Look at this:
http://gizmodo.com/360514/htc-says-software-fix-is-coming-for-lousy-video-drivers
An official HTC statement about the drivers looks promising. Again, keep your hopes up and guard up!
Not only is this old and posted to death, but
However this fix is not a new video driver to utilize hardware acceleration
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There is nothing promising about this, please read carefully next time, it just misleads people who read your post
Damn. . . I thought that was a new and updated statement. Look if you only read a little bit of it then you probably missed out on this.
Some of our top engineers have investigated video performance on our devices and have discovered a fix that they claim will dramatically improve performance for common on-screen tasks like scrolling and the like. Their fix would help most of our recent touch-screen products including the Touch family of devices and TYTN II / Tilt, Mogul / XV6900. The update is in testing and we hope to release it soon. However this fix is not a new video driver to utilize hardware acceleration; it is a software optimization. Video drivers are a much more complicated issue that involves companies and engineers beyond HTC alone. We do not want to lead anyone to believe they should expect these. To explain why we are not releasing video acceleration instead of the optimization
I offer you our official statement... "HTC DOES plan to offer software upgrades that will increase feature functionality, over the air wireless speeds and other enhancements for some of the phones being criticized, but we do not anticipate including any additional support for the video acceleration issues cited in customer complaints. It is important for customers to understand that bringing this functionality to market is not a trivial driver update and requires extensive software development and time. HTC will utilize hardware video acceleration like the ATI Imageon in many upcoming products. Our users have made it clear that they expect our products to offer an improved visual experience, and we have included this feedback into planning and development of future products. To address lingering questions about HTC's current MSM 7xxx devices, it is important to establish that a chipset like an MSM7xxx is a platform with a vast multitude of features that enable a wide range of devices with varied functionality. It is common that devices built on platforms like Qualcomm's will not enable every feature or function. In addition to making sure the required hardware is present, unlocking extended capabilities of chipsets like the MSM 7xxx requires in-depth and time consuming software development, complicated licensing negotiations, potential intellectual property negotiations, added licensing fees, and in the case of devices that are sold through operators, the desire of the operator to include the additional functionality. To make an informed decision about which handset suits them best, consumers should look at the product specification itself instead of using the underlying chipset specifications to define what the product could potentially become."
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~~Tito~~ said:
Damn. . . I thought that was a new and updated statement. Look if you only read a little bit of it then you probably missed out on this.
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Sorry Tito,
Nothing new to that, just the same old company line that they've been spouting for weeks.
Meeing!! I thought I saw something new. Well Law Suit it is then since they don't want to make a small amount of effort to fix some devices problems that they shouldn't have. I wonder if they use their own devices or do they have drivers made for them and not us?
Hello there,
I've been reading this forum in past months, I'm a proud owner of a Ativ S. I've found this recently, so I want to share with you guys: winsupersite.com/windows-phone/windows-phone-8-update-3-update-your-handset-today
So anyone with a WP8 Device can, in theory, install pure GDR3 RTM in your phone (No, it's not the Preview). Here are the reqs and some observations:
- GDR2 must be already installed;
- It may void your wireless carrier warranty;
- You can't go back (downgrade it);
- It's pure GDR3, with no further improvements like drivers and softwares made by manufacturers (like Nokia Amber & Bittersweet Shimmer/Black)
Sadly my phone is still GDR1 (here in Brazil some things takes lots of time to happen...), and I can't test and verify if this works. But considering this is a reliable source for Microsoft official plans and there are positive comments, I guess that someone here can give a try and post the results below.
Have a nice day,
Are you sure you've been reading the forum for past months, plural? Because this news broke months *ago* (specifically, back in October, around the date your article is from...), with considerable excitement. The functionality to enable such updates has since been built into homebrew tweak apps, its impact on the various unlocks have been discussed extensively, people have pointed out that there's another update coming through the program, etc. Please search before posting!
Need help to get a petition signed. Basically Huawei are not providing any Android updates or patches regarding them for UK unlocked phones. (This issue may be wider than expected but I can only comment on my experience with UK unlocked models)
Here in the UK unlocked P9 devices are still on Android 6 and haven't been patched since Sep 2016.
We are missing updates for both official monthly security updates and operating system updates (Nougat at the very least)
This makes phones vulnerable to security threats which in turn puts users data at risk (especially important when using banking / finance / MFA / 2FA apps
Huawei support have absolutely no idea if / when any updates would be made available but they 'think' they are being rolled out very slowly
Their advice so far hasn't helped (clear app cache, use HiSuite, USB etc) as I believe the updates are just not available
For a flagship phone (which was their first to reach 10 million sales and now well over 12 million) this is completely unacceptable.
