Database Develop

Development shouldn't factor in smartphone decision making, should it?

So trying to choose between the Moto X and the Nexus 5, I came across the biggest difference between these phones, their development. Moto X has little to none and Nexus 5 has more than any phone out there. This was an easy win for Nexus 5 I thought. Until I read Moto X users saying that flashing ROMs and kernels are normally to fix issues that the stock versions have and that they don't need Custom ROMs and kernels because what they get is stable, smooth, and lasts long enough (battery wise).
I thought back to why I flash ROMs on Note II and my previous phone SII, and fair enough, I used to do it because I wanted to fix issues that came with stock versions. Now, I hate flashing ROMs, I just want to use my phone. Anyways, looking at the development on the Nexus 5, it seems much of it is to fix the speakers, camera, battery life, etc.
Then I thought that Custom ROMs are important to stay up to date with Google's updates but then Motorola released their update faster than Google did with their Nexus 4. They are also updating their 1.5 year old phones (Not the Razr HD or the Razr HD Maxx probably because of their TI chipset). So it looks like Moto X users are in good hands as far as updates are concerned.
What do you guys think? Would you rather have a fully functional stable stock ROM on a phone that has no development otherwise or would you rather get a phone with tons of development to fix issues that the stock ROM has?
I am asking because there may be an angle to development that I haven't considered. Many customizable things included in ROMs on Nexus 5 are available via Xposed on Moto X.

Until I read Moto X users saying that flashing ROMs and kernels are normally to fix issues that the stock versions have and that they don't need Custom ROMs and kernels because what they get is stable, smooth, and lasts long enough (battery wise).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a very narrow perspective. There are lots of reasons one might want to flash a ROM or kernel; the "one size fits all" mentality of other vendors such as Apple and Microsoft need not apply here. Custom ROMs open the door to different features that the OEM might not have considered or wanted to spend time on, and allow the creativity of the general public to enhance the phone in ways that are unique to them or only fits a certain niche that wouldn't be profitable for a big company to try and cater to. It certainly isn't just about "fixing issues".
Though custom ROMs certainly aren't the only feature I would look for in a phone, I might hesitate before buying a phone that little support or, even worse, a locked bootloader with no current workaround or hack for the simple reason that even if there's nothing I'm interested in today, there might be something cool that I want to try out tomorrow.

MaxCarnage said:
there might be something cool that I want to try out tomorrow.
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If you had bought something like the Moto X one year ago, what feature made by the ROM developers on the Nexus 4 would you really want to try out?

