Related
So I recently released a new app for theming and modifying apks and jars right from the phone, this app is called NinjaMorph.
Here I am just going to explain how to use NinjaMorph as per request from those that have the app.
NinjaMorph was made so that we could more easily make changes to the system apks and jar files from our phones without needing to apply a packaged theme or hook our phones up to the computer.
In order to use NinjaMorph you will need Busybox installed, cp properly symlinked, and at least 20mb of space of your SD card.
When you first open the app you will see three buttons at the bottom.
The first is "New Project", which is the one your going to start with.
Select "New Project" and navigate to an apk or .jar file of your choice, excluding apps that need to be signed like Market apps.
A good example would be for you to go to "System" > "framework" > "framework-res.apk"
The app will then extract the contents of the apk, as well as making a backup of it on your sdcard "/sdcard/AndroidThemes/backup/"
After its done it will ask you to pick a file to change, navigate to "res" > then a drawable folder with images in it.
Once there you should see all the images there in that folder, select one and it will ask you to pick one to replace it with, NinjaMorph will rename the file you pick to replace it to the appropriate name.
After that just keep changing things until you've done everything you'd like to do.
If you have an existing project you can use the "existing Project" button to continue where you left off.
If your done with your project and you want to apply the changes, Choose the "Finish Project" button and select which project you want to finish, NinjaMorph will do its thing and thats it.
Note that after making some changes you may need to reboot to see the changes made.
Anymore questions, ask away.
Wow this seems pretty great! good work Stericson!
I will try it to change around a few files in CM5 for the G1.
Let me know how it goes
Loving it, the next step would be to select multiple files to replace, and then have it either chose a directory to find the replacements, or individually select the replacements one at a time.
its like theming has been revolutionized.....again
Thanks! Just made theming on-the-run possible...I'm screwed now, gonna be playing w/ my theme everywhere, where as before I had to be at my home computer
im totally buying this, great job
I'm not sure how this lets you theme your phone without a computer... don't you need a computer to create the new graphics that you're using to replace the old graphics?
you can DL them from the web straight to your phone- eg. manup456's droid icons...
So, I could potentially change Blue color on Power Widget to green by using this? Provided that I have necessary Settings.apk on SD card or those PNGs have to be extracted to a folder? Am I getting this right?
Or change icon for particular application?
They need to be extracted to a folder..
I can't find the app in the Market. I'm on a Espresso 2.1 rom.
Your work is incredible, I have not put my phone down for three days.
great app, but takes forever going back and forth and back and forth
You know you can copy multiple files at once right? Use the copy button.
and that does what exactly?
Wow, Slick, Fast, Totally awesome!
Great way to easily micro-customize a theme.
if i move a .apk i got from the market into the /system/app folder and install it from there, will i not have to worry about resigning it?
so i changed my battery around and now the market dosnt work
One issue that I'm seeing currently is that the app will FC if I try to delete a project after having applied it.
App not working
I tried to morph the Helix2...would this be one of the signed apps you cannot morph with ninjamorph? BTW I love the app!
Tried to replace some .9 png's from ADW launcher for 1.6. got a black screen after reboot.
Changing pics on other apk's is working.
The start checks are done again and again. Is this a an issue of my phone software?
Not only am I a newbie, but I am also a timid newbie. I am reluctant to mess around with the stock software, and OS that came with my gTab. Most of the great apps, and advice on this site requires you to either flash the tablet, or root the device, etc. I am WAY too chicken to try this. I would love to be able to get to the usual Market as I can on my phone. I would also like to use Swype. Is there any way to "open" up the tablet to these without "major" surgery? I think a list of apps that can be manually installed would be helpful to inexperienced "chickens" like me. Or any add ons, that might improve our new baby would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Search is a wonderful thing, everyone should try it...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=858136
Warning, if you stick stock you may end up returning it
Flashing a room is not difficult if you read/search/research.
copc said:
Search is a wonderful thing, everyone should try it...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=858136
Warning, if you stick stock you may end up returning it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't be ridiculous, it is fine with a few tweaks.
Flashing a room is not difficult if you read/search/research.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is like buying a brand new car, and then replacing the engine. Fine for some, but really not necessary.
Reggie777: I am going to apply the newest update to my stock g-tablet. This usually wipes out all user changes, including installed apps. I will actually follow my own post about doing the changes. I can't remember everything!
wasserkapf said:
Don't be ridiculous, it is fine with a few tweaks.
