[Q]How do I become self sufficient? Building Android ROMs - HD2 Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting and Genera

Since Android has graced our amazing HD2s, I have grown a strong interest in learning more about and experincing Linux.
Recent releases of Android for HD2, while good and getting better, seem to have gone backwards in some areas. I have spent countless hours experimenting, reading, etc. So now, I seek the assistance of the community; specifically that of the Android Chef's - for lack of a better term.
I am asking for a little guidance in how I may become self sufficient and build my own Android ROMs for our HD2s. I am hoping I can solve some of my own issues, and in turn provide my experiance and ROM - if it's up to snuff - back to the community here.
TL;DR
Would some kind soul point me to the location to Read, download applications, etc or provide some minor instruction on building my own Android ROM. I do not have an aversion to reading and learning on my own, I have just hit a road block as to the direction I should take.
Thank you in advance.
Hatefly.

You can use coffeeshop to make your own android build.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=738770

buzz killington said:
You can use coffeeshop to make your own android build.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=738770
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, Coffeeshop isn't working at the moment. I'm experimenting with something else. I basically am trying to create an android rom the normal way in hopes i'll pick something up from that.
Got my Ubuntu / Virtualbox running and just finished installation. Now to get the Java.jde and .bin working.
Whole thing makes my head spin. Trying to figure out how to get our Kernal involved in the whole thing. I'm pretty sure i got the module thing "kinda" figured out.

Nothing still?
Makes me think these builds magically appeared out of nowhere

I like Linux, but it really depends on what your gonna use it for. I don't have it on my comp as a daily driver but its good if you like to tinker with.
As far as android, is there a kitchen for it? I had a kitchen for my HC Vouge and it was nice..just point and click. I just got my HD2 today and I love it.
Id really like to dive into dev for the Hd2 as far as themes and such go, but general dev,ill leave that for the pros.lol
sent from my backup

smurfgod said:
I like Linux, but it really depends on what your gonna use it for. I don't have it on my comp as a daily driver but its good if you like to tinker with.
As far as android, is there a kitchen for it? I had a kitchen for my HC Vouge and it was nice..just point and click. I just got my HD2 today and I love it.
Id really like to dive into dev for the Hd2 as far as themes and such go, but general dev,ill leave that for the pros.lol
sent from my backup
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not really sure how to theme with the android builds on the HD2 quite yet.
And yes, there are a couple kitchens for Android. They say they are not compatable with our HD2, but that has not stopped me from tinkering around with them and trying to learn as much as possible.
Trying to figure out how to actually build my own bootable Android ROM, problem is there is little to know info on how the few people who offer their ROMs actually performed this feat. if there is, I sure as hell have not found it.
I've spent 7+ hours reading and searching today alone. Not counting the last couple weeks.
As it looks like no one is really willing to offer me any help - must be an exclusive club or something - I'm prying I stumble upon a way to make it work.
/sigh... back to Ubuntu I go...

Hi friend, I do just want build my own rom for my hd2.
Unlike u, I even dont know how to start.
If u got any idea of cooking your own Rom, would you assist me at the time.
Dont take this Silly.
Today a new HTC ACE dump file has been released.

shree.cse said:
Hi friend, I do just want build my own rom for my hd2.
Unlike u, I even dont know how to start.
If u got any idea of cooking your own Rom, would you assist me at the time.
Dont take this Silly.
Today a new HTC ACE dump file has been released.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sup Shree,
Once I figure it out, or someone gives me a little help with it, i'll let you know. So far I have created two custom ROMs, but they only work for native android devices as far as I know.
I'm confused with the whole file structure and how to integrate our custom kernels and modules into the ROM so we can actually use our hardware.
Oh, and I got coffeeshop to work. Had a problem where ./start.sh wouldn't run from terminal. I got it to run another way though. Now, I'm left with a System.ex2 file I'm not sure what to do with yet, lol.

Some links that may help you get started:
http://htc-linux.org/wiki/index.php?title=HaRET/Documentation
http://htc-linux.org/wiki/index.php?title=Rootfs/Userfriendly
http://htc-linux.org/wiki/index.php?title=QuickDeveloperStartGuide
NOTE: Not that I've gone to the trouble of building my own ROM... yet.