I've been debating this myself. I have a Nexus 5 now that I'm testing with TMO prepaid for a month. So far, the phone is really nice and as you said, the level of development is astounding. BUT, I have to leave VZW in order to keep the phone. That's very hard to do when I get a hefty discount on the service and still have unlimited data. I can get LTE pretty much everywhere I go. With TMO, I'm lucky to get Edge data in some places or even a signal at all inside buildings.
I love the look and feel of the X. It's is a great piece of hardware and with the Dev edition, I could stay on VZW. I also like the fact that it runs basically stock Android along with additions that are actually useful and well done. The dev community is very limited though and will most likely stay that way. Moto was quick to get the 4.4 update out but it remains to be seen if that pace will continue. You would hope so but nothing is guaranteed. The X2 may be out next year putting the update schedule for the current model on the back burner.
I had the original Nexus One and the Galaxy Nexus. I've always been a diehard AOSP guy. Every phone I've owned in between has always been on a custom AOSP based ROM in order to get close to that Nexus experience. I'm attracted to custom ROMs not because they fix bugs, but because they allow me to always stay on a current version of Android (no waiting for carrier updates) and add some nice features to the basic AOSP design. Custom kernels can also improve overall performance and battery life even if you decide to stay stock otherwise. The Nexus line will always have the edge in this regard.
I wanted to be blown away with the N5 and content with TMO but I'm second guessing my decision each day.....
darkgoon3r96 said:
So trying to choose between the Moto X and the Nexus 5, I came across the biggest difference between these phones, their development. Moto X has little to none and Nexus 5 has more than any phone out there. This was an easy win for Nexus 5 I thought. Until I read Moto X users saying that flashing ROMs and kernels are normally to fix issues that the stock versions have and that they don't need Custom ROMs and kernels because what they get is stable, smooth, and lasts long enough (battery wise).
I thought back to why I flash ROMs on Note II and my previous phone SII, and fair enough, I used to do it because I wanted to fix issues that came with stock versions. Now, I hate flashing ROMs, I just want to use my phone. Anyways, looking at the development on the Nexus 5, it seems much of it is to fix the speakers, camera, battery life, etc.
Then I thought that Custom ROMs are important to stay up to date with Google's updates but then Motorola released their update faster than Google did with their Nexus 4. They are also updating their 1.5 year old phones (Not the Razr HD or the Razr HD Maxx probably because of their TI chipset). So it looks like Moto X users are in good hands as far as updates are concerned.
What do you guys think? Would you rather have a fully functional stable stock ROM on a phone that has no development otherwise or would you rather get a phone with tons of development to fix issues that the stock ROM has?
I am asking because there may be an angle to development that I haven't considered. Many customizable things included in ROMs on Nexus 5 are available via Xposed on Moto X.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I am running the N5 stock and have no reason to root or flash a custom Rom. Never thought I would say that about my phone but I am actually content with the N5 the way it is. There are some cool features that devs add in but then you get sucked into this never ending flashing frenzy which I have been in for years.
It is good to actually enjoy the phone now and keep the software on it for more then a few days. lol
Anyway, the screen alone on the N5 is enough for what I consider a big step up from the Moto X. I have friends with Moto X's which I actually recommended to them since they are on Verizon and it was being offered for free on contract. I do think it is a great phone with some great features. Not enough there to sway my decision to get one over a N5 though.
I do applaud Motorola for their unbelievable quick update and I bet we start to see some other maunfacturers start stepping up their game as well. We have seen this recently with HTC also.
The question to ask yourself is what is important to you. Another good thing with the Moto X is it generally stocks with the stock Android feel so it almost resembles Nexus software.
Bottom line, when I turn on my N5 after playing with the Moto X, the Moto X does not in any way make me want to buy one for myself.
---------- Post added at 11:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:32 AM ----------
fallingd0wn said:
I've been debating this myself. I have a Nexus 5 now that I'm testing with TMO prepaid for a month. So far, the phone is really nice and as you said, the level of development is astounding. BUT, I have to leave VZW in order to keep the phone. That's very hard to do when I get a hefty discount on the service and still have unlimited data. I can get LTE pretty much everywhere I go. With TMO, I'm lucky to get Edge data in some places or even a signal at all inside buildings.
I love the look and feel of the X. It's is a great piece of hardware and with the Dev edition, I could stay on VZW. I also like the fact that it runs basically stock Android along with additions that are actually useful and well done. The dev community is very limited though and will most likely stay that way. Moto was quick to get the 4.4 update out but it remains to be seen if that pace will continue. You would hope so but nothing is guaranteed. The X2 may be out next year putting the update schedule for the current model on the back burner.
I had the original Nexus One and the Galaxy Nexus. I've always been a diehard AOSP guy. Every phone I've owned in between has always been on a custom AOSP based ROM in order to get close to that Nexus experience. I'm attracted to custom ROMs not because they fix bugs, but because they allow me to always stay on a current version of Android (no waiting for carrier updates) and add some nice features to the basic AOSP design. Custom kernels can also improve overall performance and battery life even if you decide to stay stock otherwise. The Nexus line will always have the edge in this regard.
I wanted to be blown away with the N5 and content with TMO but I'm second guessing my decision each day.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why not go to a MVNO that uses AT&T towers? Would still be much chepaer then Verizon and they offer much better coverage then T-Mo.

[email protected] said:
I am running the N5 stock and have no reason to root or flash a custom Rom. Never thought I would say that about my phone but I am actually content with the N5 the way it is. There are some cool features that devs add in but then you get sucked into this never ending flashing frenzy which I have been in for years.
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Don't you want to improve the Audio and the battery life by trying out the kernels and the mods made here?
Anyway, the screen alone on the N5 is enough for what I consider a big step up from the Moto X.
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I assume you mean resolution? I was under the impression that 1080p and 720p are not that different under daily usage?

