Why are certain apps hard-coded into most custom ROM? - General AOKP Discussion

I'm just curious why every custom ROM comes with several apps hard-coded into them? I think Greenify is an awesome app and I bought it long before I Rooted my phone but I find it odd that in a lot of ROMs it comes pre-installed and you can't remove it. Not that you would want to, I'm just using that as an example. I'm more annoyed by having web browsers, file managers, music players, etc... forced on me. Is there a reason for this? It seems counter intuitive to the whole "take control of YOUR phone" philosophy behind custom ROMs.

Pulprat said:
It seems counter intuitive to the whole "take control of YOUR phone" philosophy behind custom ROMs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can build your own rom. This is what it means. You are not forced to use any of them.

You can also use TiBu to remove any app you don't like.

Because they want u to use their services.So their branded developers can make some cash or u use their rundown alternatives of? the same app.not all though ?.and carriers just draws data on contract (in case u didn't know)
Sent from my SM-N750 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Pulprat said:
I'm just curious why every custom ROM comes with several apps hard-coded into them? I think Greenify is an awesome app and I bought it long before I Rooted my phone but I find it odd that in a lot of ROMs it comes pre-installed and you can't remove it. Not that you would want to, I'm just using that as an example. I'm more annoyed by having web browsers, file managers, music players, etc... forced on me. Is there a reason for this? It seems counter intuitive to the whole "take control of YOUR phone" philosophy behind custom ROMs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
they arent hardcoded LOL, they are basic packages, because some people DONT RUN GAPPS, in fact its one of the points in using a custom rom. you can remove any time you want by using a root explorer and deleting their apks at /system/app and /system/priv-app (you can also disable them if you like)
and some apps even, if you dont like, are necessary to the phone start(i.e the launcher)
they cant know that you run gapps or you like X app, the team will build the rom per their standards, and to be functional in every case, using gapps or not, using x 3rd party or not
sure there are roms that dont come maybe with browser or music, but in these case, either the developers tell that they just use 3rd part ones or their gapps or recomendation already install a replacement for those
and no, custom roms arent for your total control, want total control? build your own,even google itself have a tutorial for that

Related

Rename Apps In App Draw

Hey everyone! Recently migrated phones from a Touch Pro 2 to this (like a lot of you probably did) and have spent the last couple days trying to get used to the Android OS. So far I've managed to pretty much set up everything how I want and I've rooted, over clocked, and flashed a custom rom onto it (Virtuous v1.0.2).
Coming over from Windows Mobile though, one gripe I am having is being able to rename the apps in the app draw. Since I only have about 6 apps on the homescreen, I'm aware it is possible to rename them using programs such as bettercut or super app manager, but unfortunately I've not yet found a way to rename the apps in the app draw. I like things to be neat and labelled nicely which not only look better, but makes it easier to find things.
Is this any way possible to do once you're rooted up? Ideally I don't want to turn off the Sense UI interface and switch to something else because I quite like the Sense widgets. It's baffling why this option of renaming applications is not possible/much simpler.
Thanks in advanced for any help
Not looking good is it.. Lol
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA Premium App
Not sure if what you want is possible...
Sent from my T-Mobile G2
Of course its possible. Android is open source. Take the source for the launcher, make changes necessary to rename applications, compile, install.
Hint: Some other launchers that you may be able to download and install, even on a NON-ROOTED phone, may already have this ability.
Don't know if there is an easy way to do this in the stock Sense launcher.
Only way I know if you only want to do this to a few apps, and have the APK for those apps: There is an XDA user made app called APK Edit, which allows you to change the icon and name of the app. Just use this to edit the APK, then install the APK.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=890199

[Q] Acer a500/ Android Newbie! Help me get started!