Related

New Rom Developer

Hello all, after toying arround a little bit with themes and everything definatly have become really confident in modification of the G1 file system. I am currently in school for Computer Science with East Stroudsburg Universty figured that I would lend my hand into rom development. Have been reading alot on android development toolkits and stuff and have recomplied some other ones to support ext3 and you guys are right much more reliable. Seems like there is already great 1.5 roms that are complete and great i don't know how that I would be able to improve on them other then putting on some of the HTC programs. The Ion is a great build trying to copy some things from Hero to Ion and not playing well going to try and tweak Hero maybe but need some help like where to find more information about possibly getting Bluetooth working I think it may just be as simple as changing a device ID. Did make Hero a little bit but there is the watermark thing to worry about so that i won't make available yet and especially is still glitchy and no bluetooth. Just looking for direction on what can be done further. Trying to take place of haykuro and see if can lend a helping hend although I know I won't be able to fill his shoes and all. But I also wanted to take a crack on Hero build if anyone might be able to give me a lending hand and point the right direction I want to try and get that running with the Rosie UI and Bluetooth but need some files and help. Anything would be greatly appreciated can pm me anytime. Looking forward to being a biger contributer here. So just any points towards rom development would be appreciated again. Sorry though if this is the wrong section.
The thing i like most about hero beta 4 is the exchange support. i'd love to see the exchange support on the ion rom with all its speed goodness.
I don't think any of us would be able to help you with files for Hero, and the Rosie UI. If you manage to get a Hero build with the Rosie UI somehow and then make it usable without any traceable files then that should be a start for making a name for yourself, but as you can see getting a Hero rom with the Rosie UI would be quite difficult.
This great if you take a look at the "He didnt do it! I did!" thread you can see the people who helped haykuro. I would say to try to get in contact with these people.
I support you all the way.
haykuro
Why dont you try contacting haykuro himself. Though I would be surprized if he was whilling to give up that info its worth a shot.
Yeh The traceable data in Hero is a big problem and I don't think that there is one currently without it yet. I understand how it is I am just unsure of how to get arround it. I don't have the Rosie data and that would be a future thing anyway. Looking over code from google there is alot to understand and I have a basic concept of most of it just need to know how that they interact with each other a little better. As far as exchange support that uses alot of HTCs stuff so on a Ion build would be hard since you would need to have the HTC binaries instead which is a little difficult.

!!!List of ROMs!!!

