Database Develop

me think me saw a copycat

http://www.theunwired.net/?item=pro...-com-wants-to-redesign-the-windows-mobile-gui
i mean sure it's great to try and invent something new but thats just another iphone look alike so redesign is prob not the best term
http://www.mobile-review.com/review/image/nokia/7260/pic1.jpg
http://mobilitysite.com/2007/07/rehoboths-irikon-flash-memory/
pretty related design if you ask me

Well they do say that "Imitation is the highest form of flattery"...
Personally I am still waiting to see how long th iPhone hype lasts. Thing with all it's clones is that non of them are as locked down as it is (no forcing people in to contracts, ability to install 3rd party apps etc. One article even mention its "PDA" functions could not be used before activation by AT&T)
As for the other two links - one is a phone and the other is a DOK so is it really "copying"? (despite the similarities in design).

while the intention of whoneedsaniphone.com is good, but it is rather disappointing to put all the effort to mock up something, that, AFAIK, already been duplicated a gazillion times. I have a bad memory, but what I can get out of my head so far, is that there are at least 3 iphone launcher available here. One which, with most effort is the one via a EXE, another one via WAD, and via cLaunch. And this guy is saying "We also want to let everyone know that the intent of this project IS NOT TO DUPLICATE THE IPHONE INTERFACE... we just want to take some of the principles of that interface and bring them to Windows Mobile users". E.g., why do you have to have an exactly 4 x 3 grid, with special icons at the bottom? why do you want to have a slide lock, when AFAIK, a Nokia style push this and that to unlock, works very well, and black-white clock icon.. hmm.. no I dont think there are any attempt to copy.. please view this for clarification
If they were to do at least this.. won't be too bad
Discussion here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=316850& too

no it's not real copying just struck me as how similar they looked
http://mobilitysite.com/2007/07/can-the-iphone-really-live-up-to-the-hype/
"I have to admit, the longer I use the iPhone, the less fond of it I am becoming."
:O

[Q] Is Captivate/Android Experience for Me?

All,
I am new here and to SmartPhones. I like Captivate because it has low radiation.
I am impressed with the activities I see here and on CyanogenMod. However, these give me cause for concern regarding the energy level required to accomplish them. Linux is good but I am returning to graduate school in the fall so I am concerned regarding the requirement of these phones and OS's. I would appreciate it if some of you could explain why so much work occurs with Android. Is much of this activity born out of the decision of carriers to control OS releases to specific phones? I see this as a major factor presently.
With that said, it does appear Samsung blew it with regard to v2.2 and the Galaxy S phones. I am nearly embarrassed to inform you that I own two Samsung LCD monitors after learning of this negative experience.
Clearly, I void the warranty if I embrace the activities here but this just rationalizes the choice of a refurbished phone!
Please attempt to characterize the time requirement for becoming involved with these Samsung Galaxy phones and Android. I know I am not the type of person to be interested in continually working with my phone to make it better. However, I also know my limited perspective can be biasing reality with this OS and these SmartPhones unnecessarily negative.
Oddly, my wife is considering the Focus because it would give her the MS support she needs with work. Regardless, it does appear we have found a few excellent Internet resources for these choices...I just want to ensure I am not getting in over my head.
Thanks,
Rick

by radiation I assume you mean the head tumors

RAVC1 said:
All,
I am new here and to SmartPhones. I like Captivate because it has low radiation.
I am impressed with the activities I see here and on CyanogenMod. However, these give me cause for concern regarding the energy level required to accomplish them. Linux is good but I am returning to graduate school in the fall so I am concerned regarding the requirement of these phones and OS's. I would appreciate it if some of you could explain why so much work occurs with Android. Is much of this activity born out of the decision of carriers to control OS releases to specific phones? I see this as a major factor presently.
With that said, it does appear Samsung blew it with regard to v2.2 and the Galaxy S phones. I am nearly embarrassed to inform you that I own two Samsung LCD monitors after learning of this negative experience.
Clearly, I void the warranty if I embrace the activities here but this just rationalizes the choice of a refurbished phone!
Please attempt to characterize the time requirement for becoming involved with these Samsung Galaxy phones and Android. I know I am not the type of person to be interested in continually working with my phone to make it better. However, I also know my limited perspective can be biasing reality with this OS and these SmartPhones unnecessarily negative.
Oddly, my wife is considering the Focus because it would give her the MS support she needs with work. Regardless, it does appear we have found a few excellent Internet resources for these choices...I just want to ensure I am not getting in over my head.
Thanks,
Rick
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Rick,
To answer your question - why so much work occurs with Android, I would like to take the liberty of rephrasing the question - why so much work occurs with Android phones? There isnt one correct answer for this.
You are correct in saying that carriers and service providers like to cripple the phone before they hand it over to the consumer. So when you buy the phone you really are not using these wonderful pieces of technology to their fullest extent. Thanks to our developers here at XDA because of whom we can in reality free the phones that we paid much moolah for, so that we maybe able to use all of the fones features that have been designed to work in conjunction with the wonderful Android OS.
Secondly, the reason why so much work goes into the phones and development to improve the functionality of the phone is because that is what Android has been designed for. Consumer can customize the phone to their liking and does not have to get stuck with the proprietary, grid like systems like the ones iphone has. Phone manufacturers, and not just Samsung, obviously design the phones software in such a way so that there is always room for improvement. They bet their dollar on the fact that an average consumer will eventually buy a newer product when its released and marketed in the future. There is always something lacking in the product that is in the market right now and that is where all this work comes into play.
Now, whether you shud buy a samsung captivate or not and what the time requirement is, is totally dependent on what you want to use the phone for and what kind of functionality you would like to get out of it.
From what you said that ur not a person who wud like to spend a lot of time modifying or playing around with your phone, you wud still like the captivate. Samsung Captivate is a very nice phone overall. Its got almost everything that you cud want in a phone. In regards to apps included with the phone, you've got a decent selection along with loads of bloatware.... If there is anything missing you can easily find it on the android market.
If you're expecting that your GPS would work right out of the box, then the answer is, maybe - maybe not. and its not android's fault, its a samsung issue. There are multiple fixes for the GPS that you can find on the forum, that being said, if you plan on utilizing those fixes, like you said not only will you void your warranty but you alone will be venturing into that experiment on your phone and dev will not be responsible for any damage that may or may not happen to your phone. But then again no guts, no glory.
So all in all, if you do end up getting the captivate, i dont think you'll be utterly disappointed, but at the same time i dont think you'll be able to sit back either when you see all these new developments posted here.
Hopefully i helped you a little and if i said too much then i apologize.
I welcome any senior member of the forum to correct me if im wrong and/or make any additions to what ive said above..
happy forumming....

