Android thread V-garychencool finally rooted his phone and got ICS edition - Hardware & Software

[QUOTE=WingedAssailant;39080731]its 2am so im a bit slow, sorry if it has been said. But do i have to install the .apk, or flash the zip, or do both[/QUOTE] .apk only, you don't have to flash it. Also, how do you unflash a zip?

Man I hate everything right now. So like 5 days ago I changed to another network, had to unlock my phone, was told I'd have an unlock code the next day so I subscribed to the network, paying 20 euro. 3 days pass, no code, I'm told they have none right now, get a refund, try unlock the phone myself, program tells me my phone is already unlocked. Try do several things to fix it, including flashing to a stock ROM, no joy. I pay the guys at SamMobile 15 to do it, says it worked, but didn't. More money down the drain. I ring my network, they tell me to go to a store to register the phone, I go to the store, baby crying in the line for like 15 minutes, finally I get to the counter and they say their not an official store so I can't register the phone there, so I can't get an unlock code off them. I go online and talk to a sales rep for the other network I was on, they tell me to just get another SIM to change back, which I do, paying 10 euro for it, and then when I get home I ring them up and they say that I have to have a phone with a working SIM card, which I don't have any more. What a shit day. Anybody know how I could unlock my Galaxy S2? It says it's unlocked but the damn thing isn't.

[URL="http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=29893563&postcount=2"]"no you cannot unflash a zip but you can delete the content of the zip directly from the mobile by going to /system and deleting those files"[/URL] Never done it myself

Well I simply installed that apk and specific things are loading faster, Steam, G+, GMail, Evernote and everything else is loading much faster, Reddit Sync and some games see less of a difference (loading stuff?). Overall I do see less lag. Everything loads faster too. Although I've noticed my battery draining faster, I turned the screen off, ate some food and came back to more battery drain than normal, a full 3 percent when it shouldn't have drained at all.

My MOFI pouch arrived. [URL="http://youtu.be/66-4uMQqerA?t=35s"]This thing right here.[/URL] Looks pretty sweet. In other news I am again unsure if I should go for the S3 or N4. This will be a hard decision.

S3

The S3 is just going to get EOL'd regardless of the specs much like the S2 basically has. A Jellybean update that never seems to arrive, and that'll be the last one most likely because it's been the 18 months of updates. The S3 has already existed for a year, and in a few months it's pretty much a given there will be an S4. I think the real decision would be between that and the Nexus 4.

That's exactly why I'm so unsure. My only real gripe with the N4 is the camera. Guess I'll have to get an in-depth hands on on both before I actually decide.

The S3 is a solid phone. If it weren't for the issues regarding updates I'd tell you it won't matter if they put out an S4. But it is nicer to not HAVE to flash ROMs to stay on the latest version of Android, since they bring nice new features and performance improvements, and so software support is why I'm making a recommendation to wait.

My next phone will be a nexus phone, but the S3's camera and SD card/removable battery is what sold me

[QUOTE=iCole;39081071]My MOFI pouch arrived. [URL="http://youtu.be/66-4uMQqerA?t=35s"]This thing right here.[/URL] Looks pretty sweet. In other news I am again unsure if I should go for the S3 or N4. This will be a hard decision.[/QUOTE] If money is no problem, S3. You get more storage (microSD card expansion), better camera, larger screen.

It's nice being able to buy a spare battery off the internet and use one of them killing the phone on a car journey, then the other as actually using it as a phone during the day, not to mention extended batteries

[QUOTE=iCole;39081071]My MOFI pouch arrived. [URL="http://youtu.be/66-4uMQqerA?t=35s"]This thing right here.[/URL] Looks pretty sweet. In other news I am again unsure if I should go for the S3 or N4. This will be a hard decision.[/QUOTE] depends on allot of thing. want more RAM and (this depends) CPU power Want a pure android experience IPS display? Instant updates from google? (if buying outright) $300-$400, depending where you live Non-removable battery. Nexus 4 Want better battery life? Slightly bigger screenspace Willing to spend more Amoled screen. LTE Galaxy s3

[QUOTE=FlashFireSix;39081219]It's nice being able to buy a spare battery off the internet and use one of them killing the phone on a car journey, then the other as actually using it as a phone during the day, not to mention extended batteries[/QUOTE] Friend's dad has S3 + extended battery, it's like twice as thick. Don't know how much battery but it lasts beyond a day.