The phone is around 1.5 years old and has a high enough specification to take updates and operating system upgrades.
Huawei are not only putting critical user data at risk (in not patching) but also are quietly obsoleting these phones by not providing timely system upgrades.
Please sign the form to get some pressure put on Huawei
https://www.change.org/p/mobile-uk-mail01-huawei-com-huawei-p9-android-security-and-upgrades-for-unlocked-phones?recruiter=819290437&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_petition
gsc2000z said:
Need help to get a petition signed. Basically Huawei are not providing any Android updates or patches regarding them for UK unlocked phones. (This issue may be wider than expected but I can only comment on my experience with UK unlocked models)
Here in the UK unlocked P9 devices are still on Android 6 and haven't been patched since Sep 2016.
We are missing updates for both official monthly security updates and operating system updates (Nougat at the very least)
This makes phones vulnerable to security threats which in turn puts users data at risk (especially important when using banking / finance / MFA / 2FA apps
Huawei support have absolutely no idea if / when any updates would be made available but they 'think' they are being rolled out very slowly
Their advice so far hasn't helped (clear app cache, use HiSuite, USB etc) as I believe the updates are just not available
For a flagship phone (which was their first to reach 10 million sales and now well over 12 million) this is completely unacceptable.
The phone is around 1.5 years old and has a high enough specification to take updates and operating system upgrades.
Huawei are not only putting critical user data at risk (in not patching) but also are quietly obsoleting these phones by not providing timely system upgrades.
Please sign the form to get some pressure put on Huawei
https://www.change.org/p/mobile-uk-...m_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_petition
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Why not follow the various guides on here and update manually - far quicker than trying to get Huawei to do anything via a petition.
retsilred said:
Why not follow the various guides on here and update manually - far quicker than trying to get Huawei to do anything via a petition.
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Understand that is an option, I use my phone for business use and don't fancy the risk. If enough people do sign it I believe it will name/shame Huawei into taking some action. I'm not expecting miracles. Just want to start somewhere than accept the current position as acceptable.
gsc2000z said:
Understand that is an option, I use my phone for business use and don't fancy the risk. If enough people do sign it I believe it will name/shame Huawei into taking some action. I'm not expecting miracles. Just want to start somewhere than accept the current position as acceptable.
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The critical mass required to force Huawei to act would far exceed the exposure this forum could give.
Having de-branded from Vodafone UK and updated to the latest firmware in less than two hours, I'd say the risk is minimal in terms of downtime.
retsilred said:
The critical mass required to force Huawei to act would far exceed the exposure this forum could give.
Having de-branded from Vodafone UK and updated to the latest firmware in less than two hours, I'd say the risk is minimal in terms of downtime.
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Have posted the petition onto quite a few forums and will continue doing so on others.
If it doesn't work at at least I know I've tried. Will re-visit those firmware updates.
This will have no effect whatsoever.
I was a bit apprehensive about manually updating my phone too but if you follow the instructions you really can't do any damage. I'm now on the latest software version with what was previously an EE branded phone.
If you are already unbranded (i.e. software version number includes C432) then you are laughing as it's even easier.
For years, Android users have known the sad story of update rollout. Major manufacturers such as Samsung, Xiaomi, HTC, Huawei and others offer excellent hardware but struggle terribly when it comes to the rollout of regular updates. The delay or ignorance in rolling out updates has often made the platform more prone to security threats. However, Google has been trying hard to reduce the plight that Android users face and therefore has updated its terms and condition of the Android license terms.
The Verge has got hold of the latest terms and conditions of the Android license book, where it clearly states that all manufacturers using Android as the operating system will have to deliver regular updates to their devices for at least two years. Manufacturers will be required to roll out at least four security updates within a year of the device’s launch. For the second year, Google hasn’t laid out any particular timeframe, but manufacturers are required to patch any security vulnerabilities that been detected and fixed by Google.
However, there are a lot of agreements to this contract. Google has made the following licence terms only for those devices that are popular, i.e. the particular model should at least touch the 100,000 sales mark. The terms only apply to devices that have been launched after 31st January, 2018. Additionally, there will only be selected devices that will be bound by the security agreement, which could eventually be restricted to premium devices and Google-branded devices.
Wonder what happens if manufacturers don’t comply? According to license terms, Google could be forced to deny the approvals of future devices from the manufacturer, eventually preventing them from being released.
