Android: Phone News and Discussion Thread
05-03-2013 | 11:25 AM
#8281
Goodbye.
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,308
Likes: 584
From: BroCal
http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/04...ing-condition/
Some people are reporting that you can stack trade-ins to reduce your new phone price to $0, but YMMV.
Last edited by TSXy Luster; 05-03-2013 at 11:34 AM.
05-03-2013 | 05:01 PM
#8283
Goodbye.
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,308
Likes: 584
From: BroCal
Played with the HTC First aka Facebook Phone today. Damn that thing really is a "perfect" size. So comfortable for one hand usage and the back is pretty much the same material as the One X - polycarbonate matte. Definitely a great bridge to bring over iOS users to Android.
I'll try to resist saying it...
I'll try to resist saying it...
Last edited by TSXy Luster; 05-03-2013 at 05:04 PM.
05-03-2013 | 07:07 PM
#8284
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,012
Likes: 439
From: SoCal
i forgot you said that a couple days ago... you got me dude!Hey mike so if I get into the download mode, what I'm going to do?? Do i have to go back to stock or can I get a rooted download?? Maybe I'll just go to stock anyway help me with odin lol! I'm gonna go research on xda as well
05-03-2013 | 08:28 PM
#8286
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,012
Likes: 439
From: SoCal
05-03-2013 | 08:59 PM
#8288
Goodbye.
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,308
Likes: 584
From: BroCal
Taken with N4 auto and with HDR:
ITsUkBZ.jpg
Taken with S4 auto:
7MfPZAM.jpg
A note of advice to people wanting to take advantage of the AT&T trade-in program, some stores don't even know about it or don't know the true extent of it. I ended up schooling the manager and sales guy about it by pulling up the AT&T press release on my phone to show them. They read the whole thing in a corner and was like...... damn, we just had a conference call lol.
Also, it seems like Samsung's branding sure has taken off.... when asked about which one is better, everyone says that Samsung makes better phones and that they all prefer the S4 and that it is just about sold out in most places... One still has tons of stock in stores
Mass marketing. It works.
ITsUkBZ.jpg
Taken with S4 auto:
7MfPZAM.jpg
A note of advice to people wanting to take advantage of the AT&T trade-in program, some stores don't even know about it or don't know the true extent of it. I ended up schooling the manager and sales guy about it by pulling up the AT&T press release on my phone to show them. They read the whole thing in a corner and was like...... damn, we just had a conference call lol.
Also, it seems like Samsung's branding sure has taken off.... when asked about which one is better, everyone says that Samsung makes better phones and that they all prefer the S4 and that it is just about sold out in most places... One still has tons of stock in stores
Mass marketing. It works.
05-03-2013 | 10:59 PM
#8290
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
i forgot you said that a couple days ago... you got me dude!Hey mike so if I get into the download mode, what I'm going to do?? Do i have to go back to stock or can I get a rooted download?? Maybe I'll just go to stock anyway help me with odin lol! I'm gonna go research on xda as well
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...ght=stock+odin
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1949687
05-03-2013 | 11:01 PM
#8291
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
So Paranoid Android is taking the Facebook Chat Heads to another level:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9vlrgCteDac" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Pretty cool functionality and it makes sense to use it in expanded mode so you can see all your notifications in a bubble. They're going to make it open source so other custom ROMs can integrate it as well.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9vlrgCteDac" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Pretty cool functionality and it makes sense to use it in expanded mode so you can see all your notifications in a bubble. They're going to make it open source so other custom ROMs can integrate it as well.
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speedemon90 (05-03-2013)
05-03-2013 | 11:44 PM
#8292
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,012
Likes: 439
From: SoCal
Flashing root after going back to stock is just a few extra steps. There are pre-rooted deodexed stock ODIN files out there as well.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...ght=stock+odin
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1949687
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...ght=stock+odin
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1949687
05-04-2013 | 12:07 AM
#8293
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
^So your phone just turns off mid-flash? Battery is charged right? From the thread it sounds like its trying to flash but just fails. If its turning off while flashing then you may need to try a different battery. It sounds like its not holding a charge long enough to keep the phone alive while you're flashing. Also, if it is flashing and you're getting that partition error are you using the correct PIT file?
