From my perspective, I see that the Phone market is following the same path that the computer world always has.
35 years ago, when you bought a personal computer, an Apple II for instance or later a Mac, IBM, Atari, Commodore, TRS80, ZDS..etc. The closest analog today to these early systems might be the modern day game console, or our cell-PHONES.In those days you had one option, buy the computer and the OS that was offered with it.
That hardware, was what you used to learn about the software and to play the games. When you got bored with limited options, because you were locked into one market, or just flat ran out of cash the next step was to actually learn how to write your own programs on the damn thing. That was when the real fun started.
Later, ports and emulators were offered by independent programmers to allow cross platform operations, run IBM on Atari or Commodore, load IBM on Atari or Trash80 or Zenith. Most were clunky if they worked at all and required pretty savvy users to even attempt the try. All failed....spectacularly.
We all spent lot's of money and had fun trying to beat the system and run the software that our friends had. We all experienced the draw of walking into a computer store and wanting to try a great new program that was only available on some other computer 'Market' or to buy that latest cool game only to be shot down by not having the latest OS upgrade. But we had to have that awesome game and not have to upgrade our system.
Isn't that the same thing that is happening now? iPhone? Latest version? Android? Latest version Win7?!?! Yeah, Baby!
So here's my question: Would you rather just buy the phone that you want to own? No contracts at all and then choose the OS that you want to use? Or multiple OS's? Walk into an online store and buy a rock solid OS flash with support for you phone, or no support at, your option
Where is the industry really going? Are you having more fun hacking and flashing your own phones or the alternative? If you're here, it's assumed that you'd rather not buy a phone with a contract from a service provider, so let's leave that out of the discussion.
But wouldn't it be better to be able to just buy the correct software rather than struggle with beta-ware? (No offense XDA! You guys rock!)
Let's face it. The reason that this forum exists at all is because you are locked out of an OS because you don't own the right hardware from the right carrier. But everyone is using the same basic processor! Or close enough.
Licensing is the whole stopper. That's all.
FOR THE RECORD I would like to be able to just buy a bulletproof version of the latest flash and run it no matter what phone I had, I'd do it in a flash, no pun intended.
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TMOUSA HTC HD2 running some version of Android 2.3.1 (still searching for the correct one)
Some back story: Work is hot and heavy to get a few of these as we are looking to deploy a couple hundred across the enterprise. Well specifically upper management has narrowed the choices down to iPad, Surface or Nexus 10 as they want a closed infrastructure product, and with Android, closest we can get as Google isn't officially in the hardware business yet.
So Surface I've ruled out, at least RT OS as the closed infrastructure they so desire doesn't give me what I need, as in a JunOS Pulse client, Zenprise not available in the store.
iPad right now looks great, has all the 3rd party software I need and kiosk mode as the tablets are going to be utilized for a very specific reason and they want to lock out certain access/apps from the devices.
Which leads me to Nexus. I have come to terms that Zenprise MDM is not going to give me the granular control I need to lock out applications we don't want. Nature of Android. Samsung's SAFE would be wonderful, but obviously won't be bundled with the "pure google" Nexus. So I need to get a copy of the stock OS, strip all the apps I don't need and create a custom ROM and then push to these devices. I've had my management team standing on my back for 2 weeks now and am super bummed that there isn't a B&M store stocking on launch day as they did with the 7. So I've already purchased two from play and am hoping Walmart might get me one this week though doubt it.
TL;DR How can I get my hands on a copy of the stock OS for the 10 to start creating my ROM? Will I have to wait for someone more knowledgeable than me to strip from the device or will Saumsung/Google eventually have a place for me to DL. With the Asus Transformers it has been great as ASUS themselves offer all the tools needed on their website.
Also, taking suggestions from any with experience. I'm not in the modding scene personally other than as a consumer. (USe JBSourcery on my G'Nex with delight) So have been boning up on mod scene as I can and hope that process won't be too difficult. Thanks!
