Mac OSX Mountain Lion kills fastboot : « ERROR: Unable to create a plug-in (e00002be) »

After upgrading to Mac OSX Mountain Lion (10.8), the fastboot command does not work anymore, making it impossible to flash custom roms from OSX Mountain Lion.

Here is an extract of what happens when trying to use the fastboot command from OSX Mountain Lion command shell :


droid $ fastboot erase cache
ERROR: Unable to create a plug-in (e00002be)
< waiting for device >
ERROR: Unable to create a plug-in (e00002be)
ERROR: Unable to create a plug-in (e00002be)
ERROR: Unable to create a plug-in (e00002be)
ERROR: Unable to create a plug-in (e00002be)
ERROR: Unable to create a plug-in (e00002be)
ERROR: Unable to create a plug-in (e00002be)
^C
droid $


The workaround I've found so far is using the fastboot command from previous versions of Mac OSX : Lion (10.7.x) or Snow Leopard (10.6.x).

HTC One X (GSM) : detailed instructions to unlock bootloader, install custom recovery and root

This only applies to the international (GSM) HTC One X model (the one with a Nvidia Tegra 3 chipset).


A - Unlock the bootloader
First of all, you have to unlock the bootloader as explained in HTC One X : HTCdev provides a process to unlock the bootloader. Although the HTCdev - Unlock Bootloader dedicated site provides very clear instructions, some may rather like to follow the detailed step by step instructions provided by [Tut] Preparing Your One X for Custom Roms (For Dummies).


B - Install a custom recovery

The second step is to install a custom recovery. I followed the detailed step by step instructions from [Tut] Preparing Your One X for Custom Roms (For Dummies)

B.1) Download the recovery recovery-clockwork-touch-5.8.3.1-endeavoru.img from MANDATORY UPDATE 26/4 Official Clockworkmod Touch Recovery 5.8.3.1 Charging Fixed!!!. The link directs to the touch version of the custom recovery. A non-touch version of the custom recovery is available at ROM Manager - ROMs and Recovery Images.

B.2) Put the recovery image you've just downloaded into the same directory as the fastboot executable.

B.3) Check the MD5 checksum of the recovery image you've just downloaded. Open a command prompt and enter the command :


droid $ md5 recovery-clockwork-touch-5.8.3.1-endeavoru.img
MD5 (recovery-clockwork-touch-5.8.3.1-endeavoru.img) = 6adc7248475c61cc5eb2ec951d3d0df0
droid $


Check the red part with the one provided with the recovery image.

B.4) Power off the HTC One X

B.5) Power on the HTC One X in bootloader mode by holding Volume-Down button while pressing the Power button.
FASTBOOT should be highlighted in blue.
Before doing this, you should ensure your phone has at least 50% battery !!

B.6) Select the FASTBOOT item (highlight using Volume-Up / Volume-Down button) the press the Power button.
FASTBOOT should now be highlighted in red.

B.7) Plug the HTC One X on the USB cable.
FASTBOOT should become FASTBOOT USB still highlighted in red.

B.8) From the command prompt you used in step B.3), enter the command


droid $ fastboot flash recovery recovery-clockwork-touch-5.8.3.1-endeavoru.img
sending 'recovery' (5732 KB)...
OKAY [ 0.885s]
writing 'recovery'...
(bootloader) Format partition SOS done
OKAY [ 0.556s]
finished. total time: 1.441s
droid $


B.9) Power off the HTC One X using the Volume-Down button 3 times to select POWER DOWN. Then press the Power button.

B.10) Power on the HTC One X in bootloader mode by holding Volume-Down button while pressing the Power button.
The FASTBOOT item should be highlighted in blue.

B.11) Choose the RECOVERY item (the 2nd one) using Volume-Down button. Then press the Power button.
The "quietly brilliant" white HTC screen appears briefly.
Then the "ClockworkMod Recovery v5.8.3.1" black screen appears.
The "Reboot system now" item is highlighted in blue.

B.12) Touch the "backup and restore" item.
The "Nandroid" screen appears.
The "backup" item is highlighted in blue.

B.13) Touch the "backup" item
The screen changes and the backup begins : boot image, recovery image, system, data, .android-secure, cache, sd-ext.
A md5 sum is automatically generated.
A "backup complete" message appears and the menu reappears.

B.14) Touch the "reboot system now" item to reboot your HTC One X.

The custom recovery is installed and you now have a backup from which you can recover if things goes wrong later.