Sorry I am new to the whole Phone based world as last phone I had was a Moto Razor as a *nix dev I like things compiled in simple tree. So I was wondering is there a place where I can view the top cooked ROMs with its pro/con's comparing it to others? Searching is pointless as I have no idea what it means and I see so many same posts.
ATM I am using the TmoHD2 with standard ROM. Its tweaked to the max but I hit the limitation of it as most things I want to remove is stored in ROM and can't delete it. So looking for a clean ROM if anyone have suggestion as I am sure many have tried other ROMs please name few for example like linux distro, thanks.
Your really not going to find anything like that. You can find plenty of threads where somebody asks for " what is the best ROM " or something along those lines and you will find that they are all filled with the same type of post. Everybody has a different idea as to what is the best ROM o the cleanest ROM.
Your best bet would be to start reading learning the flash process and start flashing till you find what you like. Or you could start reading on how to cook a ROM and make your own using somebodies kitchen.
For now I am still a virgin in the Phone world it won't take me long before I jump in this bandwagon if I have the time that is, ATM I am busy with our own CVS only reason I got the HD2 is to view source code for our current project as it would be accessible from any where. Also my own P2P client has me pined down thats another convo for another forum, so ya.
I understand as I seen for myself the mess in Rom Dev thread there is so many I was just hopping few people here has at least tried few and can agree on. I don't have the time to play with HD2 ATM as this is the only WinOS I used let it be WinMO 6.5 if it was up to me I would already went on and deployed a linux distro on it but ATM I am not up for that as its a new world for me.
i use energy as there loaded with loads of tweaks programs i like and setup nicley, there is Duttys his are pretty stock, ligh and fast, Miri are good, it depends what you want really there all built up for specific reasons, so take ya pic
Oh I understand the whole to busy thing. I currently use NRG's ROM as well , always seems to do what I want with no issues.
As for linux on the HD2 good luck with that one. There are several Devs currently working on getting Android running on the HD2's hardware. Since Android is based on linux you would run into the same issues they are having, getting the software to run on the new SnapDragon processor.
I appreciate it is a pretty hefty time commitment but for the uninitiated (holds up his hand) it would be really useful to have a list of the main custom roms with a few lines giving a very brief summary of the selling points of that Cooked ROM.
This would allow us to scan down for the things that might interest us and go to the appropriate threads to read further to decide.
As it is, it is rather overwhelming to try to plow through all the threads in the cooked rom section.
For example some might want a similar-to-stock but with better radio functions, faster and stable.
Others whilst prefer ones with lots of flashy things cooked in etc
Well you can feel free to start this thread you so desperately need. As well as keep up on it. The thing is that new ROMs are coming out daily and trying to keep an on going list of these new ROMs would get old fast. Usually each ROM builder will ist what he was trying to accomplish inside of his thread with in the first post. Most will same the same thing. They were going for a fast and stable build.
Like I said before about the only thing you can really do is look over the ROM choose whether you think it is right for you and flash it. Give it a test drive, if it works for what you want great if not onto the next one. Sorry this is not the answer your looking for but unless you want to step up and start making the list then it's not going to happen.
i was after something similar.
I am in need of a cooked rom as i have less than 2mb spare on my phone so need one. However, i have no idea which one to pick.
So if there was a thread with a real brief description of the pro's-cons of each cooked rom that would be a god send.
Please?
Wil Badger said:
Well you can feel free to start this thread you so desperately need. As well as keep up on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There was surely no need to be so arsey about this matter was there?
Ya well sorry if I offended anybody but I'm sure most here would agree with me. It's not hard to read the first few lines of a ROM thread to see if it's right for you. If it's not after you flash it move on to the next one. Ya it sucks having to flash a couple to find the right one but that's the way it is. Keeping up on a list would be a pain in the ass. I also see no point to a list of pro's or cons of any particular ROM as most are built for the same thing, speed and stability. The only real differences you are going to see are what programs the person has loaded.
Wil Badger said:
Ya well sorry if I offended anybody but I'm sure most here would agree with me. It's not hard to read the first few lines of a ROM thread to see if it's right for you. If it's not after you flash it move on to the next one. Ya it sucks having to flash a couple to find the right one but that's the way it is. Keeping up on a list would be a pain in the ass. I also see no point to a list of pro's or cons of any particular ROM as most are built for the same thing, speed and stability. The only real differences you are going to see are what programs the person has loaded.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tbh mate maybe this is my noobish? But for me it is the fear factor of having never done it before and the fear of 'will i brick the phone'. So the thought of having to do it several times is not something i am keen to do. Maybe after i have done one i will be more laissez faire about the whole idea? but atm i want to do it once and once only.
i dont know the real differences between the roms? Is it really just programmes loaded on them? If it is then what is the quickest and stablest rom?
From what I see most all cook from the same files. Sure some tweak the reg settings a bit here and there while some might not. But for the most part they all do their little thing to make it theirs in some way. Themes that are load, programs that are loaded, and different sms clients. But like I said they pretty much all list their little tweaks in the first few posts, what they have preloaded,etc,etc......
As long as you follow the guides flashing is a simple affair and trust me you will have to reflash several times since going to a custom ROM will usually bring it's own set of problems. And because of this the ROM builders are always updating the builds. Whether it be because a new build version of Windows came out, or they feel some reg edits really make no difference, to change up the preloaded apps to newer build versions. It's on going. Welcome to the world of windows and the ever changing progress.
Now are you starting to understand why a list would be of no use. It would only link to a ROM that would most likely not even be close to what was originally posted upon. Things are always changing and to keep up with that would just be to much. So you flash till you find what you like and you stick with him for awhile or if the ROM works for you maybe you leave it for a bit. But at some point you will come back full circle and you will be looking for something better.
Like most I run NRG roms and have for some time. Sometimes I'll go a month or so with the same build while the ROMs build might have been updated once or twice. So you roll the dice back up the stuff you need and flash to the newest one it could be faster it could have more bugs. You will never know till you try it. If it doesn't work out try another ROM from another builder. No that wasn't it either ok flash back to the last ROM that served you well restore the file you need. Stick with it again for awhile till the urge hits you to try something new.
Ok guys we all knew this was gonna happen j\k
"Best Rom" Threads never last long So it is time to close this one as well.
Here is the best advise I can give you. It envolves alot of reading, Most roms have a list of issues if any in the first few posts. So read over them and then find one that sounds good and give it a go. As far a bricking your device, yes the chance is there but they are slim as long as you read. Feel free to PM me if you have any more questions.