Hi,
I am new to the world of Androids, I posses a Acer a500 Tab and a Nexus S phone. I know the basics like how to download apps and navigate trough most of the basics stuff but I am new to all the more ''advanced'' stuff. So I had a couple of questions and if you want to give me any tips on the apps that I should get let me know as well!
1) Root - What are the main reasons you need to root your tablet for, from what I understand it gives you extra permissions to change your setting but does it give you free apps as well like jail breaking?
2) Can you un-Root your tablet if you ever need to bring it back?
3) From what I understand you can link your computer, your phone and your tablet all together so what is the best way to do that and what does that let you do?
4) What is the best internet browser to download? ( I have downloaded both firefox and opera so far)
5) When people are speaking about the ROM does it mean the '' hard drive'' of the tablet?
6) I heard of this website on a another forum: tegraowners.com
What does it do? It looks like it could be usefull to me and do you need to be rooted to use it?
7) Finally, any apps most have suggestions ( I downloaded the most popular one like : Pulse, TED, Skype Barcode scanner etc... I also find wizz bar and wizz widget pretty cool apps)
Thank you for your patience and to making me less newb!
I'm also new with Android. I have had my a500 for about 2 weeks, but I have learned a lot .
1/ Root mean giving yourself full control of the tablet (well, with right software, you can control everything, cpu clocks, voltages, which stock apps you want to keep, much more). With root, you can install/ apply bunch of useful tweaks like ah-hoc support, 3g dongle support.
If your "free app" means "free paid app" or simpler "pirated app", well, pirating is not good, but that's your choice. You don't need root to pirate. Just uncheck an option in setting\application then you're good to go. Download the apk, browse to it with file browser then install.
2/ From what I read, it's possible. Even when your tablet is bricked, you can still manage to install stock ROM before send it to service.
3/ For mobile storage, Dropbox seem very good. There are also many app to share folders between Android devices and with PC via Wifi.
4/ Personally, I use Opera Mobile and sometimes, default browser and Opera Mini (it's very powerful to have access to forbidden websites, like Facebook in my country). I heard that Dolphin Browser is also good, but I haven't tried yet.
5/ Well, ROM stands for "Read-Only Memory" . Just imagine you buy a PC with pre-installed Windows, like that. You can install another version yourself, can re-install it if it got broken. You should think about it like an image of customized windows. You can choose which is suitable for you and install it. It stands as system partition on our device. When people talk about ROM, they care about which customizations that ROM has.
6/ tegraowners.com is the site of legendary thor . He is a good modder. We own him a lot for his work on a500. Some problems about the source code of his amazing kernel stop him from posting here, it's rumor . So you have to visit that site to get his ROMs and Kernels. His forum is also very good, you can see many of XDA members there .
You need to root to install custom ROMs. Yes, root it, and try Thor's ROM v14, it's really sweet.
7/ I recommend QuickOffice HD Pro, Temp+CPU, Thumb Keyboard, Titanium Backup Pro, Pimp my CPU/ SetCPU (only if you want to show your tablet who is the boss ), don't forget to get BetterBatteryStat. JustPicture is also good for browsing photos, for comic, I prefer Perfect Viewer. File Manager HD (honeycomb) is also very good. If you love analog clock, you can get Analog Clock Collection, very handy and lightweight.
WOW
yes lots of Questions...
Well answered above.. only issue is rooting alone will NOT allow you to overclock your Kernel needs to be one from a custom dev or a cooked rom with custom kernel..
Just please read read and understand whats going on before you start flashing.. To avoid bricking your device and causing headaches..

