13 replies to this topic

[dbReed53]

I have only recently rooted my Razr XT912.  I placed the Stock_Droid_Razr_JB_Manual_Update_Windows Utility on my PC, ensured I had USB debugging rigged properly, then ran the Utility to wipe the RAZR and install Stock JB 4.1.2, then ran the Utility again to Root it, and then to install Safestrap. All went well.

 

I had all the backups necessary to restore, but it was not necessary to do so and all is well on the "Stock" ROM Boot.  I copied "aokp_spyder_jb-mr1_milestone-2.zip" and "gapps-jb-20130301-signed.zip" to the Root of SDCard0.  I then rebooted into Recovery mode.  That also went fine.  I configured ROM-Slot2 renaming it "AOKP".  I then Activated that slot, and installed "aokp_spyder_jb-mr1_milestone-2.zip" and "gapps-jb-20130301-signed.zip" to the ROM-Slot2-AOKP.  I rebooted, and all is well there, also.

 

Almost.  There are two apps in the Vz ROM, prior to and including JB 4.1.2 that I utilize frequently, and am very content with that DO NOT exist in the AOKP ROM.  Specifically, two options in the Vz Mobile Hotspot controls in Settings, and the complete absence of Vz Visual VoiceMail.

 

The ability to configure the name, password, and activate the Hotspot still exist in Settings, however there are two security features that are not, and that is my greater concern.  I did install the kr.core.technology.wifi.hotspot v.1.30 from Google Play Store and looked at two other similar apps to see if I could regain the security functionality, but alas, none offer the extra controls.

 

Mobile HotSpot Issues:

 

Specifically, the two additional options were to "Limit the number of allowed devices", ranging from two to eight.  I have only one, so I used the setting of two.  I "assume" setting to a greater number provisions resources I would rather conserve.  The more  important option to me, was the ability to enter the MAC address of allowed devices, to the exclusion of any device not included in the "Allowed Devices List".

 

Visual VoiceMail Issues:

 

Yes, I can still access Voicemail the old way, or use YouMail or Google Voice.  I simply don't want to encumber myself with the configuration of the additional steps and options necessary to do so.  I tried YouMail and find I feel awkward and somewhat disconnected from the root connection to Vz (definitely a love/hate relationship), and must assume Google Voice would be somewhat the same.  I don't need transcribed text copies, umpteen greetings, or call-blocking, etc.  I use the everycall.us "Call Control Pro" app for that.

 

I like the simplicity of hitting one-button and seeing the list of all voicemails, heard and unheard, and the ability to save, forward and restore them all in the same menu.

 

So, why am I bothering you with this?  I will be posting this publicly on AOKP, droidforums.net & droidrzr.com, but understand that xda was instrumental in this project, unless I'm mistaken.

 

I "assume" there is some reason these were not included, but not being a dev or programmer, wouldn't have a clue why.

 

I am a 60 year old tech geek, hearkening back to the days before mice and a GUI.  From 1995-1998, was a certified Novell Advanced Admin (NOT a "paper" cert!  I earned it with my arms elbow-deep in hardware) PC builder/installer/troubleshooter and PC desktop OS (Win 1.x thru Win 3.? w/networking) and OS/2 (God save us from IBM, please!) support tech. 

 

I was also an Application Support Specialist, and Novell GroupWise 4.x & 5.x Admin w/5000+ users in the Clark County (Las Vegas), Nevada County Government.  I had only my last two exams (the big ones) to pass to have earned my Engineer cert.  I then left the big city, moved to the Midwest to prepare for the aftermath of Y2K.  

 

I considered it not simply a potentially serious threat, but also a Golden opportunity to rebuild community control of our country from the trash heap of centralized control in D.C. There was not a more disappointed man in America by Jan 2nd, 200 than I.  So, I became an Independent Owner/Operator, driving my own 18-wheeler hauling freight.  Successfully I might add, until the economy tanked in Q1 of 2009.

 

That being said, I am able to grasp most of what I am learning about taking Root and modifying some, but not all of functions of the smartphone animal.  

 

So, I tried something that did not work, either because it won't, of because I have not done it properly.  I rebooted into the Stock ROM, and located HotspotLauncher.apk .odex, as well as the Vvm.apk and .odex files.  I then copied them to a new directory I can access from either boot mode.  I rebooted in the AOKP mod, located the files, copied them once again, only this time to the /system/apps dir. From there I 2x-clicked the Hotspot app, which brought up the android installer, answered yes and it ATTEMPTED to install the app, but reported it as unsuccessful.  I tried the same on the Vvm app, with the same failed result.

 

So, is there a reason they CAN'T be installed, or am I simply doing it wrong?

 

I look forward to whatever response I get, even if I'm unable to do what I want, I will learn more and that is never a bad thing.

 

Thank you for your contributions to the Android endeavors, past & future!!

 

[Memnoch73]

Those apps are not included because they are considered Verizon bloatware. You will not find any Verizon stuff in any non-stock(blur) based Rom. I would guess you cannot install them because they are odexed and AOKP is probably deodexed. Although I am not positive on that.

 

My guess is if you "need" those apps you will need to run a stock(blur) based rom.

 

Edit: Moved thread to Razr general..

[dbReed53]

Well, Memnoch73, I have two points of contention, sir.  Not to be argumentative, but in my opinion you have dismissed the issue out of hand, or, no offense meant, you did not read my post thoroughly.

 

I tried very hard to be as clear as I could, taking into account that, A) this is not a "Bleeding Edge of Technology" device, although I looked, I could find no other threads, here or elsewhere that someone expressed the same concerns as me (I am odd : ), and C) even Hashcode has put out a notice that his support of the Ancient and Archaic device will not be seeing updates of his Safestrap that has provided so many with much needed relief from VAD, "Verizon Anxiety Disorder". : 

 

I will give you that I don't know what odex or deodex are, and may well be why my attempt to install the files failed.  Before the night is over, I WILL know, even if knowing offers no help : 

 

You also state that, "Those apps are not included because they are considered Verizon bloatware."  There is little room to debate the Visual Voicemail as bloatware (an inexpensive, paid option that is quite handy), as there are several alternatives to Vz.

 

But I stand by the Portable Wi-Fi hotspot (a not so inexpensive option @ $30.00 per month) that is not only handy, but very useful and can provide internet access for UP TO EIGHT devices at once) and I would guess most would weigh in on the Hotspot as the favorite.

 

Just think, your Razr can access the 'net and you can Wi-Fi your laptop, your wifes' laptop, your girlfriends laptop (if your wife is open-minded, if not she may soon be your ex), both your kids playtoys, your mother-in-laws Kindle, and if you leave security set as "Open", two of your neighbors Wi-Fi devices.

 

If you are grandfathered in like I am, your UNLIMITED (I mean REALLY unlimited) data plan is $60.00 per month. So (counting....) EIGHT people on NINE devices (divide $90.00, less taxes / 9 devices)  is really close to, almost nearly, virtually, if not exactly $10.00 per device or $11.25 per human.  You can't go to a movie theatre for $11.25 a head  

 

However, you go on to state that "You will not find any Verizon stuff in any non-stock(blur) based Rom.  I'll give you that MOST Vz apps are gone, but two (2) DO remain; Verizon Messages and Verizon Tones.  In fact, upon first-run of Verizon Messages, (if you are a subscriber to the $2.95 monthly fee, and yes, I am...for the moment) it updates to accommodate the features of "Verizon Integrated Messaging".

 

I'll also give you that with the exception of Visual Voicemail, that AOKP ROM very nicely replaces the Vz apps with some quite good ones of their choosing.  And, "Bravo!" say I.

 

My bone of contention comes with the "Mobile Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot".  It is hardly bloatware.  I'm sure you know it is a "feature", not an app, in BOTH the Stock JB 4.1.2 ROM, as well as the AOKP 4.2.2 ROM.  I can't say whose code it is or where it is located in the AOKP ROM, for reasons I describe near the end of this missive. : 

 

To access "Mobile Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot" in either ROM, press the Menu, Settings, then one line below "Data Usage" press "More...", then 3rd line down, "Tethering & portable hotspot".  In Stock JB 4.1.2 you will find a check box to turn on Portable WiFi hotspot and an option to Set up WiFi hotspot.

 

In the Set up sub-menus you will also find options to manage the devices; limit the number of devices or Allow all devices, and the option to hardcode a MAC address if you selected limit the number (pick a number! Any number from 2 to 8  ) rather than Allow All.  So, even if you selected the least number of devices to allow (2), you could still EFFECTIVELY limit it to ONE simply by entering ONLY one MAC address, if you did not select "Allow All devices".

 

Now, go to AOKP JB 4.2.2 and you have a check box to turn on Portable WiFi hotspot and a menu option to Set up Wi-Fi hotspot.  And that is where the trouble begins, my friend.  

 

All you can do here is change the Network SSID, select the Security level and create a password of your own choosing.

 

That is all.  No limit of devices, no allow all, and no hardcoding. :   

 

I have thoroughly searched both Sdcard0 and Sdcard1, as well as the root and there are no files matching hotspot or v v m other than the ones I placed on Sdcard0 then copied to system/app.    

 

So from that, I gather that the few features of each that do exist in 4.2.2, are coded into some ethereal voodoo, Avatar or Anasazi magic place, where mere mortal ignoramuses like myself have as much chance of finding it as I did trying to find "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego"?    

[johnthehillbilly]

Whew!... long read

As stated earlier (by Memnoch) you are running a deodexed ROM (meaning the .odex files have been removed from the apps themselves withing the ROM) this allows for editing the apps as the dev sees fit..... typically (although not completely impossible ) you cannot install odexed apps within a deodexd ROM ...... this can be covered later if you choose

The definition of "bloatware" within a ROM is determined 100% by the developer himself (or herself) ..... meaning, typically, if the dev uses a certain app he/she will most likely include it in the ROM while omitting others .... this is why you have found other VZW apps while not finding the ones you want......

As far as the options and settings in your current hotspot app..... you need to consider this.... the options you used while on stock 4.1.2 may not even exist on 4.2.2 as a whole..... mainly because more "options" mean a larger app, ergo consuming more resources (ram, storage, etc) .....

In my opinion, if you need to have full "stock" functionality of certain apps, and still prefer to have a custom ROM .... I would strongly recommend you choose a stock (blur) based ROM ..... as the goal if AOKP is to venture away from stock and lean heavily on custom appearance and functionality.......


HD tappin' .... hillbilly style!!

[SamuriHL]

A few things here.  First, AOKP roms are based on AOSP, which is the Android Open Source Project.  This is the source code that Google publishes.  The point is, AOSP is pure Android with NO carrier branded apps OR mfg created frameworks (blur, touchwiz, sense, etc).  AOKP (Android Open Kang Project) takes AOSP and adds customizations to it.  What customizations they use is completely up to the rom developer.  In the case of the rom you're using, they appear to have included a couple VZW branded apps, but, not the ones you appear to want.  This isn't a problem for the community to solve.  This is something you should take up with the developer of the rom you're using.  They can do many things.....tell you why those aren't included (it's possible they rely on framework code that's not included in the AOSP/AOKP code lines...for example if they make use of the blur framework), tell you how you can add them yourself if possible, or, if you are able to convince the developer of their worth, they could be motivated to add the missing apps in a new version of the rom.  If you do not get satisfaction from the developer, your options are limited to attempting to add those applications yourself (again, if it's even possible) or to find a new rom that does include them.  As pointed out, blur-based roms should have those applications IF the developer didn't decide to remove them.  You'll have to do your homework to find out which roms include the functionality you're after.  That may take a lot of reading.