Do note that these terms aren’t present on Google’s global licence terms and have been only found by The Verge for now. However, the effects of this new agreement are visible this year as several third-party manufacturers, especially the ones who were a part of the Android Beta Program, have rolled out the latest updates to compliant devices within a few weeks. Google has also been trying its best to help manufacturers roll out the latest updates via Project Treble, which separated the core of the Android OS from the modifications that are mounted over the stock OS.
You saw this on reddit right?! ?
And looking at the fact that treble hasn't helped much with updates from OEMs, this thing is a good thing as OEMs mostly have no intentions for providing OS updates, only security updates (some don't even do that). Especially with a heavy customised skin on top.
There is a kicker behind this though.
Sadly, this is only for phones which Google thinks it's doing well (vague term) and mostly would be for flagships.
Hello
A bit of a beginner question.
I am looking for an option to avoid personal data leaks to corporations (paranoid version ). It makes me uncomfortable that every single word I say or text I write is being sent to the servers, being analysed by the online algorithms, etc. I believe that a phone is a personal device, and this is not acceptable.
Which is why I am looking for a phone that would allow to clean up the bloatware and telemetry modules, by either removing them from the stock firmware, setting up restrictive firewall rules, or by installing something like LineageOS or similar.
My question is whether it is reasonable to get the new Pixel 7 (in my area it costs around $600) or would you recommend looking into other models, some chinese models, for a similar price?
I am considering Pixel, as it is known to be one of the best phones in its price range (but as I understand mostly because of the software part, which I would like to meddle with).
Thanks for your opinions!
Yes, the pixel is a great phone. Paranoid Android (privacy ROM) supports it. The pixel is very easy to work with.
thetraveller1 said:
Hello
A bit of a beginner question.
I am looking for an option to avoid personal data leaks to corporations (paranoid version ). It makes me uncomfortable that every single word I say or text I write is being sent to the servers, being analysed by the online algorithms, etc. I believe that a phone is a personal device, and this is not acceptable.
Which is why I am looking for a phone that would allow to clean up the bloatware and telemetry modules, by either removing them from the stock firmware, setting up restrictive firewall rules, or by installing something like LineageOS or similar.
My question is whether it is reasonable to get the new Pixel 7 (in my area it costs around $600) or would you recommend looking into other models, some chinese models, for a similar price?
I am considering Pixel, as it is known to be one of the best phones in its price range (but as I understand mostly because of the software part, which I would like to meddle with).
Thanks for your opinions!
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The Pixel is, at it's core, developed by Google (which is primarily an advertising company, which is why they have so many great "free" apps, which you pay for with your data), as is Android itself. When you buy a new Android phone, it will come preloaded with multiple proprietary Google apps, which you can not easily uninstall. If you really want a privacy oriented phone, the Pixel with a custom ROM might work. Personally, I use Lineage OS, also for the extra privacy, as it is open-source. Lineage OS does not have any Google apps installed by default, although you can install them if you wish. If you look at Lineage OS's website and click on "GET LINEAGEOS" you can see devices that are supported. Since creating a custom ROM takes time, most of the supported devices are over three years old (yes, the Pixel 7 is not officialy supported). However, certain newer devices are supported, as is my Samsung Galaxy A52 4G (2021), which I run Lineage OS on. You could get the Pixel 7 and run this unofficial build of Lineage OS on it, but if your only getting it because the camera software is good, don't, because your going to remove that software and replace it. Another thing to keep in mind is sometimes the camera support isn't really great with custom ROMs, so do you research to make sure the phone you get has good camera support with whatever ROM you choose. Lineage OS did just develop a much better camera app for it's 20th release, though. Hope this helps, and if you have any questions let me know!
Hi, =)
if privacy is a concern for you, using a Google Pixel device may not be the best option as Google is known to collect user data for targeted advertising and other purposes. You may want to consider other options that prioritize privacy such as phones running on the Android-based LineageOS, or the privacy-focused /e/OS, or a device from a vendor known to prioritize privacy, such as Fairphone or Purism. You may also want to consider alternative operating systems such as iOS or Ubuntu Touch. Ultimately, the best option for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences, so consider your budget and requirements before making a decision.
If you want a device that protects your privacy out of the box with no modification, the Pixel series is not for you. In fact I'm not aware of any OEM Android device that is privacy oriented - Google services by nature depend largely on telemetry and user data for targeted advertising.
That being said, if you want a platform that can easily support a privacy oriented OS, the Pixel is honestly one of the best choices, due to the ease of which you can unlock the bootloader and flash a new OS such as LineageOS, CalyxOS, or others. This means you'll need to familiarize yourself with the concepts of ADB, flashing, bootloaders, etc.