[Q] Hey guys, new here, couple questions

I'm new to the android platform. Coming from using an iPhone for years, I pretty much have no idea how to use it properly. It's going to take me a while to get used to it. But I'm working on it. I just have a few questions.
I believe I successfully rooted my Samsung Galaxy s4, using motochopper. I followed the instructions to the T and now see the Superuser icon on my screen.
My first question is, are there any tips with this learning curve, going from an iPhone to an Android. The texting seems to be the most to get used to so far. I also notice Instagram and Facebook apps are totally different, and it looks like I cannot edit photos inside the Facebook app for Android?
Anyway, with the iPhone I would jailbreak, and use cydia to get my paid apps for free, or my tweaks, or customizations. How do I do this with Android?
My next question is a pretty stupid one I'm sure to most but not to me. How do I sync music, and photos, to my Android? With the iPhone I made a folder of images, and synced that folder and all subfolders with the iPhone through iTunes. Is there a simple way to do the same with the Android? Can I just create a folder inside the Pictures folder, and it will show up on the phone?
I appreciate anyones help and I'm sure I will have more questions just can't think of them at this moment.
[email protected] said:
Anyway, with the iPhone I would jailbreak, and use cydia to get my paid apps for free, or my tweaks, or customizations. How do I do this with Android?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll address this question as i'm unfamiliar with the iPhone and i don't use my phone for music so i don't know what the best methods are.
Rooting and jailbreaking are slightly different things. On the iphone, you are locked to iTunes and jailbreaking allows you to install apps from an alternative source (Like cydia). On an android phone, you just need to place a check mark in the setting "Unknown Sources" of your security settings, this will allow the phone to accept apps from any location, there are alternative markets to the play store f-Droid and amazon come to mind so rooting is not needed for this.
Rooting is gaining administrative rights to your phone and can let you do some spectacular things with your phone that would otherwise be impossible. With root access, applications have the ability to modify the system files, say for example, edit the host files to block most advertising, or edit yoru build.prop to make the play store think you are from a different provider. You can allow programs to back up other programs (Titanium backup is a fine example).
The developers on android work hard and should be rewarded for their work. I do block advertising, but i make a point of paying for the apps that i do use.
Very well put.
Nothing else needs to be said.
rainterc additional
Matridom said:
I'll address this question as i'm unfamiliar with the iPhone and i don't use my phone for music so i don't know what the best methods are.
Rooting and jailbreaking are slightly different things. On the iphone, you are locked to iTunes and jailbreaking allows you to install apps from an alternative source (Like cydia). On an android phone, you just need to place a check mark in the setting "Unknown Sources" of your security settings, this will allow the phone to accept apps from any location, there are alternative markets to the play store f-Droid and amazon come to mind so rooting is not needed for this.
Rooting is gaining administrative rights to your phone and can let you do some spectacular things with your phone that would otherwise be impossible. With root access, applications have the ability to modify the system files, say for example, edit the host files to block most advertising, or edit yoru build.prop to make the play store think you are from a different provider. You can allow programs to back up other programs (Titanium backup is a fine example).
The developers on android work hard and should be rewarded for their work. I do block advertising, but i make a point of paying for the apps that i do use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey there, thanks so much for the clarification.
I wasn't aware of the differences between Jailbreaking and Rooting. That definitely clears some things up. So I would mostly have no need for rooting, as I don't need to do anything you mentioned above and doubt I would ever have a need to edit or alter host or system files.
EDIT
TheAxman said:
Very well put.
Nothing else needs to be said.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not quite true. I still have other questions that I need answers for.
I understand the concept of paying for developers work. I only use the apps to discover if they are worth the money or not. I never "stole" apps on my iPhone and I do not intend to on the Android.
I just want to make that clear, I am just trying to learn how to do the things I did on my iPhone, on this phone. I am not trying to find out how to steal hardwork from others. I do end up paying for the apps I keep.
[email protected] said:
Hey there, thanks so much for the clarification.