05-04-2013 | 12:31 AM
#8294
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,012
Likes: 439
From: SoCal
I'll sit the battery in and leave the phone charging over night. But this is a problem that happened from the get go when the problem occurred. My phone would keep lock its self on its own, and then all of a sudden it turned off and kept restarting.
I don't want to buy a new battery though... I have some friends with the S3, i'll try theres.
As for the last part you said, I dunno what you mean. Its not able to flash so I doubt it.
I don't want to buy a new battery though... I have some friends with the S3, i'll try theres.
As for the last part you said, I dunno what you mean. Its not able to flash so I doubt it.
05-04-2013 | 01:11 AM
#8295
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
I'll sit the battery in and leave the phone charging over night. But this is a problem that happened from the get go when the problem occurred. My phone would keep lock its self on its own, and then all of a sudden it turned off and kept restarting.
I don't want to buy a new battery though... I have some friends with the S3, i'll try theres.
As for the last part you said, I dunno what you mean. Its not able to flash so I doubt it.
I don't want to buy a new battery though... I have some friends with the S3, i'll try theres.
As for the last part you said, I dunno what you mean. Its not able to flash so I doubt it.
<ID:0/005> Get PIT for mapping..
<ID:0/005> Firmware update start..
<ID:0/005> aboot.mbn
<ID:0/005> NAND Write Start!!
<ID:0/005> boot.img
<ID:0/005> Complete(Write) operation failed.
<OSM> All threads completed. (succeed 0 / failed 1)
<ID:0/005> Removed!!
<ID:0/005> Added!!
<ID:0/005> Removed!!
<ID:0/005> Firmware update start..
<ID:0/005> aboot.mbn
<ID:0/005> NAND Write Start!!
<ID:0/005> boot.img
<ID:0/005> Complete(Write) operation failed.
<OSM> All threads completed. (succeed 0 / failed 1)
<ID:0/005> Removed!!
<ID:0/005> Added!!
<ID:0/005> Removed!!
PIT file:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...php?p=30547929
05-04-2013 | 01:37 AM
#8296
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
Whoops forgot you had the T-Mobile variant. All the different PIT files can be found here:
http://d2tehp.chickenkiller.com:22222/pits/
With that said, it wouldn't matter if your phone just turns off mid-flash. Its just not going to flash if it cuts off half way in so either something is shorting your phone or your battery is bad/not charged.
http://d2tehp.chickenkiller.com:22222/pits/
With that said, it wouldn't matter if your phone just turns off mid-flash. Its just not going to flash if it cuts off half way in so either something is shorting your phone or your battery is bad/not charged.
05-04-2013 | 02:28 PM
#8297
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,012
Likes: 439
From: SoCal
Whoops forgot you had the T-Mobile variant. All the different PIT files can be found here:
http://d2tehp.chickenkiller.com:22222/pits/
With that said, it wouldn't matter if your phone just turns off mid-flash. Its just not going to flash if it cuts off half way in so either something is shorting your phone or your battery is bad/not charged.
http://d2tehp.chickenkiller.com:22222/pits/
With that said, it wouldn't matter if your phone just turns off mid-flash. Its just not going to flash if it cuts off half way in so either something is shorting your phone or your battery is bad/not charged.
I'm hanging with some family friends tonight and one has a GS3 so I'll stick her battery in my phone and see what happens. I'll also try my battery in her phone to check it out if it is the battery thats causing the issue.
05-04-2013 | 03:50 PM
#8300
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
PIT files are from my understanding the partition tables for the storage NAND, eMMC, etc. You only need them when you check the "Repartition" box in ODIN. In your case I would only recommend it if after you fix the battery issue and .tar still fails to flash. So either your battery is bad or something is getting shorted within that 10 seconds causing your phone to reboot/turn off.
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speedemon90 (05-04-2013)
05-04-2013 | 03:58 PM
#8301
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
Also, I wonder if Samsung would fix your phone for you even though it has a cracked screen. You could probably get a warranty work done to fix the board but they won't touch the screen. They could replace it for a fee but I would contact Samsung and see what they say. Most phones have a 2 year warranty that cover board failures like this so you don't have to mess with ODIN yourself. Its just that you would have to send the phone to Samsung, wait for them to repair it and then wait for it to be sent back which could take any where from 2-4+ weeks.
The following users liked this post:
speedemon90 (05-04-2013)
05-04-2013 | 04:26 PM
#8302
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,012
Likes: 439
From: SoCal
Also, I wonder if Samsung would fix your phone for you even though it has a cracked screen. You could probably get a warranty work done to fix the board but they won't touch the screen. They could replace it for a fee but I would contact Samsung and see what they say. Most phones have a 2 year warranty that cover board failures like this so you don't have to mess with ODIN yourself. Its just that you would have to send the phone to Samsung, wait for them to repair it and then wait for it to be sent back which could take any where from 2-4+ weeks.
I'll contact samsung if the battery doesn't solve the problem. I dont mind the phone being gone for a while, I'm using my nexus S as of now anyway. That thing is just so slow lol much slower than when I had it, but whatever I can still use it for now. Thanks for the help.
05-04-2013 | 05:01 PM
#8303
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
^Hmm...the flash counter thing might be an issue. I mean when I had my Galaxy Nexus internal storage repaired my bootloader was unlocked and they shouldn't have fixed it but Samsung did it any way. So they may repair it any way out of good faith. Although in my case, my phone wouldn't turn on at all. When they sent it back to me the bootloader was still definitely unlocked and they didn't deny the repair so I'm not sure. May have to ask the Samsung rep about it. Just say you saw a 1 when you turn it on and you don't know what it means and that the phone just reboots immediately. Basically deny you know anything about custom ROMs.
05-04-2013 | 09:02 PM
#8304
Goodbye.
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,308
Likes: 584
From: BroCal
I now currently have 3 GS4s in my possession lol. One in each color and then another one. Stores are sold out of them, but have tons of HTC Ones left. Salespeople aren't even trying to sell the Ones. They just tell people to come back later when they might have more GS4 stock.
Decided to see how the different AT&T speeds are with one phone can be:
7U0knSm.jpg
From top to bottom: LTE, HSPA+ 21, and HSPA+.
Decided to see how the different AT&T speeds are with one phone can be:
7U0knSm.jpg
From top to bottom: LTE, HSPA+ 21, and HSPA+.
05-05-2013 | 04:16 AM
#8305
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,012
Likes: 439
From: SoCal
20mbps is definitely nice!
Have you seen that leak of the Optimus G2?? Is it real?? I saw it released by android and me, and well they've had some false things in the past so i'm skeptical about it.
Is it true that the snapdragon 800 can take 4k videos???? That will be intense!
Have you seen that leak of the Optimus G2?? Is it real?? I saw it released by android and me, and well they've had some false things in the past so i'm skeptical about it.
Is it true that the snapdragon 800 can take 4k videos???? That will be intense!
05-05-2013 | 04:16 AM
#8306
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,012
Likes: 439
From: SoCal
20mbps is definitely nice!
Have you seen that leak of the Optimus G2?? Is it real?? I saw it released by android and me, and well they've had some false things in the past so i'm skeptical about it.
Is it true that the snapdragon 800 can take 4k videos???? That will be intense!
Have you seen that leak of the Optimus G2?? Is it real?? I saw it released by android and me, and well they've had some false things in the past so i'm skeptical about it.
Is it true that the snapdragon 800 can take 4k videos???? That will be intense!
05-05-2013 | 02:37 PM
#8307
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,132
Likes: 19
From: Pleasant Hill, CA
Played with the HTC First aka Facebook Phone today. Damn that thing really is a "perfect" size. So comfortable for one hand usage and the back is pretty much the same material as the One X - polycarbonate matte. Definitely a great bridge to bring over iOS users to Android.
I'll try to resist saying it...