C - Root the HTC One X

The third step is to root the HTC One X.
I followed the instructions from Installing a custom recovery which also explains how to install the [07.05.2012] SuperSU v0.89.

C.1) Download the SuperSU application (file CWM-SuperSU-v0.89.zip) which is attached in the [07.05.2012] SuperSU v0.89.

C.2) Put the SuperSU application (file CWM-SuperSU-v0.89.zip) at the root of your HTC One X sdcard (into the folder /sdcard). There are different ways to do it. I rather like to use the adb push command


droid $ adb push CWM-SuperSU-v0.89.zip /sdcard/CWM-SuperSU-v0.89.zip
786 KB/s (569873 bytes in 0.707s)
droid $ adb shell
shell@android:/ $ ls -l /sdcard/CW*
----rwxr-x system sdcard_rw 569873 2012-05-08 20:58 CWM-SuperSU-v0.89.zip
shell@android:/ $ exit
droid $


C.3) Unplug the USB cable from the HTC One X

C.4) Power off the HTC One X

C.5) Power on the HTC One X in bootloader mode by holding Volume-Down button while pressing the Power button.
FASTBOOT should be highlighted in blue.
Before doing this, you should ensure your phone has at least 50% battery !!

C.6) Select RECOVERY using the Volume-Down button, then press the Power button.
The "quietly brilliant" white HTC screen appears briefly.
Then the "ClockworkMod Recovery v5.8.3.1" black screen appears.
The "Reboot system now" item is highlighted in blue.

C.7) Touch the 2nd item "install zip from sdcard"
The screen "Apply update from .zip on SD card" appears with the item "choose zip from sdcard" highlighted in blue.

C.8) Touch the highlighted item "choose zip from sdcard"
The screen "Choose a zip to apply" appears with a list of files and directories.
Scroll through the files and directories (with your finger) and touch the file CWM-SuperSU-v0.89.zip.
The screen "Confirm install ?" appears.

C.9) Touch the item "Yes - Install CWM-SuperSU-v0.89.zip"
The installation begins and a log is displayed on the screen.
Then you're back on the screen "Apply update from .zip on SD card".

C.10) Touch the last item "++++Go Back++++"
You're now back on the screen "ClockworkMod Recovery v5.8.3.1"
The "Reboot system now" item is highlighted in blue.

C.11) Touch the "Reboot system now" item.
The HTC One X reboots.

C.12) The SuperSU application appears among the other applications on your HTC One X.
Touch the SuperSU application.

If you like SuperSU and want to support it, maybe would you want to upgrade to the SuperSU Pro.


Important note about the SuperSU rooting application

The following quote comes from SuperSU - Chainfire

The discussion and support thread can be found on XDA-Developers here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1538053

SUPERUSER
This is meant to replace Superuser (if installed), you use either one or the other. You cannot combine them. Statements that this breaks Superuser are therefore completely nonsensical.

NOTICE: A SPECIAL PROCEDURE IS NEEDED FOR UNINSTALLATION. IF YOU DO NOT LIKE THE APP, DO *NOT* JUST UNINSTALL IT, YOU *WILL* LOSE ROOT.
Superuser access management runs through a so called "su binary". There can be only one of these at a time. So if you install SuperSU, your previous superuser access management solution will no longer operate. So if you want to switch back: (1) Open that application, and search for an option for it to install/update/replace the "su binary". (2) Confirm root-using apps are using the superuser solution you want. (3) Uninstall SuperSU.

Android rooting and custom ROM : small lexicon before rooting HTC One X

What is :