Introduce ourselves and hacking backgrounds

Hello all,
This post is meant so we can get to know each other before the dev community gets going. This way we learn what each other's strengths are and can maybe get things going better.
My name is Chuck and I am a well versed XDAer. I came from the HTC Wizard and WinMo and then moved on to the G1. There I learned from guys like JF, Haykuro and, everyone's hero, Cyanogen. I didn't really do any devving there though. I then moved on to the Hero and since we didn't really have any devs I stepped up and learned how to cook roms. Then I learned how to compile AOSP and kernels. I built the Gutted Hero rom, which I eventually abandoned due to time restraints but I know that won't happen here. I am attempting to learn more about linux exploits and gaining root so that hopefully I can help root this beautiful device when it comes today.
So anyone else who wants to please join in and let us know your background.
Hi Chuck!
I'm pretty much a n00b when it comes to the dev environment, but I want to jump in and get my hands dirty I started reading XDA back when the HTC Titan (Mogul) first hit the scenes, but then jumped into a Blackberry... Since jumping, I haven't really looked back into wanting to learn until news of Android... Then mentions of the HTC "Supersonic" coming to a CDMA carrier (I have Sprint btw) and as well as the N1 possibly releasing a CDMA version. That caught my attention and now I really want to learn and jump into developing!
Now I'm trying to read up as much from the different Android forums, but it's all so much... Trying to take it one step at a time. I'm not a complete n00b when technology is involved, as I used to build boxes back in the day of Pentium II/III, AMD T-Bird days, PC Tech for Gateway (when they had stores), and the sorts...
Stinks that the N1 is not coming to Sprint, but I am planning on getting the Evo. Definately wanting and willing to learn as much as I can!
admin over at SDX-developers.com
wrote my own root exploit for the samsung moment on android 2.1
modified/tweaked an open source recovery
with released open source linux kernel 2.6.27 and 2.6.29, compiled many custom kernels
strong suite, linux. decent with java. terrible with being creative like theming.
excited to work together on the EVO!
edit: for those interested - my android 2.1 resume all with the Samsung Moment
Root Exploit for Android 2.1
Online Kitchen
Linux 2.6.29 Android 2.1 Custom Kernel
Hey guys,
Ok, i have background what so ever... But im slowly learning java so i can start coding and so on with android. So basically my cup is empty...
just wanted to say hi !
Oh and another thing i wanted to add, I was always the guy that devs get files and stuff to for testing and made guides on how to install things and so on ^.^
side note
Themer
Well this is a nice way to meet each other and see what we can assist each other with. I began with editing files, back in the Apache the small fridge looking device . I've been in the windows scene for about 3-5 yrs or so and modded, and mostly created themes. In that time frameI learned to edit manila files,make cabs, and learned how to edit all different software ui apps, windows, and shell. The Vogue had the android files arranged and worked with to use in the sdcard and have the android working with it working I found out how to edit files and do some soft modding. I then learned how to theme but with family and biz I've still got the need to sit down and learn to package, and the rest of the guru qualities as some of you may have. Here is a thread I've begun as I did with the Hero for all creations, mods, themes etc to be shared. I've enjoyed learning and being a part of XDA, looking forward to the fellowship. I've begun editing the Evo files and created some clock's and will continue with rosie, taskbar and apk's you can view it here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=685537
Apache-Mogul-Vogue Touch-TouchPro-Hero-Evo soon
Thanks to you all that played a part in rooting, roms, modding and making it possible for themers to give it a touch of class to share with everyone as you have with your work.. Thank you
Good idea for a thread.
I'm Justin--but it's easier to go by Shidell--and I'm moving over from the Vogue community. Within the last two years I've gotten serious about development, and have a strong .NET background with a (growing) C/C++ background. However, linux is still pretty foreign to me, which makes development on that platform somewhat challenging.
With the Vogue, I compiled my own build of Eclair for it from AOSP, and worked with Dzo, mssmison, jnadke (and others, all the names evade me right now) on updating/fixing the GPS library.
I'm fairly clueless when it comes to the bootloader, the kernel, how one would go about exploiting either to achieve root (or even how to go about doing so), but I'm eager to learn and help.
I plan on keeping my Vogue and continuing to learn by using that as a test device for more serious ambitions (kernel development/flashing, etc.) But I'll be actively involved in this community as well. Please feel free to ping me with questions, requests for assistance, etc.
(Also, I do have an Evo via Google I/O, so if you're looking for data a bit early, I'd be glad to help.)
Hello all- I have no experience with this stuff at all other rooting & running different roms/hacks on my former devices (g1 & mt3g) so I was debating whether to even post this here...however I am very interested in learning as much as I can about everything mentioned above & more- it is fascinating to me!