Well the actual stock image can be found here, however going about modifying this might be a PITA (note they are in .img form). Another option would be to create a custom build of Android but that might be a bit of work and a tad overkill.
I'm looking at the 950XL as it seems to have all the specs of the Nexus 6P but also includes USB 3.1, which is very important to me (I currently have a Note 3 which needs upgrading).
Project Astoria quite interests me; can you use any Android App with this, or just certain ones?
One thing I like about Android is the ability to flash ROMs; I don't think there's anything like this with Windows is there?
(Slightly dodgy topic to talk about) On Android I can just search for an app adding the word 'apk' on Google and download it for free. Is there anyway to do this on Windows?
I used to run Windows Mobile and before that Windows CE, before switching to Android
I just saw your question. Here is some of what I know. As of right now there is an app called 'bluestack' that allows you to run apks as if on android with google services this is a win 8 app though.
There are plus' and minus' here.
1. The feature that makes what you that interested in are win universal apps. That announced by MS is supposed to be repackaged Android apks and converted to universal apps. They then would use Windows services. (a minus or a plus depending on preferences)
2. Blue stack (and its alternatives)may need to be updated to a win 10 universal app. The biggest upside to the 950/xl are that dual booting maybe possible. And a full emulation is possible almost like having 2 phones in one. I say that because of how windows runs or promises to run. With win10 it should be a hackers/tinkerers/dev dream. Leading to more of the apps you may want to port over.
3. Porting maybe possible with the tools MS provide. You maybe able to repackage apks on your own into win10 universal apps.
4.this is the last thing. You maybe able to enjoy 3rd party win10 apps. There are alternatives to twitter for example on windows but no actual Twitter app which some say are better than Twitter's actual app. Also some reporters have said that microsoft are offer to build apps(official) for companies like Twitter and then hand it over to them and they then take over maintenance. But that hasn't worked so far.
Sent from my LG-D800 using Tapatalk
Many thanks for your reply. I've been reading a lot, trying to get my head around the new Windows Phone experience. It seems vastly different from what I used to have on my HTC HD2, which was my last Windows Phone.
One app I use a lot and I find useful is Truecaller, it tells you who's calling, even if you don't have their number in your phone. I presume this needs some sort of integration with the OS. I wonder if Project Astoria offers this level of integration.
My last windows phone was also the HD2 and I've used android ever since. I recently bought a lumia so I could try windows 10 preview. There are a couple of things I miss:
- the ability to transfer files to/from my NAS through WiFi without having to go through a pc
- swipe keyboard doesn't work in some places, eg works in messaging but not in browser
- android .nomedia facility
- banking - my bank is HSBC and they don't have a windows app
If the 950x windows 10 version fixes the first two of these then that will be my next phone.
My banking app also isnt on WP10.
I also like to use DOSbox to play old games on my phone.
Also Torque for hooking up to cars ECU via a bluetooth OBD2 reader.
No Starbucks app
I also use my LG Gwatch to receive notification on my wrist at work. As Im not allowed to get my phone, this is a very very handy feature for me.
I think I'm too invested in Android right now. I am a real Windows 10 Phone wannabe though. I wish I could afford both the Nexus 6P and Lumia 950XL.
Windows Lumia 950xl check every check in the box for what i want in a smartphone on the hardware side... But my issues is that i know that you can port apps over but how many official apps from ios and android made it to the windows store. Once they have app they will have me as a new consumer
https://youtu.be/P2wKJK5cr3M
https://youtu.be/Eu3EMS4dvv8
Look at these vids, they can give you an idea of what to expect with w10 mobile
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Hey folks,
I figured this thread would be a good place to ask since it already existed. A little background. I'm a heavily entrenched Android user since the Evo 4G days and have service with several telecoms and own several phones as well. I saw the new presentation and I was really impressed, however, I need some help to see if the switch is right for me.