My brother has a Samsung focus. It's buggy as hell, completely counter intuitive, and incomplete. Theres also no apps at all. He has like 3 different crappy youtube apps and sound boards.
And there's no CM7 to one day fix it.
Sent from my Captivate.

anandsamuel,
An excellent response; truly what I was looking for to understand the issues involved regarding Android and SmartPhones. You did not say too much.
I guess I need to start reading so I understand how to root a Captivate!
Rick

Also, that font is irritating to read.

RAVC1 said:
All,
I am new here and to SmartPhones. I like Captivate because it has low radiation.
I am impressed with the activities I see here and on CyanogenMod. However, these give me cause for concern regarding the energy level required to accomplish them. Linux is good but I am returning to graduate school in the fall so I am concerned regarding the requirement of these phones and OS's. I would appreciate it if some of you could explain why so much work occurs with Android. Is much of this activity born out of the decision of carriers to control OS releases to specific phones? I see this as a major factor presently.
With that said, it does appear Samsung blew it with regard to v2.2 and the Galaxy S phones. I am nearly embarrassed to inform you that I own two Samsung LCD monitors after learning of this negative experience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok lets slow you down there. first android is linux BASED not linux. there is no need to worry about OS/ device compatibility. the most interaction between the phone and PC are just file copying like through a usb thumb drive.
the next part regarding carriers/updates/samsung. you answered yourself, kinda, and backwards. Samsung didnt blow it.
Google android updates as much as any software does - to make things better.
they release to manufacturers so they can make it work with their hardware.
Samsung released on time, BUT TO THE CARRIERS.
the carriers then take what samsung gave them and add their carrier specific settings (APN ect) and applications (bloatware).
ATT blew the update timeline.
Sometimes manufacturers release their finished product as "source code" untouched by carriers.
the long process is necessary in each step to (attempt) to make a perfect software package that will work with each phone/carrier out of the box for the end user. so it is unfair to say "born out of the decision of carriers to control OS releases to specific phones"
XDA works off of source codes and carrier releases to make our custom updates.
Clearly, I void the warranty if I embrace the activities here but this just rationalizes the choice of a refurbished phone!
Please attempt to characterize the time requirement for becoming involved with these Samsung Galaxy phones and Android. I know I am not the type of person to be interested in continually working with my phone to make it better. However, I also know my limited perspective can be biasing reality with this OS and these SmartPhones unnecessarily negative.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there are ways to return your phone without them knowing what you did. dont worry too much about your "voided" warranty.
before i felt comfortable flashing I took about 3 days reading my A$$ off! and currently im off on workers comp. so that was 3 FULL days. even then i had issues and mistakes and my phone was out of service a few nights! but that is part of the fun.
you do not need to be the type of person to constantly update your phone to buy it. tens of thousands of people have this phone on stock firmware and it fully works. the extra effort and time that we here at XDA and cyanogenMOD do is more out of fun, and customization. Many would argue function as well, as we do sometimes fix things *better* than google/samsung/carriers. but things willl *usually* still function on stock even if on a basic level.
you only need to put in as much as you want to get out of it
so timeline,
flashing custom roms/themes PROPERLY - under a week
cutting and pasting roms frankenROMS - under a month or 2
creating - vast back knowlege of programming, ect YEAR(S)
regarding wanting to update often, not every update on XDA to your rom is necessary unles it fixes something you didnt have.
Each Android/Carrier update, would be recomended (or the XDA counterpart) as each new android version (not rom) contains the most updates/fixes. so if you were running a 2.2 (custom or stock) rom it WOULD be worth upgrading to 2.3 when available (custom or stock). but you dont NEED to update your custom rom every couple weeks when they put out their minor update on the same base rom (2.2 for eg.)
Oddly, my wife is considering the Focus because it would give her the MS support she needs with work. Regardless, it does appear we have found a few excellent Internet resources for these choices...I just want to ensure I am not getting in over my head.
Thanks,
Rick
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no comment. best regards

Trusselo,
Excellent, thoughtful response; it helped characterize this activity further for me. My concern is now recognized (and conveyed to others...) as not wanting to be required to become a developer to make my involvement with a SmartPhone constructive. Samsung, Android, XDA looks very good to me. As you mentioned, my reading has begun.
Yes, something is not right with my traditional Comic Sans Serif font here; it seems to compress it horizontally, but my aging eyes typically need this font.

