Flashing android phones - why and do you have to ?

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KiwiTT

123 posts

Master Geek
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#92490 31-Oct-2011 09:06

I have read a lot of people flashing their android phones, for this fix or that.

I am considering getting a new smart phone, but I don't want to go all "geek" and be a pro-flasher to get the nth bit of performance out of it.

When I get my smart phone it will very likely be a high end one, but the thought of having to flash Android ROMs, seems strange. I would normally think the manufacturer, would simply release updates from time to time you need to apply

I am thinking if I get Android, I'll be entering the same phase as acquiring Linux many years ago, finding the right flash ROM code to fix this or that as opposed to going to the manufacturer and getting a patch.

So android users why do you do it and can you explain why you simply do not wait for the manaufacturer's patch.

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924 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#539431 31-Oct-2011 09:10

Choice and customisation.
If you choose a top end phone you won't have any issues.
All this talk about not getting updates is a load of crap as far as I'm concerned.
They are OS updates brining new or different features. There is no agreement when you buy the phone that you will be given a free new OS.
They are not important security updates.

I rooted and flashed my Desire because I wanted more space for apps. That was the only downfall of that phone. Other than that the stock ROM was fine.

So there is no need to worry. Choose a phone you like and all will be fine.

oxnsox

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#539443 31-Oct-2011 09:43

TheUngeek: Choice and customisation.
If you choose a top end phone you won't have any issues.
All this talk about not getting updates is a load of crap as far as I'm concerned.
They are OS updates bringing new or different features. There is no agreement when you buy the phone that you will be given a free new OS.
They are not important security updates.
So there is no need to worry. Choose a phone you like and all will be fine.

+1
Remember the majority of users simply use the device as it comes out of the box.
Their 'customisation' it limited to which apps they choose to download and use.

But if you feel an urge to get-under-the-hood and tinker, then it's an option thats always there

KiwiTT

123 posts

Master Geek
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#539446 31-Oct-2011 10:00

What is the expected life out of a smartphone - 3-4 years ?

It is almost as if a new one is released every week. It reminds me of the heady days of the PC CPU megahertz races we had.

Will it ever slow down.

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n00dy

482 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#539451 31-Oct-2011 10:22

I try and keep them up to date even if it is not the teleco version (4 andriods in our family) I updated my wifes one before the offical telecom update and saw a few changes, one of them added voice to text translation which I liked. Then when telecom finally updated the software I just downloaded the ROM and even got the official software so my warranty remained in place

KiwiTT

123 posts

Master Geek
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#539460 31-Oct-2011 10:41

I am currently trying to decide if I should wait for a version 4.x phone.

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langers1972

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#539476 31-Oct-2011 11:10

Galaxy Nexus out soon will have Ice Cream Sandwich out of the box, you could always buy a cheap Nexus S as that's supposed to be the next in line a couple of weeks after Galaxy Nexus release.

I got a Nexus S in Oz on VF for just under $400 http://shop.vodafone.com.au/mobile-details/Nexus-S

You could then use that as a 'tester' before shelling out $1000+ for a top of the line handset

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KiwiTT

123 posts

Master Geek
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#539480 31-Oct-2011 11:15

I am on Telecom currently with my Sony W705a, whereby I don't have to be on any plan and only pay for the calls I use.

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Linuxluver

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#539508 31-Oct-2011 12:01

KiwiTT: I have read a lot of people flashing their android phones, for this fix or that.

I am considering getting a new smart phone, but I don't want to go all "geek" and be a pro-flasher to get the nth bit of performance out of it.

When I get my smart phone it will very likely be a high end one, but the thought of having to flash Android ROMs, seems strange. I would normally think the manufacturer, would simply release updates from time to time you need to apply

I am thinking if I get Android, I'll be entering the same phase as acquiring Linux many years ago, finding the right flash ROM code to fix this or that as opposed to going to the manufacturer and getting a patch.

So android users why do you do it and can you explain why you simply do not wait for the manaufacturer's patch.

You only flash your phone if there is some feature or function it's capable of that you can't get on the stock build. Otherwise....don't bother.

I have 3 phones. One is rooted. Two aren't. They all run stock firmware.

I used to flash the bejesus out of my HTC Magic because it had limited hardware and alternative ROMs gave it more functionality that really mattered.

But my HTC Sensation and LG Optimus 3D both work very well on stock firmware and I have not been tempted to mess with either of them.

If you can't think of a good reason to do it...then there is no good reason to do it. If one arises...you'll know it.

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nate

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#539522 31-Oct-2011 12:23

I bought my partner's Samsung Galaxy S from an online retailer, and it drop shipped from Hong Kong.

It's factory firmware was ridiculously slow, and I reflashed it to get better speed and stability. It was the best thing I ever did.

lchiu7

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#539546 31-Oct-2011 13:15

I have never flashed the firmware on my N1 but I might at least root it and install apps2sd so I can free up more memory in the phone. That's the most annoying thing about the phone - constantly running low on storage for aps.

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eXDee

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#539576 31-Oct-2011 13:59

On a decent phone, speed isn't as much of an issue.

I did it mainly for customization. I can do things that aren't possible with the stock roms, let alone any other non android device.

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Giggs

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Ultimate Geek
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#539603 31-Oct-2011 15:19

As others have said it depends on the phone. I rooted & flashed my HTC Desire as it was the Telstra version which I needed as I was on the XT network, but it came with a lot of stock Telstra apps which I wanted to get rid of. I flashed a stock Froyo Rom which I used for a long time and then a gingerbread one.

As I posted recently I made some other changes to get round the fact the Desire's internal memory is not great and now it runs really well.

If you feel you must have the latest and greatest updates then rooting and flashing will ensure you get them quicker than your manufacturer rolls them out, if they do it at all.

Other than that there is no real advantage unless you need to compensate for any deficiencies in your phone or you like to fiddle a lot!

Linuxluver

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#539610 31-Oct-2011 15:39

nate: I bought my partner's Samsung Galaxy S from an online retailer, and it drop shipped from Hong Kong.

It's factory firmware was ridiculously slow, and I reflashed it to get better speed and stability. It was the best thing I ever did.

Perfect example of a GOOD reason.

I did exactly the same. The SG-S phone wasn't usable with the rubbish firmware Samsung loaded on the thing initially.

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Linuxluver

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#539611 31-Oct-2011 15:40

lchiu7: I have never flashed the firmware on my N1 but I might at least root it and install apps2sd so I can free up more memory in the phone. That's the most annoying thing about the phone - constantly running low on storage for aps.

Apparently this is the main reason the N1 won't be getting Android 4.0 officially....so there is a good reason to go alternate ROMs if the phone can be made to do it using some work-around or other.

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toyonut

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#539679 31-Oct-2011 19:00

Like has already been said, the big name ones should all get updates and new features. I would imagine people expect it now that their device should be able to get to the next major release due to the Iphone allowing you at least one major update, but sometimes 2.
New features and more speed/battery are always nice.
My little Huawei u8150 is not one of these phones though. it comes as it comes and will likely never be updated so to have a modding community that makes solid and fast roms for this phone is cool. I probably wont try gingerbread on the cyanogen mods, but just a well tweaked 2.2.2 rom makes the phone far more usable and stable than it ever was before.

Try Vultr using this link and get us both some credit:

http://www.vultr.com/?ref=7033587-3B

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