So any suggestions on where to start learning (books/links/etc)?
6/4/10 can't get get here soon enough!
tester here
i am willing to begin testing you may send me a pm and we can discuss over gtalk.
i have years of experience of flashing my phone numerous times back in the ppc6700 days and have had a moment since january and always flashing off sdx and am glad to be back on xda! hit me up ill work with you and tell you what bugs i find etc after i know your phone wasnt bricked
Hello, im a loyal follower of joeykrim from sdx-developers. No experience in writing or creating, but MORE than willing to be a test dummy, guide writer, as i can be quite explicit (the good kind), or a noob helper. pm me and i can get you my email address, phone number, or we can chat through facebook. not currently using any other methods of communication but im willing to switch to anything else more universally accepted by these fine forums.
EDIT: joined xda because the evo is coming out, and i hear this is THE place for htc devices. want to give all the assistance i can
My name is Dan, though I also go by Q. I got an EVO at Google I/O, and want to get it rooted while I still can (an NDA may get in the way soon)
I've been hacking on Linux for 8 years now, and know the entire system very well. I'm also not particularly afraid to solder (which is unfortunate, because I'm also not particularly good at it), so that may be an option. I also have a Droid and a Google ION.
I'm a jack-of-all-trades. I know some C, mediocre C++, C# expert, some java (easy to pick up), php, vb.net, etc. I know hardware, but not embedded stuff. I'm the geek that other computer geeks come to. You get the idea.
But, what skills are you using to modify the Android kernel? Do I need to know assembly? C++? I know I need to know C and the Linux kernel, but how much of the kernel do I need to know? Beginner, so-so, professional, expert? Do I need to know embedded Linux specifically? Do I need to know Linux drivers?
Just point me into the right direction, thanks!
I currently have the G1 from 2 years ago. I'm put my deposit down, and getting my EVO on 6/4/2010. I look forward to learning from you guys.
im well... toastcfh been through a lot with linux for sure. it all started with my old Dell Axim X50. i began working on linux for that device before android was a real deal. then i got a HTC Diamond and did a lot of kernel work for the support of linux on it and other HTC devices. got my HTC Heroc by a streak of luck and smooth talking for free (sprint can be dumb) . anyhow, on the Heroc i managed to be a big part of root,porting and development for it. the main things im known for is my work on Eclair for the Heroc and more recently my port of Eris 2.6.29 kernel source to the Heroc. creating my own board files through a lot of creative debugging and previous struggles with backporting drivers from .29 to .27. at the moment its the only .29 source for the Heroc as Sprint/HTC hasnt even released the .29 source for the device yet. also my work with overclocking the Heroc, but those are just notable contributions to the community ive made. im also the kind of person that is willing to help almost anyone. ask anyone whose ever asked for my help. i believe in the idea of open source and helping others. i also believe in giving credit where credit is due. or at least giving it the boyscout effort anyhow i cant promise ill be ablee to make ur EVO turn into a skynet and cleanup the oil spill in the Gulf. but i can promise that ill damn sure try. im not one to be told it cant be done, nor will i ever except that statement unless it can be proven without a shadow of a doubt (btw its pretty hard to prove to me )
anyhow im looking forward to root, as we need that first and for most. im happy to know we got some awesome devs here and coming soon.
as a single developer i am nothing. but together we can have everything.
toastcfh said:
im well... toastcfh been through a lot with linux for sure. it all started with my old Dell Axim X50. i began working on linux for that device before android was a real deal. then i got a HTC Diamond and did a lot of kernel work for the support of linux on it and other HTC devices. got my HTC Heroc by a streak of luck and smooth talking for free (sprint can be dumb) . anyhow, on the Heroc i managed to be a big part of root,porting and development for it. the main things im known for is my work on Eclair for the Heroc and more recently my port of Eris 2.6.29 kernel source to the Heroc. creating my own board files through a lot of creative debugging and previous struggles with backporting drivers from .29 to .27. at the moment its the only .29 source for the Heroc as Sprint/HTC hasnt even released the .29 source for the device yet. also my work with overclocking the Heroc, but those are just notable contributions to the community ive made. im also the kind of person that is willing to help almost anyone. ask anyone whose ever asked for my help. i believe in the idea of open source and helping others. i also believe in giving credit where credit is due. or at least giving it the boyscout effort anyhow i cant promise ill be ablee to make ur EVO turn into a skynet and cleanup the oil spill in the Gulf. but i can promise that ill damn sure try. im not one to be told it cant be done, nor will i ever except that statement unless it can be proven without a shadow of a doubt (btw its pretty hard to prove to me )