New Member / New User questions

Hi all
I am reasonably versed in computers, having read Electronic Engineering at uni, but haven't dabbled with unix (Andriod's base O/S?) since - a decade ago.
This is also my first smartphone, as my aging work BB is no good for personal email etc.
I therefore have a range of questions, that I could not find the answer to in the main thread that gregbradley runs or on the next 5 pages of threads. These questions range from the very basic, so please forgive me!
how do you stop free apps installing their advertising engines, or at least access the same information that you permit the app to access (I remember reading privacy issues related to this)
apart from allowing you to tinker with the phone what is the benefit of rooting (which I assme means gaining admin access df. unix)
what are the additional features on the xperia t of the popular customer ROMS and do they alway require rooting to apply?
If you have to apply an earlier firmware to be able to root the phone, what are you loosing (does Sony publish a changelog?) and sure firmware updates tend to be a good thing, so isn't this a problem?
So firstly, is there some documentation I should be reading:
a) about basic good practice on an andriod phone?
b) about the benefits of custom roms
c) about the benefits of rooting, apart from being about to install custom roms?
d) about what are the most common alternative settings ppl make to a stock Xperia T?
many thanks,
icstm

icstm said:
Hi all
I am reasonably versed in computers, having read Electronic Engineering at uni, but haven't dabbled with unix (Andriod's base O/S?) since - a decade ago.
This is also my first smartphone, as my aging work BB is no good for personal email etc.
I therefore have a range of questions, that I could not find the answer to in the main thread that gregbradley runs or on the next 5 pages of threads. These questions range from the very basic, so please forgive me!
how do you stop free apps installing their advertising engines, or at least access the same information that you permit the app to access (I remember reading privacy issues related to this)
apart from allowing you to tinker with the phone what is the benefit of rooting (which I assme means gaining admin access df. unix)
what are the additional features on the xperia t of the popular customer ROMS and do they alway require rooting to apply?
If you have to apply an earlier firmware to be able to root the phone, what are you loosing (does Sony publish a changelog?) and sure firmware updates tend to be a good thing, so isn't this a problem?
So firstly, is there some documentation I should be reading:
a) about basic good practice on an andriod phone?
b) about the benefits of custom roms
c) about the benefits of rooting, apart from being about to install custom roms?
d) about what are the most common alternative settings ppl make to a stock Xperia T?
many thanks,
icstm
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) You must root the phone and install an add blocker
2) A vast amount of extra access that allows you to uninstall unwanted bloatware and generally customise your phone as you want.
3) Custom roms need at least root privilage and a recovery installed. Some roms require an unlocked bootloader as they need a custom kernel to work.
4) After downgrading to root, you can upgrade and keep root, there are plenty of threads about it
The best place to start reading is the all in one thread, its the very first thread in the Q&A section. Posts 2 and 3 explain all you need to know. If you need any further questions answering please ask in that thread.
Greg
EDIT, Just read that you have already seen my thread. Please feel free to ask in that thread if anything is not clear, however, you can also use the search function in order to find answers. Its nice to see new users and people here will be happy to help, especially as you seem to know to ask questions in the Q&A thread, unlike many others

Mental (and virtual) note: post excessive answer tomorrow after a good nights sleep and clear things up which greg did not fully answer, as I think.
Piece of cake.

@schaggo
looking forward to it! :fingers-crossed:

icstm said:
...unix (Andriod's base O/S?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Kernel (and some ported tools) only, but of course the philosophy behind the thing. Yes.
how do you stop free apps installing their advertising engines, or at least access the same information that you permit the app to access (I remember reading privacy issues related to this)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Theres a couple of ad providers which apps use to display in-app ads. If there's no free version as in freely free, that's the distribution model a dev choses. Either pay and give the dev a compensation, or use the free ad-supported version from where the dev gets compensation. If you're not ok with either of the latter two, then most common ad providers can be blocked by using a modified hosts file, redirecting server requests for known ad-providers servers to the local loop. You need root access to your device to do that though. More on that later.
apart from allowing you to tinker with the phone what is the benefit of rooting (which I assme means gaining admin access df. unix)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting your device is not strictly comparable in running your desktop box with root. Yes, it's running (certain) stuff with superuser rights, but that's not exactly the point. Rooting basically means - among other things - obtaining write access to the otherwise user-inaccessible system partitions (/system, /data et al.) and mess around with them. This is needed for certain things a user might wants to do, sneaking in a modified hosts file, for example. I don't know what you'd describe as "tinker" but I guess yes, tinker it is.
what are the additional features on the xperia t of the popular customer ROMS and do they alway require rooting to apply?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's usually the same as with every other device: basically theres modified stock ROMs or "real" custom ROMs. The first being for example slimmed down ROMs, with "useless" manufacturer or telco provider added junk-/crap-/adware and -services. Then theres "enhanced" stock based ROMs with added or modified stuff. Instead of 5 notification area toggles you can have up to 14, freely modifiable toggles. Or skin and theme the user interface, or use modified kernels with support for additional services or so. And then there's the "real" custom ROMs which you'll find under "Original Android Development". This is user generated code which you'll find in AOSP or Cyanogenmod ROMs. These kind of ROMs do not base on stock code at all, except for the parts which are highly device specific as closed-source device driver blobs etc, but the system as such is completely open source, comparable to how the Linux/Unix universe works. The benefit of such ROMs is usually that they are quite "barebones" and as such perform much better in terms of interface fluidity etc. But you may miss out on cool manufacturer added stuff specifically tailored for the device at hand, if theres no compatible open source alternative. A great example for this is the Samsung Galaxy Note: the S-Pen is supported in Cyanogenmod, but there's cool S-Pen features CM cant offer, you'll only find them in Samsungs stock ROM. You may find a comparable analogy for the Xperia T, or any other device.
If you have to apply an earlier firmware to be able to root the phone, what are you loosing (does Sony publish a changelog?) and sure firmware updates tend to be a good thing, so isn't this a problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's no detailed changelog for stock firmware updates. This is the case for most if not all manufacturers. Samsung doesn't release a changelog at all, for example. And updates can be a good thing, or a bad thing. A good thing is added functionality, a bad thing is closing an exploit to root the device, for example. You get the idea.
For the device at hand: there's no big differences between .3.195 and 3.223 or even the "old" .1.303 (or so) so in case you want root but not unlock your device, go ahead, you won't lose much especially if you don't know about it
d) about what are the most common alternative settings ppl make to a stock Xperia T?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, modern mobile operating systems offer a ton of settings to play around with, you'll find [number of users]*[number of features]^(numbers of features) of recommendations regarding best settings. Basically it's always the same: the more you do, the more you try to get out of your device, the higher the energy consumption will be, the shorter your battery time will be. Apply some common sense and you'll find your own best settings. Probably not what you wanted to hear, but, well, that's the way it works

Hoping to help get root at least

Here are some files I found if there is a specific directory you need to see I'll try to get access to it all you need to do is post the dir here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-k10MX8t9TXN0lsSGpteFRBQnc/view?usp=docslist_api

Best of luck! We T-Mobile S7 owners are crossing our fingers.

Adaway will make this phone perfect.

I've rooted every phone I've had, there's always been a reason I needed it. I got to say though, I can't find an everyday reason to really need it on my edge.
Kris

FatKris said:
I've rooted every phone I've had, there's always been a reason I needed it. I got to say though, I can't find an everyday reason to really need it on my edge.
Kris
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you don't want freedom so you don't want Xposed via flashfire so you don't want Titanium Backup those are just some things I need root for idk about you but even if I didn't need those things I would still do it just because I can.....

Ghost Dragon said:
So you don't want freedom so you don't want Xposed via flashfire so you don't want Titanium Backup those are just some things I need root for idk about you but even if I didn't need those things I would still do it just because I can.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think there's pros and cons to everything...
I love rooting, always have but this is the first time in a long time that I can't root and it's actually not so bad.
Granted I'd love to be able to installing ROMs, remove ads and bloat and have all these tweaks and tricks but it's sort of like... been there, done that.
If you root your phone now, you can NEVER use Samsung Pay... EVER on your device. Even if you restore stock firmware. That's actually a big issue now with mobile payments being a common thing.
I kind of like having my phone much more secure and safe to do important financial transactions and access important accounts (just like I do on my iPhone) without fear of lax security while using rooted/custom software.
I think moving into the future, flagship phones like Samsung's Galaxy line(s) won't risk bad press or the potential for bad press by allowing the modding community to easily gain root access and customize their software.
They have more to lose than gain by doing that, especially with their rivalry with Apple being so neck and neck now.
I think people like us on XDA who love rooting will have to purchase devices from up and coming OEMs if we still want to root, either that or Nexus devices.

HNIC215 said:
I think there's pros and cons to everything...
I love rooting, always have but this is the first time in a long time that I can't root and it's actually not so bad.
Granted I'd love to be able to installing ROMs, remove ads and bloat and have all these tweaks and tricks but it's sort of like... been there, done that.
If you root your phone now, you can NEVER use Samsung Pay... EVER on your device. Even if you restore stock firmware. That's actually a big issue now with mobile payments being a common thing.
I kind of like having my phone much more secure and safe to do important financial transactions and access important accounts (just like I do on my iPhone) without fear of lax security while using rooted/custom software.
I think moving into the future, flagship phones like Samsung's Galaxy line(s) won't risk bad press or the potential for bad press by allowing the modding community to easily gain root access and customize their software.
They have more to lose than gain by doing that, especially with their rivalry with Apple being so neck and neck now.
I think people like us on XDA who love rooting will have to purchase devices from up and coming OEMs if we still want to root, either that or Nexus devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. So you would sacrifice freedom for convenience
2. Geohots court session with Apple made it legal to jailbreak aka root phones so why exactly would they get "bad press"
3. Android is open source so what Samsung is doing is kind of breaking the law of Android destroying the very foundation and purpose of it's creation

Ghost Dragon said:
1. So you would sacrifice freedom for convenience
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I mean that's the thing with security in this day and age. No?
In order to have it, you must sacrifice the freedom (to an extent) to mod and install 3rd party software. While I personally love what XDA stands for, does and has to offer - I mean I love rooting and customizing my phones but I certainly can understand the other perspective in regards to security. XDA might be full of great individuals who are trying to improve the software experience for users, however, there are plenty of other 3rd parties who have ill intent.
It's the same reason why Apple is so strict with system access on iOS.
Samsung is trying to be their equal - in terms of quality, security and everything else.
In order to maintain that level of security in the midst of a global, albeit slow, roll out of Samsung Pay, they have to limit access to their system as well.
Which is why, like I said in my previous comment, if you EVER root a Samsung phone then you can NEVER use Samsung Pay on it.
To a lot of folks, especially those coming from the iPhone, Mobile Payments, Mobile Banking and security in general is a very important feature for them to have.
If not, it furthers the stereotype that Android is less secure than Apple. Which doesn't sit well with the plethora of users who don't care about rooting - we at XDA after all are really a niche group of users when looking at the grand scheme of consumers.
Ghost Dragon said:
2. Geohots court session with Apple made it legal to jailbreak aka root phones so why exactly would they get "bad press"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They would get "bad press" if something were to compromise the security of their devices - anywhere in the world. Especially if that compromise impacted the potential safety and security of their Mobile Payment system.
Which rooting or allowing access to certain parts of the system may or may not do. Which is a big deal to them, their investors and most of their consumers (who aren't aware or concerned about rooting).
Android already has an unfair stereotype/label that it is less secure compared to iPhone.
Ghost Dragon said:
3. Android is open source so what Samsung is doing is kind of breaking the law of Android destroying the very foundation and purpose of it's creation
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung doesn't care about what people like us on XDA think. People like us, who love to root and have the freedom to do whatever it is they want to their phones or to the software on their phones. As much as I hate to say it, we are a niche group.
I would love a developer edition of the S7/S7 Edge, that enables us to do all the wonderful things that the amazing and talented developers at XDA create for us. I would also love to be able to continue to use Samsung Pay and access and carry out important financial transactions through my mobile device.
Alas, that's not the case. So we have to choose between a bootloader locked version of the S7/S7 Edge or no S7/S7 Edge at all.
I think this phone is amazing and after years of nonstop rooting and customizing ROMs I don't mind sacrificing that aspect of customization in order to have a secure phone that I can do all the same things I can do on my iPhone 6s Plus.
Do I miss it sometimes? Sure
However, it's not the end of the world for me and the S7 Edge is still the best Android phone I've ever owned or used (I've owned alot too).
It is the "iPhone" of the Android world in terms of premium look/feel and quality and I think that is exactly the correlation that Samsung wants more consumers to have and think.

I was using Samsung Pay on my S6 Edge, and I decided to root it, unlock the bootloader, and flash a new ROM on it. 2 days later, someone had all of my personal info, all the info for a credit card I had on file and was using on my phone, and ran up $6000. I got a text from the bank to verify a purchase which I didn't make, and I responded that I did not make the transaction, but someone had enough information about me to call the bank, verify all of my information along with the purchase. I'm not saying the unlocking and flashing allowed someone to access this information, but it's a fairly large coincidence. Moving forward, any device that I use for financial transactions and such will remain stock, and if I root a device and flash it, it will be a separate device that doesn't contain any confidential information.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using XDA-Developers mobile app

Rolldog said:
I was using Samsung Pay on my S6 Edge, and I decided to root it, unlock the bootloader, and flash a new ROM on it. 2 days later, someone had all of my personal info, all the info for a credit card I had on file and was using on my phone, and ran up $6000. I got a text from the bank to verify a purchase which I didn't make, and I responded that I did not make the transaction, but someone had enough information about me to call the bank, verify all of my information along with the purchase. I'm not saying the unlocking and flashing allowed someone to access this information, but it's a fairly large coincidence. Moving forward, any device that I use for financial transactions and such will remain stock, and if I root a device and flash it, it will be a separate device that doesn't contain any confidential information.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly my point...
This is what makes so many consumers out there trust Apple because, whether true or not, they feel safe with Apple.
Samsung - being Apple's equivalent in the Android world - wants that same recognition and consumer trust.
I can't blame them either.
In this day and age, it is simply the world we live in, security is paramount for businesses and consumers alike.

I been rooting all my phones and my wife's phones for about 5-6 years and can say this phone is perfect jus the way it is. Since launch I had the gs7 edge and not once have I got the urge to root this beautiful device. And I'm sure I speak for most of us here that we can't go 2 days with a new phone without gaining root, flashing roms or xpose etc. For me it's more than jus keeping security. Samsung jus made a phone worth keeping stock, finally.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using XDA-Developers mobile app

I've rooted every single android phone I've owned. I was one of the first people to run CyanogenMod on my Droid when some crazy no-named guy named Koush appeared out of nowhere and said SPRecovery that we had ALL had wasn't "real" recovery and created his own recovery in order to flash the real CyanogenMod ROM. Later this recovery would be called Clockwork Mod. I remember flashing .sbf files that replaced everything on the phone just for a silly custom boot logo. I used to kang features and themes from N1 threads on here, back when that was really the only phone on XDA. I used to build ROMs and custom themes and all that craziness. I remember when changing the clock color was unbelievably complicated. Google integrated many features first pioneered by devs into their main product that these phones all run on now. Taking away our ability to do that may very well slow the development of Android. It defeats the purpose of open-source. If you wish to forgo the freedom of root for the security of KNOX, or Samsung Pay, or whatever feature that conflicts with root, you're free to do so, even if rooting is possible. And manufacturers have always warned against rooting because it takes away from the security features they worked hard to include, and none have ever been held accountable for someone rooting a device before. It wouldn't be any different now. I guess, in summary, they really have nothing to lose by allowing root. Even if I have no real reason to root, I still would like the option to do on a device that I shelled out $700+ for. Rooting never was for everybody. But because some developers were nice enough to simplify the process to the point a chimp could do it. Literally. People that probably shouldn't root, did it anyways, but then felt that they shouldn't be responsible for their own actions. But for those of us that don't need our hand held throughout the entire process of owning a device, having the freedom to treat our property as we like doesn't seem like it's asking all that much. Especially for a device that runs on open-source software...
(Good God, I rambled a lot longer than intended. Sorry about the novel)