It all comes down to your habits. I love flashing new ROM's, I sometimes try multiple ROM's per week. So for me, development means a lot. It's why I switched from the S4 to the N5. The S4 just received 4.3 and was locked down by Knox. Plus, with the N5 being an unlocked phone, you can flash any ROM on any carrier, so you won't ever have to drool over another carrier's ROM.

mjs2011 said:
It all comes down to your habits. I love flashing new ROM's, I sometimes try multiple ROM's per week. So for me, development means a lot. It's why I switched from the S4 to the N5. The S4 just received 4.3 and was locked down by Knox. Plus, with the N5 being an unlocked phone, you can flash any ROM on any carrier, so you won't ever have to drool over another carrier's ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also flash a ton of ROMs every week and also used to enjoy it, but I am getting tired of it now... I want to live life more than flash ROMs (if that makes sense)

darkgoon3r96 said:
If you had bought something like the Moto X one year ago, what feature made by the ROM developers on the Nexus 4 would you really want to try out?
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Click to collapse
Anything and everything. The top reason I don't even consider not getting a Nexus device anymore is the development scene. Look, you're viewing the huge development community on the Nexus line as people who are "fixing" a "broken" stock image. That's not really true. The stock image is perfectly fine. The developers are merely making things that they deem better than how stock handled it. For instance, a developer might think that the on-screen buttons are too large on stock, taking up way too much screen real-estate. They would then develop a way to remove it, but still be able to navigate. They might make something like PIE controls. Now, I may agree that the buttons really are too large, but I like the nav bar. So I might just resize it, instead of working around it.
I guess the point I'm making is, all of those modifications you see to "improve" the stock image are there to "improve" it, but what counts as an "improvement" is completely subjective. There are different people in the world with vastly differentiating opinions about things, so they will make something to improve something else as they see fit. The development sections here on XDA are merely huge repositories of any modification that anyone who was willing to make, made. Looking at them all as collectively-required flashable improvements isn't how it should be viewed. That's the beauty of having a large development community. You can pick and choose, depending on your personal opinions, which modifications are improvements and flash them. Another way to think of it is cookie-cutter vs modular. Do you want a phone that appeals the masses,;a one-size fits all, or a phone that is completely customizable?

darkgoon3r96 said:
Don't you want to improve the Audio and the battery life by trying out the kernels and the mods made here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Battery life has been great on stock for me. Absolutley no complaints here. I have ran so many custom kernels on prior phones and never saw a large boost in battery from them. Lots of times it would actually be worse.
The speaker volume can definitley use a boost and the camera needs some fixing. I know there is some dev work for both of these issues but I am going to hang a little and see if Google fixes it. If not, I might think about rooting solely for those 2 things. If Google fixes it, absolutley no reason for me to root this time around.
Anyway, as a prior flashoholic there is no better phone then a Nexus for people who like to flash Roms and like every feature on the sun. No other phones custom Roms work as good as they do on a Nexus.

Development is like the first determining factor for me when buying phones.

darkgoon3r96 said:
I assume you mean resolution? I was under the impression that 1080p and 720p are not that different under daily usage?
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Click to collapse
Screen size. A 5" screen starts the sweet spot for a device that uses on-screen buttons. I always felt shorted on prior 4.7" screens with on screen buttons. Like there wasn't enough viewing real estate. Sure you can remove the on-screen buttons but then you would need something that always to longer to activate then the actual buttons being present.
I also think the quality and colors of the N5 screen are just gorgous.

darkgoon3r96 said:
So trying to choose between the Moto X and the Nexus 5, I came across the biggest difference between these phones, their development. Moto X has little to none and Nexus 5 has more than any phone out there. This was an easy win for Nexus 5 I thought. Until I read Moto X users saying that flashing ROMs and kernels are normally to fix issues that the stock versions have and that they don't need Custom ROMs and kernels because what they get is stable, smooth, and lasts long enough (battery wise).
I thought back to why I flash ROMs on Note II and my previous phone SII, and fair enough, I used to do it because I wanted to fix issues that came with stock versions. Now, I hate flashing ROMs, I just want to use my phone. Anyways, looking at the development on the Nexus 5, it seems much of it is to fix the speakers, camera, battery life, etc.
Then I thought that Custom ROMs are important to stay up to date with Google's updates but then Motorola released their update faster than Google did with their Nexus 4. They are also updating their 1.5 year old phones (Not the Razr HD or the Razr HD Maxx probably because of their TI chipset). So it looks like Moto X users are in good hands as far as updates are concerned.
What do you guys think? Would you rather have a fully functional stable stock ROM on a phone that has no development otherwise or would you rather get a phone with tons of development to fix issues that the stock ROM has?
I am asking because there may be an angle to development that I haven't considered. Many customizable things included in ROMs on Nexus 5 are available via Xposed on Moto X.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just got rid of my moto x for the N5 for this very reason. The moto x is a great device and probably the best carrier controlled device to date.
That being said, it drove me nuts to be locked down with a locked bootloader and no development. Knowing the n5 is open and has all the Dev support means I have control over MY phone, not AT&T and not Motorola.
After dealing with the locked down s4, I promised myself I would never get another device without an unlockable bootloader. I caved when the moto x came out and as I said it's one amazing device but at the end of the day, I'll be sticking with nexus devices from here on out.
To me it's not worth giving up that freedom but for you it may not matter.
Sent from my Nexus 5