That is like buying a brand new car, and then replacing the engine. Fine for some, but really not necessary.
Reggie777: I am going to apply the newest update to my stock g-tablet. This usually wipes out all user changes, including installed apps. I will actually follow my own post about doing the changes. I can't remember everything!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Funny I had to pull nothing out of my gtab? LOL
Why would I pull the Tegra out just to flash a rom?
PS there is a reason that thread was on page 3 as there are fewer that are not flashing roms.
Plus the original point was that the "SEARCH" was a wonderful thing.
wasserkapf said:
Reggie777: I am going to apply the newest update to my stock g-tablet. This usually wipes out all user changes, including installed apps. I will actually follow my own post about doing the changes. I can't remember everything!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just did the 1.0.1-3053 update, and it appears all previous changes remained. I did have to re-root it with the z4root app. Those complaining of problems after this update seem to be running a customized ROM. You won't have these problems unless you flash a customized ROM.
wasserkapf said:
Don't be ridiculous, it is fine with a few tweaks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This whole argument is ridiculous. Not a single rom has done a single thing to the underlying "Stock" structure. They are all based from the original "Stock" stuff. The only thing they do is either add or subtract from the original base software.
There is no magic here. If you buy a new car and put shiny new wheels on it you have done the same thing. The car still has the stock engine, and basic structure. If you bought a house that was painted pink and didn't like how it looked you might paint it. Same house, just a new look.
So, your stock with tweaks is essentially the same as my stock with tweaks. I just choose to install the majority of the tweaks at one time with a simple rom update. You do yours one by one..
I don't care what anyone does with there tablet as long as you don't use it to start World War III. But the my mods are better than your mods argument is kind of silly.
Do whatever makes you happy. All I can say is that pretty much no matter what you do it can be put back to original in about 5 minutes. Boot loops, hangs, funky looking screens.. All part of the learning process. Some people seem to be more prone to it. Most of the issues I see people have come from them getting in a big hurry, not thoroughly reading the instructions given with almost every mod, and then flashing away. Slow down, read, and understand what you are doing and it will all typically go just fine.
Sprdtyf350 said:
This whole argument is ridiculous. Not a single rom has done a single thing to the underlying "Stock" structure. They are all based from the original "Stock" stuff. The only thing they do is either add or subtract from the original base software.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not true.
Some of the mods are based on the zpad image, a completely different image than the g-tablet. My only objection is people saying flashing custom ROMS is a must. That is nonsense, and I will say so every time I see someone post that.
The more updates that ViewSonic put out, it seems the fewer "tweaks" that will be needed.
Can we keep the trolling to World of Warcraft?
There are minor to major changes that can be done ROM wise. What is important IMHO is to give choices to someone that is just starting.
I have the impression the op would like TnTLite version vs Vega or Cyanogen or even ZPad.
I did start like you... almost happy with stock. But the more basic things I needed I noticed the original TnT wasn't good enough. I have changed to TnTLite myself and couldn't be happier.
Just check that thread. Its one stop and change.
Good luck
Bingo! Choice is king, if you don't like the choice you choose go back to stock. But atleast show all your choices, we are not all wanting the same build, hence we are not talking IPADS.
Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I gather that rooting the gTab is not such a big deal after all? I had started with the impression that rooting and flashing the rom were similar, and equally "dangerous". I DID find the thread that copc referred me to after my starting this thread. We all have to start somewhere as newbies. Thanks too to Wasserkapf for his help.
Rooting will still allow you to get all VS updates. Same with doing the Market install.
Flashing a ROM can be scary, especially if you have lots of stuff on your tablet. I found that investing in Titanium Backup (requires root) was a great idea. I do a full backup every time I flash my ROM and restore apps and data afterwards; I have never lost data nor settings.
If you decide to flash TnT Lite or VEGAn (which is coming along nicely and really brings the tablet to life IMO), there are not only many posts but many friendly folks who are here to help you out.
I am very happy with my G Tablet and this community has been immeasurably helpful in making it so useful.
