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Greetings,
This is my first post here, so forgive me for posting in the general forum and not in the dev forums (I have to accumulate 10 posts to use the dev forums). I have a very important and worthwhile project that I'm hoping will interest a few devs here.
I am attempting to build a proof-of-concept for a very large educational institution that is considering implementation of ebook readers. Obviously, stock ebook readers are not up to what we need, and more robust tablets like the Galaxy Tab are cost prohibitive given the goal of distribution of these devices to tens of thousands of K-12 students. I don't want to be stuck with a single book distribution method, so I am looking for some standard Android flavor rather than a Nook-like interface.
So, here's my challenge to you. I would like to use the Nook Color (the $250 price point is perfect) to build a proof-of-concept low-end, semi-restricted Android tablet. I am looking for:
- Android 2.2
- Flash Support
- Ability to run:
- Dolphin Browser
- Regular Nook Android App
- Kindle App
- Google Book Reader App
- Adobe Reader App
- Some (undefined) Calculator App
- Stock Android Calendar App
- Stock Android Mail App
- Google Maps App
- Google Earth App
- Stock Android Gallery App or Equivalent
- Some (undefined) File Manager App
- Some (undefined) Note Taking App
I would also like the ability to load APK files (that we write) without the use of the Android Market. And . . . I need the final installation to *NOT* have root capability.
Anyone have a ROM to start this?
Also, while I'm somewhat familiar with rooting other Android devices, I'm not a developer and not a linux expert. I employ developers that have written a few Android apps, so they can handle the installation if necessary.
Any takers?
You can contact me off-list if you like at Dwayne at leeschools.net.
Thanks,
Dwayne
Wouldn't a $200 netbook be a far more usable tool to a student?
good thing you didn't post this in development.
once nook is updated to 2.2 this will basically all be possible with just root.
supposed to be released soon....
if you want a custom rom those will be around soon as well.
--edit--
i see you want this all without root. i don't believe that is possible. good luck though
There are specific reasons we are not considering netbooks for this project, beyond the scope of this discussion. For the purpose of this POC, we are only looking at touch-based slates.
I can't think of a way to fully disable root without someone being able to add it back. With that said would you be able to just delete the marketplace to make it "locked down" after installing everything? Possible disable super-level access as well?
I've not seen any confirmation that they are going to update to 2.2. I've only seen rumors to that effect. Do you have evidence to the contrary, because that would be great.
Additionally, the reason I'd like to involve the devs is because it is highly unlikely that B&N will release it with anything close to a stock 2.2 install. It will likely still require quite a bit of work to function normally. Hopefully I'm wrong on that account, but based on B&N's business model, I anticipate that they will do their best to prevent it from being used as a full tablet. They want to sell books. I don't think they want to sell devices without books. Not enough margin in the devices.
Perhaps I'm wrong related to their business model. I have approached B&N and requested an NDA to work with the Nook product team to see if they are interested in working together with us on a customized version. My feeling is that if they make very little on the device (with the goal of making the majority of their profit from content), they'll decline this offer.
MattJ951 said:
I can't think of a way to fully disable root without someone being able to add it back. With that said would you be able to just delete the marketplace to make it "locked down" after installing everything? Possible disable super-level access as well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We could remove super user, but I'd also like to prevent users from killing services. I anticipate that we'll need some additional security apps that need to run full-time. One of our big challenges is that, by law, whenever we provide an Internet-capable device for students to take home, we are required to filter Internet. That's a huge task. On a PC, we an lock it down and force traffic through our filters from outside. From an Android device, we don't know how to handle that yet. We have a few approaches. I'm in discussion with M86 regarding an Android equivalent to their mobile client.
But . . . we have a lot more experience locking down a Windows or Mac PC than a phone OS. Most phone OSes are built from the perspective of a consumer, where the user is free to add/remove apps. We need a way to deal with that. Haven't gotten that far yet. The first order of business was to see if we can build our base functionality in a $250 device.
DwayneA said:
I've not seen any confirmation that they are going to update to 2.2. I've only seen rumors to that effect. Do you have evidence to the contrary, because that would be great.
Additionally, the reason I'd like to involve the devs is because it is highly unlikely that B&N will release it with anything close to a stock 2.2 install. It will likely still require quite a bit of work to function normally. Hopefully I'm wrong on that account, but based on B&N's business model, I anticipate that they will do their best to prevent it from being used as a full tablet. They want to sell books. I don't think they want to sell devices without books. Not enough margin in the devices.
Perhaps I'm wrong related to their business model. I have approached B&N and requested an NDA to work with the Nook product team to see if they are interested in working together with us on a customized version. My feeling is that if they make very little on the device (with the goal of making the majority of their profit from content), they'll decline this offer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude, all of those hings are capable. Have you done any reading in this forum. Just get a nookie froyo 2.2 card set one up the way you want. uninstall super user and market. make lotsa copies of card and stick it in nook. If you really want you can also trash the firmware on the internal memory so it will not even book the stock nook firmware.
enjoy!
Consideration should be taken that rooting technically voids the manufacturer's warranty. Other than that, using the NookColor as a tablet is still a gamble in terms of getting a rock-solid and reliable device. Supporting the devices may be problematic.
Fortunately, the devs here are doing great work and I fully expect (hope) that it will be a rock-solid reliable device very soon.
You will probably also want to avoid booting from the microsd because they are easy to remove.
Filtering could be done with a VPN.
to avoid removal of micro sd, just put a little sugra on the break where the nook opens for the micro sd, sort of lieka warrenty sticker
If you need help. Let me know.
The Nook Color already has a Froyo image that can be installed. DSP currently doesn't work. That is responsible for video decoding not only for local files, but for Flash video as well.
Other than that, Flash will still run, but not on all occasions, and the rest of your requirements have already been accomplished (ie. apks can be installed and already exist on the Market or from the Internet).
You can install the Froyo image (it consists of a boot image and a system image) to your Nook easily, and afterward install all of the "G" apps with a quick copying of a folder.
Check here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=864
- Do a little reading
- Possibly try installing Froyo on your memory card first.
- PM me if you need any guidance. I'm feeling pretty PRO at this after using adb all weekend to work with my Nook.
FYI: You can completely hose your internal installation and still be good (As long as you don't actually corrupt your memory physically). The Nook can always be booted off of a microSD card and restored to a fresh installation.
Edit: I just read some of your other posts. Just a thought: You could uninstall or disable the browser by default, thus not having to worry about Internet filtering. Later, users could still install apks from the sdcard (All that you have to do is tick a box in "Settings"). You can also do all of this without touching the stock rom. Of course you'd want to disable that from booting ever, so... after you were booted into your microSD card OS you could use adb to delete the content of the mmcblk0p1 (boot) partition. But I think that still might go against BN's warranty rules.
I understand the reasoning of wanting to lock it back down but if your students are capable of finding XDA (I'd imagine 1 or 2 of them is, at least) then that person would probably root the systems for anyone who was so inclined. I mean, B&N wasn't able to stop it, it's not likely that you would (without some sort of remote supervision app that could monitor and detect rooting).
gallahad2000 said:
I understand the reasoning of wanting to lock it back down but if your students are capable of finding XDA (I'd imagine 1 or 2 of them is, at least) then that person would probably root the systems for anyone who was so inclined. I mean, B&N wasn't able to stop it, it's not likely that you would (without some sort of remote supervision app that could monitor and detect rooting).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that was going to be my 2cts. A student would just have to pop in an sd card. And it would be a little unfair not giving student that right? And even then, they could always push something over via adb.
Have you looked at other options like the Archos line of Android tablets?
Otherwise, the SD Card install of Froyo works well - just superglue the opening
Why would any school district buy tablets with no warranty? Doesn't seem that feasible to me.
blackderbyhat said:
Why would any school district buy tablets with no warranty? Doesn't seem that feasible to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He's only looking for a proof of concept right now, and is trying to work with Barnes and Noble directly.
I forsee many broken nooks in our future.
NOTE: I am no longer supporting ChimeraDroid anymore, I have migrated over to CM9 and will be providing english support for it
Introduction:
ChimeraDroid is a custom rom for the Streak 10, it is a combination of Streak 10 568 and Streak 7 506-wifi, hence Chimera.
Features:
Bundleware removed
Gapps Integration
Pre-rooted
Optional app pack
Requirements:
Stock 568 installed
NVflash:
NVflash.zip
usbNvidiaBootdriver.zip
Windows XP/Vista/7 only
Ability to install drivers
Instructions:
Download: ChimeraDroid r2.zip
Download: ChimeraDroid r2 Installer.zip
Extract ChimeraDroid r2.zip, EXCEPT do not extract Backup Current ROM - S10.cmd or Install ROM - S10.cmd
Extract ChimeraDroid r2 Installer.zip to the same folder
Put Device into APX mode
Open sd card flap
Press pinhole reset button
Press and hold reset button and power button
First time only: Install usb APX drivers
Run "Load Bootloader -S10.cmd"
OPTIONAL: Run "Backup Current ROM - S10.cmd" [STRONGLY RECOMMENDED]
OPTIONAL: Run "Backup UserData - S10.cmd" [STRONGLY RECOMMENDED]
OPTIONAL: Run "Backup SDCard - S10.cmd" [This will take a whike]
Run "Install ROM - S10.cmd"
After install is complete, reset device again
OPTIONAL: Download: ChimeraDroid Apps r2.zip
OPTIONAL: Sideload apps with adb or any file explorer.
Upcoming features:
1080p video recording(?)
Long term: Languages available on the Streak 7
Changelog:
Apr 15, 2012: Finally added fixed installer
Nov 23, 2011:
Added: WMV video/codec support
Changed: Greater Market compatability, should be nearly on par with the S7 now
Added: Gmail app
Nov 14, 2011: Initial release
Notes:
Remember to download Superuser off the Android Market!
You are strongly recommended to NOT share your backups, as they contain your user data and device unique data
Boot.img ramdisk mod credit goes to nathanchan
Rom is released now, only known issues are that the google search box does not appear in the top left corner of the home screen and the "shop" button does not appear in the app drawer correctly
Next rom is coming along, new features:
More android market compatability, it's nearly on par with the s7 now
WMV media decoding, it's not available on the stock rom
Missing gapps from s7 that arnt available on market
Possibly 1080p video recording from the rear camera
R2 is released now, changes include supporting playback of WMV videos and more support of market apps, anything you can download with the s7 should be available on the s10 now.
Remember to download superuser from the marketplace to complete the rooting process, it's better this way as it will also remind you of any updates to it!
Can I get some screenshots and is this rom rooted
Sent from my HTC Glacier using xda premium
Lockdo6307 said:
Can I get some screenshots and is this rom rooted
Sent from my HTC Glacier using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Says right in the OP.
Thank you.
Will give it a try this weekend.
Cheers
Is it stable?
My updated, rooted, CWM 5, Honeycomb is so stable right now I am afraid of trying a new ROM but at the same time I am very curious. Is everything running smoothly? What is better in your opinion?
Thanks and keep up the good work for us, users. (no idea how you guys do these modifications)
CWM 5? where did you get that?
This is for the streak 10 and not 7, are you sure you're on the right page?
Clockwork Mod 5.0.2.7
You are right. My bad.
Thank so much!!! It would be even nicer if you keep Quickoffice HD pro.
Was quickoffice preinstalled?
I dont recall as I have it though amazon (it was free for a day)
first thank you for making this rom
I would like to know may ics be available to streak 10 pro in the future
either official or cm9
coz I may buy it in a few days
thx in advance
I would imagine ICS would be eventually made available, it's too new to not recieve it.
I would recommend against buying a s10 unless you have specific reasons to get one vs a different tab.
I only got one as a companion to my s5 and s7, there's better alternatives unless they're not available where you live. (All t2 tabs are more or less identical, main thing is rom support)
TheManii said:
I would imagine ICS would be eventually made available, it's too new to not recieve it.
I would recommend against buying a s10 unless you have specific reasons to get one vs a different tab.
I only got one as a companion to my s5 and s7, there's better alternatives unless they're not available where you live. (All t2 tabs are more or less identical, main thing is rom support)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I live in hong kong and streak 10 pro is selling at about usd 280 in china (where i can easily go across the border to buy it). Before that I have considered Nook Tablet and Kindle Fire (ask my friends to buy from us for me)
Compared to other tablets (samsung SGT 10, asus TF) it is about two third of their price. I would mostly use the tab for web browsing, pdf, ppt and little gaming.
ICS upgrade is not essential for me right ? But I would like to know the support of non-HD 2.x apps on the 3.2 system ? Can they be run on the tab ?
ICS would add very little if you're already on 3.2, it's mainly to bring phones to parity.
For a tablet, ICS can be considered android 3.3. It adds lots of small things, but overall it's not a huge change. I couldnt recall offhand from the release notes or the presentation anything major for a tab, it's either bringing phones to parity or new hardware specific.
Most apps will run fine, i've yet to see one that doesnt work at all (but most of my apps are at least tablet aware and some are HC native apps), worst case you can play with the scaling button and it'll think you have a giant phone.
At least the price is dropping very quickly, it's original MSRP was ¥2999 or ~$370 where you can get a gtab10 for ~$400 on ebay. Under 300 it's reasonable, but you're saving on the rom support. The gtab and tf101 and xoom and the like have massive communities for rom support. But this depends on where you live, as being in HK means you dont really need to import it might be a reasonable buy.
My rom is pretty simple, and yet I dont expect anyone else to make anything more complex, much less release it on xda/somewhere visible outside china.
TheManii said:
Was quickoffice preinstalled?
I dont recall as I have it though amazon (it was free for a day)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought it in China and quickoffice's preinstalled.
"I would recommend against buying a s10 unless you have specific reasons to get one vs a different tab."
I agree with you!!
I need feedback from users that have installed it, it seems that the install script may be causing install issues as it's flashing back to back and putting in pauses might make it run better.
I have not actually tested the entire install script, I only know that the images it's flashing and the commands are good. BUT I run each line manually so there's always a delay.
I need input from more users in this regard.
if I install Chimeradroid ,after can i return to original stock rom without problems?
must I place extracted content of nvflash and chimeradroid 32, in the same folder?
in your guide..in Upcoming features:
•Long term: Languages available on the Streak 7
this includes italian language too?
how much time you estimate can it be implemented?
I dont currently have any plans to as it's extremely tedious to do so.
There is a script to back up your current rom in the package. You should run that even if you do not wish to install Chimeradroid.
Device name Software Update - L720VPUFNAF
Enhancements/Fixes
- OS upgrade to Android 4.4 (Kit Kat)
- Zact Mobile compatibility (It's On)
- Prevention Pop-up removal
Important Notes
- Software version is L720VPUFNAF
- This update will roll-out in a phased manner from 2/20 - 3/10
- Refer to the Samsung Galaxy S4 Software Update article in Support for install instructions
(via https://community.sprint.com/baw/message/733118)
Go through all the trouble of setting up my NAE updated phone and now they do this . Wonder how long it'll be before this one makes it's way around and gets a new hotspot mod.
Considering fgr had the NAE hotspot posted within 2 days of NAE dropping I would say not long.
Further browsing is revealing conflicting reports. The support link provided actually goes to the page for the 720T, showing the MK5 initial release and only NAF following it. Going through the original S4 model support page shows the known MDC-NAE list. Wonder if the rep goofed or are we really going to get a refresh. Guess we'll see after people start spamming check for updates.
Darnell0216 said:
Device name Software Update - L720VPUFNAF
Enhancements/Fixes
- OS upgrade to Android 4.4 (Kit Kat)
- Zact Mobile compatibility (It's On)
- Prevention Pop-up removal
Important Notes
- Software version is L720VPUFNAF
- This update will roll-out in a phased manner from 2/20 - 3/10
- Refer to the Samsung Galaxy S4 Software Update article in Support for install instructions
(via https://community.sprint.com/baw/message/733118)
Go through all the trouble of setting up my NAE updated phone and now they do this . Wonder how long it'll be before this one makes it's way around and gets a new hotspot mod.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thinkkkk this is for the L720T model (Tri-band).