I wasn't aware of the differences between Jailbreaking and Rooting. That definitely clears some things up. So I would mostly have no need for rooting, as I don't need to do anything you mentioned above and doubt I would ever have a need to edit or alter host or system files.
EDIT
Not quite true. I still have other questions that I need answers for.
I understand the concept of paying for developers work. I only use the apps to discover if they are worth the money or not. I never "stole" apps on my iPhone and I do not intend to on the Android.
I just want to make that clear, I am just trying to learn how to do the things I did on my iPhone, on this phone. I am not trying to find out how to steal hardwork from others. I do end up paying for the apps I keep.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...surfer&feature=nav_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDNd
xBeerdroiDx said:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...surfer&feature=nav_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDNd
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh my god, the iPhone is just getting worse and worse as the days go by. haha Why is this not a thing on iTunes.
Thankyou!!
Still have questions about transfering/syncing songs and photos though.
[email protected] said:
Hey there, thanks so much for the clarification.
I wasn't aware of the differences between Jailbreaking and Rooting. That definitely clears some things up. So I would mostly have no need for rooting, as I don't need to do anything you mentioned above and doubt I would ever have a need to edit or alter host or system files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might be surprised. Root is needed for some changes. To give you another example, our phones, due to the nature of AMOLED are fantastic at displaying a deep black *and* save on power when using black backgrounds. Gmail app, is all white background with black text. There exists a "blacked out" version of gmail that has the colors inverted and many people tend to prefer this over the standard gmail.
Root access let's be backup things that are otherwise impossible to backup, things like the android ID (Used by many applications to individually identify a phone), phone logs, SMS messages and such. Games like farmville and Paradise Island will use the androidd ID to see if you moved your game to a new phone, invalidating the install and forcing you to start from anew (And maybe buying more in-app purchases).
Some applications are limited to certain countries or certain providers, so using an app like Market Enabler allows you to change where you appear to be from, to by-pass regional blocks.
Root is also needed to tweak the appearance of android, if you want the clock gone from your menu, you can remove it, you can change the battery icon there. You can remove your network provider from the lock screen (or rename it to something silly like i did).
On the flip side, some applications (like google wallet) may not work properly if root is detected, so it can be a toss up.
Me, personally, i use root mainly for 2 apps, adaway and titanium backup. Titanium backup also syncs to my dropbox, so i have now gotten to the point where i should never have to plug a wire into my phone.
Looks to me that you are still in love with your iPuke. You will find that if you do not root, you won't be able to do alot of things. If you are trying to turn an android into a iPuke..then whats the point. Learn what the android can do, you will find that it is all you want it to be.
Ax's opinion only!
Matridom said:
You might be surprised. Root is needed for some changes. To give you another example, our phones, due to the nature of AMOLED are fantastic at displaying a deep black *and* save on power when using black backgrounds. Gmail app, is all white background with black text. There exists a "blacked out" version of gmail that has the colors inverted and many people tend to prefer this over the standard gmail.
Root access let's be backup things that are otherwise impossible to backup, things like the android ID (Used by many applications to individually identify a phone), phone logs, SMS messages and such. Games like farmville and Paradise Island will use the androidd ID to see if you moved your game to a new phone, invalidating the install and forcing you to start from anew (And maybe buying more in-app purchases).
Some applications are limited to certain countries or certain providers, so using an app like Market Enabler allows you to change where you appear to be from, to by-pass regional blocks.
Root is also needed to tweak the appearance of android, if you want the clock gone from your menu, you can remove it, you can change the battery icon there. You can remove your network provider from the lock screen (or rename it to something silly like i did).
On the flip side, some applications (like google wallet) may not work properly if root is detected, so it can be a toss up.
Me, personally, i use root mainly for 2 apps, adaway and titanium backup. Titanium backup also syncs to my dropbox, so i have now gotten to the point where i should never have to plug a wire into my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thankyou so much for the information. I appreciate your indepth responses. I will check out what you have mentioned.
