.
When im trying install desktop store getting info there is it not possible, please visit market etc.8
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just as SixSixSevenSeven mentioned: if you didn't downgrade your lumia to Windows 8.0 (don't know if it's possible), it won't work. Maybe you ran the jailbreak, but it failed for sure. If not, this would be breaking news for Myriachan and the others xD

Short update:
I'm currently working an a packaging modification. I'll package the apps directly as .appx files using the windows store package builder shipped with visual studio. Toxickill told me, that despite this, the Original Windows store won't install the packages directly, so I'll be building an appx installer afterwards. And if we ever get the Windows Store to install our custom .appx packages without a custom installer, we will already have the correct package format Furthermore, the windows store package format is quite convenient regarding structure of package information and files. And in any case better than me trying to reinvent the package-format-wheel.
For the store client/repositoriy, the packages will be wrapped with additionaly info (images and other stuff, and I'm modifying my package builder to be a combination of the visual studio built-in package manifest editor and the devcenter web page for publishing windows store apps (some of you may know what I'm talking about, the others will just get to see the new package builder in a few days^^). This way, ppl can create packages of ported apps, without needing their own repository to publish it, but send it to someone hosting a package repository, who can simple import the package, which then gets unwrapped and put into the repository, presenting it's information to the store client.
In my opinion, microsoft has done some nice work, streamlining the app creation and publishing process for the windows store. And by trying to comply to their application, packaging, redistribution standards, I hope we may be able to get something out of them regarding jailbreak and such, making them see, that, if correctly managed, desktop apps are not lowering the user experience on windows rt at all, but are an enrichment instead

Fasin said:
if you didn't downgrade your lumia to Windows 8.0 (don't know if it's possible)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It isn't possible unfortunately :/

SixSixSevenSeven said:
It isn't possible unfortunately :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's rather unfortunate :/ Then the only hope for you, wojtas29, is the next jailbreak...

Just to let you know, I'm not dead yet Sadly I don't get as much time as I would like to. I'll package some more apps when I have some spare minutes at work this week and hopefully I will get a huge step done with the package manager this weekend, so that you can use it. Bear with me

Yeah!
Inviato dal mio Nexus 4 utilizzando Tapatalk

not installing on surface rt
I don't if your still working on this project or not but I need your help!!
I can't install this app on surface rt 8.1 jailbreak.
when I want to run this app it sez "this app can't run on your pc to find apps on this pc, open the windows store."
and then I tried to open it using the x86 emulator and then the notepad opened. at the last line it seas :
[ 6500]E: Error loading program: 1168
(I don't known if this in the emulator error or D.stores error.
helllllp!!!!

Dead horse LoL
Anyway, I did get the installer to launch after signing the file using the 'signtool', however it looks like the dependencies aren't available (probably dead server). Stuck at 'Downloading Launcher' ... 0/0B
Windows 8.1 Jailbroke.
Happily, the 2017 community edition of Visual Studio still let's us compile apps as 'Any CPU', so at least I can still build stuff.

brandoncomputer said:
Dead horse LoL
Anyway, I did get the installer to launch after signing the file using the 'signtool', however it looks like the dependencies aren't available (probably dead server). Stuck at 'Downloading Launcher' ... 0/0B
Windows 8.1 Jailbroke.
Happily, the 2017 community edition of Visual Studio still let's us compile apps as 'Any CPU', so at least I can still build stuff.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey did you get it to work Im having the same problem .

trying this in 2019 on my surface RT Win8.1 jailbreak with no luck. Is the app dead?

frayes said:
trying this in 2019 on my surface RT Win8.1 jailbreak with no luck. Is the app dead?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes

frayes said:
trying this in 2019 on my surface RT Win8.1 jailbreak with no luck. Is the app dead?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It says it can only work on Windows 8.0, not 8.1. Did you also try that? I want to try this on my RT too but I am reading into the downgrade first.

[GUIDE][CyanogenOS] Avoid your Cyanogen OS device from getting updated!