I'll try to resist saying it...http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2232307
05-05-2013 | 07:48 PM
#8308
Coal
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 7,363
Likes: 137
From: Freaking everywhere
Alright y'all, need some advice.
At the moment I have a crappy iPhone 4 and really am just tired of the iOS, too boring and simple.
I want to look into androids again, I had a G2X , and am really interested in the Nexus 4. The only problem is that I'm probably signing a contract with Verizon so I won't be able to use it. Any info on google throwing a LTE receiver in it any time soon?
Also- I'm interested in the Samsung G4 but I've been reading it may not be its all its cracked up to be, anyone own one and could give me some feedback?
Thanks!
At the moment I have a crappy iPhone 4 and really am just tired of the iOS, too boring and simple.
I want to look into androids again, I had a G2X , and am really interested in the Nexus 4. The only problem is that I'm probably signing a contract with Verizon so I won't be able to use it. Any info on google throwing a LTE receiver in it any time soon?
Also- I'm interested in the Samsung G4 but I've been reading it may not be its all its cracked up to be, anyone own one and could give me some feedback?
Thanks!
05-06-2013 | 03:42 AM
#8310
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,012
Likes: 439
From: SoCal
Alright y'all, need some advice.
At the moment I have a crappy iPhone 4 and really am just tired of the iOS, too boring and simple.
I want to look into androids again, I had a G2X , and am really interested in the Nexus 4. The only problem is that I'm probably signing a contract with Verizon so I won't be able to use it. Any info on google throwing a LTE receiver in it any time soon?
Also- I'm interested in the Samsung G4 but I've been reading it may not be its all its cracked up to be, anyone own one and could give me some feedback?
Thanks!
At the moment I have a crappy iPhone 4 and really am just tired of the iOS, too boring and simple.
I want to look into androids again, I had a G2X , and am really interested in the Nexus 4. The only problem is that I'm probably signing a contract with Verizon so I won't be able to use it. Any info on google throwing a LTE receiver in it any time soon?
Also- I'm interested in the Samsung G4 but I've been reading it may not be its all its cracked up to be, anyone own one and could give me some feedback?
Thanks!
If not for verizon the S4 is probably the best choice as of now.
Htc One is rumored to arrive at verizon also and that would be my choice, but its all preference for those phones. Both phones are great in its own ways and well so is the nexus 4 haha
05-06-2013 | 03:53 AM
#8311
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,012
Likes: 439
From: SoCal
good to know
Note from Artem: The post's author, Justin Case, also known as jcase in the Android community, is an xda Elite Recognized Developer, AP team member, and an all-around knowledgeable guy when it comes to Android's internals. When he speaks, I tend to listen.
The Android world was slapped in the face when well-known developer AndreiLux made a post in the XDA Galaxy S4 forum titled [Info] Rooting will be impossible on newer stock kernels.
His post has caused some unwarranted drama in the community, and I wish to set this subject straight as much as I can. AndreiLux is pointing out a new feature in Samsung Galaxy S4 kernel called CONFIG_SEC_RESTRICT_SETUID. This feature helps prevent processes (like malware, exploits, or su) from changing a normal user to root (or system, etc.) user by using SETUID. His title can be easily misunderstood by those who are not well-versed in Android development, but his information is basically correct.
This new feature does not stop users from rooting. Samsung has long been a silent champion of the developer community. The vast majority of their products are unlocked and allow users to install custom firmware, with the exception of some Verizon and AT&T products, and they are one of the speedier manufacturers with releasing kernel sources.
AndreiLux tells us installing a custom kernel will still allow us to have root access on our Galaxy S4. So what does this new feature really do? It tries to prevent malware from abusing exploits like Exynos-abuse to gain root, and a consequence of that is disrupting how Superuser works on our phones. Solution? Install a kernel with the feature disabled and give up some security for more freedom.
Bottom line, Samsung is trying to protect the average user from malicious activity, while still giving our community the access we want (ability to root our phones). If you complain about this feature, then you should lose the right to complain about Android security missteps in the future.
My two cents.
The Android world was slapped in the face when well-known developer AndreiLux made a post in the XDA Galaxy S4 forum titled [Info] Rooting will be impossible on newer stock kernels.
His post has caused some unwarranted drama in the community, and I wish to set this subject straight as much as I can. AndreiLux is pointing out a new feature in Samsung Galaxy S4 kernel called CONFIG_SEC_RESTRICT_SETUID. This feature helps prevent processes (like malware, exploits, or su) from changing a normal user to root (or system, etc.) user by using SETUID. His title can be easily misunderstood by those who are not well-versed in Android development, but his information is basically correct.
This new feature does not stop users from rooting. Samsung has long been a silent champion of the developer community. The vast majority of their products are unlocked and allow users to install custom firmware, with the exception of some Verizon and AT&T products, and they are one of the speedier manufacturers with releasing kernel sources.
AndreiLux tells us installing a custom kernel will still allow us to have root access on our Galaxy S4. So what does this new feature really do? It tries to prevent malware from abusing exploits like Exynos-abuse to gain root, and a consequence of that is disrupting how Superuser works on our phones. Solution? Install a kernel with the feature disabled and give up some security for more freedom.
Bottom line, Samsung is trying to protect the average user from malicious activity, while still giving our community the access we want (ability to root our phones). If you complain about this feature, then you should lose the right to complain about Android security missteps in the future.
My two cents.
05-06-2013 | 08:09 AM
#8312
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 28,006
Likes: 1,322
From: Miami, FL
Alright y'all, need some advice.
At the moment I have a crappy iPhone 4 and really am just tired of the iOS, too boring and simple.
I want to look into androids again, I had a G2X , and am really interested in the Nexus 4. The only problem is that I'm probably signing a contract with Verizon so I won't be able to use it. Any info on google throwing a LTE receiver in it any time soon?
Also- I'm interested in the Samsung G4 but I've been reading it may not be its all its cracked up to be, anyone own one and could give me some feedback?
Thanks!
At the moment I have a crappy iPhone 4 and really am just tired of the iOS, too boring and simple.
I want to look into androids again, I had a G2X , and am really interested in the Nexus 4. The only problem is that I'm probably signing a contract with Verizon so I won't be able to use it. Any info on google throwing a LTE receiver in it any time soon?
Also- I'm interested in the Samsung G4 but I've been reading it may not be its all its cracked up to be, anyone own one and could give me some feedback?
Thanks!
05-06-2013 | 07:32 PM
#8316
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,012
Likes: 439
From: SoCal
i went to the tmobile store to see if they could figure it out and I told them to check the battery. The guy did whatever he was supposed to do and tried the battery which still didnt keep the phone on so he said i'm going to need to call samsung.
He let me keep the battery new and old battery which is cool!
So now i have two batteries hopefully this phone gets fixed then i'll never run into battery issues haha
He let me keep the battery new and old battery which is cool!
So now i have two batteries hopefully this phone gets fixed then i'll never run into battery issues haha
05-07-2013 | 07:01 PM
#8318
Everyday I'm rofling
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 4,755
Likes: 1,788
From: Dallas, TX
Overheating sounds bad. I'll need to look into that...
HTC One is a good competetior but a few things that the S4 has over it(to me) are 1.) removable battery 2.)SD card 3.) thinner, not a fan of the rounded back.
I need to try out both in the store whenever I have time sometime soon.
HTC One is a good competetior but a few things that the S4 has over it(to me) are 1.) removable battery 2.)SD card 3.) thinner, not a fan of the rounded back.
I need to try out both in the store whenever I have time sometime soon.
05-07-2013 | 07:52 PM
#8319
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,012
Likes: 439
From: SoCal
When people say removable battery are important do they actually use multiple batteries?? Not once have I done that. But I understand some users may.
Htc one does have a 64gb option I believe so that should be enough right???
Htc one does have a 64gb option I believe so that should be enough right???
05-07-2013 | 08:03 PM
#8320
Everyday I'm rofling
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 4,755
Likes: 1,788
From: Dallas, TX
I like the One because it looks different than anything out there currently. It kind of annoys me that the S4 looks almost exactly like the S3.