TheAxman said:
Looks to me that you are still in love with your iPuke. You will find that if you do not root, you won't be able to do alot of things. If you are trying to turn an android into a iPuke..then whats the point. Learn what the android can do, you will find that it is all you want it to be.
Ax's opinion only!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really don't know how you're gathering such an opinion. I'm asking for help on learning how to do the things I did on my iPhone, on my new Android phone.
I'm not trying to be rude, but if you have nothing useful to contribute, don't post.
[email protected] said:
Thankyou so much for the information. I appreciate your indepth responses. I will check out what you have mentioned.
I really don't know how you're gathering such an opinion. I'm asking for help on learning how to do the things I did on my iPhone, on my new Android phone.
I'm not trying to be rude, but if you have nothing useful to contribute, don't post.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sometimes it's best to ignore....
In regards to music.. look into the Google music app, personally I'm big into radio, so I use an app called tunein allot. Personally, I would just dump the music onto the phone through Windows explorer and see how it goes from there
Something else to keep in mind,a lot of the apps you are familiar with will be available in the play store. Do a good start is to look for familiar titles
Sent from my SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
I personally prefer Google Play Music. I uploaded all my 320kbps music which I had in iTunes directly to the Google Play Music server, where you can access all of your songs on any device supporting the app, or in any web browser. You can also download copies to your devices for offline play. The all access feature of Google Play Music is nice as well, they have virtually every song I've searched for available on demand as well as download for offline use, for $7.99/month.
Matridom said:
Sometimes it's best to ignore....
In regards to music.. look into the Google music app, personally I'm big into radio, so I use an app called tunein allot. Personally, I would just dump the music onto the phone through Windows explorer and see how it goes from there
Something else to keep in mind,a lot of the apps you are familiar with will be available in the play store. Do a good start is to look for familiar titles
Sent from my SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok great, I will check out the Google music app and I appreciate your help once again.
blyndfyre said:
I personally prefer Google Play Music. I uploaded all my 320kbps music which I had in iTunes directly to the Google Play Music server, where you can access all of your songs on any device supporting the app, or in any web browser. You can also download copies to your devices for offline play. The all access feature of Google Play Music is nice as well, they have virtually every song I've searched for available on demand as well as download for offline use, for $7.99/month.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome thankyou for your input!
You guys have been super helpful! I'm sure I'll have more questions in the future so I'll be back if I do! Thanks guys!
Sometimes the truth hurts huh
TheAxman said:
Sometimes the truth hurts huh
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Totally agree with the sentiment, just not with where it's directed.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
TheAxman said:
Sometimes the truth hurts huh
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And sometimes people think they know everything when in fact they do not. But thanks for your input regardless buddy.
[email protected] said:
And sometimes people think they know everything when in fact they do not. But thanks for your input regardless buddy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Who uses their hotmail account as their screen name? That's almost as bad as posting your imei number.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda app-developers app
jd1639 said:
Who uses their hotmail account as their screen name? That's almost as bad as posting your emei number.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hahah I didn't even realize I had done that. I think maybe when I signed up I thought it was asking for email. Obviously.
[email protected] said:
Hahah I didn't even realize I had done that. I think maybe when I signed up I thought it was asking for email. Obviously.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Obviously
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda app-developers app
jd1639 said:
Obviously
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't suppose there's a way to change that huh? haha
[email protected] said:
Don't suppose there's a way to change that huh? haha
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let me send you an email on that, lol. No, idk
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda app-developers app

