ZAGG Invisible Shield HD for Samsung Galaxy S3

Two posts during same day seems to be quite extraordinary, whoever it's explained by my flow to provided new thoughts. I hope you got something useful from my previous post about my average battery duration with Android Revolution HD custom ROM.

Now I'm going to entirely different topic, which is protecting mobile by using screen protector. As mentioned in several earlier posts that I've used screen protectors since my very first touch screen smartphone (Nokia N97). Anyway I've used budget priced screen protectors so far, which basically means 2 pcs bundle carrying average 10 EUR price tag.

But today I installed my very first high performance screen protector to try is it worth of its worldwide glory name. As already mentioned in title of this post, that high performance screen protector in my case is called ZAGG Invisible Shield, to be more specific its newer HD version. More information about HD version for Galaxy S3 can be found from official product description by manufacturer's official website. 

About the installation process

Product package included all needed equipment for installation process but also clear step-to-step instructions "how-to install Invisible Shield properly". Anyway I wanted to have video guide for supporting the installation process. I've found out that Youtube provides plenty of useful support videos for many, many different occasions.

After quick searching I found video titled "Zagg Invisible Shield for Samsung Galaxy S3", which provided step by step installation instructions to complete the entire process successfully. For blog readers, here's the video I found useful. Thanks goes to AndroidAuthority community which provided this and other also necessary videos.

Here's two photos; product package and view from completed installation (uploaded later) to give closure to this post.

Price was 24.90 EUR from Finnish retailer.

Finally some statistics from average battery duration

Finally I had time to transfer my newest photos and screenshots from my i9300 to PC. I should put this to other words, I had a plenty of time but discovered that more than 50 new photos in my cell, which requires sorting and archiving which in my case takes time as being such a perfectionist.

As a reminder my daily use is following (average work day)
  

• Email (Exchange)
•  Exchange auto push during rush hours (7.30-16.00) 
• In every 1 hour during off-peak hours (16.00-22.00)
• Disabled during night time (22.00-7.30)
• Email (Gmail)
• Automatically in every hour 24/7
• Browsing
• Average 15-30 minutes daily
• Facebook
• Average 15-30 minutes daily
• Casual calls and messaging

Following two screenshots describes difference between two newest builds of ARHD

ARHD 15.1

ARHD 16.0

When both screenshots were taken, ARHD custom ROM was running stock kernel and without any possible tweaks provided by ROM's AROMA installer.

Continuing with ARHD

Haven't been active here lately because my daily work routines keeping me quite busy, yeah I know it ain't excuse. Anyway I'm still on Android Revolution HD custom ROM, which is keeping me pleasant.

Newest version 16.0 is based on leaked Sammy 4.1.2 which whoever is running smoothly. Lately Samsung has released official 4.1.2 (JZO54K) FW, more information can be found from here. Haven't checked yet if there's any differences between leaked and official build, whoever developer of ARHD (mike1986.) is going to re-compile ARHD with new official 4.1.2 Sammy.

Some thoughts about currently newest build of ARHD 16.0

Currently running it with newest Perseus custom kernel (alpha27) and I've found quite balanced setup between performance and battery duration. My GS3 is running smoothly with average 45-50 hours battery duration.

Ps. as I get screenshots transferred from my mobile to PC, I'll add here screenshots to prove better battery stats by showing my average level of use.

It's a bit classy to say but anyway stay tuned!

So satisfied to ARHD custom ROM

Haven't been so active writing here as trying to prove being kinda HC dev person in Android platform. Probably one reason for being passive lately is that nothing much has happened lately.

In other words it's mainly about updating ARHD (Android Revolution HD) to newer possible version as any updated build becomes available in XDA Developers Forum by developer mike1986. Whoever I'd like to point out few comments about newest version 14.0: in overall level newest JB base (4.1.1 in GS3) is pretty smooth and provides remarkable performance without forgetting reasonable battery performance.

In nutshell my daily use is following:

- Browsing 15-30 minutes
- Internet radio or Spotify 30 minutes (+/- 10 minutes)
- Exchange: auto push during rush hour (between 8am and 3pm) and in every 30 minutes otherwise
- Facebook use varies a lot: sometimes 10-15 minutes, but sometimes even one hour

With earlier mentioned average daily use my stock battery lasts around 45-55 hours which I've found out more than acceptable.

More posts in near future so stay tuned!

Too tired for waiting official JB - time for custom ROM

As already mentioned in earlier post, I'm tired to wait official JB release in Finland, so finally decided to install custom ROM to my GS3.