-=Sent from my ViewSonic G Tablet (VEGAn) using Tapatalk=-
Reggie777 said:
Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I gather that rooting the gTab is not such a big deal after all? I had started with the impression that rooting and flashing the rom were similar, and equally "dangerous". I DID find the thread that copc referred me to after my starting this thread. We all have to start somewhere as newbies. Thanks too to Wasserkapf for his help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly we all start as newbies, and it's places like this that are great help.
Good News, everyone. I used z4root, and was able to root my gTab. I also was able to install Launcher Pro, so that now when I turn it on, I get the option of going to the old familiar Android layout as on my Droid. Thanks for the encouragement from you'all. The sky did not fall. Yeah!
I do have some questions, though.
1. If I accidentally load in the TapnTap home screen, I cannot get back to the launcher pro. I cannot find it on the tablet to run it. I can find the apk and it offers to install it again. So, can anyone tell me where it is hidden?
2. I downloaded the vendors apk in an attempt to get the old android market place as on my phone. But it will not install. I am sure I am doing something wrong.
3. There are some icons to the right, the web, messages, and the phone. Is there a way to remove the ones that do not work? Only the web works. I understand that the phone would not, and even the messages. But how can I remove them?
Again, thanks for the moral support and encouragement. I still find the structure of the tablet confusing. Internal SD, external SD, root, etc. Anyone out there with the technical know how could make quite a few dollars by writing a book explaining the wonders, procedures, and pitfalls of our new tablet.
Reggie777 said:
Good News, everyone. I used z4root, and was able to root my gTab. I also was able to install Launcher Pro, so that now when I turn it on, I get the option of going to the old familiar Android layout as on my Droid. Thanks for the encouragement from you'all. The sky did not fall. Yeah!
I do have some questions, though.
1. If I accidentally load in the TapnTap home screen, I cannot get back to the launcher pro. I cannot find it on the tablet to run it. I can find the apk and it offers to install it again. So, can anyone tell me where it is hidden?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On my tablet, just hitting the Home icon in the upper-right corner will do that. It is the second one from the top, on the bezel of the screen.
2. I downloaded the vendors apk in an attempt to get the old android market place as on my phone. But it will not install. I am sure I am doing something wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is the second thing on my list of tweaks. You need to download and install several files. Please follow the instructions:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=827209
3. There are some icons to the right, the web, messages, and the phone. Is there a way to remove the ones that do not work? Only the web works. I understand that the phone would not, and even the messages. But how can I remove them?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should be able to drop a different icon, from the main screen 'Desktop' on top of it, essentially replacing it. To get different icons on the main screen, open the app drawer, and tap and hold an icon. To remove it from the main screen, tap and hold, and move it to the trash can on the right.
I got as far as downloading the zip file, unzipping it. But I am not sure what "mount as R/W" means. I am also not up on the structure of the storage of the Gtablet, and my computer sees .android_secure, Android, Backgrounds, backups, DCIM, download, and Lost.Dir. As a result, I am not sure where to copy the new files to. I moved the unzipped file to the download folder on the tablet. But I am not sure where to go from here. Being a newbie bites.
Reggie777 said:
I got as far as downloading the zip file, unzipping it. But I am not sure what "mount as R/W" means. I am also not up on the structure of the storage of the Gtablet, and my computer sees .android_secure, Android, Backgrounds, backups, DCIM, download, and Lost.Dir. As a result, I am not sure where to copy the new files to. I moved the unzipped file to the download folder on the tablet. But I am not sure where to go from here. Being a newbie bites.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought that the instructions were as clear as anyone could make them.
3. Using AndRootFile or any other file manager that supports root access, mount as R/W, and copy the contents of G Tablet\permissions to System\etc\permissions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That means to use a file manager that supports root browsing. The stock one doesn't, so you will need to install one. The link in the original post will get you the AndRootFile app, that should work. I purchased RootExplorer from the Android Market, so that is what I use. It has a "Mount R/W" button at the top, and I assume AndRootFile has something similar.
Oh, and root is to Unix/Linux/Android that Administrator is to Windows. You need root permissions to make system changes.
Once you have mounted it in R/W mode, copy the files to the folders that it says to. When done, don't forget to re-mount it in R/O mode before exiting.
My bad. I had used z4root to do the rooting. I'll try it with the one you suggested. Thanks.
Actually z4root should work for rooting the tablet. But it isn't a file browser with root access. That is where the other apps come into play.