Before proceeding any further:
As you may already know, Cyanogen Inc. has shut down the CyanogenMod project, and will end some of the Cyanogen services by the end of this year. However, Cyanogen is still able to supply updates for the elegible devices whose manufacturer partnered with Cyanogen Inc., like Wileyfox, bq, YU, OPPO, OnePlus, ZUK and Smartfren. You can have a look at this extensive article in the XDA Portal for more info. about the CyanogenMod death, and have a look here for a complete list of Cyanogen-supported devices.
The nightmare:
A user on the /r/programming subreddit submitted this great post, explaining the perspective as a former-Cyanogen-employee. There, it's explained that all of the CyanogenOS core developers were already fired, and the rest were either looking for another job or just abandoned the company. That leads to a company with barely any developers in their staff.
After, reading this, the only thing that came to my mind was "Who the f*** is pushing the updates to the devices?", and what's even more, what do those updates exactly contain?
The post responses go into a sort-of AMA, and the former employee comments here that Cyanogen has 2 OTA systems, the one that handles the OS upgrades, just like in CyanogenMod, and the Ambient Updater, that handles silent packages updates, which doesn't notify the user nor ask for permissions to install the new apps. This could be used to update Cyanogen components on demand, based on what the aerios server say it should install.
By the perspective of this former employee, I can only see that Cyanogen is completely broken, and, I'm quite skeptical of what's going to happen with future updates, if they'll try to do something to our devices. Maybe nothing bad happens, they hire new developers and get back to work, who knows... But I, personally, cannot trust them in this state.
How to disable automatic updates on Cyanogen OS devices:
Requirements: Android ADB Drivers (if on pc), or a Terminal Emulator app from Play Store/the built-in Terminal that can be enabled from Developer options, named Local terminal.
Go into Settings, About device, and tap 7 times on Build number. This will unhide the Developer options. Press the back key on your device and enter that menu.
Now find the Root access, or Administrative access setting, and change it to Apps and ADB.
If on PC: Connect your device to your PC, open a command prompt and type in adb shell. Continue to next step.
If you have no access to a PC: Open the Terminal Emulator app. Continue to next step.
Now type in the following commands.
Code:
su
(Now a prompt will appear on the device screen, tap on Remember and hit Allow).
Code:
pm disable [COLOR="DarkOrchid"]com.cyngn.ambient.updater[/COLOR]
pm disable [COLOR="darkorchid"]com.cyngn.fota[/COLOR]
The output for them should be something like:
Code:
Package [COLOR="darkorchid"]com.cyngn.ambient.updater[/COLOR] new state: disabled
However, it's also possible the package's missing in your system, returning an error:
Code:
Error: java.lang.IllegalArgumentException: Unknown package: [COLOR="DarkOrchid"]com.cyngn.ambient.updater[/COLOR]
If that's the case, either the app already self-updated and changed the package name (which is highly improbable), or, it's just not included in your device.
That should do the job, but, if you want to go further, you can go to your system partition, mount it as R/W and fully delete those two apps, named System Updates (Cyanogen Updates sometimes), and Ambient Updater.
Final thoughts / What can I do now?
No one knows what Cyanogen Inc is planning except them, but, if they keep firing their devs and try to make money from advertising malware, as the former employee suggests, I'd want to stay as far away from them as possible.
My personnal recommendation: Go into your device subforum, if it has one, and look up what are the alternative ROMs available for it, unlock your bootloader, flash a custom Recovery and the ROM of your preference, at least until our respective OEM says what happens next with the Stock ROM updates.
Merry Christmas, Cyanogen!

[DEV][ROOT] Pi-hole for Android // Deploy Pi-hole DNS server to ANY Android 4.x device.

