Sonntag, 23. Februar 2014

Mittwoch, 19. Februar 2014

#7 How to record the screen of an Android Device (KitKat 4.4 included)


Have you ever wanted to show something that was going on on your screen to someone else? But then you realized that a single picture wouldn't be enough to explain the point? That might be the moment when you start looking for apps on the Play Market and start to read about screen recording on the web.

Unfortunatly you might come the same conclusion that most others who did reserach came to: There is only one tool that is known to fullfill this job: Screencast. All other apps I tested (and apparently others too) were insufficent (screenrecorder,... eG). Low frame rates, bad quality and other annoying "features". Unfortunatly Screencast only works on NON-TEGRA devices (even though there are workarounds - maybe the new GLTools might help too). How ever. Since KitKat 4.4 Android has a build in screen caputring API (to read about on AndroidCentral). There are some ways how to take advantage of this new feature. But as far as I saw it, it's for now a stock feature for Nexus eG that is broken on most ROMs. But you could give it a try...

Sonntag, 16. Februar 2014

#6 Basic Wisdom on and How to install apps via Terminal Emulator


It's not uncommon that developers cut the last bit of bloatware and scamsoft out of theire ROMs to ensure maximum stability and smoothness - but they also just want to save pure space. The calculation is easy: As less useless data that annoyes the system is there as more performance you gain (usually).

Some developers are kinda overdoing in their love for slicking. They just cut out (and don't provide an alternative) any kind of (root)filemanager. This can make it hard for the common user to install his apps after a clean installation of a ROM. As far as I have seen, most developers provide some kind of Terminal Emulator. In the following I shall show you how to make use of it and install your apps via bash in terminal.

Samstag, 15. Februar 2014

Part #5 Ho to change an Android 4.4.2 KitKat bootanimation


Most ROMs already come with a nice bootanimation but there is always some space for improvement, no? Here is a tutorial how to install a custom boot animation for Android 4.4.x / 4.3.x / 4.3.x... (actually I think the procedure hasn't changed for several Android versions).


Part #4 How to do an Android 4.4.2 KitKat NAND backup with TWRP

Having a NAND backup at hand can save time an nerves. I actually have always two backups. Most often I freshly install a ROM, its GApps and do the basic setup. After I reboot it 2 times, without installing anything else.Then I do the first backup. Then I configure the user space, interface, email and stuff and restore my Titanium backup, sync data and restore other saved stuff and settings. Then I do the second TWRP NAND backup. Like this I can decide to go for a fresh or an mostly up to date install. Nevermind. Let's get that backup started:


Part #3 How to install or update an Android 4.4.2 KitKat ROM

So you saw a nice ROM and want to install it but could need a little help? I consider your devide is already rooted and you did the backup and the wiping according to THIS and THIS step. These should be undertaken BEFORE installing any ROM in my opinion. So here we go...

Part #2 How to wipe and format your Android 4.4.2 KitKat device using TWRP

The correct wiping and and formatting 

Did you do a backup? If not, please check THIS first.

You can get a flashable Version of TWRP 2.6.3.0-12 for TF101 from here. BUT! The author says, that there is some kind of a bug - which should not be concerning for most users but...Just saying... I couldn't find a bug but read the next paragraph. If you are unsure you may ask in the according thread at xda-developers.com : LINK.

Part #1 How to backup your Android 4.4.2 KitKat device using Titanium Backup


Well... the Android factory reset might be a good thing at all. But if you really want to be sure to get rid of any piece of Android and fragments of other apps and personal data, then you will have to wipe and format the hell out of your device. The factory reset only cleans specific "folders" and wipes only specific partitions like eG /data, /cache & /dalvik cache.

The tutorial is subdivided in: #1 real Backup, #2 real wipe and formating, #3 how to install and #4 some minor advices and tweaks. Please read them all to prevent user caused errors and stuff.