Just out of curiosity, why hasn't there been any custom roms or development ?
I really hope someone is working on root for non pure edition.
Development was pretty light with the 2013 version too. The combination of limited market (dev edition only) and the near stock experience, and the loss of what makes the Moto X special, means not very many people are seeking an alternative.
What about kernels? Surely we could benefit from custom kernels and keep all our moto x a pure android experience, correct? Like possible for color cal and battery life? :silly:
Custom roms ya custom kernel can come only after motolola releases its kernel sources
My impression was since its " pure edition" it would be developer friendly .
dia_naji said:
My impression was since its " pure edition" it would be developer friendly .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is developer friendly. There just isn't a lot of development for the reasons listed above.
Restola said:
Development was pretty light with the 2013 version too. The combination of limited market (dev edition only) and the near stock experience, and the loss of what makes the Moto X special, means not very many people are seeking an alternative.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This, I have a Droid Maxx and the wife has a Moto X. We enjoy the anti Samsung, pure Google experience enhanced with touchless and active display. No reasons to try any AOSP Roms. Development is so light for the Droid Ultra/ Maxx that CM dropped support for it, but that is due to how good the stock ROM is. I ran Paranoid on my RAZR Maxx HD but still moved back to stock because it is smoother and has better cell reception. All the cool little functions are just that, cool. Paranoid's implementation of their dynamic status and notification bars are the best I've seen, much better than the xposed modules. But at the end of the day, it is about functionality and useability. Stock Motorola Roms are very good, just need to debloat all the Verizon crap in my case. As far as kernels, hopefully faux123 will do something with the new Moto X. I'm running his kernel on my Droid Maxx and Moto X and it definitely enhances the phone more than any aftermarket Roms could. The reason why I hangout in the Moto X forums is because there are not a lot of us Droid owners and the Moto X forums is where we get most of our stuff. I'm running a Moto X port on my Droid Maxx for example. This holds true for the new Droid Turbo also which I am definitely interested in. That is if there's a way to unlock the bootloader. Unlocked bootloader with 3900 mAH battery and 21 mp camera and the Moto X experience? I'm in, still have an upgrade available! But I don't foresee the bootloader or root being available for these new phones for a long while. In the mean time, I'll enjoy my unlocked Droid Maxx and Moto X and continue to lurk around here. Lol
You can use Xposed Framework, I think, with the 2nd Gen. Moto X. It will give you many of the popular features from custom roms that aren't in stock Android.
The only other reason I can see for custom roms on the Moto X (at least as far as it concerns me) is that I think they can be better for privacy and getting rid of under the hood bits of code that might be abused for marketing/tracking purposes. Also I think the CyanogenMod Account is a more secure way to track and remotely wipe your phone, than the Android Device Manager. At the end of the day, I trust Cyanogen to have my security and privacy in mind more than Google or Motorola. But I don't think this is enough that people will feel motivated to develop a lot for the Moto X (for the reasons already stated above).
I can't see development being any busier than the quiet 2013.
Too many Moto limitations... Like bootloaders not being able to be unlocked on some big carriers. And as said, no custom features on aosp/cm roms. Downgrade issues.... If it's like the 2013. Etc.
The X's are not for flashaholics .... That's for sure.
jdubya42 said:
I really hope someone is working on root for non pure edition.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The pure edition root method by jcase works fine on other devices. I rooted my xt1093 last week, seen some Brazilian carriers' rooted (also non pure, xt1092 maybe?), and I'm 100% confident it'll work for any moto x with an unlockable bootloader.
Am I wrong in thinking that only the pure edition has an unlockable bootloader?
Where to find stock firmware? For verizon?
jdubya42 said:
Am I wrong in thinking that only the pure edition has an unlockable bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, quite wrong. Search and Google are your friend here.
Only Verizon cannot be unlocked presently AFAIK.
---------- Post added at 11:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:34 PM ----------
cornpollen said:
Where to find stock firmware? For verizon?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think any carrier branded X has made this available yet...
Well thats why I didn't know that. I have the VZW model.
cb474 said:
You can use Xposed Framework, I think, with the 2nd Gen. Moto X. It will give you many of the popular features from custom roms that aren't in stock Android.
The only other reason I can see for custom roms on the Moto X (at least as far as it concerns me) is that I think they can be better for privacy and getting rid of under the hood bits of code that might be abused for marketing/tracking purposes. Also I think the CyanogenMod Account is a more secure way to track and remotely wipe your phone, than the Android Device Manager. At the end of the day, I trust Cyanogen to have my security and privacy in mind more than Google or Motorola. But I don't think this is enough that people will feel motivated to develop a lot for the Moto X (for the reasons already stated above).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have mine rooted and running Xposed with GravityBox and it works just as well as my original version Moto X did. I don't see the need for a custom rom, though I might try CM once there is a version for it.
Well as someone said, even the Moto 2013 had very very little development. But I would love to see a Custom ROM based on Moto's software itself. Cleaning out small bugs and unrequired services and maybe add couple of extra features.
I just received my Moto X (2nd gen).... I should have looked on the forums first... Without custom ROMS - I'll most likely just send it back to Moto...
I like the options the custom roms bring. I like choosing the toggles I desire in the window shade, custom themes, etc... Not being able to do those things... Meh - I have been tweaking my experience since 2007. I don't like the idea of just running a plain Jane rom.. This sucks as I really like the hardware... Almost enough that I would spend the time trying to learn to make a custom rom myself... But, I can't expend the time to learn, debug, etc... Sadly, I'm too busy with my day job...
As long as you're not on Verizon, Xposed modules should be able to give you all the customization choices you'd ever need.
I was hoping for custom Lollipop roms and Xposed won't work on Android 5.0 (and, it is uncertain if it will ever work on Lollipop).....
Related
I just got a Developers Edition Moto X and I love the device, but coming from the HTC One, it has come as a shock to me how different each forum is.
I'm very surprised we haven't got a stock ROM for the 4.4.2 update that is flashable with TWRP/CWM.
Is it because of the locked bootloaders? Did the device not sell well?
From what I've read here is that most people are happy with the stock ROM with root. As the ROM is so close to Vanilla Android, there is not a lot of development in ROMs for this phone. Also most want to keep Active Display and/or the Touchless Controls. I just got an OTA for 4.2.2 on my retail unlocked Moto X (also referred to as the T-Mobile version).
As far as the boot loader goes, to my knowledge only the Verizon retail and AT&T retail Moto X's are locked. All the other models can be unlocked by requesting the unlock code from Motorola. And I think the phone sold well. It definitely could have used a lot more marketing help to compete with the larger manufacturers.
sucks that mine is locked
zewone said:
I just got a Developers Edition Moto X and I love the device, but coming from the HTC One, it has come as a shock to me how different each forum is.
I'm very surprised we haven't got a stock ROM for the 4.4.2 update that is flashable with TWRP/CWM.
Is it because of the locked bootloaders? Did the device not sell well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I find that stock rooted with Xposed and the Gravity Box module are all I need ... I too got the dev edition as well, if for nothing else rooting after OTAs we be less of a hassle
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
Well we do have a stock flashable 4.4.2 ROM there's actually 2 one for the 1052 and kangakat ,both are for the gsm version and I do believe they will also work on the CDMA variant If you swap out the build prop, we also have custom Roms, slimkat, cm11, gummy.pacman, Liquid smooth and beanstalk
Sent on my Gummy running Lenoto X
Hikikomori-Otaku said:
From what I've read here is that most people are happy with the stock ROM with root. As the ROM is so close to Vanilla Android, there is not a lot of development in ROMs for this phone. Also most want to keep Active Display and/or the Touchless Controls. I just got an OTA for 4.2.2 on my retail unlocked Moto X (also referred to as the T-Mobile version).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I completely agree with this. ROMs like CyanogenMod or AOKP aren't likely to support Active Displays, or "Okay Google Now" voice commands, or flicking the wrist to unlock the camera.