First I installed newest CWM Touch recovery via Odin. After booting first time to CWM, I did following steps:

1. Full backup via Nandroid
2. Flash SuperWipe (Android_Revolution_HD_Super_Wipe_Galaxy_S3.zip, can be found from opening post with instructions)
3. Install custom ROM ( install zip from sdcard)
4. Install custom kernel (Perseus for JB)

I decided to try newest Android Revolution HD custom ROM, mainly because it's improved and optimized stock ROM based on JB build. Also I prefer AROMA installer which allows to choose wanted options, tweaks and modifications personally instead of "Install-All" choice. In my previous Android (HTC Desire Z) I used newest Andromadus Mimicry custom ROM which also included AROMA installer.

Ps. next post probably includes thoughts about Android Revolution custom ROM's performance, battery duration and relevant matters. As always said, stay tuned!

Giving goodbyes for my first Android

As I've been using Galaxy S3 for around a month now, I decided to sell my first Android cell, which was HTC Desire Z. I'm trying to find possible purchaser in Facebook's local "second hand" community and hoping to get rid of it because it lays in one of my bureaus without no meaningful purpose.

I put 180 euro starting price because I wanted to drop out possible discount beggers. Also even Desire Z is not brand new, it's still in very good condition: purchase date was April 18th 2011, screen had screen protector since first use without forgetting of active use of HTC's official accessorize, leather pouch.

When writing this post, my sale advertisement has been online a bit less than 24 hours and already got one possible purchaser. Now just waiting for real contact to proceed purchase process.

Personal consequences of delayed official JB build release

First information about Jelly Bean release date was September, but according to Samsung Denmark, new release date is October or it could still delay to November. Whoever ICS gets still smaller OTA updates.

After rooting Galaxy S3, mobile cannot receive anymore official updates either via OTA or Kies. Still mobile keeps receiving notifications always when new update available. Because there's no "don't remind me" option, it's a bit annoying to manually cancel update announcements.

Only solution for going through issue mentioned above is to un-root Galaxy S3, install newest updates and then re-root mobile again. Process is not complicated, but it has to be done manually which takes around five minutes to complete.

Basically un-root process is simple: only needed step is flash stock ROM via Odin. Again XDA Developers Forum provides easy, step-by-step instructions to complete the process.

Now just hoping that not so many new official updates for ICS (4.0.4) before official JB (4.1.1) release.

Ps. I've to admit again that this phone keeps me satisfied from the purchase date.

Era of rooting

Finally got time to post Galaxy S3 related thingie here. As I mentioned in previous post about writing here how to root Galaxy S3 to gain system priviledges also known as admin rights.

As usually XDA Developers Forum provides any possible help and support for Android deving, and XDA community didn't betray me even now.

Samsung Galaxy S3 and its variants has own section in XDA forum, which already includes tons of information divided to following sections:

- General
- Q&A
- Accessories
- Android Development
- Original Android Development and
- Themes and Apps

Read more from here.

When concentrating to "how to root" instructions, I wanted just root and install BusyBox for now, and leave installing custom recovery, ROM and kernel to future.

So basically I started to search easy-root instructions from XDA Developers Forum and after doing some research I found following thread called "[SAMSUNG GALAXY S3 TOOLKIT V5.0] Drivers, Backup, Root, CWM, BusyBox + MORE [GSM]".

As title announces, thread mentioned above provides easy, step-by-step instructions how to root with program called Samsung Galaxy S3 Toolkit.

Instructions in nutshell is following:

1. Download and install Samsung USB drivers to computer
2. Download and install program called Odin
3. Download and install Samsung Galaxy S3 Toolkit (program mentioned above)
4. Set "USB debugging" from mobile
5. Connect mobile to PC via USB cable
6. Start Toolkit (mentioned above) and follow strictly instructions given by Toolkit

Full instructions and dev discussion can be found from here.

More deving coming when I've catched flow again.

Samsung Galaxy S3 introduction and unboxing pictures

As I've introduced my new flagship model in previous post, now it's time to introduce it more detailedly, which also includes several unboxing pictures.

First let's get started with official information from manufacturer, which can be found from Samsung's official website.

Whoever I'd like to point out the most essential features and specifications which probably stays strongly behind Galaxy S3's title of the flagship model. When concentrating first to phone's features, I want to point out especially Smart Stay and S Voice which are very perfect measurements for smartphone of new era.

On the other hard, phone's specifications in its entirety is worth of mention, but a few more than perfect details are 4.8 inch HD Super AMOLED screen, quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A9 processor (Exynos 4412 Quad chipset), 1GB RAM and Android 4.0 - ICS (4.1 JB compatible when released).

And about the personal purchase, I bought Galaxy S3 (int. edition) from local retailer in Finland. Suggested retail price was 579 euro, which is currently quite common all around the Finland. Whoever I got fixed price which was mentionable because of high normal price.