Development totally cones into it for me. One of the biggest considerations.
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brooksyx said:
Development is like the first determining factor for me when buying phones.
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rootSU said:
Development totally cones into it for me. One of the biggest considerations.
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Click to collapse
Please elaborate. I want to know which features exactly do Custom ROMs provide that you won't be able to get from the xposed mod that you would want that much.
capathy21 said:
That being said, it drove me nuts to be locked down with a locked bootloader and no development. Knowing the n5 is open and has all the Dev support means I have control over MY phone, not AT&T and not Motorola.
Sent from my Nexus 5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I do get the Moto X, then I will get the Developer Unlocked model.

brooksyx said:
Development is like the first determining factor for me when buying phones.
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Click to collapse
Same here, after my first Nexus phone, I could never go back to a phone that didn't have a strong dev. community behind it. For me; tablets and phones are as much about the journey of playing with ROM/kernel/mods as they are a communication device.

darkgoon3r96 said:
Please elaborate. I want to know which features exactly do Custom ROMs provide that you won't be able to get from the xposed mod that you would want that much.
If I do get the Moto X, then I will get the Developer Unlocked model.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No stock rom mod can touch the stability and features of cyanogenmod. It is the only way to do anroid. In fact I prefer iOS over stock android. But CM is awesome.

brooksyx said:
No stock rom mod can touch the stability and features of cyanogenmod. It is the only way to do anroid. In fact I prefer iOS over stock android. But CM is awesome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be honest, CM's future plans SERIOUSLY excite me.. Like that recent conversation feature

CyanogenMod, AOKP, AOSPA support, along with great kernel devs. The Nexus 5 is essentially guaranteed support for these things, and these are things I like.

darkgoon3r96 said:
Please elaborate. I want to know which features exactly do Custom ROMs provide that you won't be able to get from the xposed mod that you would want that much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Who said anything about roms or features? Its all about kernels.
But if you look at ROMS like PAC, you'll see what features true roms can offer over xposed
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[Q] Why flash a CM/AOSP ect (non stock rom) on Moto X?

So this may sound like a silly question, but I don't understand why anyone would buy a Moto X is they are going to flash a ROM that isn't blur based. Don't you lose all the functionality that makes Moto X great? Like the performance benifits of the Motorola X8, the active display, the touchless controlls... even the performance on the Moto X is well above what the tech specs would lead you to believe.
I used to be a flashaholic with previous phones but the only flash I did on the Moto X was a pre rooted stock based rom and I haven't felt the need to go AOSP. I broke my screen and Moto gave me a new one that I just got today ... contemplating what to do with my flashing situation to my new one since I have a fresh start.

Blackdrag said:
So this may sound like a silly question, but I don't understand why anyone would buy a Moto X is they are going to flash a ROM that isn't blur based. Don't you lose all the functionality that makes Moto X great? Like the performance benifits of the Motorola X8, the active display, the touchless controlls... even the performance on the Moto X is well above what the tech specs would lead you to believe.
I used to be a flashaholic with previous phones but the only flash I did on the Moto X was a pre rooted stock based rom and I haven't felt the need to go AOSP. I broke my screen and Moto gave me a new one that I just got today ... contemplating what to do with my flashing situation to my new one since I have a fresh start.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree I tried PAC ROM and it lasted about an hour and I went back to stock. I missed active notifications and touchless control. I mean the ROM was great very smooth just missed what made my maxx a maxx. However there are people that may not use active notification and touchless control so a ROM is fine for them. I will never put another ROM on my phone I love it stock with xposed and gravity box. To me its the best of both worlds. And gravity box is updated every week or two with new features so it never gets stale. To each their own that is what i love about android there is something for everyone unlike apple which is take what we give you.