anyhow im looking forward to root, as we need that first and for most. im happy to know we got some awesome devs here and coming soon.
as a single developer i am nothing. but together we can have everything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes! youre getting an evo 4g! we're going to have a nice group of devs here ..i having a feeling toast is going to be the one to port froyo
Cheers to all the great devs speaking out. I've been watching the android game from the sidelines since the G1... I've been a palm loyalist for the longest time, but I'm finally dropping the Pre to jump onthe EVO.
Can't wait to get into customs roms (bleh to Sense, hoping for vanilla froyo).
I'll be everyone's testpig, I promise
Hey guys, I'm Kyle. Currently a computer science major at Berkeley. I haven't really messed around with Android before, but I attended I/O and received an Evo. I really want to get this thing rooted, but I have no idea where to even start. If anybody has some pointers, that would be great.
Happy hacking
Adam / apristel - Live in Green Bay, WI, 15yr computer tech, mostly windoze and linux.
Started phone hacking when the RAZR came out. I helped get modmymoto.com going and spent alot of time being a mod there. I also created some very popular roms aka monsterpacks for the GSM V3 RAZR, then moved to the V6 MAXX....few years later got onto the WM Scene, got a TP and eventually a TP2. I made personal roms, never shared them, but I shared tons of hacks and cabs I made. I got sick of WM and got a moment and a hero. ..now the EVO in a few days.
I'm willing to put in what I can, I know I'm not at the level of you linux pro's but I'm not scared to try anything.
Glad to see familiar names here - this should be an exciting time. Glad to share it with you fellas.
Welcome me in!
I've done a lot of themes for HTC devices throughout the years. I've owned mainly windows mobile devices, such as i930, Apache, Titan, Touch Diamond, Touch Pro, and the Touch Pro 2. I've always been flashing ROM's and helping ROM dev's with hexing things, changing some layouts here and there, registry edits and of course testing it before it went public. I also host all this stuff online for free since I HATE countdown sites for a download.
I helped with MightyROM themes and we had over 7TB of data pulled from the servers, which is pretty amazing, but I'm all Android now!
I hope to learn Android quickly and hope that some of my tools will also work with it. I have good hosting capabilities if a dev needs it, and I'm more then willing to help. I've done work for over 10+ cooks, on over 8 different devices since 2003.
Background: BSCE, Machine Language on MIPS, x86 / arm / mot / att assembly, C/++ on Posix and Win32. PIC / HC11 system design. GCC cross compiling. Have a JTAG, digital storescope, and an HP protocol analyzer. Been using Linux exclusively at home since '99.
Projects:
- Open source contributor on a few Linux projects (mainly device driver / interface development)
- Helped with the Agenda Vr3 (Snow rom)
- Hacked around with the IPAQ Linux (hardware and software)
- Helped with the Zaurus FBVnc effort
- Helped with the IOpener hack / USB problems
- Helped with the EPOD Windows CE hack / drivers
- Helped with various efforts on the Palm Pre
Future Projects:
- Root (someone will probably beat me to this)
- WebKit over HDMI (not sure where it stands on launch day)
- BT HID Keyboard (sounds like we need some back porting here)
- BT HID Mouse (virgin territory from what I have seen)
- Video recording bitrate (fun project on the side)
The EVO is my first android phone, not my first HTC though. So hopefully I can help a little bit here and there.
Hello,
I work with a small company and develop everything from boards to firmware to full-blown desktop applications for interfacing with different sensors and devices.
I've started at both ends of the computer world and am working my way towards the middle. On one hand I know my way around assembler (although I prefer C...) and write firmware for AVRs and PIC microcontrollers and on the other I'm a fluent .Net developer and have built some pretty complex .Net applications, some PHP applications, and fiddled around with the Google web toolkit.
I've reverse engineered hardware before but nothing close to the complexity of the EVO. I've never developed for Android before but I'm eager to break out the SDK and learn. I have some limited Java experience (my philosophy is once you know one managed language you know them all and I have some extensive experience with it's cousin, C#).
Very eager to start tearing into the EVO and Android system and see if I can't contribute to the effort to root and expand this device!
I've never been a huge contributor to a community effort but I hope to change that in the coming years and see if I can't contribute something back to the communities I have learned so much from!
I'll be getting my EVO June 4th
Relative rookie here in terms of mobile devices. I've put together a few custom WinMo ROMs for co-workers and myself. I've quite a few devices, but currently have the ones in my sig. I'm a professional computer geek. I write apps in C++, various .NET, PHP, etc. and work primarily with server systems (Windows, Linux, Solaris, etc.).
Looking forward to contributing to the Android world soon. Lots of great stuff here.