OK. Here is my adventure so far. I got AndRootFile, and installed it. It is now working. But when I try to copy a file to another location, it does not want to copy the file. features.xml is an example of one that it shows the check box for copying, but when I get to the destination, there is nothing to paste. Frustrating. I also tried Rootexplorer, and have the same result. Now it looks as if the other new file in the new permissions folder copies, since it says it exists and do I want to overwrite. I said yes. But the second file, features does not show up even after I try to paste it. The good news is that I am figuring out the structure of the Beast, and so can move around much easier with AndRootFile, and RootExplorer. Thanks for your ongoing patience, and support.
It doesn't sound as if you are first mounting the file system in R/W (Read/Write) mode. And when finished, make sure you mount it back into R/O (Read/Only) mode before exiting.
Since I'm messing around with root and experimenting with other things, I find myself reseting my device a lot. The problem is, whenever I reset, I lose all the highlighting I've done in my books. Is there anyway to save this highlighting?
I'm not sure how .epub works, but is the highlighting part of the file, or just something that the nook color does?
Hate to bump my own thread, but it's been a week. Was wondering if anyone knew how to do this?
Maybe just saving the readers data catalog would do it?
Most programs have some settings and so under /data/data/
I have no idea if it works for you or not, but it can't hurt to try.
Note that browsing /data with astro or so makes it appear empty since you don't have read rights there as a normal user.
Sent from my NOOK Color using XDA App
Solution: For those of you wondering how to save annotations,
Using root explorer, navigate to /data/data/com.bn.nook.reader.activities/databases
In this folder you will see a few files, one of which is annotations.db
This would also be a convenient way to view all your annotations in one place.
I have the phone version, not the tablet edition, and that may be part of my problem (but I doubt it...)
There is no "Language and keyboard" setting, either in the regular settings menu or in the Nook Color settings area.
While the Nook Color app does allow for changing keyboard, it says that the .apk must be in /system/app
- that isn't a problem - I used AndroZip to b/u the swiftkey.apk file to the SD card, then used root explorer to copy it to /system/app (yeah - I'm sure there are easier/better ways, but that's what I did...)
It still won't let me change the keyboard to swiftkey (which, btw, is FREE today in the Amazon Marketplace. I'd purchased it in the regular market on my phone previously, so installing it on the Nook was easy).
Does anyone have insight into how to get this done... or if it can be?
Thanks,
~K
I got it to work, at least partially. The keyboard shows up, but I don't see the predictions and the popups on keypress are distracting. But perhaps you'll have better success than I did.
However, as far as your problem goes--I think you should check the permissions on the file you copied to /system/app. I used File Expert to copy the file over, but I found that I had to edit the permissions afterwards to match the permissions of the other files in that folder. Then I reboot the nook and the nook tools app recognized the other keyboard. After that, launch the swiftkey x configurator from your app drawer and follow the steps there. A lot of the settings come up as blank buttons on the nook, so I did the process in parallel on my android phone so I knew what I was doing.
Good luck! And if you figure out how to make the predictions work, I'd love to know!
thepdm said:
I got it to work, at least partially. The keyboard shows up, but I don't see the predictions and the popups on keypress are distracting. But perhaps you'll have better success than I did.
However, as far as your problem goes--I think you should check the permissions on the file you copied to /system/app. I used File Expert to copy the file over, but I found that I had to edit the permissions afterwards to match the permissions of the other files in that folder. Then I reboot the nook and the nook tools app recognized the other keyboard. After that, launch the swiftkey x configurator from your app drawer and follow the steps there. A lot of the settings come up as blank buttons on the nook, so I did the process in parallel on my android phone so I knew what I was doing.
Good luck! And if you figure out how to make the predictions work, I'd love to know!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is anybody able to get the GMAIL personalization to work?
I'm prompted for my username and password, but when I submit them I get a blank window (where I should be able to select "grant access")
thanks
Kalash said:
[...] While the Nook Color app does allow for changing keyboard, it says that the .apk must be in /system/app
- that isn't a problem - I used AndroZip to b/u the swiftkey.apk file to the SD card, then used root explorer to copy it to /system/app (yeah - I'm sure there are easier/better ways, but that's what I did...)
It still won't let me change the keyboard to swiftkey (which, btw, is FREE today in the Amazon Marketplace. I'd purchased it in the regular market on my phone previously, so installing it on the Nook was easy).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hopefully you've fixed this in the time since you first posted, but for anybody else trying to do the same: The new keyboard option won't show up in NOOK Color Tools after you copy the .apk to /system/app until you do a reboot.
I had the best luck with Smart Keyboard Pro. You can set a high contrast theme with no animations whatsoever, so it's easy to see and it doesn't flicker except for toggling between upper- and lower-case letters. I have never been able to get predictions to work with Swiftkey or Smart Keyboard on my NST. I do shut off the auto-caps and other features that can be hard to use on the NST.
---------- Post added at 10:22 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:17 AM ----------
Zorkman said:
Is anybody able to get the GMAIL personalization to work?
I'm prompted for my username and password, but when I submit them I get a blank window (where I should be able to select "grant access")
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have never been able to get prediction working on the NST, so personalization wouldn't help.
I have a Moto X with Republic Wireless 4.2.2 and am wondering how I automate the following...
Anytime I shoot a video or take a picture on the phone I would like to have the phone automatically make a copy of the file to a different (specific) directory on the phone for backup purposes. I would also like to know if I can do this without rooting. I'm pretty sure I can make a script or something to do it, I just don't know how I would have it act upon seeing a new file created. Also I would prefer it operate in the background without any notifications.
Thanks
EntityPacket said:
I have a Moto X with Republic Wireless 4.2.2 and am wondering how I automate the following...
Anytime I shoot a video or take a picture on the phone I would like to have the phone automatically make a copy of the file to a different (specific) directory on the phone for backup purposes. I would also like to know if I can do this without rooting. I'm pretty sure I can make a script or something to do it, I just don't know how I would have it act upon seeing a new file created. Also I would prefer it operate in the background without any notifications.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure how to do that but you can always backup to google +. It won't share the images unless you ask it to. I've found it quite useful for a phone that only has 16gb of storage.
brian Marshall said:
I'm not sure how to do that but you can always backup to google +. It won't share the images unless you ask it to. I've found it quite useful for a phone that only has 16gb of storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This. I'm not sure having two copies of an image or video on the same device gives you any real redundancy. However letting them sync with G+ gives you a reliable backup.
Why would you backup the same image or video onto the same device? All you're doing is using more storage, of which is limited.
Thanks guys but I want to do what I said specifically. Nothing more, nothing less. The automated part is optional. I would be fine with having to hit an icon to kick off the process.
EntityPacket said:
Thanks guys but I want to do what I said specifically. Nothing more, nothing less. The automated part is optional. I would be fine with having to hit an icon to kick off the process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can use rsync to do this. Android doesn't come with it, but you can install it by following instructions here: http://linux.wxs.ro/2011/08/05/rsync-your-android/. There's probably also apps in the play store that provide rsync.
'rsync -a --delete /src/ /dest/' will keep the directory /dest/ in sync with /src/
create a shell script with that in it, and you should be able to schedule it using tasker, or there are apps out there to create icons for shell scripts.
Thanks that's more what I'm looking for. Would that require rooting the phone?
Yeah....I don't get it. 2 sets of the same pics on the same drive is no fail safe at all. If you have a problem where you can't access the regular gallery stored pics, I doubt you'll be accessing the other folder either. Seems pointless?
Are you sure what you want to do is really what your trying to do?
Flashing roms or whatever won't wipe your pics by accident. And if for some strange reason your pics get wiped, chances are your backup pics will get wiped at the same time, since they are both on sd card.
Plus you'll have 2 sets in your gallery. Unless they are put in a backup apps file....which again...will be wiped along with your pics if something happens to your sd card folder.
Makes no sense.
Sent from my XT1058 using Tapatalk
EntityPacket said:
Thanks that's more what I'm looking for. Would that require rooting the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The instructions indicate that you should copy it to /system/xbin/ and set the permissions to allow execute access. In order to be able to write to that directory you will need root.
In order to execute the command, you will not need root access. Assuming you're copying to someplace you have write access to.
I haven't tried this, but there's a "busybox non-root app" in the play store that contains rsync. You should be able to install that, and then you'll have access to rsync.
Look at bittorrent sync. You set it up to back up a specific folder or folders on your phone and using torrent technology, you can have it back up to your PC. I use it for exactly this purpose. All my photos of my kids and videos are automatically backed up to an external hard drive.