1) I use Google Voice to manage all of my numbers and phones. I heard that Skype doesn't allow number Port In, however, does allow forwarding. Does anyone know if this is true? Why don't they allow number Port In? Is it coming in the future? Any creative solutions around this?
2) I don't own a P.C., so Continuum really intrigues me. I've always owned PlayStation and loved being able to stream my PlayStation to my Sony phones and play remotely. Would I be able to stream XBoxOne to my phone and use Continuum to play on a monitor? What about streaming to a T.V. for Netflix or other apps like that?
3) I'm really interested in turning my home "smart". I know that Android has a big IoT platform and it'll be great with NEST and the other things they have coming down the pipeline. What about Windows? Is there a platform available? What products support it? Can it all be phone controlled and do apps exist for them?
Any insight would be greatly appreciated as I'm sure there are others in my boat who might have similar questions.
http://www.technobuffalo.com/2015/09/18/elephone-vowney-dual-boots-android-and-windows-10-for-299/
Guys i thought this may also be useful to keep in mind. There maybe a US compatible version at some point.
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---------- Post added at 02:22 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:03 AM ----------
UserDemos said:
Hey folks,
I figured this thread would be a good place to ask since it already existed. A little background. I'm a heavily entrenched Android user since the Evo 4G days and have service with several telecoms and own several phones as well. I saw the new presentation and I was really impressed, however, I need some help to see if the switch is right for me.
1) I use Google Voice to manage all of my numbers and phones. I heard that Skype doesn't allow number Port In, however, does allow forwarding. Does anyone know if this is true? Why don't they allow number Port In? Is it coming in the future? Any creative solutions around this?
2) I don't own a P.C., so Continuum really intrigues me. I've always owned PlayStation and loved being able to stream my PlayStation to my Sony phones and play remotely. Would I be able to stream XBoxOne to my phone and use Continuum to play on a monitor? What about streaming to a T.V. for Netflix or other apps like that?
3) I'm really interested in turning my home "smart". I know that Android has a big IoT platform and it'll be great with NEST and the other things they have coming down the pipeline. What about Windows? Is there a platform available? What products support it? Can it all be phone controlled and do apps exist for them?
Any insight would be greatly appreciated as I'm sure there are others in my boat who might have similar questions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So in theory you can do this with windows phone right now. remember one windows isn't anything new. windows 8.1 is on the xbox one. And you can use the pass through feature on any windows device. On windows 10, its all the same, even on mobile because on phone it is full windows running (just slightly different ui, right now if windows 10 on desktop is told its on an under 6inch screen it locks into mobile or atleast the apps do, per windows weekly). Even though it is mobile you could run full photo shop on the phone with a couple of hacks. The one issue is Windows doesn't run well on Arm processors snapdragon 810 and 808... Look out also for a zenfone 2 running Windows 10 mobile. Also the is some one hacking the zenfone to port windows 10.
My dream is for the test windows 10 mobile rom that was being tested on xiaomi mi4 could get ported.
Also microsoft has debated on creating a rom that's flashable to android devices. That helps them get the 1billion user goal. And also attract devs and hacking enthusiasts.
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So this is full Windows 10? But on ARM?
Could I install and run any programs that I can install on my laptop then?
Does the phone have some kind of x86 to ARM translator?
No, it is not full Win10.
It only runs "universal" apps (the successor of the "metro" apps of windows 8/8.1/10)...
Truecaller is already available on win10 mobile. It shows info about who is calling but also can act as your call and text message spam filter, a feature I don't think they have on Android.
I broke my Icon unfortunately so can't post screenshots.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
I'm in the same boat. The 950 checks all my boxes hardware wise, but I do think it'll be hard to switch.
What I am doing is getting a Lumia 640, pretty cheap from BB: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/at-t-go...lack/9231014.p?id=1219701750248&skuId=9231014
Figure that would be a good device to test everything out on and see if I can make the switch. And I could probably sell it in a few months to close to what I paid for it.
Indeed fantastic price.
If my 950 XL proves (too) good, I might get a cheapo previous model so that my wife also switches.
(and only keep my Z4 Tablet LTE - that is getting Marshmallow soon - to keep contact with Android)
I actually waited to the last minute if a really serious device comes out this year from Android and only three came "close but no cigar" (the others far behind including the Note5, a series I used to be a fan and they stupidly killed by turning to a fashion series like S series):
- LG V10. I don't like the little screen (mostly the awkward positioning and that is not AMOLED but is always on - which kind of defeats the concept) and I don't care about the two selfie cams. Also you make it tough. Why not water resistant (at least) also?
- Z5 Premium. I always liked the Z series, but they failed to really advance it and now you can even call it ugly. 4K for a non-4K ready world is just a nice selling bullet. You put a super-MP camers, with no OIS and a simple single LED flash. Goofy.
- Moto X Force. No biometrics at all? In 2015? (also I kind of fear Moto as a brand for years now)
Anyway... few more days to a month to see if we made the right choice.
Love my Windows 10 1511 update that has extras to support coexistense with Win 10 phone...
MSFT don't screw this.
I started with windows hacking until I bought a HTC evo 4g. I have had 4 nexus devices and currently on the nexus 6. When the 950xl becomes available i am ditching the 6 for windows again after several years of android. Just out grew android. It was fun buy going back to where it all started.
No, only universal apps are able to run on Arm and X86 Plattform. W10 is similar on Arm and X86 but all Apps / Programms has to do the step and create Universal Apps while also Microsoft seems to work on Phones which are based on X86 CPU.
So this is a first step into the future which will provide same stuff on Desktop, Tablet and Phones. While Android has no Desktop OS and Apple has IOS and MAC OS seperated, Microsoft did the next step to Melt all worlds together. Now it is on us to support this way and on them to work continously to improve the process.
olarf said:
No, only universal apps are able to run on Arm and X86 Plattform. W10 is similar on Arm and X86 but all Apps / Programms has to do the step and create Universal Apps while also Microsoft seems to work on Phones which are based on X86 CPU.
So this is a first step into the future which will provide same stuff on Desktop, Tablet and Phones. While Android has no Desktop OS and Apple has IOS and MAC OS seperated, Microsoft did the next step to Melt all worlds together. Now it is on us to support this way and on them to work continously to improve the process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I feel windows mobile will make a come back.
tomzefi said:
I feel windows mobile will make a come back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Totally agree and i don't like the way Samsung is heading, no microsSD, removable battery etc.
MS is no Saint with privacy, but Google is ignoring us users more and more.
A bought a 950xl just a few days ago.
Having a Android device for years, this Lumia is fun, new etc.
Although i must say, the available / working apps is a bit....
Anyone has a working Tapatalk yet?
KeesStolk said:
Totally agree and i don't like the way Samsung is heading, no microsSD, removable battery etc.
MS is no Saint with privacy, but Google is ignoring us users more and more.
A bought a 950xl just a few days ago.
Having a Android device for years, this Lumia is fun, new etc.
Although i must say, the available / working apps is a bit....
Anyone has a working Tapatalk yet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, apps, always been lacking there. I have a feeling that's gonna change. Windows phone hacking & development is coming back. I will hold on to my nexus and gonna get the 950xl
KeesStolk said:
Totally agree and i don't like the way Samsung is heading, no microsSD, removable battery etc.
MS is no Saint with privacy, but Google is ignoring us users more and more.
A bought a 950xl just a few days ago.
Having a Android device for years, this Lumia is fun, new etc.
Although i must say, the available / working apps is a bit....