ChristianMorris said:
Hi, =)
if privacy is a concern for you, using a Google Pixel device may not be the best option as Google is known to collect user data for targeted advertising and other purposes. You may want to consider other options that prioritize privacy such as phones running on the Android-based LineageOS, or the privacy-focused /e/OS, or a device from a vendor known to prioritize privacy, such as Fairphone or Purism. You may also want to consider alternative operating systems such as iOS or Ubuntu Touch. Ultimately, the best option for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences, so consider your budget and requirements before making a decision.
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I happen to have the Librem 5 phone, developed by Purism. Frankly, although it is extremely security and privacy oriented, it currently has many downfalls: high price (starts at $1,999), not many apps (Linux smartphones are pretty new), and the battery lasts less than 24 hours on a full charge (due to not having a good suspend mode, I assume)
V0latyle said:
If you want a device that protects your privacy out of the box with no modification, the Pixel series is not for you. In fact I'm not aware of any OEM Android device that is privacy oriented - Google services by nature depend largely on telemetry and user data for targeted advertising.
That being said, if you want a platform that can easily support a privacy oriented OS, the Pixel is honestly one of the best choices, due to the ease of which you can unlock the bootloader and flash a new OS such as LineageOS, CalyxOS, or others. This means you'll need to familiarize yourself with the concepts of ADB, flashing, bootloaders, etc.
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Lmao remember “freedom phone” what a joke.
I wonder if even a rooted android phone will not give away all kinds of info. Some roms I presume will mitigate that somewhat, but I feel you are tracked everywhere you go in this world. How about a decent burner or 3? Use it for a week or so then destroy it. And then buy a pixel 7 for the features when you don't care who's looking. And don't forget your paid (forget free) VPN.
@thetraveller1 flash Graphene, relock the bootloader, and you'll basically have state of the art privacy and security on your Pixel 7.
GrapheneOS: the private and secure mobile OS
GrapheneOS is a security and privacy focused mobile OS with Android app compatibility.
grapheneos.org
Thanks everybody for the replies!
As I understand, Pixel remains the most widely supported device by various Custom ROMs, and getting a Chinese smartphone or Samsung would mean I would be limiting the choice of the available/pre-built ROMs as well as future support with security patches?
ethical_haquer said:
You could get the Pixel 7 and run this unofficial build of Lineage OS on it, but if your only getting it because the camera software is good, don't, because your going to remove that software and replace it
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I understand that unofficial means it wasn't built by the LineageOS team, rather by a 3rd party. And it probably means that some functionality may be missing/not working and it's not promised to be getting regular updates as new versions of Android come out (including applying official google security updates) unless I learn to make firmware builds myself?
thetraveller1 said:
Thanks everybody for the replies!
As I understand, Pixel remains the most widely supported device by various Custom ROMs, and getting a Chinese smartphone or Samsung would mean I would be limiting the choice of the available/pre-built ROMs as well as future support with security patches?
I understand that unofficial means it wasn't built by the LineageOS team, rather by a 3rd party. And it probably means that some functionality may be missing/not working and it's not promised to be getting regular updates as new versions of Android come out (including applying official google security updates) unless I learn to make firmware builds myself?
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One of the reasons people use custom ROMs is because they often support devices longer then the stock ROM. For example, a device that was only supported by the manufacture till Android 11 could be running a custom ROM on Android 13. Lineage OS official builds get weekly updates; unofficial builds typically still get updates, but not as often. In either case, it is up to the individual that developed the build to provide support, and the more popular a build is, the more likely it is that it will be supported for many years. To answer your questions: no, getting a non-google phone will not necessarily limit custom ROM options, or updates; and getting an unofficial build doesn't mean it wont get updates, but installing updates on unofficial builds requires flashing the new builds manually, which can be a hassle.
thetraveller1 said:
Thanks everybody for the replies!
As I understand, Pixel remains the most widely supported device by various Custom ROMs, and getting a Chinese smartphone or Samsung would mean I would be limiting the choice of the available/pre-built ROMs as well as future support with security patches?
I understand that unofficial means it wasn't built by the LineageOS team, rather by a 3rd party. And it probably means that some functionality may be missing/not working and it's not promised to be getting regular updates as new versions of Android come out (including applying official google security updates) unless I learn to make firmware builds myself?
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Take a look at Shizuku and the apps that use it like FreezeYou!. MySudo and Insular are another couple to check. You may find a solution without having to switch ROMs.