Also, I think the fact that there's a big split between the Dev Editions and Moto-Maker hurts things more. A lot of people of Moto-Maker, and they're very limited on what they can do with their phones compared to Dev Edition. Then you add in the fact that there are GSM/Verizon/Sprint versions all mixed AND the phone hasn't sold well, and things are very limited.
zewone said:
I just got a Developers Edition Moto X and I love the device, but coming from the HTC One, it has come as a shock to me how different each forum is.
I'm very surprised we haven't got a stock ROM for the 4.4.2 update that is flashable with TWRP/CWM.
Is it because of the locked bootloaders? Did the device not sell well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not to worry. even though a lot are pleased with stock out of the box, there will be ROMs. we can still tweak, improve, and slim it down some. i officially ordered mine yesterday and it is the DE/T-Mob variant XT1053.
just like others have said, the device hasn't been advertised as much as it should be, esp with the deals that keep going on with it. if it would stay at $300 for 16gb/$350 for 32gb, they would sell like hot cakes.
---------- Post added at 11:07 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:05 AM ----------
DogzOfWar said:
I completely agree with this. ROMs like CyanogenMod or AOKP aren't likely to support Active Displays, or "Okay Google Now" voice commands, or flicking the wrist to unlock the camera.
Also, I think the fact that there's a big split between the Dev Editions and Moto-Maker hurts things more. A lot of people of Moto-Maker, and they're very limited on what they can do with their phones compared to Dev Edition. Then you add in the fact that there are GSM/Verizon/Sprint versions all mixed AND the phone hasn't sold well, and things are very limited.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the GSM unlocked on Moto-Maker is the exact same as the Dev Edition. i think this is confusing a lot of people.
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
Would it be doable to flash a stock Motorola ROM ("blur") from a Droid Turbo or Moto Maxx, given that the hardware is pretty much the same?
Maybe it's easier than it looks, or it sounds really easier than it really is. But has anyone tried it, and is there a risk of bricking the device?
Don't get me wrong, I love stock Lollipop, but am missing Moto Display a lot, and Moto Voice to a lesser extent...
no.
if you do try it, most likely youll make your n6 as useful as a doorstop from that point on.
I understand that... My wording was inaccurate I guess.
I meant I was wondering if it would be possible to port a Motorola ROM to the shamu, I guess that's more accurate.
johnny grep said:
I understand that... My wording was inaccurate I guess.
I meant I was wondering if it would be possible to port a Motorola ROM to the shamu, I guess that's more accurate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can try, it wont be easy. if kitkat, then orobably not. where would you get n6 drivers for kitkat support?
There are lollipop roms for the Moto X, Droid Turbo shouldn't be too far behind.
Motorola blur is closed source, so no it wouldn't be feasible to do with the amount of resources put into it because to be honest there isn't much of a interest and it's difficult to reverse engineer closed source software especially when Motorola can just set out a cease and desist.
Moto rom is already quite close to stock aosp and their apps are propetiary to Motorola mobility. If you want Moto blur (or whatever it's called now) stick to using Moto devices, these Moto blur, touchwiz, HTC sense are what the companies make in order to make people keep buying their phones.
Just like how nexus is pretty much aosp with some Google Apps (dialer, etc). Each phone series has its own unique identity.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
Never seen such a low dev contribution for any of my Android devices. My moto is pretty much perfect, but there's always ways to improve it. Why is there so little activity on it? Are we just waiting for Cm or PA to support it?
Was it really necessary to start another 1 of these threads.. There's already 2 that are active.. Read and post there
We are waiting for you to make us a ROM! Get cracking!
CWick4141 said:
Was it really necessary to start another 1 of these threads.. There's already 2 that are active.. Read and post there
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where?
And I'd love to, but I'm useless
Serious answer.
The Moto X has a lot of proprietary code for things like moto assist, active display, and the low power ir sensors. Additionally, there is no official source for lollipop like there is for Nexus devices...making it difficult for ROM builders.
The Moto X (2013) had very little in the terms custom ROMs as well. There will probably be a few ROMs in the future, but don't expect a ROM community like there are for Nexus devices, it just won't happen.
That being said, the Moto X is damn near perfect straight out of the box. I am an avid flasher, and I really don't feel like I'm missing out on much with the stock experience on the Moto X.
Center status bar clock/date is really the only thing I miss.. Possibly a kernel but stock with trickster seem to be working well
I'd love to get Xposed modules back for some minor cosmetic and functional tweaking, but otherwise this phone is close to perfect already.
chrisrozon said:
I'd love to get Xposed modules back for some minor cosmetic and functional tweaking, but otherwise this phone is close to perfect already.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, Xposed is a total game changer. That's one of the main reasons I'm keeping both my X and N5 on KK for the foreseeable future.
mprziv said:
Serious answer.
The Moto X has a lot of proprietary code for things like moto assist, active display, and the low power ir sensors.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
People say that, but this is often true of Samsung devices and devices like the HTC One, but they still get development.
People also say that because the Moto X is such a close to stock device, there is a lack of interest in developing for it. I don't believe that either, because if that were true there would be no development for Nexus devices and, of course, those are the devices that get the most development.
mprziv said:
Additionally, there is no official source for lollipop like there is for Nexus devices...making it difficult for ROM builders.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think this, in fact, is probably the one and only reason there is no development for Moto X devices. I don't know that much about what is needed to make a ROM, and someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but without the source for proprietary drivers for various hardware components in a device, you're kind of stuck.
What puzzles me is that Motorola promoted the "Pure Edition" as an unlocked edition of the 2nd Gen Moto X. But if they're not going to provide the source code needed for development, why did they bother? It's like a developers edition of a phone that's only good for non-developers.
I also don't really see how it benefits Motorola to block development. It's a relatively small portion of users who even bother with custom ROMs. But is the most enthusiastic portion of users, who can really help spread the buzz for a device. In addtion, custom ROMs often come up with smart ideas that later get adopted in stock ROMs. So their is a potential symbiotic relationship there. As it is, it just seems like Motorola alienates some of the biggest Android fans.
mprziv said:
That being said, the Moto X is damn near perfect straight out of the box. I am an avid flasher, and I really don't feel like I'm missing out on much with the stock experience on the Moto X.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, it's nice. With Xposed, as others say, it can be modified in similar ways as ROMs. But there are still some Motorola built in elements that I'd rather not see, so it's not pure stock, as is often suggested.
My real hangup is that ROMs, like Cyanogen, are much better at stripping out some of the most egregious tracking code. Providing privacy enhancements (again not just at the user feature level, but in the underlying code). And generally eliminating things that don't serve users, but do serve marketers/manufacturers. That's more important to me than a lot of the user interface modifications found in ROMs.
So with Xposed you can get an user interface experience that's pretty similar to a lot of ROMs, but their are other benefits that may be missing.
If I could get an official version of Cyanogen for the 2nd Gen Moto X, it would be a near perfect device to me. As it is, I still hesitate. Of course, there's the extremely similar Nexus 6, but I'm not into that huge size.
cb474 said:
People say that, but this is often true of Samsung devices and devices like the HTC One, but they still get development.
People also say that because the Moto X is such a close to stock device, there is a lack of interest in developing for it. I don't believe that either, because if that were true there would be no development for Nexus devices and, of course, those are the devices that get the most development.
I think this, in fact, is probably the one and only reason there is no development for Moto X devices. I don't know that much about what is needed to make a ROM, and someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but without the source for proprietary drivers for various hardware components in a device, you're kind of stuck.
What puzzles me is that Motorola promoted the "Pure Edition" as an unlocked edition of the 2nd Gen Moto X. But if they're not going to provide the source code needed for development, why did they bother? It's like a developers edition of a phone that's only good for non-developers.
I also don't really see how it benefits Motorola to block development. It's a relatively small portion of users who even bother with custom ROMs. But is the most enthusiastic portion of users, who can really help spread the buzz for a device. In addtion, custom ROMs often come up with smart ideas that later get adopted in stock ROMs. So their is a potential symbiotic relationship there. As it is, it just seems like Motorola alienates some of the biggest Android fans.
Yeah, it's nice. With Xposed, as others say, it can be modified in similar ways as ROMs. But there are still some Motorola built in elements that I'd rather not see, so it's not pure stock, as is often suggested.
My real hangup is that ROMs, like Cyanogen, are much better at stripping out some of the most egregious tracking code. Providing privacy enhancements (again not just at the user feature level, but in the underlying code). And generally eliminating things that don't serve users, but do serve marketers/manufacturers. That's more important to me than a lot of the user interface modifications found in ROMs.
So with Xposed you can get an user interface experience that's pretty similar to a lot of ROMs, but their are other benefits that may be missing.
If I could get an official version of Cyanogen for the 2nd Gen Moto X, it would be a near perfect device to me. As it is, I still hesitate. Of course, there's the extremely similar Nexus 6, but I'm not into that huge size.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung and HTC etc. devices get Dev because they are bloated with touchwiz/sense etc., there is not a lot to do on the moto x besides throw some aosp, or cm roms at it, but then you lose the "proprietary" features that the moto x has (which is its selling point, if you bought this phone not because of active display or moto voice then you really bought the wrong phone).
Not a lot of incentive for a Dev to work on the moto x, not much can be gain only loss....I.e. You goto cm or aosp you lose not gain...for the most part. Really not a lot of incentive to work on this phone. Sure there might eventually be a cm or even pa or aosp ROM but who really wants that over stock with xposed?
Sent from my XT1095 using Tapatalk
cb474 said:
People say that, but this is often true of Samsung devices and devices like the HTC One, but they still get development.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is nothing similar to active display and touchless control on Samsung's touchwiz or HTC's sense.
dobbs3x said:
Samsung and HTC etc. devices get Dev because they are bloated with touchwiz/sense etc., there is not a lot to do on the moto x besides throw some aosp, or cm roms at it,...
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As I said in the post to which you claim to be replying, if that were the reason not to develop for the Moto X, then there would also be no developement for Nexus devices, since they have no bloat and arrive pure stock. The point of custom roms, obviously, is not just to get rid of bloat, but to add lots of features that do not exist elsewhere. Indeed, some roms are made so that people can have an HTC Sense or Samsung Touchwiz type of experience on a non-HTC or non-Samsung phone. Roms are hardly all about returning phones to a stock experience. So I think that argument is obviously wrong to anyone who thinks about it for a minute.
Look at the OnePlus One. It ships with Cyanogen. Zero bloat, already has the most popular custom rom on it. If this argument had any merit, there would be no development for it. But in fact there is tons of development for it. Because it's a totally open device and OnePlus One encourages development.
dobbs3x said:
...but then you lose the "proprietary" features that the moto x has (which is its selling point, if you bought this phone not because of active display or moto voice then you really bought the wrong phone).
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You wouldn't lose the proprietary features if Motorola released drivers necessary for them to work, as other cell phone manufacturers do, so this point begs the question (again, as I already said in the post you were supposedly responding to).
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mprziv said:
There is nothing similar to active display and touchless control on Samsung's touchwiz or HTC's sense.
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Samsung has their own weird hardware button layout, heart rate monitors, HTC has the oddball two lens camera in the M8. It doesn't matter what the feature is. All that matters is that there's some extra piece of hardware in there and it's going to need a driver and access to the hardware for developers to use it in a custom rom.
The difference, I believe, is that Samsung and HTC release the proprietary binaries and other source code, which makes it possible for developers to develop for their phones. Motorola, for whatever reason, has chosen not to do this. I think that is the only reason their is no development for the Moto X. So I think people are actually just misunderstanding what the problem is with development for the Moto X. (If some developer out their wants to chime in with more explanation of this, I'd be happy for some confirmation.)
All the other reasons people are repeating here are made up reasons that I think have nothing to do with how development actually happens. Repeating them, because someone else somewhere in the forum said it, does not make it true.
Motorola, it seems, just doesn't want people to develop for their devices and they prevent that by not releasing the binaries and source necessary to do so.