52brandon said:
I've rooted every single android phone I've owned. I was one of the first people to run CyanogenMod on my Droid when some crazy no-named guy named Koush appeared out of nowhere and said SPRecovery that we had ALL had wasn't "real" recovery and created his own recovery in order to flash the real CyanogenMod ROM. Later this recovery would be called Clockwork Mod. I remember flashing .sbf files that replaced everything on the phone just for a silly custom boot logo. I used to kang features and themes from N1 threads on here, back when that was really the only phone on XDA. I used to build ROMs and custom themes and all that craziness. I remember when changing the clock color was unbelievably complicated. Google integrated many features first pioneered by devs into their main product that these phones all run on now. Taking away our ability to do that may very well slow the development of Android. It defeats the purpose of open-source. If you wish to forgo the freedom of root for the security of KNOX, or Samsung Pay, or whatever feature that conflicts with root, you're free to do so, even if rooting is possible. And manufacturers have always warned against rooting because it takes away from the security features they worked hard to include, and none have ever been held accountable for someone rooting a device before. It wouldn't be any different now. I guess, in summary, they really have nothing to lose by allowing root. Even if I have no real reason to root, I still would like the option to do on a device that I shelled out $700+ for. Rooting never was for everybody. But because some developers were nice enough to simplify the process to the point a chimp could do it. Literally. People that probably shouldn't root, did it anyways, but then felt that they shouldn't be responsible for their own actions. But for those of us that don't need our hand held throughout the entire process of owning a device, having the freedom to treat our property as we like doesn't seem like it's asking all that much. Especially for a device that runs on open-source software...
(Good God, I rambled a lot longer than intended. Sorry about the novel)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Preach on brotha!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

Loving this phone so far. Great battery life! Don't really care about root atm.

Opinions and guidance on what to do with new device

Hi
I am fairly new to this. I flashed some iPhones in the beginning when they arrived Europe, but haven't done anything like that since. I want to try my ways around this s10 when it arrives in a few days.
I want to use the tech of this phone, but I still want to clean it up as much as possible to get rid of as much proprietary software as possible.
Where do I start and what are the advantages and disadvantages of installing your own ROM (hope I use the terminology right)?

Welcome to XDA
Stay with Android 10 or 9. I run stock N10+'s and simply use a package disabler and Karma Firewall. I like Samsung's UI so I don't disable everything in sight. It's not necessary or even desirable. I deal with problem apps on a case by case basis. I also lock down OTA updates completely, upgrades tend to break things especially after Android 10.
My current stock Android 9* load is over 1.5 yo, still fast, stable and fulfilling its mission with minimal maintenance. Functionality, stability and ease of maintenance are some of the reasons I run stock. Plan and simple though I not willing to risk bricking a valuable device to yield a time sucking device that likely will need extensive troubleshooting.
Also worth noting is if you root you will trip the Knox efuse. Can't go back from there. You'll lose some of Knox's core features like Secure Folder or Samsung Pay if they're any value to you. I don't use these.
Of course many here do root, design and run custom roms. If you choose to do so, XDA is like a candy store for you
*this stock version has proven to be fairly secure in spite of no updates... unless you do something stupid.

blackhawk said:
Welcome to XDA
Stay with Android 10 or 9. I run stock N10+'s and simple use a package disabler and Karma Firewall. I like Samsung's UI so I don't disable everything in sight. It's not necessary or even desirable. I deal with problem apps on a case by case basis. I also lock down OTA updates completely, upgrades tend to break things especially after Android 10.
My current stock Android 9* load is over 1.5 yo, still fast, stable and fulfilling its mission with minimal maintenance. Functionality, stability and ease of maintenance are some of the reasons I run stock. Plan and simple though I not willing to risk bricking a valuable device to yield a time sucking device that likely will need extensive troubleshooting.
Also worth noting is if you root you will trip the Knox efuse. Can't go back from there. You'll lose some of Knox's core features like Secure Folder or Samsung Pay if they're any value to you. I don't use these.
Of course many here do root, design and run custom roms. If you choose to do so, XDA is like a candy store for you
*this stock version has proven to be fairly secure in spite of no updates... unless you do something stupid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks!
First thing that comes to mind is: Oh, is NFC not gonna work?
Is it the s10 that you got? What do you like the curved screen? I am having second thoughts on choice of modell because of that. Everything else is perfect though.

larshallen said:
Thanks!
First thing that comes to mind is: Oh, is NFC not gonna work?
Is it the s10 that you got? What do you like the curved screen? I am having second thoughts on choice of modell because of that. Everything else is perfect though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NFC, not sure about as I never use that feature anyway. Banking apps can be an issue.
Note 10+, my weapon of choice.
The curve screen is ok once you understand how to use for side screen apps like One Handed Operation plus and Edge. Doesn't interfere watching vids but occasionally gets in the way with cut/paste.
The square display corners and the AMOLED display plus it's 7mm thickness are some of its physical features I like. No cam hump like the N20U.

The other answers are good of course, so I'll try to spare everyone an essay and sorry if you've mentioned something already despite me reading the above. I'll also try to order this by what I personally think is the most important info.
1. Exynos and Snapdragon.
Two versions of the S10 series (and others):
Exynos -> non-USA (mostly) | SD -> USA.
-- Exynos is more open and has less disadvantages to modifications --
These refer to the two different CPUs across regions. This is important regardless of any major modifications like installing a custom ROM (I'll get to that). Even on this forum, people will post apps that they've made and state which model it's for. Apps that make use of S10 specific hardware like Camera apps (e.g. GCAM) may have one or two versions for the CPUs.
You said you ordered the phone, so I recommend you look up what CPU it is given its origin (seller might have gotten it elsewhere too).
2. Difficulty. This is not to discourage, just inform.
Samsung phones are relatively difficult to extensively modify.. in fact the company is known for being malicious about this; very annoying to be honest and people shouldn't tolerate it (but this is a political tangent with lots of varying opinions, haha).
Depending on your level of computer literacy making changes will go from seeming impossible and freaky... to just sometimes being tedious and irritating. Expect to make a mistake and have to factory reset the phone if you go hard in mods...
3. Knox (mentioned above). In simple terms, think of the Knox as an internal switch that flicks on if you make changes 'outside' the official Samsung ROM (i.e. One UI). Mainly rooting and custom ROMs. This is a permanent change.
It tells (only Samsung apps..), so general rule is it only matters if you care about Samsung apps as many will throw a tantrum over "tripping the Knox" :^(
IMO: It makes no difference unless you really do care about say using the Samsung pay app instead of Google pay. Honestly everything I can think of is done just as well or better by other companies. And it's a phone from 2019, not a Mustang (haha) so it's going to be worthless very soon, so don't stress and just do what you think you'll have more fun with.
4. Everything else! You'll have to look things up as it's extensive. Rooting = making yourself the highest user (aka admin / super user). Custom ROM = community built different versions of the Android OS, with ASOP (Pixel like) being the most common (yes there are non-android ROMs, but that's not in this scope, haha). Side-loading apps = installing .apk files you find on the internet instead of the Google Play Store or other major stores (won't trip Knox). Theming the official One UI ROM can be done with Samsung's theme park software, or with apps known as Hex and Synergy.
Enjoy!! Hope this post helps.

Oh and Custom Recovery = ... In simple terms a BIOS like software (what you can use when you start a computer to install an OS), you use these on phones for backups and installing Custom ROMs. Samsung has an official one called 'download mode' that you can use with either PC software Odin or Heimdall.
And pro-tip: if you change app settings to black (not just dark) where possible you'll save battery thanks to the amoled screen.
And do try to disable Samsung apps where possible even without modifications to the OS, they do drain battery power over time and you will see a difference if you compare several months from now.
Oh and not all SD versions are exclusive to the USA.. but that is mostly the rule. As a heads up.

With Samsung's many free icon packs and themes at the Galaxy Store you can customize your device, a lot and easily.
Use the Good Lock family of apps to customize the pull down notifications and more.
This is what my N10+ looks like on One UI with the free Galaxy Store add ons.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}

blackhawk said:
NFC, not sure about as I never use that feature anyway. Banking apps can be an issue.
Note 10+, my weapon of choice.
The curve screen is ok once you understand how to use for side screen apps like One Handed Operation plus and Edge. Doesn't interfere watching vids but occasionally gets in the way with cut/paste.
The square display corners and the AMOLED display plus it's 7mm thickness are some of its physical features I like. No cam hump like the N20U.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why would banking apps be an issue?

blackhawk said:
With Samsung's many free icon packs and themes at the Galaxy Store you can customize your device, a lot and easily.
Use the Good Lock family of apps to customize the pull down notifications and more.
This is what my N10+ looks like on One UI with the free Galaxy Store add ons.
View attachment 5502931View attachment 5502933
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great advice. Thanks

Grimslade said:
Oh and Custom Recovery = ... In simple terms a BIOS like software (what you can use when you start a computer to install an OS), you use these on phones for backups and installing Custom ROMs. Samsung has an official one called 'download mode' that you can use with either PC software Odin or Heimdall.
And pro-tip: if you change app settings to black (not just dark) where possible you'll save battery thanks to the amoled screen.
And do try to disable Samsung apps where possible even without modifications to the OS, they do drain battery power over time and you will see a difference if you compare several months from now.
Oh and not all SD versions are exclusive to the USA.. but that is mostly the rule. As a heads up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there good versions of Odin or Heimdall on Mac as well? I do not have a PC.
Saving battery with black setting on AMOLED is a freaking great advice!
I would mostly like to find a SD-version with 256 gb drive and 8 gb RAM of the s10e. I live in Europe though and I can’t find it, at least not reasonably priced. But if do find this version I guess I can gCam it, yeah?