Pi-hole for ARMv7 (2011 and newer) Android devices.
NOTE: This project has been supersceeded by the Raspbian APK installer.
The post below is still useful for Android 4.x devices.
________________
Original post...
[ Preface: I have successfully deployed this to several ARMv7 and ARMv8 devices, but looking for additional test devices to ensure the scripts are robust enough to detect the many various device configurations out there, especially interested in RockChip and Allwinner-based Android HDMI sticks. Please give it a spin and report your results - Thanks! ]
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Pi-hole is a Linux network-level advertisement and Internet tracker blocking application which acts as a DNS sinkhole intended for use on a private network. It is designed for low-power embedded devices with network capability, most well-known being the Raspberry Pi.
This customized Linux Deploy image works on any rooted Android device with an ARMv7 (or newer) class CPU. This typically includes anything made in the past 10 years. Form factor is not important; it could be a phone, tablet, HDMI stick or any device running Android.
Requirements:
· Android device, rooted
· Developer Options -> Root Access -> Enabled for Apps
Instructions:
· Open browser on device and download+install the Linux Deploy APK below. You can also download it from the Play Store if you prefer:
· https://github.com/meefik/linuxdeploy/releases
· Download the Pi-hole for Android disk image: 1.6 [20220908]
· https://github.com/DesktopECHO/Pi-hole-for-Android/releases· Restart Phone (This is REQUIRED)
· Open Linux Deploy
· Open Properties Menu (Bottom Right)· Distribution: rootfs.tar· Source Path - This varies depending on the device, ie: ${EXTERNAL_STORAGE}/Download/p4a16.tgz· Set password for user "android"· Init -> Enable
· Go back to main window, click Options Menu (Three dots, top right of screen) and click "Install"
· Wait a few minutes for the disk image to install.· Allow the install to complete before proceeding to next steps.· When install is complete, the Linux Deploy console window will show the following:
Code:
[HH:mm:ss] >>> :: Configuring core/launchroot ...
[HH:mm:ss] >>> deploy
· Open Hamburger Menu (Top Left) and touch "Settings"
· Place check mark on Lock Wi-Fi· Place check mark on Autostart
Touch the [ -> START ] button and confirm when prompted.
Pi-hole is now installed and running!
Your Android device's IP is shown at the top of the Linux Deploy main window. You can interact with the Pi-hole instance in three ways:
Open a web browser to the Android device's IP address. Example:
http://10.13.12.11/admin
SSH to the instance on port 22. Example:
ssh [email protected]
RDP to the device's IP address to open an XTerm. Example:
mstsc.exe /v:10.13.12.11
Additional Info
You can restart (or "bounce") the Pi-hole instance in Linux Deploy by pressing [ ■ STOP ] and waiting a few seconds for the instance to indicate all services are stopped. Restart the instance by pressing [ ▸ START ]
When a Pi-hole instance starts up, the default setting is to let it automagically configure networking. If you change networks on the Android device simply restart the instance for Pi-hole to pick up the new settings.
Alternatively, set a static assignment by commenting-out two lines in /etc/rc.local (You will see which ones when you open the file in an editor.) After the lines are commented out with a hash "#" you can manually add your IP, subnet and interface name to /etc/pihole/setupVars.conf
The Pi-hole instance on Android otherwise behaves like it is running on a 'real' Raspberry-Pi or a standard PC. Consult the extensive documentation online to learn how to fully leverage Pi-hole's functionality.
Adjust QT display scaling: ~/startwm.sh
Change the font size in QTerminal: ~/.config/qterminal.org/qterminal.ini
If your Android device has a battery and was unused for months or years, replace its battery. Old, worn, or abused Li-ion batteries can fail when pushed back into service. Failure appears as a bulge in the battery, "thermal event" or worse. A new battery makes an excellent UPS for the tiny Linux box you just provisioned!

Thanks a lot for this, I find this the only working solution for Pi-hole + unbound on Linux Deploy. I was able to run pi-hole from scratch on debian/ubuntu based images but was not able to get unbound running and not sure why it always gave SERVFAIL.
Anyways, this worked I wonder why...
On a separate note I tried updating pi-hole but it only updated FTL version to v5.13 and I know the core and web-interface is also updated and newer versions are released but for some reason pihole shows it's up to date in the "pihole -up" command BUT it shows update available on web interface (admin panel).
Can you let me know why?