[jayrod]

Just to add to this..you could try to add those VZW apps into your AOKP install. Grab a Blur ROM and pull those apks out. Put them on your SD,and using a file manager put them in data/app and set permissions.
I'm using the My VZW on an AOSP ROM.. Have no idea if the others you want will work


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[dbReed53]

Wow!

 

Some enlightening and very useful replies from johnthehillbilly, Smod and  jayrod!

 

Reading and learning are my two most favorite pastimes, so I will.

 

I have 3 ROM slots open , 1,3 and 4, so adding ROM's to experiment with is not a problem.

Also, trying the data/apps rather than the system/apps as I did already, might, or might not work.

I'll be sure to let you know.

 

The insight to the Dev's decision making process makes sense.  I had "assumed" the choices were made by gauging the input from other users.  It makes more sense knowing it is an executive decision and not a democratic process.

 

PS. John, do you also live in the Ozarks?

[johnthehillbilly]

No sir... I mostly live in my truck.... but when I'm at home .... I hang my hat in Tennessee

"The force is strong with this one..."

[SamuriHL]

The insight to the Dev's decision making process makes sense.  I had "assumed" the choices were made by gauging the input from other users.  It makes more sense knowing it is an executive decision and not a democratic process.

 

 

That is also up to the rom dev.  Every developer does things differently.  When I was developing the House of Bionic, I took user feedback into account, but, ultimately I made the final decisions on how I wanted it to work.  You have to remember that devs don't just publish roms and walk away....well, lemme rephrase that, GOOD rom devs don't.    They also support their roms.  The fact that they have to offer support weighs heavily on what features they choose to include or not.  In the end it definitely comes down to how the rom dev decides to manage their rom.

[The Persuader]

Whew!... long read

As stated earlier (by Memnoch) you are running a deodexed ROM (meaning the .odex files have been removed from the apps themselves withing the ROM) this allows for editing the apps as the dev sees fit..... typically (although not completely impossible ) you cannot install odexed apps within a deodexd ROM ...... this can be covered later if you choose

The definition of "bloatware" within a ROM is determined 100% by the developer himself (or herself) ..... meaning, typically, if the dev uses a certain app he/she will most likely include it in the ROM while omitting others .... this is why you have found other VZW apps while not finding the ones you want......

As far as the options and settings in your current hotspot app..... you need to consider this.... the options you used while on stock 4.1.2 may not even exist on 4.2.2 as a whole..... mainly because more "options" mean a larger app, ergo consuming more resources (ram, storage, etc) .....

In my opinion, if you need to have full "stock" functionality of certain apps, and still prefer to have a custom ROM .... I would strongly recommend you choose a stock (blur) based ROM ..... as the goal if AOKP is to venture away from stock and lean heavily on custom appearance and functionality.......


HD tappin' .... hillbilly style!!

 You Geared Right into the Nuts n Bolts of AOKP & Blur...

 

Your Da Man...Father Trucker... ...Ditto but I learned a Few more things with your Post too...

 

Thanks

[livinginkaos]

Father Trucker...... say that ten times fast.....

[johnthehillbilly]

Indeed



"The force is strong with this one..."

[larrygeary]

Since you are using SafeStrap, you have the stock Verizon ROM in the stock slot. That ROM should have the missing apps you need. It may not be convenient, but you have the option of booting into the stock ROM to run the hotspot function. You could also use the Visual Voicemail there. Again, not convenient, but possible.

[dbReed53]

Since you are using SafeStrap, you have the stock Verizon ROM in the stock slot. That ROM should have the missing apps you need. It may not be convenient, but you have the option of booting into the stock ROM to run the hotspot function. You could also use the Visual Voicemail there. Again, not convenient, but possible.

larrygeary, that isexactly what I am doing as I seek a solution.