bigv5150 said:
I agree I tried PAC ROM and it lasted about an hour and I went back to stock. I missed active notifications and touchless control. I mean the ROM was great very smooth just missed what made my maxx a maxx. However there are people that may not use active notification and touchless control so a ROM is fine for them. I will never put another ROM on my phone I love it stock with xposed and gravity box. To me its the best of both worlds. And gravity box is updated every week or two with new features so it never gets stale. To each their own that is what o love about android there is something for everyone unlike apple which is take what we give you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha yah I know what you mean. Thanks for the reply! I was wondering if I was missing something like the features could be installed into CM or something but I guess I'm staying Blur On previous moto phones I always flashed CM or something similar I hated blur ... but the Google owned Moto X Blur is really AOSP with some nice features on top taking advantage of the X8.
EDIT: Also I was reading about Gravitybox as you replied to this I do think I'm gonna install that.

Gravity box will give you all or most the features of the custom roms and let you keep the Moto x features.
Sent from my N5 cell phone telephone....

Because some people believe that "pure" AOSP (even though custom roms aren't pure AOSP) is the be-all-end-all of Android.

Yea, i used to be a flasholic too whit my previous nexus 4, but I don't know why I just feel great whit the stock ROM of the moto X.
Active display its really great and extremely useful, maybe I will never want to have led notifications again. I want active nots forever In every future phone from now.
By the way, I think we don't need to flash Roms because we have almost native android, and if we use gravity box the result its better that cm or aosp.
THE ONLY TWO THINGS that I really miss are: Halo (PA) and MIUI for the weekends.
Enviado desde mi XT1053 mediante Tapatalk

Why does it seem like the rom support to this phone is lacking?

Kind of an off-topic question here, but I'm serious. The Moto X is nearly a year old, and has been rooted/bootloader unlocked since the beginning. Why does every good rom have some sort of hardware problem? (namely audio-related) Every rom I want to try, I back off because they are reported to be buggy. With my Atrix 4G, there were some amazing daily driver roms that I used. But there seems to be no rom that is stable enough to use for the Moto X, or am I wrong? Your guys input on the best current rom? I am willing to go the CM nightly route, because it intrigues me.

Stock stock stock. What's wrong with stock and Xposed? Stock rom is fast and stable. And technically a consumer edition Moto X is NOT bootloader Unlockable. Plus gaining root access is a PITA.
Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk

DroidOnRoids said:
Stock stock stock. What's wrong with stock and Xposed?
Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Theming support with stock and Xposed sucks balls. I can't install any good theme. HKThemeManager gives me a "sh: applet not found" error when attempting to fix a theme (I have apktool installed properly and all Xposed modules updated), and most themes won't convert properly for XTheme Manager (errors on rebuild).
I miss being able to theme my phone like I could using 90% of the Atrix 4G roms with the CM/T-mobile theme engine. I really want to stay stock with my Moto X too, because of the motorola features, but the X-posed theme devs (Xtheme and HKTheme) seem to lack in support. XTheme Manager seems to have ceased in development, as it doesn't support CM11 and hasn't been updated in nearly a year. HKThemeManager is being updated recently, but my Moto X doesn't seem to work with it properly, and the developer is quite unresponsive and/or unable to help.
Even when a theme does work, it isn't "complete" like using it with the CM theme engine as intended (due to restrictions with Xposed.
If you have any thoughts on the matter, or other ideas, I'm all for it.

We have Eclipse! But in truth there have never been many "Booted" phones til lately.

K, we have cm, slim, aokp, gummy, PAC man....etc. But, most prefer stock, so they can keep their moto features....the reason many bought the phone. Also aosp/cm roms don't have the moto features.
There are a few stock based roms that have the moto features, but probably not the themes.
And many consumer moto x's can be unlocked, not just dev editions. Its only verizon, at&t and RW that can't be unlocked. Maybe a couple overseas kinds too.
And you can't flash any ROMs without root...and its getting to a point that without an unlocked bootloader, you won't have root.
Really gotta research before buying a phone these days. Forget root exploits, cause like the X, they may not work on future android versions. If you want root, get a phone that you definitely can unlock the bootloader. Nothing else is a sure thing.

kj2112 said:
Really gotta research before buying a phone these days.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought the Verizon Moto X Developer Edition. I know what I'm doing. I'm just frustrated with Theme support for Xposed.
kj2112 said:
K, we have cm, slim, aokp, gummy, PAC man....etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most of those have a problem with speakerphone working, among other audio-related issues. Even some stock-based roms have issues. Seems like this phone just wasn't meant to be customized. To be honest, the phone runs amazingly. Battery life is shocking, to say the least. I just want more control over the appearance of my phone UI. That's all I want.. I just wondered if there was an answer to that besides buggy custom roms...
Do you think the "sh: applet not found" error I'm having with HKThemeManager might be related to me installing busybox with this?

Drakonas said:
I bought the Verizon Moto X Developer Edition. I know what I'm doing. I'm just frustrated with Theme support for Xposed.
Most of those have a problem with speakerphone working, among other audio-related issues. Even some stock-based roms have issues. Seems like this phone just wasn't meant to be customized. To be honest, the phone runs amazingly. Battery life is shocking, to say the least. I just want more control over the appearance of my phone UI. That's all I want.. I just wondered if there was an answer to that besides buggy custom roms...
Do you think the "sh: applet not found" error I'm having with HKThemeManager might be related to me installing busybox with this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. The X is amazing....but....boring. Lol. That's why my wife happily took mine and I got an N5.

kj2112 said:
I agree. The X is amazing....but....boring. Lol. That's why my wife happily took mine and I got an N5.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I probably should have gotten the N5... however I will wait to see what comes around for this phone..or if anything comes around for better theming on stock. (The Ex-Themer Xposed modules look promising) Don't exactly have the income to purchase another phone.
EDIT: Well apparently the HK Theme Manager developer either doesn't know what he's doing, or is developing with a pre-Jelly Bean phone, because his app is incorrectly writing files to my Moto X's SDCard.
"Incorrectly" as in not writing them at all. His app throws constant errors stating "File not found" with files the app should be creating. (for example: The copy of the extracted resources not being found before changing the files, or the apk that was repacked not being able to be found when trying to sign the apk)
Can someone that knows what they're doing step up to the plate and make a WORKING theme management Xposed module?! OMG. *Prepares to throw tables

I returned the N5 and got this phone, no regrets at all.
Sent from my XT1053 using Tapatalk

If I wanted a Moto X without Moto X features, I would have bought a different phone.

eksasol said:
If I wanted a Moto X without Moto X features, I would have bought a different phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But I don't want a Moto X without Moto X features. I want a Moto X with theming features that work, which doesn't seem to be a thing right now...

The development will flourish once Motorola ceases their support. And as far as I can say, we will have active display and TC as an inbuilt feature in the future versions of android as google has Already patented it. (for eg. you can see in Project Ara phones)
Necessity is the mother of invention, as you can see now there is no need for roms at the moment since stock is kickass, so less development.
:angel:

DaRkRhiNe said:
Necessity is the mother of invention, as you can see now there is no need for roms at the moment since stock is kickass, so less development.
:angel:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True, but my guess is that once TC and AD become fully available to custom rom devs, this phone's development goals will change, as I feel that those two features are the main reasons people are staying with stock.

Drakonas said:
True, but my guess is that once TC and AD become fully available to custom rom devs, this phone's development goals will change, as I feel that those two features are the main reasons people are staying with stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After official updates end....people will have to pick: Moto x features, or latest greatest android version. Guarantee our X will stick with last update and keep the features.
Well, wife has it now....if it were mine when support ends, I'd probably flash the latest greatest and live without the moto features.

kj2112 said:
if it were mine when support ends, I'd probably flash the latest greatest and live without the moto features.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When this happens, do you think you'll go with a custom rom, or would nightly CM be something you would go with?

Drakonas said:
When this happens, do you think you'll go with a custom rom, or would nightly CM be something you would go with?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nothing against CM....but I haven't used cm in a long time on any device. Just not for me.
But that's just me....many love it!
And I'm not into nightlies either....I prefer stable builds...even tho its less exciting. Lol

kj2112 said:
And I'm not into nightlies either....I prefer stable builds...even tho its less exciting. Lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I would probably agree. I want a stable rom that I don't have to worry about. Granted this app makes me want to try CM out.

I'm just kind of surprised there isn't basic ROMs with simple features like advanced reboot, aosp data signal icons, volume warning removed, adblocking, basic things that people generally want. I know everyone says just use xposed but I really prefer to use ART.

This and the Nexus5 are the only phones I've had that didn't immediately get cm. Nightlies are great depending on the moderator and how often they update.
I don't see the point of CM on the MotoX. It's like replacing a bug free stock android build plus great features with a buggy stock android build with different, not as great features.
CM is great to replace bloated UI ROMs. *ahem *touchwiz. Once this phone becomes obsolete I'll probably get the fastest specced phone and CM it... or whatever Motorola puts out next

KJ said:
K, we have cm, slim, aokp, gummy, PAC man....etc. But, most prefer stock, so they can keep their moto features....the reason many bought the phone. Also aosp/cm roms don't have the moto features.
There are a few stock based roms that have the moto features, but probably not the themes.
And many consumer moto x's can be unlocked, not just dev editions. Its only verizon, at&t and RW that can't be unlocked. Maybe a couple overseas kinds too.
And you can't flash any ROMs without root...and its getting to a point that without an unlocked bootloader, you won't have root.
Really gotta research before buying a phone these days. Forget root exploits, cause like the X, they may not work on future android versions. If you want root, get a phone that you definitely can unlock the bootloader. Nothing else is a sure thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great points all around. My old reasoning for wanting roms on my old Razr M was to have a more updated version of Android. With the X I have that without the hassle.
Sent from my Moto X

[Q] Third party roms? CM, AOKP, Slim, etc?

Hello all,
I am looking to pick up a Moto X (xt1095) to replace my xt1053. I am a little dismayed however at the lack of availability of roms for the device.
I am used to having CM or Slim or at least gravitybox running, and it looks like none of these are working yet for this phone. Is this simply because of the recent release of Lollipop and the scarcity of the Moto X or is there some underlying problem?
Basically, is there hope for the future?

Probably has more to do with most devs not touching Moto because of how developer hostile they were years ago. Also I suspect most are waiting to see if the Lenovo takeover pushes moto into a more "old moto" stance on devs again.

I was wondering the same, the phone has so much potential, why no development at all?

Thanks for the responses. I was hoping I suppose to at least see CM and some other mainstream developers already onboard, but I guess it's just because 3rd party devs haven't built around lollipop yet.
Same problem with Xposed.

Pan Skrzetuski said:
Hello all,
I am looking to pick up a Moto X (xt1095) to replace my xt1053. I am a little dismayed however at the lack of availability of roms for the device.
I am used to having CM or Slim or at least gravitybox running, and it looks like none of these are working yet for this phone. Is this simply because of the recent release of Lollipop and the scarcity of the Moto X or is there some underlying problem?
Basically, is there hope for the future?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Chris123NT said:
Probably has more to do with most devs not touching Moto because of how developer hostile they were years ago. Also I suspect most are waiting to see if the Lenovo takeover pushes moto into a more "old moto" stance on devs again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's a short thread in the General section with a developer looking for some files so he can start to build CM11 and 12. Several days old.

I got my pure edition on the way, and I also noticed the lack of ROMs. - I currently have an N5, my girlfriend really likes it so I'm going to give it to her for Christmas, was not really looking to upgrade, but oh well.
I really do hope the scene for this phone picks up a bit, otherwise I might just sell it and go back to N5... Unless the phone is so amazing that it will keep me from the ROM scene, but I don't know... I'm a flashaholic.
On the same subject - My friend got the same phone, but he mentioned needing to contact Motorola to get a bootloader unlock code so he could root it, is that a necessary step, or can that be avoided?
I understand the above step voids warranty, could also be why people are staying away from cooking ROMs for this.

Shemploo said:
I got my pure edition on the way, and I also noticed the lack of ROMs. - I currently have an N5, my girlfriend really likes it so I'm going to give it to her for Christmas, was not really looking to upgrade, but oh well.
I really do hope the scene for this phone picks up a bit, otherwise I might just sell it and go back to N5... Unless the phone is so amazing that it will keep me from the ROM scene, but I don't know... I'm a flashaholic.
On the same subject - My friend got the same phone, but he mentioned needing to contact Motorola to get a bootloader unlock code so he could root it, is that a necessary step, or can that be avoided?
I understand the above step voids warranty, could also be why people are staying away from cooking ROMs for this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You just have to go to their website( https://motorola-global-portal.custhelp.com/app/standalone/bootloader/unlock-your-device-a ) and follow their instructions to unlock their phone.. Contacting them is not necessary. Voiding the warranty has been the case for multiple phones, however it hasn't stopped devs before.. Doubt that is the case

I bought the pure edition yesterday, I did my research and figured it would be better than a nexus 6 (way to big for me) and bought it. I assumed there was plenty of Dev work, I mean its a near stock phone and will likely outsell the nexus 6, but there's not even an official build of CM!!! Even the gnex is getting cm12. I just don't understand it. Z

IRX120 said:
I bought the pure edition yesterday, I did my research and figured it would be better than a nexus 6 (way to big for me) and bought it. I assumed there was plenty of Dev work, I mean its a near stock phone and will likely outsell the nexus 6, but there's not even an official build of CM!!! Even the gnex is getting cm12. I just don't understand it. Z
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's funny cause CM is my least favorite of ROMs, they always seem to break things when they make changes, and ROMs based on CM are always left in the dark trying to catch up, fix whatever broke as result.
If there's not much being developed for this, I suppose I'd probably go back to 4.4 and work around it with xposed.

I think more development will come in time but I think most are waiting for stable 5.0 first. I look forward to gravitybox but personally I have never been as happy on any rom as I am AOSP(ish) and don't see the need with a phone like this to install any roms. It was more necessary back "in the day" to get rid of crapware and overbloated UI's (*cough* Touchwiz *cough*). Phones like the Nexus series, GPE editions, and the Moto X's have made me personally re-evaluate my interest in full ROM's.

If you guys were around when the original Moto x came out, then you'd remember that it also had a lack of roms and dev action when it launched... However now it's getting cm 12 like no one's business... I think it's just a matter of time before the roms start rolling in

ROM Development

Let me start by saying that I am new to Motorola phones and think that the X 2014 is a smooth performing phone. I am enjoying it very much.
With that said since I'm not all together familiar with the development of Motorola phones and was wondering if the lack of Roms was typical to Motorola phones or just this one in particular?
I am by no means criticizing the Dev's and have high respect for all of them but, compared to other brands HTC, Samsung, One Plus One it just seams that development has kind of started off slowly compared to other brands.
Would like some opinions as to the development especially for a phone with a unlocked boot loader.
Sent from my XT1095 using Tapatalk

grneyez said:
Let me start by saying that I am new to Motorola phones and think that the X 2014 is a smooth performing phone. I am enjoying it very much.
With that said since I'm not all together familiar with the development of Motorola phones and was wondering if the lack of Roms was typical to Motorola phones or just this one in particular?
I am by no means criticizing the Dev's and have high respect for all of them but, compared to other brands HTC, Samsung, One Plus One it just seams that development has kind of started off slowly compared to other brands.
Would like some opinions as to the development especially for a phone with a unlocked boot loader.
Sent from my XT1095 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For example, Moto G has a lot of Roms and developers working on it. The Moto X is difficult because of the sensors and Motorola not releasing the codes for them. I used to have one (moto g) and I am not regret of my Moto X now, because the options like Moto Voice or Moto Screen are really awesome and flashing a custom ROM make the useless, besides, the stock Roms like the new 5.0.2 is incredible smooth and super fast. Just my opinion.

juliospinoza said:
For example, Moto G has a lot of Roms and developers working on it. The Moto X is difficult because of the sensors and Motorola not releasing the codes for them. I used to have one (moto g) and I am not regret of my Moto X now, because the options like Moto Voice or Moto Screen are really awesome and flashing a custom ROM make the useless, besides, the stock Roms like the new 5.0.2 is incredible smooth and super fast. Just my opinion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I appreciate your opinion, thanks.

In my opinion there are three main, practical reasons why people develop or install custom ROMs (aside from the obvious "Because it's cool and I want to" tinker factor)
1) To upgrade a phone to a newer version of Android early or after the manufacturer has abandoned support for the phone
2) To remove bloatware or restore stock features that were replaced by bloatware
3) To access fancy new features that are not included in stock Android.
Now apply these to our phone: Reason 1 is moot because Motorola has (so far) been pretty good at rolling out updates. Not as fast as a Nexus device, of course, but pretty good compared to many other manufacturers. 2 is not really a concern on our phones because the Moto X has pretty much NO bloatware... The few things that it does have are either nice feature enhancements or very small/unobtrusive. Finally, number 3 is now easily taken care of by rooting and installing the Xposed framework. I really think xposed has changed the game with regard to custom roms. You used to HAVE to go custom to get any significant feature enhancements to the OS itself... Now things that once were only found in CM or other popular roms can be added to any rooted phone. Kinda removes some of the motivation for creating a whole new ROM.
So, with all of that considered... you're really only left with the tinkerer/because I want to motivation which may not be as compelling to all developers.
Just my $0.02 though...
-Matt

Now that we have xposed I am at peace with not having so many roms.
Sent from my XT1095 using XDA Free mobile app