• hboot : It's the bootloader. It's what decides to boot into recovery or android. (http://androidforums.com/desire-all-things-root/436495-hboot.html#post3386080). HBOOT is the bootloader, the first thing that runs when you boot up your phone. Like your regular Linux bootloader, it lets you boot off of different partitions. (Can someone explain these Android ROM hacking terms: HBOOT/bootloader, radio, recovery image, update.zip, NAND unlocking, RUU?)
• recovery : In Android, recovery refers to the dedicated, bootable partition that has the recovery console installed. (What is recovery? [Android A to Z])
• S-OFF & S-ON : In a nutshell, S-OFF means that the NAND portion of the device is unlocked and can be written to. The default setting for HTC’s devices is S-ON, which means that neither can you access certain areas of the system nor can you guarantee a permanent root. Furthermore, signature check for firmware images is also ensured by the S-ON flag. (What Is S-OFF & How To Gain It On HTC Android Phones With unrevoked forever and another one What is S-OFF? Why would I want to do it?)
• NAND : The phone's internal memory (not the SD card) is solid-state (flash) memory, AKA NAND. It can be partitioned much like a normal hard drive can be partitioned. The bootloader exists in its own partition. Recovery is another partition; radio, system, cache, etc are all partitions.
  [...]
  During the rooting process, a critical piece of the process is disabling a security system built into the bootloader that protects these partitions from accidental (or intentional) modification. This is what's referred to as "unlocking NAND." The security system can be set to active or inactive. S-ON means the security is in place (NAND locked). S-OFF means the security is off (NAND unlocked). When S-OFF, you have the ability to modify all partitions. With S-ON, you only have write access to /cache and /data. Everything else is read-only.(Android partitions, kernels explained)
• NANDroid & NAND backup : It's a backup and restore tool that allows you to take a full image of all the phone's internal NAND memory (hence the name) and store it on your SD Card. Should something go wrong with the phone's software, you can use the previously saved backup to restore the phone to a working state. (What is the relation between ROM Manager, ClockworkMod and Nandroid? Which one(s) do I need?)
  A Nandroid backup is a backup of your phone that is an exact image of the state of your phone. So you could make an exact copy of your current phone, then do major changes to it, and then restore to your previous backup by flashing the backup back to the phone. Flashing means to copy or to install.... you are essentially wiping the device and restoring a previous state (a backup) or you are flashing a new ROM (which is a custom version of Android). (What do “NAND”, “ROM” and “to flash” mean? [closed])
• Odexed : In Android file system, applications come in packages with the extension .apk. These application packages, or APKs contain certain .odex files whose supposed function is to save space. These ‘odex’ files are actually collections of parts of an application that are optimized before booting. Doing so speeds up the boot process, as it preloads part of an application. On the other hand, it also makes hacking those applications difficult because a part of the coding has already been extracted to another location before execution. (What does odexed and deodexed mean ?)
• DeOdexed : Deodexing is basically repackaging of these APKs in a certain way, such that they are reassembled into classes.dex files. By doing that, all pieces of an application package are put together back in one place, thus eliminating the worry of a modified APK conflicting with some separate odexed parts.
  In summary, Deodexed ROMs (or APKs) have all their application packages put back together in one place, allowing for easy modification such as theming. Since no pieces of code are coming from any external location, custom ROMs or APKs are always deodexed to ensure integrity." (What does odexed and deodexed mean ?)

Here are some resources for a more complete introduction :

• Android partitions, kernels explained
• More information about Android partitions
• What is the difference between: Rooting, Jailbreak, ROM, Mod, etc.?
• OCUV, HAVS, etc... - what does it mean ?
• [FAQ] Technical Definitions (Update: 09/11/2010) defines a lot of terms like RUU, HBOOT, Recovery mode, Flashing a ROM, Custom ROM, Kernel, RADIO, and many others ...

And what rooting is useful for :

• I've rooted my phone. Now what? What do I gain from rooting?

Toshiba AT200 Excite received an OTA update to 3.2.1.05.5.0009

The Toshiba AT200 Excite received an OTA update a few days ago. The Android version is now 3.2.1.05.5.0009 from 3.2.1.05.5.0003.

It's not clear what kind of changes this update brought as there is no changelog. Furthermore there is no AT200 entry on the Toshiba Support Forum as you can see on the picture below.

What can be said about this upgrade is :

• Android is still Honeycomb 3.2.1
• The Android Play (former Android Market) seems to work as it should, I mean like it behaves on all other devices
• Google Plus now works well. Before the upgrade, it didn't work at all beyond the first screen (Activity in Android terms)
• It seems the tablet is more stable since the upgrade

HTC One X : early CyanogenMod 9 port by TripNDroid Mobile Engineering

HTC One X can be flashed with a CyanogenMod custom ROM, which will bring an AOSP based ICS (without HTC Sence). As the camera and the wifi hotspot don't work and the mobile data are said to "take a lot of time to correctly connect", I won't give it a try right now. But it's good to know CyanogenMod will finally come to the HTC One X. Head to [29-04] [ROM] CyanogenMod 9 - Endeavor Unleashed for more information and installation instructions. Source : HTC One X gets an early CyanogenMod 9 port on Android Community

HTC One X : HTCdev provides a process to unlock the bootloader

The latest HTC One X has a locked bootloader, like most HTC's devices. HTC provides a process to unlock the bootloader of most of it's devices. Everything is explained on HTCdev site. The overall process is explained on the Preview Unlock Process page.

As usual, unlocking the bootloader may void your device's warranty. And you may damage your phone.

Galaxy Nexus : installing ICS 4.0.4 from factory image on the GSM/HSPA+'s model (« yakju » / « maguro »)

Google has just published the latest Android 4.0.4 (IMM76D) factory image "yakju" for Galaxy Nexus "maguro" (GSM/HSPA+). I've decided to flash the factory image right away instead of waiting for the OTA update.

I've just followed the same instructions that worked to install the Android 4.0.2 ICS.

Be aware that all your personal data (files, photos, mp3, ...) will be erased during the process as a factory reset will be done. You should make a backup before starting the install. You should also ensure that your account's information are backed up on Google's server and that the synchronization has been done.

Blogger on Toshiba AT200 Android tablet

This post has been written on a Toshiba AT200 android tablet (http://eu.press.toshiba.eu/en/articles/pressgeneric/pr_ToshibaAT200) running Android 3.2.1 using Blogger.
The goal of the post is to try to make a link using the Link button of the Blogger app.

The Blogger's app link button does not seem to work !!...

Galaxy Nexus : installing ICS 4.0.2 from factory image on the GSM/HSPA+'s model (« yakju » / « maguro »)

UPDATE 04-04-2012 :
Be aware that :

• All your personal data (files, photos, mp3, ...) will be erased during the process and a factory reset will be done.
• You should make a backup before starting the install.
• You should also ensure that your account's information are backed up on Google's server and that all the account have been synchronized on Google's server.
• You will have to parameter again all your applications : social networks account (sign in into Twitter, Facebook, or whatever account you use), cloud service account (sign in into Ubuntu One, Dropbox, Evergreen, or whatever service account you use), library account (sign in into Kindle or whatever service account you use). So, you should ensure you have all those account sign-in information with you. And be prepared to spend some time on this task.

AS YOU MAY BRICK YOUR PHONE, DO IT AT YOUR OWN RISKS.
Good luck if you decide to continue with the manual update process instead of waiting for the OTA.


I've just updated my GSM/HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus (« yakju » / « maguro » model) to Android ICS 4.0.2 by flashing the factory image. I've decided to flash the factory image because manual install requires to unlock the bootloader and this single action will erase my data (userdata partition) on the device whether I flash the factory image or the OTA archive.

First of all, prepare everything :

• download the yakju / maguro icl53f Android 4.0.2 factory image and verify the checksum (MD5 or SHA-1)
• then expand the archive in a folder on your desktop computer
• download the fastboot application for Windows or Mac on your desktop computer, unzip it and copy the unzipped contents to the folder where the factory image has been expanded to. It seems the fastboot application is now in the Android SDK folder : android-sdk/platform-tools. So you just have to ensure this folder is in your PATH environment variable
• install the Android SDK on your computer. I don't know if this is a required step but who knows, it will be ready if things goes wrong ...
• open the flash-all.sh script file from the directory where the factory image has been expanded to in a text editor
• open a command shell and go to the directory where the factory image has been expanded to

Now everything has been prepared, you're ready to proceed.

Here are the steps :
0) boot in fastboot mode following the instructions from Building for devices (shutdown your Galaxy Nexus then hold volume-up and volume-down, then press power while maintaining volume-up and volume-down until the phone vibrate)

1) unlock the bootloader following the instructions from Building for devices (the "Unlocking the bootloader" section). The Galaxy Nexus will display a warning screen and you'll have to confirm on the phone you still want to unlock the bootloader using the volume-up button then the power button)


$ fastboot oem unlock
...
OKAY [ 33.912s]
finished. total time: 33.912s


At the next Galaxy Nexus reboot, you will see an unlocked locker on the black screen with the « Google » logo.

2) flash the bootloader following the flash-all.sh script's commands provided in the factory image archive


$ fastboot flash bootloader bootloader-maguro-primekk15.img
sending 'bootloader' (2308 KB)...
OKAY [ 0.347s]
writing 'bootloader'...
OKAY [ 0.291s]
finished. total time: 0.637s


wait for a few seconds

3) reboot the bootloader following the flash-all.sh script


$ fastboot reboot-bootloader
rebooting into bootloader...
OKAY [ 0.007s]
finished. total time: 0.007s


wait for a few seconds

4) flash the radio image following the flash-all.sh script


$ fastboot flash radio radio-maguro-i9250xxkk6.img
sending 'radio' (12288 KB)...
OKAY [ 1.749s]
writing 'radio'...
OKAY [ 1.376s]
finished. total time: 3.124s


wait for a few seconds

5) reboot the bootloader following the flash-all.sh script


$ fastboot reboot-bootloader
rebooting into bootloader...
OKAY [ 0.006s]
finished. total time: 0.006s


wait for a few seconds

6) flash the android 4.0.2 (icl53f) image following the flash-all.sh script


$ fastboot -w update image-yakju-icl53f.zip
archive does not contain 'boot.sig'
archive does not contain 'recovery.sig'
archive does not contain 'system.sig'
--------------------------------------------
Bootloader Version...: PRIMEKK15
Baseband Version.....: I9250XXKK6
Serial Number........: 0xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
--------------------------------------------
checking product...
OKAY [ 0.007s]
checking version-bootloader...
OKAY [ 0.008s]
checking version-baseband...
OKAY [ 0.008s]
sending 'boot' (4074 KB)...
OKAY [ 0.591s]
writing 'boot'...
OKAY [ 0.249s]
sending 'recovery' (4406 KB)...
OKAY [ 0.648s]
writing 'recovery'...
OKAY [ 0.295s]
sending 'system' (317594 KB)...
OKAY [ 34.419s]
writing 'system'...
OKAY [ 33.115s]
erasing 'userdata'...
OKAY [ 0.193s]
erasing 'cache'...
OKAY [ 0.015s]
rebooting...

finished. total time: 69.582s


Wait for a few seconds and your phone will reboot by itself, then restart.

7) As everything has been erased, and specially your personal information, apps, data and so on, you are asked a few information to configure your Android phone as it is a very first start.

This restoration process takes quite some time.

8) After the phone has been parametered and it has restored your data (contacts, emails, ...), apps, and the likes from Google's servers, it is strongly suggested to lock your phone's bootloader (as recommended by Jean-Baptiste Queru).

At the command prompt, execute the following command :


$ fastboot oem lock
...
OKAY [ 0.203s]
finished. total time: 0.203s


wait for a few seconds then reboot your phone


$ fastboot reboot
rebooting...

finished. total time: 0.005s


While the phone reboots you should not see any unlocked locker on the black screen with the « Google » logo.

That's it. Enjoy.


fastboot commands

$ fastboot -?
usage: fastboot [ <option> ] <command>

commands:
update <filename> reflash device from update.zip
flashall flash boot + recovery + system
flash <partition> [ <filename> ] write a file to a flash partition
erase <partition> erase a flash partition
getvar <variable> display a bootloader variable
boot <kernel> [ <ramdisk> ] download and boot kernel
flash:raw boot <kernel> [ <ramdisk> ] create bootimage and flash it
devices list all connected devices
continue continue with autoboot
reboot reboot device normally
reboot-bootloader reboot device into bootloader
help show this help message

options:
-w erase userdata and cache
-s <serial number> specify device serial number
-p <product> specify product name
-c <cmdline> override kernel commandline
-i <vendor id> specify a custom USB vendor id
-b <base_addr> specify a custom kernel base address
-n <page size> specify the nand page size. default: 2048


Galaxy Nexus : how to get the 4.0.2 update on the GSM/HSPA+ "yakju" / "maguro" model, NOT for Verizon's CDMA/LTE "mysid" / "toro" model

There are different methods out there on how to bring your GSM/HSPA+'s Galaxy Nexus (« yakju » / « maguro » model) to 4.0.2 if you can't wait for the OTA update :

• manually flash the factory image following the instructions given here HOWTO Manual update to 4.0.2 using factory imgs, w/o wiping phone. The factory images used in this HowTo can be found on Google's site Google Support for Nexus Phones and Flagship Devices - Factory Images for Nexus Devices
• manually flash the OTA update following the instructions given here How-To: Manually flash the OTA to your Galaxy Nexus. As said in the article, the OTA package can be downloaded from Google's site : http://android.clients.google.com/packages/ota/google_maguro/11bbbccb08d5.signed-yakju-ITL41F-from-ITL41D.11bbbccb.zip.
  Important : This procedure requires the custom « ClockworkMod Recovery » to be install. See details below.

According to Jean-Baptiste M. "JBQ" Queru, a software engineer working on Android Open-Source Project (AOSP) at Google, the factory image contains a flash-all.sh script. Here is the script that can be found in the yakju-icl53f factory image (just expand the archive to see the contents) :


fastboot flash bootloader bootloader-maguro-primekk15.img
fastboot reboot-bootloader
sleep 5
fastboot flash radio radio-maguro-i9250xxkk6.img
fastboot reboot-bootloader
sleep 5
fastboot -w update image-yakju-icl53f.zip


Notice the « -w » in the last script line « fastboot -w update image-yakju-icl53f.zip ». This command line option ask fastboot to "erase userdata and cache" partitions aka wipe out the "userdata and cache" (Android Partitions Explained: boot, system, recovery, data, cache & misc).

In the instructions given in the article HOWTO Manual update to 4.0.2 using factory imgs, w/o wiping phone, the « -w » has been removed from the last script line :


fastboot flash bootloader bootloader-maguro-primekk15.img
fastboot reboot-bootloader
(wait for bootloader to reboot)
fastboot flash radio radio-maguro-i9250xxkk6.img
fastboot reboot-bootloader
(wait for bootloader to reboot)
fastboot update image-yakju-icl53f.zip


As stated by Jean-Baptiste Queru in his post about the Factory images available for Galaxy Nexus,

Don't forget that after flashing back to a factory state, your bootloader is still unlocked. Don't forget to lock it back in order to secure your device ("fastboot oem lock").

Unlock the Galaxy Nexus bootloader
For both procedures, before manually updating to 4.0.2, your bootloader will have to be unlocked first. The procedure can be found here HOW-TO OEM unlock the Galaxy Nexus.

As stated in Building for devices from the « Android Open Source Project » reference site,

The procedure must be confirmed on-screen, and deletes the user data for privacy reasons. It only needs to be run once.

On Nexus One, the operation voids the warranty and is irreversible.

On Nexus S, Nexus S 4G, Xoom, and Galaxy Nexus, the bootloader can be locked back with

The ClockworkMod Recovery
The procedure to manually install the OTA requires to install the latest version of the ClockworkMod Recovery for the GSM/HSPA+ "maguro" Galaxy Nexus.

Here is a rather complete guide on the « ClockworkMod Recovery » : What Is ClockworkMod Recovery And How To Use It On Android [Complete Guide]. Here is the pitch on « ClockworkMod Recovery » :

All Android devices ship with a recovery console that is basically a partition on the device’s internal memory and can be booted into. The stock recovery of almost all Android devices provides a few basic yet handy options that allow you to factory reset your device and also to recover its operating system using an official ROM in zip format, but that’s all you can do with it. That’s where a custom recovery comes handy.

A custom Android recovery basically replaces the stock recovery with one that lets you do all you can do with the stock recovery, plus a plethora of more options to give you a lot more control on your device. With a custom recovery, you can install official and unofficial ROMs as well as other updates including apps, themes, kernels etc. using zip files, wipe not just user data but pretty much every partition on your device, mount the storage card for USB mass storage access without leaving recovery, partition your SD card, wipe Dalvik cache and battery stats, fix permissions, perform, manage and restore backups and so on.

In most cases, the simplest method to install the « ClockworkMod Recovery » on your device is provided in How To Install ClockworkMod Recovery On Your Android Phone. If it does not work, alternative method can be found in What Is ClockworkMod Recovery And How To Use It On Android [Complete Guide]

By the way, here are other useful resources about Android :

• Android Partitions Explained: boot, system, recovery, data, cache & misc
• How To Root Your Android Phone / Device
• How To Install A ROM Or App From Zip File To Android Device From Recovery

Is the Galaxy Nexus still a "Nexus" ?

XDA Developers has discovered that some Galaxy Nexus - the Google's new flagship - don't have the right « yakju » software configuration. The other software configurations - « yakjusc » and « yakjuxw » - are from Samsung.

As stated in the full story Is the Galaxy Nexus Still a “Nexus?”
«
The true, Google-controlled version is yakju—the rest being Samsung-controlled variants, thereof. All carry the hardware code name maguro, so it is plausible that they can be flashed to yakju. However, according to Android software engineer Jean-Baptise Queru, it is unclear at this time whether this is actually possible.

yakjusc and yakjuxw are indeed the two Samsung-prepared builds I’m aware of at the moment, but I’m discovering them as they get released. I only have some visibility over the builds that are prepared by Google, i.e. yakju. Everything else comes from Samsung and I don’t know what their schedules and release plans are. I can’t guarantee that flashing the yakju files that I posted would work on a device that originally shipped with yakjuxw, as I don’t have access to such devices. The hardware is supposed to be close, but I don’t know for sure that it’s close enough. JBQ

»

The software version is in the /system/build.prop property file in the property ro.product.name which should looks like ro.product.name=yakju . An full copy of a /system/build.prop property file can be found here in post #5.

Here are some ways to check your /system/build.prop property file's software version :

• easiest way : use a file manager on the device as stated in post #41
• upload the /system/build.prop file on your desktop computer using adb and look for the property value there as stated in post #27

Follow the whole story on XDA Developers forum My Galaxy Nexus came with Samsung ICS build rather then google...

Google Galaxy Nexus : How to unlock bootloader & root GSM Nexus - how to restore official factory image

Google Galaxy Nexus resources can be found on XDA Developers forum.

There are detailed instructions on [HOW TO] Unlock Bootloader & Root GSM Nexus. Take care that this is for the i9250 model (the european model with the i9250XXKK1 baseband version and the ITL41F build number)

There are also instructions on how to restore the [ROM] Official Factory Image ITL41F.

Google Galaxy Nexus with Ice Cream Sandwich (aka Android 4.0)

Google is introducing the Galaxy Nexus (Galaxy Nexus) with the new Ice Cream Sandwich (aka Android 4.0)

Carrier IQ : a threat for everyone who uses a mobile phone - how your phone helps to spy on you !

Privacy concerns : everyone must read this article as it explains in great details how much of our behavior is spied through our phones by Carrier IQ solution (Carrier IQ Tries to Censor Research With Baseless Legal Threat)

Other links to have the full story on this topic :
- Trevor Eckhart researchs : Android Security Test
- XDA-developers analysis : The Rootkit Of All Evil – CIQ
- Geeks.com analysis : How much of your phone is yours?
- XDA-developers analysis of the implications of the threat that is Carrier IQ More on Carrier IQ

And one more in french : Carrier IQ : le rootkit qui sait tout ce que vous faites sur votre téléphone

first post using Blogger application on Motorola Xoom

Google's Blogger app lets user choose among the accounts that have been recorded the one that will be used, then among all the blogs that have been recorded on the account, the one on which the post will be done. Pretty simple and direct.
By the way, Xoom's virtual keyboard (HoneyComb) is a real pleasure to use...
Blogger app let's you embed a picture from the album or just taken using the camera.
Labels can be added, but have to be entered as text : there's no completion when the first letters have been entered ...

Nexus S : how to update to the Nexus S to Android 2.3.3

Android Police has published a detailed procedure to manually upgrade the Nexus S to Android 2.3.3 : Google Releases Android 2.3.3 Update .ZIPs For Nexus One And Nexus S

A detailed procedure to manually upgrade the Nexus S to Android 2.3.2 is also available on Android and Me : Update your Nexus S to Android 2.3.2

For those wo have a rooted Nexus S, the reference is on XDA-Developers forum : [REF] Nexus S Guide to Roms, Themes, and Kernels

Notion Ink's Adam : recovery fix for bricked devices

Notion Ink has published a detailed procedure to recover an Adam tablet that has been brick during the first firmware update. The procedure is here on Android Police site : Updated: Notion Ink Halts Adam Update, Gives Recovery Fix For Bricked Devices

(Adam picture : Notion Ink blog's Adam unboxing)

Nexus S : how to update to the Nexus S to Android 2.3.2

The site Android and Me has published a detailed procedure to manually upgrade the Nexus S to Android 2.3.2 : Update your Nexus S to Android 2.3.2

The thread on XDA-Developpers site is Android 2.3.2 update URL !!!

(Nexus S's recovery picture : Android and Me)

Adam tablet - pre-order confirmation

I've received a « Confirmation from Notion Ink » for my pre-order on their Adam tablet.

Here is the contents

Dear [my first name]

Greetings from Notion Ink Support Team!
We heartily congratulate you for being one among the first owners of ADAM. Kindly take a note of your order details.

Shipping Address:-
[my address here]

Amount Transacted: [the amount]
Order Number: [the order number]
Registered Email Id: [my email]
We have successfully received your order, your adam will be shipped as per the timelines indicated at the time of order. If you ordered for 3G models, we will send the one as per the country specified in your shipping address along with the compatible charger.