[Q] the ultimate android build? not asking which is the best..

ok so we are all aware of all the various android builds out there for different phones. some with sense, some stock. all the chefs have their own basic formula for the perfect rom when they try to cook them for us. now most builds we apply to our phones are mod's of builds for other phones. After working with so many builds and liking certain features of each, but only available to each, i found myself asking the following question.
Companies like htc, etc. are assigned to build a certain phone with a certain android build with certain features activated/deactivated (ex. some builds have tethering, but tmobile said to cut tethering option out of g2. or some builds have a 2g/3g on off option where as others don't) this must mean that there is a general android build they start with that has all features and they just decide to keep/omit things they want or things carriers don't want. (or add some version of sense ui to it or touchwiz). My question is, is there a general ultimate android build that is available that has every feature there? i'm not a developer so i've never cooked a rom, but it would be awesome to have one build with everything and a simple way for users to decide which options they want or to omit. i know it sounds simple in theory and will never be that easy. but it would be awesome to have one general build with all options and can choose which ones i want to use or not to use vs. a developer selecting them for me.
this is a major problem with many winmo builds i've worked with compared to android builds, but its still something that bugs me when i try a rom and say damn i wish there was a 2g/3g on off in the network options vs having to dig for gsm/wcdma options. like i said in theory it sound easy and i'm sure its not, thats why i give all the chefs credit. but just throwing it out there in case something were to exist like that. thanks
I think I understand what you mean.
I've played with the Android SDK and the BASE 2.2 (what we know as Froyo) has all you mention (tethering etc), but looks kinda bland, this may be that I'm now so used to Sense and it's niceties that anything less than Sense to me just looks wrong.
If you want to see Android as Google intended for us all to use just download the SDK and start a 2.2 session with no modifications and you'll see the differences that carriers and the cooks here do, it's amazing work.
Also, almost all cooks here in XDA will try and give you access to everything the phone itself can do, that's part of the fun of running a rooted OS.
thanks for the tip about trying out the sdk Reno, i'm gonna check it out this weekend. Don't get me wrong, i love all the fun of flashing and its an addiction since 2007 on my HTC 8525/G1/HD2 lol. and i give mad props to all the chefs, god knows if i started messing with code, my phone would be a brick an hour later lol. Android chefs are really good and don't tweak much like winmo chefs do at times which i like. so many builds for winmo you'll find are scraped down to bare minimum because the chefs wanted a bare rom that gave u the "most space and fastest speed" which all went to hell once u install crap you want on it anyway, but half of the features and options have been deleted! thank God android chefs are good with keeping things there.
woohoo sdk fun friday night! will i become a chef? do chefs need to wear the silly hat?
I'll be perfectly blunt you'll need more than just the SDK to get a build made. I only downloaded it out of pure curiosity. You'll hopefully see in the attachments exactly what default Froyo looks like and realise even more what a godsend these guys here are.
I would honestly love to make my own build (more for my own fun and use than for general consumption) but I realise after many hours of reading and research that it's ridiculously hard work and these guys deserve every penny we can afford to donate for their toil.
Going back to the original point though: I think to create one overarching build that upon install you could pick: stock/sense/launcherpro or whatever other flavour there is available out there would actually be impossible. The look of the build is so deeply embedded in the build itself and requires so many different parts of the operating system itself to be changed you would need several copies of each file with the different variations for each look/style you'd end up with HUGE download sizes and it would be more difficult to keep up with when there is an update.
As things stand now, I know I could never drop my Sense builds, I love hastarins kernel tree, and I have my favourite small group of cooks that I follow, and that helps me limit what builds I download and test. Having a couple of small spare memory cards helps and only cost me £20 or so to give me that choice.
Reno i feel that you are correct. i couldn't resist and went to download the SDK after replying to your post. its still downloading a bunch of things and as i read the android developer page i'm enticed to hit the cancel button! I think i'll just go back to picturing the chefs as the magicians and let them entertain, instead of being the guy who tries to figure out all the tricks lol.