Omnirom preinstalled apps?

Upon first launch these apps are installed
Apollo
Browser
Calculator
Calendar
Camera
Clock
Dev Tools
Documents
Downloads
DSP manager
Email
Gallery
Messaging
Movie Studio
OmniSwitch
People
Phone
Search
Settings
SIM Toolkit
Torch
Voice Dialer
I'd like to know which of these are actually supported.
I believe many of them have been abandoned by upstream, like Email, Calendar, Gallery, Messaging, etc.
Search should be removed, seeing as it hasn't been updated since like 1.5. Same with Movie Studio.
I disabled Apollo, Browser and Email within minutes, as there are better apps for their purposes.
VLC instead of Apollo, Firefox instead of browser and K-9 Mail instaed of email.
For some reason, Apollo, a third party app by Cyanogenmod gets included but not any other third party apps.
If third party apps are going to be included, there should be some kind of system as to what is included.
Is omnirom going to come with everything included or just what you need to get started?
bump
There are some open-source apps I'd like to include, but there are some issues (regarding package signatures) that make it difficult to properly include stuff that is also available on the Play Store.
Apollo's inclusion is mostly from inertia, I think that really needs a nuke and repave. Once it was submitted to CM it kind of just sat there. (I'm wondering if it was the victim of shady manuevering by the CM leadership like Focal was...)
Most of the other apps are included as part of AOSP - fixing these apps is something pulser is working on organizing in conjunction with some other projects.
In general, if an app doesn't automatically start a background service and is part of AOSP, we don't put significant effort into removing it since free space in /system achieves nothing for the user.
Frankly most of these apps are useless as Google has alternate in market eg.
Calendar
Browser
Voice dialer
Apollo
Camera
Dash clock widget
I generally freeze them after installing. Might use a script to flash and remove these after install
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
shri_chanakya said:
Frankly most of these apps are useless as Google has alternate in market eg.
Calendar
Browser
Voice dialer
Apollo
Camera
Dash clock widget
I generally freeze them after installing. Might use a script to flash and remove these after install
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But a solid rom *must* include apps to cover that basic functionality, regardless of what else is availabe in the market. Preferrably it should include excellent apps to cover the basics like that. No calendar? No camera? No browser? Those are *must-have* apps to be included with any rom). Unless there's a replacement baked in, it would be a major slight to cut them out. It'd be better to leave what essential apps in as placeholders until superior replacements can be developed/incorporated, instead of just shipping with gaping holes in the ROM and telling users, 'You don't like a barren, crippled build? Ha! Go fish!'
That kind of thing reminds me of so many Linux distros who spend tons of time on slick graphics, but don't even include basic functionality (*cough-elemental-hack*), leaving users to fend with a half-assed barely functional experience. That is just an atrocious way to go about things, IMO.
shri_chanakya said:
Frankly most of these apps are useless as Google has alternate in market eg.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To add to what Culot said a post above: an AOSP ROM should include apps to cover that basic functionality, and provide a fully functional and useful experience, not only regardless of what else is available in the Play Store, but mostly because an AOSP ROM should be usable without even having Google Play Services.