Grimslade said:
The other answers are good of course, so I'll try to spare everyone an essay and sorry if you've mentioned something already despite me reading the above. I'll also try to order this by what I personally think is the most important info.
1. Exynos and Snapdragon.
Two versions of the S10 series (and others):
Exynos -> non-USA (mostly) | SD -> USA.
-- Exynos is more open and has less disadvantages to modifications --
These refer to the two different CPUs across regions. This is important regardless of any major modifications like installing a custom ROM (I'll get to that). Even on this forum, people will post apps that they've made and state which model it's for. Apps that make use of S10 specific hardware like Camera apps (e.g. GCAM) may have one or two versions for the CPUs.
You said you ordered the phone, so I recommend you look up what CPU it is given its origin (seller might have gotten it elsewhere too).
2. Difficulty. This is not to discourage, just inform.
Samsung phones are relatively difficult to extensively modify.. in fact the company is known for being malicious about this; very annoying to be honest and people shouldn't tolerate it (but this is a political tangent with lots of varying opinions, haha).
Depending on your level of computer literacy making changes will go from seeming impossible and freaky... to just sometimes being tedious and irritating. Expect to make a mistake and have to factory reset the phone if you go hard in mods...
3. Knox (mentioned above). In simple terms, think of the Knox as an internal switch that flicks on if you make changes 'outside' the official Samsung ROM (i.e. One UI). Mainly rooting and custom ROMs. This is a permanent change.
It tells (only Samsung apps..), so general rule is it only matters if you care about Samsung apps as many will throw a tantrum over "tripping the Knox" :^(
IMO: It makes no difference unless you really do care about say using the Samsung pay app instead of Google pay. Honestly everything I can think of is done just as well or better by other companies. And it's a phone from 2019, not a Mustang (haha) so it's going to be worthless very soon, so don't stress and just do what you think you'll have more fun with.
4. Everything else! You'll have to look things up as it's extensive. Rooting = making yourself the highest user (aka admin / super user). Custom ROM = community built different versions of the Android OS, with ASOP (Pixel like) being the most common (yes there are non-android ROMs, but that's not in this scope, haha). Side-loading apps = installing .apk files you find on the internet instead of the Google Play Store or other major stores (won't trip Knox). Theming the official One UI ROM can be done with Samsung's theme park software, or with apps known as Hex and Synergy.
Enjoy!! Hope this post helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. I think I will reorder the phone, like suggested in the last message. I have noticed that I am annoyed by the idea of having a curved edged screen. So I will go with the s10e instead, I think. But I don’t like the fact that it has less RAM. I have an idea that I will use the MHL-support and use the phone as a simple workstation and my feeling is that 8gb RAM will get me much further on a project like that. What’s your opinion on this?
2. The question lingers in me if rooting the device is necessary. I would surely like to get rid of bloatware and optimize the phone for longevity and then I am curious about integrity in terms of sharing information. What is really necessary and how far can I go without rooting?
3. Can you verify that NFC and Phone Pay-options still work if KNOX is switched? This is vital information for me.
4. Good info.
Addition: You have mentioned gCam and I wonder if gCam can be used on both SD-version of these phones AND Exynos?

Oh come on, man you're picky Mr Fancy "I don't like curved phones"... I was just about to ask what the hell are you doing? And recommend the Oppo X rollable, but I guess "screw me" right? Pffft. Whatever. Fine... I don't care.
I'm messing around obviously. Lol. You do you.
Banking apps can be an issue if you root your phone (people can confuse this, but keep in mind that's not the same thing as a custom ROM). It completely depends on the bank, I've used three [Australian] banks on a rooted phone that I didn't bother hiding (this is known as passing the safety-net, means Google can't detect you've rooted the phone and as I said I wasn't bothering at that point).
And it's not that hard to pass the safety-net anyway.
Rooting a phone can be quite glamourous (haha) but it does require some technical literacy to maintain it at a level with no disadvantages.
You can install a custom ROM and not root it. For example, Pixel Experience is highly regarded and it will pass the safety-net by default, just as if you bought the phone with it installed by default.
Honestly though if you are concerned I'd suggest just sticking with the default ONE UI rom.. at least for a couple of weeks and then decide if you want to use a custom ROM.
I can't in good faith recommend a recent Samsung phone if you're interested in modifications and it's your first time doing so.. they're arguably the most aggressive manufacturer with regard to all this.
HOWEVER, if you're simply worried about bloated system apps, you can get a boost with legitimate apps like CCleaner that help automate force stopping them. And that's with no modifications. You can use what's known as ADB commands which is essentially just hooking it up to your Mac and granting yourself slightly elevated user access. I'm pretty sure you can even uninstall some proprietary apps that you couldn't otherwise.
- Yes, Heimdall works on Mac.
- as for a workstation though, are you referring to using DEX? If so, I'd stick to ONE UI. DEX is proprietary and it currently isn't included in any non-ONE UI ROM.. I believe custom ONE UI ROMs have DEX, but you'd have to double check.. again at that point though I really seeing you having a bad time given your lack of experience... Jesus man, slow down you hectic maniac!! Ha, no, you can do whatever you like but it's just a friendly word of warning. I mean, that's why you posted this on the first place, right?
Yes, you can use desktop mode on other phones and ROMs but it's not a mainstream official process, you have to set it up and tinker yourself, in constrast to ONE UI in which it is literally propriety software that's covered in the cost of your Samsung phone.
... Let me put it in perspective, if you root your phone at times it's like using Linux PC, you'll even very likely have to come across having to use a command line (and this is especially the case with recent Samsung phones). Android does use the Linux kernel after all, and you're forcing your way into root (admin) access. Just a custom ROM without root is a bit easier, but you'll have to decide if something like Pixel Experience is a better fit for you than ONE UI. Which is going to a bit of effort that I personally see as unnecessary stress for someone who's just bought a new phone. You know my opinion anyway, I'd say chill for a few weeks first.
What else?... Oh! GCAM and Snapdragons.. I haven't looked into it, but I can at least tell you that if there is a SD fork it will not be the same .apk installer as the Exynos one.
I would recommend Exynos models... "Would"... I mean, I'm not going to because I don't want to argue with obsessed nerdy weirdos that spend way too much time writing gigantic messages on tech forums, ewww ...... Oh wait
.. hope this is informative!! Now if you excuse me... I'm off to rethink my life and cry myself to sleep.... Again!
Cheers.

Ah forgot to answer about NFC. In short yes. You'd just have to make sure whatever ROM you use has NFC support. And it very likely would so long as you install one that's been designed with your phone model in mind... That's what these forums are for!
The only maniacal company that checks for Knox is Samsung. So you can't use Samsung's pay app with a Knox tripped or other brand of phone. But!! That doesn't stop you using Google Pay. You just have to follow a guide on hiding that you've rooted the phone, IF of course you do root it.
Wow.. it is a lot of info huh? But I think that about covers it.

I'll write you later, bro! You are funny.