[QUOTE=FlashFireSix;39081212]My next phone will be a nexus phone, but the S3's camera and SD card/removable battery is what sold me[/QUOTE] I was going to buy a Nexus 4 until I heard about, and then saw the display. Photos from the camera are also quite disappointing. I know it's $300, but I don't have the option of paying $400 or $500 to fix those issues and still have it be a Nexus device. The Android device I want doesn't exist.

[QUOTE=iCole;39079492][APK] Seeder entropy generator to provide [B]significant lag reduction[/B] [url]http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1987032[/url] I uh.. I have no fucking idea what this did, but before I installed this, my YouTube app took like two seconds to load. Now it pops up [I]almost[/I] instantly. And Google Now seems faster too.[/QUOTE] It might be placebo effect, but it did seem faster to me... The only major difference I noticed was that Maps loaded the local map almost instantaneously

[QUOTE=MaxOfS2D;39081292]It might be placebo effect, but it did seem faster to me... The only major difference I noticed was that Maps loaded the local map almost instantaneously[/QUOTE] Probably not for me. Most things load faster, but I noticed there's more battery drain.

[QUOTE=garychencool;39081215]If money is no problem, S3. You get more storage (microSD card expansion), better camera, larger screen.[/QUOTE] .1 inch larger It is not noticeable at all.

[QUOTE=Kaabii;39081259]I heard about, and then saw the display.[/QUOTE] oh Kaabii :v: [QUOTE=WingedAssailant;39081243]depends on allot of thing. 1 want more RAM and (this depends) CPU power 2 Want a pure android experience 3 IPS display? 4 Instant updates from good? 5 (if buying outright) $300-$400, depending where you live 6Non-removable battery. Nexus 4 7 Want better battery life? 8 Slightly bigger screenspace 9 Willing to spend more 10 Amoled screen. 11 LTE Galaxy s3[/QUOTE] 1 Definitely 2 Hell yes 3 I don't really care about the technology used as long as it looks good and doesn't burn in. 4 Yes 5 It's more like 600usd over here, but I might be able to get it tax-free which might get me back 100usd. Still cheaper than the S3 no matter what. 6 Don't really care since I have a small external battery that I can carry around, plus the battery life seems to be better than the S2 and so far I was always able to get around just okay with the S2 7 see 6 8 it's not THAT significantly bigger now, is it? And it'll still be bigger than my S2. 9 weeeeell in worst case, yes 10 if it burns in? [B]fuck no.[/B] 11 LTE is only beginning to roll out in this country. it'll take at least 2 years before it's in any usable form. not to mention the carriers will ramp up the prices unreasonably for it. Honestly, it's only the camera that bothers me on the N4. It can take [B]good[/B] photos, but my S2 (or the S3) has significantly less grain. And I really want to get away from the delayed update bullshit or hacky roms that might not work perfectly because the manufacturer doesn't document stuff enough. So, basically, this: [QUOTE=Kaabii;39081259]The Android device I want doesn't exist.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=iCole;39079492][APK] Seeder entropy generator to provide [B]significant lag reduction[/B] [url]http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1987032[/url] I uh.. I have no fucking idea what this did, but before I installed this, my YouTube app took like two seconds to load. Now it pops up [I]almost[/I] instantly. And Google Now seems faster too.[/QUOTE] What is required of me to use this?

[QUOTE=iCole;39081477]oh Kaabii :v: 1 Definitely 2 Hell yes 3 I don't really care about the technology used as long as it looks good and doesn't burn in. 4 Yes 5 It's more like 600usd over here, but I might be able to get it tax-free which might get me back 100usd. Still cheaper than the S3 no matter what. 6 Don't really care since I have a small external battery that I can carry around, plus the battery life seems to be better than the S2 and so far I was always able to get around just okay with the S2 7 see 6 8 it's not THAT significantly bigger now, is it? And it'll still be bigger than my S2. 9 weeeeell in worst case, yes 10 if it burns in? [B]fuck no.[/B] 11 LTE is only beginning to roll out in this country. it'll take at least 2 years before it's in any usable form. not to mention the carriers will ramp up the prices unreasonably for it. Honestly, it's only the camera that bothers me on the N4. It can take [B]good[/B] photos, but my S2 (or the S3) has significantly less grain. And I really want to get away from the delayed update bullshit or hacky roms that might not work perfectly because the manufacturer doesn't document stuff enough. So, basically, this:[/QUOTE] you have to remember the bar at the bottom for the home/back/app switcher taking up a bit of room. the camera isnt all that bad, and after all, is it worth more for the s3, from what your saying, for quite a bit more?

