Doom878 - there's no official original android roms yet (like CM10 or AOKP which are basically "Vanilla android"), but there are plenty based on Touchwiz. There are some ports (from the S3 I believe), which have broken stuff and probably won't be good for daily use.

IMHO, I don't see the point of running other Touchwiz based roms, since usually they're just reskinned/recolored versions of the Samsung Touchwiz rom, just with debloated apps.

IMO, you're better off rooting, getting Titanium Backup and debloating yourself by freezing the app you want to get rid of (mostly ATT crap).

Also no need to worry about rooting on this phone. Use the all in one Toolkit at the link below - it makes it stupid easy to root.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2052779

 

yea i did the same, i waited 2 months lol when i first moved to android. I had my iphone jailbroken, so it was inevitable

 

Just picked up a Note 2 (verizon)! This is my first foray into android. I feel like such a noob.

 

Welcome to the club!!

Man the note 2 seems to be the most popular android phone here. I thought it would be the gs3

 

have to admit, this thread was a big influence on my decision.


Posted from Acurazine.com App for Android

 

Today's CM Nightlies now include the GSM variants of the Note II. The CDMA variant is on the way:

https://plus.google.com/u/0/11796266...ts/8KWAoCZSYcV

http://get.cm


With that said, I don't think a custom ROM is required immediately for noob Android users. The stock TouchWiz ROMs should suffice for beginners although I do recommend changing the launcher and rooting. Otherwise, running a custom ROM is really a matter of choice and more for people who want a ROM without the bloat and vanilla Android with some extras.

The reason I run custom ROM instead of stock is because I like to be on the most updated build out there and I like changing my phone up every now and then. It also adds certain extra features not found in the stock experience which I've become accustomed to after using CM builds for how long. (Google does eventually merge some of the features in but they take a while and usually dumbed down.) Of course, most of those same features could be added to a stock ROM with root but I like my things to be streamlined instead of adding layers upon layers of apps and hoping that its stable.

 

So this is Paranoid Android's implementation of a full screen hybrid phone with software buttons called PIE:


Still a work in progress but interested in how it comes along. I use my phone a lot in the Expanded desktop configuration and use Gestures to go Back, Home, Recent but this PIE implementation looks a lot more convenient if done correctly.

 

So apparently there's an app on the Play Store that allows you to watch a full length Movie that people put up on YouTube. I probably shouldn't link to it here cause it sorta falls under wares but there's a free and a donate version that removes ads by a dev with a studio that burns. They had a dvd screener copy of django that's still up and a bunch of newly released movies on there. The search function sucks but the app does what it does. I think I put enough clues on this text to find it.

 

^PM me the link please

What are you Note 2 guys using then to get Flash? Is it in that TouchWiz ROM above?

 

can I haz the link as well plzzz

 

Check PM. For flash, download it straight from Adobe:

http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/...-versions.html

You want the 4.x version. Once it finishes downloading on your device, just click on it and install. It should be in your Downloads folder. You will then need to use a browser that allows plugins to be used such as Dolphin, Firefox, Tint, Naked browser, etc.

 

For the people that didn't get the hint on my earlier post, look at the italicized words. Combine them and search the PlayStore. They also have a website that aggregates the movies that works on both Android and iOS devices so you could watch the movies on YouTube on iOS since they can't get an app up on iTunes. The search function sucks on their website and the app though. Lol.

 

People are lazy lol. I figured it out so easily

 

Random outburst by Civic:

Finally got a new phone. Titanium grey S3. Running a TW rom right now but not sure if I like it. Might put vanilla Android back on it but I like the wifi calling feature. It comes in handy at work.

 

Cool for you, but getting a S3 now is like getting the current Corvette.

 

First, are you on tmobile??

Well you should root if you havent, but here's what i've done.

Nova launcher, and AOSP messaging app. That will get rid of the annoying TW things IMO.

Best touchwiz feature is in contacts and it has the swipe right to call, left to message haha. They already have the T9 dialer too like cm10. The rest for teh most part is pretty much the same.

 

I won a Google TV at school for developing the fastest touch-less Android keyboard!

 

Congrats

 

Congrats dude!
That must be a pretty awesome school to give out free prizes like that.

Nice woot! on the N4 lol, and when are you planning to release that keyboard you made?

 

Even if I release it, no one's gonna want it, haha. It's because you type a lot slower on this keyboard. This was all just a challenge from the school.

You basically move the highlighted cursor around by tilting your phone in that direction and wave your hand over the light sensor to enter that key. It's slow but it was the fastest

 

haha nice thats awesome!

 

Wow, that actually sounds like a really cool and unique tech demo. School's done you good

 

Yea, but it saves me $40 a month and it was the only phone on the market that I like. The Nexus S was getting to be too much of a pain to deal with.

Besides, the new Corvette is ugly

Still on Tmo. I rooted it as soon as I got home last night. I put DarthStalker on it and it ran well, but TW was pissing me off. Ive been flashing a few AOSP/AOKP ROMs tonight, and theyre so much faster. The only problem Im running into with every vanilla Android rom is the camera wont open. Every time I open it it says "cant connect to camera". My friend is flashing the same ROM Im running right now so Ill see if its a ROM issue. I dont think its a hardware issue since the camera works on TW roms, and it works beautifully.

 

Which GApps are you using? If you're using the one with Photosphere enabled, I think that has some issues:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1966426

^Some people suggest turning off Store GPS Location or force it to focus on something on the first run.



If you're using the official GApps from goo-im then you shouldn't have the problem although you won't get the PhotoSphere:

http://goo.im/gapps/

 

More PIE updates for Paranoid Android:


I'm gonna switch to Paranoid Android once it becomes more stable. Someone suggested Smart Status Bar to enable the status bar with a flick while using Expanded desktop in addition to GestureControl and so far it works great for my set up:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...YmFyLmZyZWUiXQ..

 

Ive tried with and without Photosphere. A few people have said it has something to do with a file in /data (SlimISP_ZH.bin) thats missing. They copied that over from the stock rom and now the camera works. Im too tired tonight to try dropping that file in there (Ive already flashed back to DarthStalker). I hope that when I do it tomorrow that it works. Baked Blackbean is crazy fast, so I plan on running that if I can get the camera to work.

 

Getting ready to be on the market for a new phone. You guys still hearing Feb/March for the S4 unveiling? Not sure if I want to scoop up an S4, or see what the Evo 4G 2 has in store.

I'm due in Feb but will likely wait till summer so I can see what the new phones look like. Anything else you guys think I should keep an eye on?

 

I have yet to try an AOSP/AOKP ROM. I heard it was buggy or read it somewhere so I didnt bother. I want something completely stable.

I'd recommend either wicked or frosty jelly bean. Both are fast and have good battery life. You can get 4.2 camera on either if you want, and they work photosphere too.

I actually switched back to the stock camera app. The only thing it doesnt have is photosphere, but it does have HDR, (4.2 camera is missing that for some reason), and it also has an anti-shake feature, so if i try to pull out the phone quickly and take the shot, its not coming out blurry. Also the 4.2 cameras there's a bug that if the flash needs to be used, you need to tap the screen to focus otherwise it will freeze. I got tired of that when other people tried to take pics with my phone and that happened.

But like i said try those TW ROMS. Frosty is more stock, but wicked has more options, for example when you install the rom it uses the install method where you get to choose different things, like if you want nova launcher, nexus 4 launcher, touchwiz launcher, or which camera you want.


How is Evo with their updates though?? Right now it seems like samsung could be the best as far as updates go thats not Nexus.

 

If you can wait, wait for the S4...I hear its going to almost the size of the original note....

on the other hand, I love the note (series) because of the stylus....I have been approving orders, signing pdf, making changes to documents, adding my notes with the stylus and dang its easy.....makes me wonder how did i live without it....

 

^ Echo... Echo...


i kid, i kid.

But yea, im thinking about upgrading my phone as well. I love the GS3 but my friend has the note 2 and i really like it. Should i wait till the rumored S4 comes out? I like the rumored wireless charging idea.

 

Honestly, it sucks. That's one of the reasons why I've been thinking Samsung.

Originally I wanted the Note II, but if the S4 is the size of the original Note plus much more powerful, I started thinking maybe go that route instead. Plus, the Note 3 is quite a ways off.

Not sure why it posted twice originally. Odd. But like I said above, I was with you with the Note II, but like the specs of the S4...

 

Liking the leaked screen shots of sense 5.

Going to be a touch decision between the M7 and the S4.

 

Xperia Z & ZL will be out around March.
LG 5inch Optimus G will be out April at earliest.
HTC M7 will be out around May.
S4 will be out July at earliest.
Note 3 will be out October at earliest.
5th Nexus will be out November.
Motorola X Phone will be out when its out.

 

^ Sounds about right.

The S4 will likely be slightly smaller than the Note 2 - probably at an even 5 inches of screen real estate. Wouldn't make sense for them to compete in the same target market.

Bigger question is if the S4 will come with the new Exynos 5 Octo-core processor. If so.. that's one hell of a processor powering a phone.

 

Even though I just got a new phone, that is one line that Im paying very close attention to.

 

This should've been the Nexus 4. Waterproof and using Dragon tail screen tech which is slightly stronger and more scratchproof than Gorilla glass with microSD slots. Also, Sony has been the most open sourced and dev friendly out of all the manufacturers. The Free Xperia Project will allow the devs to add AOSP ROMs at a much easier/faster pace than the other phones outside of the Nexus line. Samsung continues to disappoint the devs by not giving out their sources to the Exynos stuff which is why you have all these borked AOSP builds for them. You become limited to what stuff Samsung wants to give out unless you dont mind half assed builds. With that said, I'm gonna wait it out until maybe June to make a decision but right now my money is on the Xperia Z.

 

finally got around to flashing 4.2 to my gnex. Used photosphere for the first time in my office:



nailed it. (i know i was moving the camera too fast lol, second try was much better).

 

^ It's a bit more difficult when the photosphere is close range. Recommended space is around 15 feet. Have you tried the Tiny Planert filter? It shows up on the bottom right of the photosphere when you view them in the gallery. Also, take the photosphere while holding the phone in a portrait orientation instead of landscape. It minimizes the black space on the top and bottom of the sphere.

 

I have not but i will look into it (Tiny Planet), thanks!

I found i got the best results if i tilted/angled the phone on its own axis vs. using my body as the pivot at least in the small confines of my office.

 

yea lol if you move it around your body like you do in panorama mode, it will turn out horrible.

I've done close up pics that turned out pretty good by tilting it around the axis of the phone. Actually really good, just a few small mistakes. Keeping hands level is also important throughout the rotation