What model phone do you have?
CentOS 7 Was the only distro I could convince to work on every android phone. Android 4.x shipped with a 3.0 kernel and CentOS has a glibc juuuust old enough to be able to run with a kernel that old.
Yesterday I released version 1.5 which should take care of the update issue. Give that a shot and let me know how things look for you.

I dug into this more seems like this PR merge causes it: https://github.com/pi-hole/pi-hole/pull/4475
I reverted the changes to that script and it worked. I made a comment on that PR, hopefully they'll fix.
Thanks for the update, I'll check it now.
I use Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G (codename: dior). Using my own self-built LineageOS 14.1 (Kernel 3.4.0). I understand the issues with having older kernel version with newer distributions and yes, you're right CentOS 7 would be perfect for this use case. Unfortunately pihole install script by default didn't support CentOS 7 on ARM so I didn't go that way initially.
Also, Is there a way I could check for newer versions of your container other than XDA?

Hi Ashish, The 'official' page is located on GitHib:
https://github.com/DesktopECHO/Pi-hole-for-Android
Nice find with the git versioning issue! You can also just run ``p4a-install`` which does the same thing but skips the version check and force-installs the latest Pi-hole release. I think they will fix this... fyi the Pi-hole installer works on CentOS ARMv7, that may not have been the case a year or two ago. In any case if you're on Kernel 3.4 you should be able to get a modern distro running without too much grief. The project page on GitHub has all my fix-ups, you should be able to apply them against your preferred Linux flavour.

Very nice! Running on OnePlus Nord N10 here. arm64-v8a

Few hours later...
Stopped for some reason...

Going again, nothing is logged, however it seems to function well and good.

Hi there, I'm pretty sure the disk resize had something to do with your issue -- I see "pihole -up" was complaining there was no disk space left.
For what it's worth, my Galaxy S2 has been running Pi-hole months at a time without issues.

One more thing, just an FYI if you're interested... as of P4A update v1.5 you can tell Linux Deploy to install to a folder on your Android device instead of a disk image. That way you don't have to worry about filling up the image file.

ashishkotnala29 said:
I dug into this more seems like this PR merge causes it: https://github.com/pi-hole/pi-hole/pull/4475
I reverted the changes to that script and it worked. I made a comment on that PR, hopefully they'll fix.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I rebuilt a newer version of Git (2.34) for CentOS 7 on ARMv7. I can upload the RPMs if you want to try out updating with that version instead. It's probably all academic anyway as the Pi-hole folks are working on a resolution.

DesktopECHO said:
I rebuilt a newer version of Git (2.34) for CentOS 7 on ARMv7. I can upload the RPMs if you want to try out updating with that version instead. It's probably all academic anyway as the Pi-hole folks are working on a resolution.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure, thanks I can try that later.

Here you go!
GIT 2.34 CentOS 7 ARM v7

DesktopECHO said:
Here you go!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Had to figure out the dependencies and I only installed 4 packages out of all those and I think it is working... The results are promising.
This test is on your v1.4 image because it makes sense there. Using old git 1.8.x we only got FTL update here.
Finally going through the update and it was a success!
Thanks a lot for compiling these RPMs.
Here's are the prerequisites which are needed to install the RPMs you complied.
Bash:
sudo yum remove -y git
sudo yum clean all
sudo yum install -y emacs-filesystem pcre2
Then only install git, git-core, git-core-doc and perl-Git. That's all!

We managed to figure out the issue. It was the "git fetch --tags origin" command on v1.8.x. For some reason this doesn't work the same as in modern git versions.
Discussion here: https://github.com/pi-hole/pi-hole/pull/4475
Fix here: https://github.com/pi-hole/pi-hole/pull/4575
Thanks for your help!

ashishkotnala29 said:
We managed to figure out the issue. It was the "git fetch --tags origin" command on v1.8.x. For some reason this doesn't work the same as in modern git versions.
Discussion here: https://github.com/pi-hole/pi-hole/pull/4475
Fix here: https://github.com/pi-hole/pi-hole/pull/4575
Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You’re welcome! And thank you for chasing down that bug.
They had a similar issue with bash on CentOS 7 a few months ago. Next re-spin of P4A I think I’ll just include the updated Git just for a little extra insurance. Will also be switching to OpenSSH from DropBear (so Gravity Sync can work) now that I have sorted out why it wouldn’t start.

Hey @DesktopECHO I have a small issue idk who to ask maybe you've come across this in your testing.
I have a very old Chinese android tablet running Android v4.1.1 on kernel v3.0.8. It has 2 cores Cortex-A9.
Everything seems to work fine but as soon as I turn the screen off the detected core count reduces to 1. It's like 1 core is put to sleep and is no longer "visible" to the OS. I've verified this using the "htop" utility and on pi-hole web-ui (hover over green/red status beside load averages).
I am using wake lock apps to keep the Wifi performance high. I also tried changing CPU governor to ondemand/interactive/performance still same behavior. Any ideas how can I keep both cores online while keeping screen off?
EDIT: Seems to be working fine when switched to ondemand governor and restarting.

Sometimes the closest you can get is to just turn down the screen brightness to zero which should be 'good enough' for most situations, we just need to find where that control is on your device.
Break out of chroot:
Code:
[[email protected] ~]$ unchroot
Find a hint for where screen brightness is controlled:
Code:
localhost:(unreachable) # find /sys/ -name brightness
For my device I get:
Code:
/sys/devices/platform/soc/1a00000.qcom,mdss_mdp/1a00000.qcom,mdss_mdp:qcom,mdss_fb_primary/leds/lcd-backlight/brightness
/sys/devices/platform/soc/78b5000.i2c/i2c-1/1-005a/leds/vibrator/brightness
/sys/devices/platform/soc/7864900.sdhci/leds/mmc1::/brightness
/sys/devices/platform/soc/200f000.qcom,spmi/spmi-0/spmi0-03/200f000.qcom,spmi:qcom,[email protected]:qcom,[email protected]/leds/charging/brightness
/sys/devices/platform/soc/200f000.qcom,spmi/spmi-0/spmi0-03/200f000.qcom,spmi:qcom,[email protected]:qcom,[email protected]/leds/green/brightness
/sys/devices/platform/soc/200f000.qcom,spmi/spmi-0/spmi0-03/200f000.qcom,spmi:qcom,[email protected]:qcom,[email protected]/leds/blue/brightness
In my case it was the first entry, so to confirm we'll try turning down the brightness:
Code:
echo 0 > /sys/devices/platform/soc/1a00000.qcom,mdss_mdp/1a00000.qcom,mdss_mdp:qcom,mdss_fb_primary/leds/lcd-backlight/brightness
It worked! Sometimes you have to try 1 instead of 0 as the minimum value. Usually it's 0-255

DesktopECHO said:
Sometimes the closest you can get is to just turn down the screen brightness to zero which should be 'good enough' for most situations, we just need to find where that control is on your device.
It worked! Sometimes you have to try 1 instead of 0 as the minimum value. Usually it's 0-255
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for this. Yeah I was aware that keeping screen on will let me achieve my goal but I was trying to avoid it unless absolutely necessary.
I've been using this app for keeping wake locks since for some reason the CPU and Wifi lock options in Linux Deploy app do not work for me on the two devices that I tested. "Partial wake lock" option in this app works great, keeps wifi up and CPU too while screen off.

I've googled something like this a month ago, it's like you guessed. Thank you so much @DesktopECHO !!
This is probably a very silly question but give me some leeway.
If I'm browsing the web on the android device where my pihole is deployed, shouldn't it be blocking ads as I'm browsing ?

Database Info

welcome