Composite Android Planning & Discussion - New R1 HD Custom ROM (based on stock)

I'm currently working on a custom ROM for this device that's based upon the stock ROM. My goal is to give people an easy one click installation for a nice Android experience before we are able to make custom ROMs. My question here is what would you guys like to see in such a ROM.
The current list of planned features is as follows:
Android 6.0 Marshmallow
Root (systemless)
AOSP Apps (wherever possible)
Chromium
SuperSU
Composite Manager - ROM Settings and other useful stuff like Composite Addons
Debloated
ALL Amazon junk removed
No Amazon Ads
ALL Google junk removed
You can install Google Play Store by flashing a Gapps zip of your choosing, or using Composite Manager
Extraneous or useless MediaTek junk removed
Crappy stock apps removed/replaced
File manager removed
Gallery removed (to be replaced)
Videos app removed
Wireless Update removed
OTA Updates completely removed
Auto power on/off feature removed (it's a horribly buggy feature, don't want to deal with it)
BusyBox (system)
AOSP SystemUI Sounds
Android/Nexus/AOSP Boot Animation
Stock Camera (It's ugly, but good!)
Composite Addons
Google Apps
Amazon Apps (Amazon Underground integrated in system)
Xposed
GravityBox
Amaze File Manager
Terminal Emulator
cLock (homescreen only)
InstallerOpt
Recently
LiveBoot
AdAway
Substratum themes support (Layers successor)
Based on Stock version 12
Compatible only with regular OEM (non-Prime) version - if you have a Prime version, convert it to non-Prime first. It's a simple process!
Features I'm considering/finding solutions for:
Some core functionality is missing an app
Email
Music Player
File Manager
com.android.documentsui (AOSP Documents App - has limited file management capabilities)
Amaze File Manager - Stylish, Open Source, and root Optional File Manager for Android
Camera
Gallery
CMTE (I don't know if this is possible, but I would like to try)
Your idea here! I'm looking for more feedback!
So, is there anything else you'd like to see? What are your thoughts on the things on this list? I made this thread because I want to hear what other people would like in a custom ROM that we can use until we get real custom ROMs on this thing. I will be updating this post constantly as the planning progresses, so stay tuned!
reserved
Try and stick with as much AOSP apps as you are able to. I'm also not sure if you want to just include xposed or not. While I know a lot of people do use it, many also prefer not to.
I'd use it. You can use VLC to replace the video and music apps. CM has a great file manager too.
bullet25 said:
Try and stick with as much AOSP apps as you are able to. I'm also not sure if you want to just include xposed or not. While I know a lot of people do use it, many also prefer not to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can disable Xposed through the Xposed installer. I do understand both sides of it, but Xposed is absolutely required for the thing to be comfortable for me. Maybe we could have an Aroma installer let you choose if you want it or not at install time?
triggerlord said:
I'd use it. You can use VLC to replace the video and music apps. CM has a great file manager too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried CyanogenMod's file manager, but it seems to be unable to read any files and couldn't get root access when I tried. I'll look into this further.
So, I've done a little messing around with the stock Camera app. It's actually a really good camera app (I was surprised), it's just ugly. Should we really prefer style over function? Most of the other stock apps are ugly and useless, but this camera app has a lot of really great functionality. I'm thinking I'll leave the stock camera in spite of it's ugliness because of this.
ColtonDRG said:
So, I've done a little messing around with the stock Camera app. It's actually a really good camera app (I was surprised), it's just ugly. Should we really prefer style over function? Most of the other stock apps are ugly and useless, but this camera app has a lot of really great functionality. I'm thinking I'll leave the stock camera in spite of it's ugliness because of this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I like the smile to capture feature.
F-Droid, AdAway, Simple Explorer, Yandex.Store, Cache Cleaner, SnooperStopper
kostar said:
F-Droid, AdAway, Simple Explorer, Yandex.Store, Cache Cleaner, SnooperStopper
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Eh, let's not replace the Amazon bloatware with more bloatware.
Sent from my BLU R1 HD using XDA Labs
It would be nice to be able to enable the FM radio on this rom (if present) to be used with Spirit FM / NextRadio.
triggerlord said:
Eh, let's not replace the Amazon bloatware with more bloatware.
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Agreed
emc2cube said:
It would be nice to be able to enable the FM radio on this rom (if present) to be used with Spirit FM / NextRadio.
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I would love to, but I'm not sure how to go about it. We will definitely include the official FM app if it's ever released.
kostar said:
F-Droid, AdAway, Simple Explorer, Yandex.Store, Cache Cleaner, SnooperStopper
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Click to collapse
We don't want to replace bloat with more bloat. F-Droid is nice, maybe it'll be an addon, AdAway is already planned as an addon. Simple Explorer is alright, but I think Amaze is better. And the other three of those things I would never touch with a ten foot pole.
ColtonDRG said:
I would love to, but I'm not sure how to go about it. We will definitely include the official FM app if it's ever released.
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It's probably a missing library or something. I tried to look for other phones running on MT6735 but it seems that most of them are on 5.1.
emc2cube said:
It's probably a missing library or something. I tried to look for other phones running on MT6735 but it seems that most of them are on 5.1.
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Ok, well, I'd someone more knowledgeable than me about that sort of thing wants to help out and get it working, I would love to cooperate.
Thanks so much, Colton; eagerly awaiting the first release. I'm not putting my SIM in this phone until I can use your ROM and I will be providing detailed feedback as desired.
If you're doing this for the fun of it, then great - have fun! But I think you've already got all the important stuff covered with your stock rom and xposed install guides. Those are some of the best I've seen! I think the phone is fine with those biggies taken care of. All the rest is a matter of taste/preference.
Stock ROM conversion is nice, but those of us who are after a "purer" Android experience (no Google/Mediatek/BLU junk) still have much to be desired. I've managed to remove a lot of the nonsense with Amaze, but would rather trust someone more experienced then myself to do it for me. BLU is still not the most well-known company and (not to spread FUD), for all we know might ship with shady preinstalled "surprises" (ala Lenovo). I just want as open-source as I can get before the kernel is released, when or if that ends up happening.
ColtonDRG said:
You can disable Xposed through the Xposed installer. I do understand both sides of it, but Xposed is absolutely required for the thing to be comfortable for me. Maybe we could have an Aroma installer let you choose if you want it or not at install time?
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I agree that using AROMA to choose what is installed would be the best and most amicable solution for everyone.
As for app suggestions; here's my 2¢
Email - AOSP (I always disable it and use Gmail anyway)
Music Player - Phonograph
File Manager - Mixplorer
Camera - Stock or AOSP
Gallery - Stock or AOSP

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