Scratch that, it IS for the L720T... https://community.sprint.com/baw/message/733642#733642
Joe0113 said:
I thinkkkk this is for the L720T model (Tri-band).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I asked on the forum as well as the @sprintCare twitter account. I'm thinking the rep put the wrong model up there not knowing there were two different types of S4's. Started seeing people with the tri-band post about getting KitKat.
Yes it is for the Triband. I would like to use WiFi calling but oh well.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk
Since the OTA for android 10 became available, I have disabled system updates. This is because a number of apps I use are incompatible with android 10, or require root on android 10; these issues do not exist on android Pie. Are these bad reasons to not update the OS? The most important reason to keep the software updated is for the security patches, so would it be smarter for me to allow and install the updates again, or is it a non-issue?
Snowby123 said:
Since the OTA for android 10 became available, I have disabled system updates. This is because a number of apps I use are incompatible with android 10, or require root on android 10; these issues do not exist on android Pie. Are these bad reasons to not update the OS? The most important reason to keep the software updated is for the security patches, so would it be smarter for me to allow and install the updates again, or is it a non-issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its personal prefference. Your phone will not lostnits value or any functions....some people like to stick to old guns....
Remember once you go to android 10...there is no way back..... its your call.
You will also not get any security updates as these are generally tied into the firmware updates... If there is a nasty exploit found you may be vulnerable...
If you really need those apps then don't update. If they get support for android 10 or you find alternatives to them which work on android 10 then you'll only gain features with android 10. It's the same firmware as the S20 has - OneUI 2.1 with pretty much all features from it which are not hardware dependent, minus bixby routines (but there is goodlock routines instead which is the same for basic functionality).
As a side note I'd advise against rooting android 10, no point. Just get goodlock modules from apkmirror and use nicelock or finelock to launch them and you're good to go.
One of the reasons some people (including myself) prefer to not update their OS is battery life. I personally experienced a degradation in battery life since updating from KitKat when i had the note 4, and i had the same experience with the s7 when updating from Marshmallow to Nougat (i always do fresh OS installs through Odin). The gain in terms of usability was really minor as well.
Right now i am using note 9 and keeping it on the latest Oreo, no complaints.
For security updates as long as you know what to install you should be good.
Just adding my 2cents.
Depends... if you using any mobile financial apps or hold any confidential data on your device then yes. It is foolish to not update the OS on your device. But if you don't, then it would be ok, I suppose
Hi,
on S10 phone (which I bought mostly because of the GearVR function) after updating the software to OneUI 4.0, the entire Oculus subsystem and everything related to GearVR stopped working. The fact that it wasn't written in capital letters before the update name is rude, but to the point:
Is there some solution to run GearVR subsystem on Android 12 and OneUI newer than 4.0? Can it be installed as normal app, and if so, how is possible to get it? Maybe it is possible to downgrade GearVR service app? Ora ny other option?
Many thanks for your help!
Just wondering but any luck with finding a solution to this? I have a snapdragon S10+ and I am very much missing my vr capabilities on this BS upgrade that killed it.
I was wondering myself. since I wanted to get back into VR and get myself a Gear VR headset, but my S10+ has been updated to android 12. I tried replacing/downgrading the built in GearVR service app with com.samsung.android.hmt.vrsvc_3.2.06.18-320618000 (extracted from G975FXXSEFUL1) through magisk replace function in priv-app, but that just force-closes (tried opening in developer mode).
I went ahead and unpacked/dex2jar the \system\framework\framework.jar and \system\framework\services.jar and compared them through jd-gui and a lot of the core GearVR code has been removed/modified, so I don't believe there is any way to get core framework functionality back. only way I see is a downgrade to android 11, unfortunately.
I was hoping on an easy fix/some simple patching, as this S10+ is still my daily driver, but alas....
Running the downgraded VR service, it reports VR framework version as -1 in app/settings.
New (G975FXXUGHVJ5) ROM is also missing \system\etc\security\oculus.crt
I am in no way a developer, coder or hacker, so I did my research with limited knowledge. maybe someone with more knowledge and interest will step up eventually... but I guess if it was that easy, it would have been cracked already.
Does it work if you use Odin to downgrade to Android 11?