Please quote your Order Number & use your registered email address for all communications. For any assistance write to preordersupport@notionink.com

Regards,

Notion Ink Support Team

Android tablet - Notion Ink's Adam pre order have started

[UPDATE 2010 12 11 06:36] STRONG CONCERNS have been issued about Notion Ink's Adam tablet pre-ordering process. Details are in the comments. You MUST definitely read them BEFORE ordering.



Notion Ink's Adam pre-orders have started a few hours ago.

There are 4 models, and the delivery delay is about 6-8 weeks

[UPDATE 2010 12 11 06:56]

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Your credit card will be charged at the end of this process. You may cancel your order any time before the device ships, subject to a 5% cancellation charge.

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Notion Ink's Adam pre-ordering « The detailed Warranty Terms & Policies, Support Details & Procedures will be shipped along with the product. »

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The detailed Warranty Terms & Policies, Support Details & Procedures will
be shipped along with the product.


Shipping & Payments:
1. Notion Ink holds no responsibility for the shipments delayed or lost due
to unforeseen & unavoidable reasons arising due to Man Made or natural
circumstances.
2. The user indemnifies Notion Ink for Shipments lost or returned due to wrong
address provide to Notion Ink, in such cases any extra charges or penalties
applicable will be borne by buyer. Notion Ink suggests all the buyers to
provide the complete address with ZIP CODE & CONTACT NUMBERS to avoid
such circumstances.
3. Any Customs duty, clearance charges, handling charges or taxes levied by
the customs or the Government of destination Country will be borne by the
buyer & Notion Ink suggests that these charges can vary from 0% to 100% of
invoice value as per Country norms.
4. Any Returns coming to Notion Ink, due to wrong address or refusal due to
charges arising as stated in point 3, will attract a charge of reshipping &
penalty of 10 USD along with any charges paid by Notion Ink not limited to
customs duty, handling charges, taxes & service charges levied by shipping
partner.

Warranty Policy:
1. Every product purchased from Notion Ink Web store is entitled for 1year
International Limited Warranty under following Conditions-
a. Unlimited Email Support (preordersupport@notionink.com)
b. Limited Telephonic Support
c. Limited warranty of 180 days on Battery, entitle for replacement if the
Battery life is less than 50% under normal conditions.
2. To avail the Technical Support, you need to write an email & a Customer Care
Executive will get in touch with you within 24hours for further assistance.
3. In case your products needs a physical inspection or repair, you need to ship
the product with return shipping paid to Notion Ink’s International Service
Centre’s along with an transaction number of 9USD payment made on Notion
Ink Website as International Service Assistance Fees. Notion Ink upon receipt
of the product will communicate with you on the basis of diagnosis & will
assist you further. This entire process can take 3-10 working days or more
depending upon the problem diagnosed.
4. Notion Ink upon diagnosis of the problem can replace the product with new*
product of same model (* New product can be new, refurbished or equivalently
functional compared to the product submitted)
5. If a submitted product is found tampered with or damaged or abused or under
conditions of illegal use as per NI policies, NI reserves the right of refusal to
warranty claims & can apply a fees as per the diagnosis.


Return Policy:
You can initiate a refund process within 7 days of your product receipt under the
following conditions stated in below points.
1. If the product is defective/ Dead on Arrival/ Incorrect, you must contact
Notion Ink at preordersupport@notionink.com & open up a case for
Return, In this case you need to ship the product back with all the original
packaging, accessories etc along with the letter from yourself stating the
reason. After the inspection of the product & evaluation of your case,
Notion Ink will refund the entire amount minus 5% service fees of the
invoice value. You can also opt for the replacement product at no extra
cost except the 5% Service Fees of invoice value.
2. Notion Ink offers a no questions asked return policy. If you wish to return
your product under this policy, you must open a case by emailing
preodersupport@notionink.com & ship the product back & a Letter
with reason for return to Notion Ink & after evaluation of your case & the
product, Notion Ink will refund the amount after deducting the Shipping
fees & service fees of 5%.
3. If in any of the cases the product is found tempered, Notion Ink Reserves
the right to refuse the refund or deduct a fees up to 75% of the cost of the
product as per the evaluation report of product plus a inspection fees of
9USD.
4. If in any case the Product packaging is found damaged, Notion Ink
reserves the rights to deduct a amount of 5% as repackaging Plus 3% as
restocking fees of the final invoice value.

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