Building / Modding Roms

Hi all,
I want to experiment a little bit with rom development for my Dell Streak. But I am looking for a point to start. For other Roms are several kitchens available which can be used for modding roms but I did not find anything usable so far for the streak.
Is there any kitchen that can be used?
I found the following kitchen here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=633246 but Steak 7 is listed there but no Streak 5.
Cheers,
TheDemon
Yes, that kitchen does work for the Streak 5, though not all the functions of it are compatible. It is a good place to start. After that, it is just a matter of time and patience. Good luck with it.
That's the one I use as well.
Questions or Problems Should Not Be Posted in the Development Forum
Please Post in the Correct Forums and Read THIS
Moving to General
I would also be interested in having a go at building a rom but i know absolutely nothing about the process. How difficult would it be to lets say build a 2.3.7 rom :O, what material would i need to read and what would the actual process involve. Also, i code and design websites for a living so i have a good understanding of code, primarily php and html but would this be of any benefit to rom building ?
You will need to port 2.3.7 before you can build a kitchen for it. Unless you're talking about an unrelated device.
If you dont already know how honestly you likely dont at all. Building a kitchen is just as much work as porting a new rom as it's a ton of scripting to properly automate.
Kitchens arnt magic things that can automatically create entirely new roms, they just take base pieces and rearrange them for you with a nice front end to do it on. It's more or less just what you can achieve with just using tools and doing it manually.
Someone had to take a working rom to use as a base to get a kitchen to work, so in our case we have the various 3xx roms and SD2.3 to work with as bases.
Using a kitchen is the easy part.
For most of us we are limited to what we have access to. Dell has not released any of the drivers except for Froyo. GingerStreak is produced using custom-made drivers. So if you are wanting to create a 2.3.7 Rom, you would need to get past that BIG Hurdle. I'm not saying it can't be done, but it does make it an uphill battle.
Thanks for clearing those questions up.
I did a bit of rom building on my tg01 back on windows a year or so back but that was mainly done inside a kitchen. It wasnt much of a kitchen as there was no ui but im guessing it would be similar. I found it tough but read through guides in my spare time and eventually made myself a barely working sense rom. Unfortunately at this point my tg01 was replaced with my dell streak so i didnt get any further.
Anyway i've never ported anything and the drivers make this near impossible,
so with the above in mind i think i'll be leaving the 2.3.7 rom for now lol . I guess this would also explain why there are so few roms available for the streak.
Maybe dell will release those drivers some day .

Categories

Resources