Also I bought Samsung's official accessory called Samsung Galaxy S® III Flip Cover to protect screen's possible damages. I've used screen protectors since my first touch screen mobile, which I've experienced as a good manner so I decided to continue it with my new Galaxy S3. I've found Insmat's screen protectors valuable which means in this case good quality-price ratio.

During the purchase date (August 25th) suggested retail price for Flip Cover was 24.90 euro and Tiamat's screen protector package (2 pcs) was 9.90 euro but I paid 40 euro for both. Today it seems that price of Samsung Galaxy S® III Flip Cover varies in Finland, cheapest price was 14.90 euro what I've heard so far.

But now it's enough for written introduction and it's time for some unboxing pictures.

New blog name - new era

It was time to change name of the blog from Desirezeta to Android deving. Someone may wonder why it was necessary? Answer is quite simple, and it's... *DRUM BEAT*

because I replaced my HTC Desire Z with new Samsung's flagship model Galaxy S3. I bought it on Sat (Aug 25th) and after less than two days use I can easily say that this is way more than smooth. So can't blame why it carries name "flagship model". I'll post some unboxing pictures here sooner or later, probably those are available in next blog post.

And finally about Android deving, already rooted (with BusyBox) my new treasure, mainly to get rid off ads and possibility to have full backup. Whoever CWM and custom ROM can still wait because I'm still satisfied with Samsung's stock ROM (inc. Touchwiz) and anyway official JB is coming soon.

When CM10 (JB 4.1.1) becomes more stable for daily use, maybe then I re-think about flashing custom recovery and ROM.

Also more information about easy-rooting is available in next post, so be patient.

Switching ICS build

Being an active XDA Developers forum user, I recognized new Andromadus ROM build, which is

"based off CyanogenMod 9 and forked from three mighty Andromadus main repo."

More information about Andromadus Mimicry can be found from here.

As a first glance it runs "a bit" smoother than Audacity b4 though it still suffers from same issues than any other ICS rom for Vision.

I'm truly waiting official drivers from HTC, it's time for petition!

My mobile phone timeline

Cheers mates!

I decided to gather all my previous (and current) mobile phones to timeline. It took a while to remember which were those mobile phones I had during my previous years.

After a moment, I had a list of all my previous brands and models and later on I searched pictures from all phones via Google picture search. With help of Photoshop and my average graphic design skills I created simple timeline, where all my previous phones are in chronological order. Timeline describes pictures and model names.

Even thought timeline is not part of my Android development project, I want to share it among my blog readers.

All my past phones (and current one) in chronological order

Trying new custom launcher

Decided to investigate and try other ICS compatible custom launchers, especially those which allows to modify app drawer.

Tried first Nova Launcher, which seems quite similar than Andromadus' stock launcher (Trebutchet) but it has feature which allows to modify app drawer. The most essential for me was possibility to hide app icons.

In my opinion Andromadus Audacity b3 ICS rom includes several stock apps' which ain't so necessary, e.g. Dev Tools, Movie Studio, Search, Latitude, Places, Speech Recorder, Talk and News and Weather.

Some of you might see earlier mentioned apps highly necessary but according to my personal needs I wanted to hide those app icons from app drawer.

To adjust app drawer, Nova Launcher Prime version was required to download and install. Price was quite small in Google Play-store but still I decided to get apk file via Google.

Screenshots from Andromadus

This post consists of three screenshots from today's view of my Desire Z. 

Starting from left, first picture introduces view of my simplified homescreen, Android 4 basic wallpaper instead of live wallpaper saves battery duration. Not much but it's a good start!

Middle picture shows my app drawer, which also introduces part of my application collection (in alphabetical order). It's possible to recognize that moving in app drawer happens vertically (mentioned in earlier post).

Third and the last picture shows basic information of my current Andromadus Audacity B2 ROM.

LauncherPro custom launcher for ICS

Now mainly all needed applications are re-installed and new ROM has been in use for couple of days now. I can honestly stay in my earlier opinion, that Andromadus Audacity ICS ROM runs quite smooth even it's still in beta stage. Few times stock launcher has crashed but it has been recovered automatically in same second.

Andromadus includes Trebutchet launcher which seems to be quite stable (excluding earlier mentioned crashes) but it doesn't consist one of my favourite functions, which is possibility to hide icons in app drawer. There's no confirmation that earlier mentioned function would exist in next build of Trebutcher launcher. Who knows if that happens and then I'll return back to stock launcher.

That's why I had to return to LauncherPro custom launcher, which I had been using in earlier CM7 GB ROM. Only personally noticeable visual difference between Trebutchet and LauncherPro is following: user needs to scroll applications horizontally in Trebutchet but vertically in LauncherPro.