Anyone has a working Tapatalk yet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same for me, I used Sammy phones for some years now and it seems they lost the track more and more. For sure there is a need for more apps but its a bit a Chicken and Egg thing. If you ask Software companies they tell you that there are not enough Windows phones to make it worth to develop a APP and if you ask customers they tell you that there are not enough apps to make it worth buying a Windows Phone... Actually I see Windows Phones appear in more and more companies where they replace IPhones. ALso the Bridge Projects seems to be more promissing then the Astoria one. For us as WP users we must not care about as most good apps exist for IOS and ANdroid at the same time. If the porting from IOS work good, we will get a lot of apps soon. The rest is on Microsoft then, they have to motivate companies to create a lot of universal apps. Actually the 950/950XL seems to be the only phones with some inovation right now. Lets see end of 2016 where we are.
I forget to mention that there exist a Tapatalk app and it works. Not that good but it works and do the job.
Do you have an older Android device? If yes, do you still use it in any way? ?, Share your story here.
Android OS is dynamic (I'd say unstable ?). The device you are buying today might become older enough in a couple of months in terms of the Android version. However if you're lucky to have a truly rich and supporting community, your device will be alive for an eternity.
In the revolution of Android ecosystem, you would possibly like to upgrade your device after major Android updates. Or you have to be satisfied and hanker after the newer Android features otherwise.
Now it's time to share mine ?. I got a local, cheap Jellybean device, when I was introduced to Android in early 2014. Now I have still that Android 4.2 device which I love more than the prettier material design or even the notification dots and others.
I have been using that device for my development purpose for a long time alongside my primary device. As I used it in my first step to Android root, mods, hacking and the system insight. I still remember the day I got this device into bootloop for the first time ?. Those days have passed away.
Now I am learning and developing Android apps. Since my laptop is even smaller than its small configuration (? You can call me a poor guy), it is quite impossible to test and debug apps on Android emulator while running Android studio in parallel with 4GB of RAM and i5. So, I started using my old friend as a helping hand in development. I keep it connected via USB while developing my apps, run and test them with it which frees nearly 700MB of RAM on my tiny machine and boost the build time also. For other Android versions, I have to do them on emulator separately ?.
What you're thinking of me I don't care ?. The phone is much more to me. Feel free to share yours...
What is your phone name and model?
Have you installed a custom rom on it yet?
What are your apps which you have developed?
Hello,
I want to experiment with Android as a desktop computer doubling as a streaming device. I understand there are many ways to go about this, but I think the most interesting (and cheapest) way to accomplish this would be to repurpose one of the many unofficial Android TV boxes found on ebay and Amazon. My reasoning for this is that they can generally be flashed with a different ROM quite easily. This is important because I don't trust them out of the box, and want to know they are running a clean ROM. They also use regular Android as opposed to Android TV. In a surprising twist, I actually want regular Android for this project, not Android TV.
I am aware that some apps won't work and that I probably won't have access to the Play Store. I'm ok with this because I use a degoogled Android phone and know how to get by without it. I also understand that there are other solutions. I'm not opposed to considering alternatives, but this project is really just for the fun and potential challenge.
Here are my problems:
Many of these cheap boxes lie about their specs, i.e. they claim to have 4gb of RAM when they only have 2gb of RAM.
All of the Android streaming devices consistently recommended run Android TV. I want to use the regular Android found on a phone or tablet, as close to AOSP as possible.
I have found only one ROM provider for these Android boxes that isn't based on Android TV. SlimboxTV is exactly what I want, but it's not open source and I have some concerns over the fact that it's developed in Russia.
So here are my questions:
Can you recommend me a decent cheap Android box? I would prefer 4gb of RAM but understand that may not exist. 1080p is fine if 4k isn't an option. I don't really care about other specs.
Are there any other ROMs out there that are based on regular Android and not Android TV? If not, is SlimboxTV safe to use? I have found surprisingly little information about this considering it has a presence on XDA.
If this isn't the right place to ask this question, can you point me in the right direction?
Thanks for your help!