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The point can even be taken another step. Because the hardware on the 1st and 2nd Gen Moto Xs is so nice and generally liked and because the 2nd Gen Moto X is in fact the basis for the Nexus 6 and extremely similar to it, I think that if the binaries and source code necessary were available, there would be a lot of development for the Moto X. So it has nothing to do with all the reasons people say about why there's no need to develop for the Moto X and everything, I believe, to do with Motorola blocking developers from developing for the Moto X.
Or maybe it's just the fact that it's a mediocre device that a lot of devs aren't going to purchase. I'm sending mine back after 4 days with it. Love the build quality, but I can't live with the mediocre screen, crappy camera and poor battery life.
Most devs, "dev" for popular devices and sadly, the moto x isn't one of them
I do not see the hate towards this device to be reasoned, at all. Battery (not so ****ty as I thought it would be, very similar to Nexus 5 so you can not linger on that )and camera (I also believe it to be better then Nexus 5's) are the payoffs of a great phone. What is wrong with the screen, NRG?
I had the first gen moto x, it has lots of development but they are all cm or aosp based Roms. Pretty much a dozen different Roms with either cm or aosp as the base. There is nothing special with them. Just someone is bored and wanted to try making a ROM. They bring nothing really useful to the device unless you really just like cm. Which you should of bought the one plus or a nexus. Trust me all the Roms developed for the first gen moto x are nothing crazy, just rehashed cm and aosp.
NRGZ28 said:
Or maybe it's just the fact that it's a mediocre device that a lot of devs aren't going to purchase. I'm sending mine back after 4 days with it. Love the build quality, but I can't live with the mediocre screen, crappy camera and poor battery life.
Most devs, "dev" for popular devices and sadly, the moto x isn't one of them
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If you consider the X to be mediocre, I'd love to know what phone you think is high end. I burn through Android phones like they are candy, and to me, the X is hands down the best smartphone ever made. Sure there are phones with better screens, cameras, and battery life, but they all have other compromises, some that are far worse. The X's screen is only mediocre when side by side with a nicer one, the camera is more than sufficient, and my battery life has been amazing. There has never been an Android phone this mature and elegant, with performance to boot. The software is as close to perfect as you can get (talking KitKat here, I'm not sold on Lollipop), and the overall user experience is second to none, at least in my eyes. To each their own I suppose, but I just can't fathom how anybody can call the X a mediocre phone.
Why would you install a custom rom on the Moto X?
I think it is a compliment to the device there is no development and urgent need for different software. What is somebody going to improve software wise that isn't already present?
shadowspring said:
Why would you install a custom rom on the Moto X?
I think it is a compliment to the device there is no development and urgent need for different software. What is somebody going to improve software wise that isn't already present?
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Exactly, its amazing. People buy a new Samsung , HTC or LG phone and immediately want to change everything on it. That doesn't say much for the original intent of the manufactures. With the Moto X line, most are completely satisfied with it right out of the box. Something those other phones can claim.
dobbs3x said:
Samsung and HTC etc. devices get Dev because they are bloated with touchwiz/sense etc., there is not a lot to do on the moto x besides throw some aosp, or cm roms at it, but then you lose the "proprietary" features that the moto x has (which is its selling point, if you bought this phone not because of active display or moto voice then you really bought the wrong phone).
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Is that true ?
I was going to unlock bootloader and root this nice device in order to put some tweaks (DPI change, Apps Control, Ad blocker...), but if I lose the active display this is not going to be good...
I also would like to add that this phone is less famous than others blockbusters from HTC, LG or Samsung (at least in France). Developers seem to go to where there are many users for their ROMs, excluding Nexus' line. This and that Motorola doesn't release the binaries and source...
StiiLe said:
Is that true ?
I was going to unlock bootloader and root this nice device in order to put some tweaks (DPI change, Apps Control, Ad blocker...), but if I lose the active display this is not going to be good...
I also would like to add that this phone is less famous than others blockbusters from HTC, LG or Samsung (at least in France). Developers seem to go to where there are many users for their ROMs, excluding Nexus' line. This and that Motorola doesn't release the binaries and source...
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You wont lose any features just from unlocking and rooting, only if you flash a custom ROM that doesn't have them built in.
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
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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.
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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.
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