Same version of LauncherPro (0.8.6) seems to be compatible with Android 4 as well. I downloaded free version from Google Play store and Plus extension from Applanet. Main reason why I needed Plus extension was that it allows to adjust widget icons. In my case it would mean adjusting stock email widget and Gmail widget to largest position in home screen.

Ps. next post should finally consider about battery duration in new ICS ROM.

ICS rom deving part 2

Being lazy wasn't smart idea this time, if you start to think what I might mean with this expression don't hesitate to read my earlier post about cache/dalvik cache wipe vs full wipe battle.

After some testing I noticed that several applications weren't working properly so I had to return to CWM for full wipe. At least I was enough smart to create Excel list from my current apps in CM7.

After my Excel list was done, I could count around 45 installed apps in my DZ. Did quick checkout which needs to transfer to new ROM, luckily could shrink list a bit, mainly it was about dropping out ICS based theme and launcher applications. Those purpose were to make my previous GB based ROM look like ICS (Android 4). Also other not needed applications weren't replaced in new ROM.

So how I operated now - in nutshell:

1. Full wipe with CWM
2. Flashed audacity_b2 rom
3. Flashed newest ICS gapps
4. Flashed V6 Supercharger
5. Flashed stock OC Daemon
6. Flashed Enhanced Keymaps r3

After restarting phone first time I fixed permissions in CWM just in case.

Now I've already installed most of needed apps, recovered SMSs' via SMS Backup & Restore, recovered Contacts from vcard and syncronized Gmail and Mail for Exchange accounts.

ICS rom testing

Finally decided to try newest widely used ICS rom from Andromadus. Current build is Beta 2 which seems to be average developed build when considered it's still in beta stage.

Before flashing it I was running newer Kang's build (410) of CM7 with ILWT 1.8.0 kernel. Of course I took backup with Nandroid to be sure that I've stable base to return if needed.

I decided to try to flash Andromadus B2 just with wiping cache and dalvik cache instead of full wipe. In case of full wipe I've to install of applications from scratch. That's why I decided try to avoid full wipe.

Now I'm running earlier mentioned ICS rom and trying to get familiar with it as purpose to make conclusion if it's enough stable and working in daily use (when compared to GB based CM7). Also I should recognize possible need for full wipe.

For getting more information about Andromadus rom, download links and following up-to-date deving discussion, proceed here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1349864

More thoughts will be posted soon as I've figured out more about this ICS rom.

Ps. also some comments and statistics about my newest purchase, Mugen Extended Battery 1800mAh coming soon!

Finally ordered Mugen Power 1800mAh Extended battery for Desire Z

Finally decided to order extended battery to my Desire Z. My current, stock battery is 1300mAh and it lasts between 2 and 2½ days depending from daily use. According to both batteries technical specifications, 500mAh increase in Mugen is approx. 38% and if it's fully convertable to battery duration, current 2 to 2½ days duration could increase to 2½ to 3½ days.

Now I've to wait that my shipping arrives and I could benchmark new battery.

Official Cyanogenmod 7 Nightlies are back

After using unofficial Kang's CM 7 Nightly builds noticed that CM released new official CM 7 Nightly build for Desire Z. "Update-cm-7-20120226-NIGHTLY-vision-signed.zip" was released February 26th 2012. Flashed it without full wipe (cache and dalvik cache) and it runs smoothly. It came with the latest CM stock kernel: 2.6.35.14-cyanogenmod.

March 25th I noticed that new ILWT kernel for CM7 was released. Newest 1.8.0 version has following modifications when compared to newest CM7 stock kernel:

• Added frequencies 576MHz, 902MHz, 1017MHz, 1507MHz, 1574MHz
• Removed frequencies 1497MHz, 1516MHz
• Slightly undervolted
• Exposed VDD levels to userspace, so that voltages for all frequencies can be modded at any time
• Added SIO scheduler and made it default
• Enabled swap support

About the battery duration, had between 2 and 2½ days duration (depending from use) with newest official CM7 Nightly build (with stock kernel), next I've to flash newest ILWT kernel to manage which one is better when compared battery duration.

Virtuous Quattro RC

Assuming Desire Z tweakers has noticed that Virtuous Quattro ICS port has been received worth of mention goals. Still RC2 isn't fully stable as not expected: camera isn't working perfectly, still some graphical clitches and other minor bugs requires more development, but in overall level progress is nice.

Quattro's current builds can be downloaded from here. Also dev discussion can be followed from same location.

Still I'll stay in CM7 KANG builds 'cause my Desire Z is only phone which I'm able to use daily. In that specific reason I need to have quite stable and working ROM instead of swapping (with full wipe) every week or even often while noticing that even some minor bug won't allow to use my phone in daily purpose.

But still it's possible to announce that we're getting close to stable and "fully" working build, which will be provided by Virtuous, Cyanogenmod or other related team.