[QUOTE=paul simon;39081522]What is required of me to use this?[/QUOTE] Being rooted. Then you install the apk, turn it on and reboot.

[QUOTE=iCole;39079492][APK] Seeder entropy generator to provide [B]significant lag reduction[/B] [url]http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1987032[/url] I uh.. I have no fucking idea what this did, but before I installed this, my YouTube app took like two seconds to load. Now it pops up [I]almost[/I] instantly. And Google Now seems faster too.[/QUOTE] Its impossible to get a straight answer in that thread. What all is necessary to install and will it keep me from being OTAs.

[QUOTE=iCole;39081535]Being rooted. Then you install the apk, turn it on and reboot.[/QUOTE] How much work is it in rooting the phone? Any downsides? Do I have to install stuff again?

[QUOTE=WingedAssailant;39081525]you have to remember the bar at the bottom for the home/back/app switcher taking up a bit of room. the camera isnt all that bad, and after all, is it worth more for the s3, from what your saying, for quite a bit more?[/QUOTE] Thing is, I love the onscreen buttons idea. Customizable, rotates with the display and all that. The presence of a hardware button on my phone annoys me and I have taken measures that minimize me from clicking it. Plus, S3 is still using a dedicated menu button. Yuck. And as Kaabii said, it's nearly one year old already. I guess from the list of things it kinda looks like I should get the N4 instead. Even space is not much of a problem, ~12GB in the phone should be enough. I have tons of shit I never listen to and use in my current phone anyway, and I still don't max out the internal [B]1[/B]6GB storage. [B]typo fixed[/B]

[QUOTE=loophole;39081461].1 inch larger It is not noticeable at all.[/QUOTE] My phone size is 3 inches. Is 0.5 inches noticeable at all? Everyone thinks my phone is like 2.5 inches even though I point out my phone is 0.5 inches smaller than the iPhone 4/4S in terms of screen size... [editline]3rd January 2013[/editline] [QUOTE=paul simon;39081551]How much work is it in rooting the phone? Any downsides? Do I have to install stuff again?[/QUOTE] Rooting your device gives you full admin access over everything. The only downsides is that you could (but unlikely) brick your device, you will void the warranty but you can always get it back by unrooting if you ever need to send the device in for repair, etc. You don't have to re-install anything at all. [editline]3rd January 2013[/editline] [QUOTE=iCole;39081572] Even space is not much of a problem, ~12GB in the phone should be enough. I have tons of shit I never listen to and use in my current phone anyway, and I still don't max out the internal 6GB storage.[/QUOTE] Oh you will. You fucking will and I'll tell you that now.

[QUOTE=garychencool;39081577]Rooting your device gives you full admin access over everything. The only downsides is that you could (but unlikely) brick your device, you will void the warranty but you can always get it back by unrooting if you ever need to send the device in for repair, etc. You don't have to re-install anything at all.[/QUOTE] And it's unlikely to cause me any problems whatsoever? If so, I'll give it a try. (and ask here if I need help, but I assume google will do)

Rooting does not void warranty in the EU.

There's only one more thing i worry about though, will it affect my phones ability to call through my service provider? (Telenor)

[QUOTE=garychencool;39081577]Oh you will. You fucking will and I'll tell you that now.[/QUOTE] Not likely. I sync my photos to Dropbox and only keep 30ish of the most recent ones on my phone. I hardly watch videos on my phone, except for YouTube. A few games will fit. Even the bigger ones. Music will also fit. Using Play Music isn't really an option YET because I cannot find a reliable service that lets me activate it. Fucking proxies and whatnot get stuck after the accept button. And that still leaves room for porn :dance: