Author: Tarandeep Kaur

Deodexed ROM for the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 is available for download. This ROM is based on the system dump that was released few days back. This Galaxy Note 5 Deodexed ROM is said to work with Xposed just fine. Xposed finally running great on N920I and 920C with a stock rom.

Developer says that you can flash it with CWM recovery and wipe cache / dalvik after flashing. To obtain root, you need to flash a Note 5 custom kernel.

A lot of people have been waiting for deodexed firmware that was based on the stock ROM and it is finally here. It is pretty much a bug less ROM but developer notes that tuiService crashes after boot which is just a minor issue and should not interface with normal usage.

• Download link of ROM

AOSPA which is a clean and basic ROM is now available for Sony Xperia ZL android phone. This android ROM is based on Android 5 lollipop firmware. Before you flash it, you must bootloader unlock your Xperia ZL. Android 5 brings many new features to this aging Sony android phone. It is pity that this phone, which was once considered Sony’s flagship is not being supported anymore.

Download Sony Xperia ZL Android 5 firmware: Installation Procedure

1. Extract the boot.img from the zip file.
2. Reboot device into bootloader, then flash the boot.img: “fastboot flash boot boot.img”.
3. Boot into recovery.
4. Make a backup just in case, then wipe the device (factory reset and wipe system).
5. Flash the ROM zip.
6. Flash GAPPS (5.1 remember!).
7. Flash SuperSU to attain root, no need to follow separate root instructions.

It is hard to believe but it is true. XDA developers has released cyanogen mod 12.1 ROM for the HTC Desire S which is basically Android Jelly bean 5 for. Installation instructions are as follows. Just make sure you have custom recovery for HTC Desire S onboard and have unlocked it through HTC Dev page.

Download the latest version of ROM from here and gapps from here. Put the files on SD card; Reboot to recovery; Do factory reset (ie. format /system, /data, /cache, /sd-ext and /sdcard/.android_secure); Flash cm-12.1-YYYYMMDD-UNOFFICIAL-saga.zip; Flash gapps zip; Remember to flash boot.img via fastboot if you have S-ON; Reboot and enjoy android 5 on your HTC Desire S.

In case your phone does not boot, then you can install using ADB. You can get it by installing android SDK platform tools. Reboot into booatloader, open CMD and navigate to the location you extracted your boot.img and type:

fastboot flash boot boot.img

CWM recovery is now available for download for the Sony Xperia T. This android phone was quite popular in 2012 and some of us still have it. The CWM is a custom recovery for the Sony Xperia T and it will allow you to install third party custom ROMs on it.

What does this means for end users? Well you can finally have that Android jelly bean 5 on your Xperia T – something Sony has not even planned for you. Here are the steps on how to download and install CWM on Sony Xpiera T. Before you follow the following steps, you must unlock the bootloader. You can do so by going to this link and follow the instructions.

Download recovery from http://goo.im/devs/tilal6991/recover…t/15102012.img
Download fastboot from here and get it into a place where you can run it – I’m not going to provide instructions how – guides are all over the place
Open a command window in the place where fastboot is
Copy the recovery.img to the fastboot folder
Type fastboot flash boot recovery.img
Type fastboot reboot
You will be in CWM.

HTC Desire S is the most iconic and well built android phone produced by the Korean giant. The phone is still getting all the support thanks to the amazing folks at XDA developers who have just released TWRP custom recovery for it. TWRP custom recovery for HTC Desire S will allow user to perform all sorts of modifications on it such as ability to install custom android ROMs, including this one and perform mods.

TWRP is like CWM but enables interaction using the HTC Desire S’s touch screen. You cannot do that in CWM and in that you have operate the device using volume up, volume down and power buttons.

Phone Pro User is only site that is offering download of the TWRP ROM for HTC Desire S a k a HTC Saga.

• Download link

A new ROM on xda developers has surfaced that lets you attain root by flashing a pre rooted firmware. It is based on official Samsung Galaxy Note 5 source N920CXXU1AOGE and is compiled with Google ARM Toolchain GCC 4.9. It roots the system automatically and installs busybox as well. Of course this voids the warranty as it bumps knox counter to ‘1’. It also lets you overclock underclock Galaxy Note 5 as it install a custom kernel that lets you do it. It works only on the SM-N920 variant of Galaxy Note 5.

* SELinux PERMISSIVE  (for Titanium Backup and other apps to work correctly)
* adb insecure
* init.d script support (drop in script & set permissions to 755 or 777 and reboot)
* Possible Screen Mirroring / AllShare Cast fix
* Secure storage = false (should prevent WIFI settings & passwords wiping on flash)
* Synapse app support for many kernel configurations 

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 Rooted Firmware: The Features

Reduced logging
exFAT FS support
NTFS R/W support with app
CIFS support (not tested)
Frandom
mount partitions NOATIME and NODIRATIME by default
Entropy tweaks
CLEANCACHE & ZCACHE
Microsoft X-BOX gamepad controller in-built module
Much more – check source commits & Synapse

Galaxy Note 5 Kernel features lets you underclock overclock it

A57 CPU
CPU temperature
A57 big Cores Frequency Scaling
live frequency
MAX: 2400 MHz (stock 2100 MHz is default)
MIN: 500 MHz (stock 800 MHz is default)
HPM voltage control
A57 big Cores voltage control
CPU governors
interactive (default)
on-demand
conservative
userspace
performance
CPU governor tunables

A53 CPU
A53 LITTLE Cores Frequency Scaling
live frequency
MAX: 1500 MHz (stock/default)
MIN: 200 MHz (stock 400 MHz is default)
HPM voltage control
A53 LITTLE Cores voltage control
CPU governors
interactive (default)
on-demand
conservative
userspace
performance
CPU governor tunables

HMP
Up thresholds
Down thresholds

GPU
GPU stats
Current clock freq
Live Frequency Utilization (load)
Time in state
GPU power policy control
coarse_demand (default)
demand
always_on
GPU frequency scaling
Max freq control (stock 772 MHz is default)
Min freq control (stock 266 MHz is default)
GPU Governor
Default
Interactive (default)
Static
Booster (more graphic and benchmark performance)
GPU Interactive Governor tunables
highspeed clock
highspeed load
highspeed delay
HPM voltage control margin
GPU voltage control

BUS
Memory Bus HPM voltage control
Memory Bus voltage control
Internal Bus voltage control
ISP (Image Signal Processor) voltage control

IO
I/O Schedulers

DEADLINE
CFQ (default)
NOOP
Storage read-ahead (256 KB)
General IO tuneable
Add random
IO stats
Rotational
No merges
RQ Affinity
I/O scheduler tunables

MEMORY
Memory state
Total
Free
Low Memory Killer Profiles
Low
Medium
Custom (recommend)
Default (default)
Aggressive
Exterminate
Low Memory Killer minfree tuning (OOM LMK)
Kernel SamePage Merging (KSM)
KSM stats
Pages to scan
Deferred timer
Virtual Memory
Dirty Background Ratio
Dirty Ratio
Drop caches (Clear VFS cache after boot)
Laptop Mode
Swapiness

ADVANCED
Entropy (max 4096)
Gentle Fair Sleepers control (disabled)
Arch Power control (enabled)
randomize_va_space control

AUDIO
(Sound Control by AndreiLux)
Jack media volume control
L/R channel volume
mono mixer
Speaker volume control
Earpiece volume
Main Equalizer
Advanced Stereo Equalizer

NETWORK
TCP congestion control
All available enabled.
Default = westwood+
Screen mirror/allshare cast fix control (enabled)
Clean WIFI Lease
TCP/IP network security
3G DNS speed & security tweak
Google
OpenDNS
Comodo, Level3
Norton_DNS
Smart_Viper

SECURITY
KNOX control
NO_ACTION (default)
Disabled
Enabled
SELinux
Live status

BATTERY
Battery info
Battery SCALING calibration (fuel gauge reset)

FS (File System)
Display FS Type
FS Controls
remount System r/w r/o
remount RootFS r/w r/o
Scrolling cache control
Optimise Databases (SQLite3)
Wipe options
cache reboot
dalvik-cache reboot
cache & dalvik-cache reboot
Clean up
clipboard cache
/data/tombstones
/data/anr logs
/data/dropbox logs
lost+found

BACKUP & RESTORE
Name – Restore – Delete – Backup
profiles
kernel image

LOGS
LogCat
dmesg
last_kmsg

REBOOT
Reboot device
Recovery Mode
Download Mode
Power Off
Clear Synapse Data & Reboot
Restart Synapse

Rooted firmware: Installation instructions

Uninstall any CPU control apps, tweaks and init.d scripts etc.
Recommend: Disable or remove KNOX (you can disable with Synapse once kernel is flashed)
Install Synapse app from Google Play.
Device Settings:
Enable Developer Options > OEM UNLOCK
If flashing from previous SkyHigh kernel > Device settings > Applications > Synapse > Force Stop > clear data
If not installed > Install SuperSU from Google Play: Boot into Download Mode & connect to PC and Flash SkyHigh kernel with Odin 3.10.6 in [AP].
After boot:
a) wait at least 120 secs to stabilize
b) Open Synapse
c) Tap "Understood"
d) Tap the "" to apply new defaults
IMPORTANT: Synapse > FS > [Wipe Cache & Dalvik-Cache Reboot] !! (maybe help with reboot issue during call)

Download links:

• SM-N920-C-L – [Odin] SkyHigh Kernel v1.1
• SM-N920-T – [Odin] SkyHigh Kernel TMO v1.1

Zgpax S79 is a smartwatch that also packs a SIM card slot allowing one to use it as standalone phone. So with it, if you do not pair it with your phone, you can use it as a phone that can make and receive calls, send and receive messages and so on. It has built in microphone that talk into the smartwatch to talk to other recipient.

Zgpax S79 Review: The Specifications

You get a 1.54 inch display packing 240 x 240 pixel resolution that shows crystal clear text and high definition pictures. When paired with an android or iPhone, it syncs your phone book, call log, messages and music from your phone, allowing one to access them over Bluetooth. So no need to take the phone out of your pocket to access those. You can purchase Zgpax S79 from gearbest.com for $27.54.

The Zgpax S79 has a built in camera that lets you freely take pictures and even record videos. That said, if you are serious about photography, consider using the remote camera function on the Zgpax S79 to remotely use the smartphone’s camera. It works with 850/900/1800/1900MHz networks.

Zgpax S79 Review: Other Functions

Some excellent other functions are Sound recorder, alarm, calendar and calculator. The casing is made of stainless steel and its band is manufactured using high quality rubber that is super comfortable to wear. Voice recording function also present that records super high quality voice.

Other great functions include pedometer and sedentary reminder that lets you develop better health habits. Pedometer on the S79 lets you monitor the steps and count the distance. Sedentary reminder monitors your sleep and also tells you when to take rest.

Last great function is the anti lost feature that alerts you when your phone is not in its range. This way you will never leave phone behind.

Oukitel A28 is an affordable smartwatch that packs a lot of power and functions. Powered by the MediaTek MTK2502 processor, it operates over Bluetooth 4.0 giving stronger compatibility with Galaxy Note android phones and iPhone devices. It doubles as heart rate monitor and actually packs the same sensor that is being used in much-more expensive Apple Watch. This allows you to check your heart rate on the move.

Since Oukitel A28 is a smartwatch, it syncs SMS, contacts, call log including missed and dialed calls from your phone to the watch. All this is done over Bluetooth, so no need to install any additional software or wires. You can buy Oukitel A28 from gearbest.com for just $56.

The Oukitel A28 doubles as Pedometer / Sleep monitoring / Sedentary reminder, allowing you to efficiently monitor sleep and reminds you to take rest if you are over working. It has a camera onboard but if you wish to take higher quality pictures, consider using the remote camera function which lets you control your phone’s camera to take pictures. These pictures can be stored on onboard storage or micro SD a k a TF card slot.

In similar fashion, you can use its remote music function, which streams music stored on your phone to Oukitel A28. Another excellent feature is ability to fetch notifications so you are always informed of your new emails, facebook, twitter, skype, wechat notifications.

The display on the Oukitel A28 is really amazing. It features IPS technology that looks great from all angles. Measuring 1.54 inches, it has 240 x 240 pixel resolution and it looks stunning in person. The band material is made of genuine leather and case material is manufactured using stainless steel. There are two colors to choose from – brown and black with brown being my favorite.

Battery life is stellar on it – higher than what you find on typical smartwatches. I was able to get 3 days of moderate use. Of course your mileage may vary depending on your usage. Consider switching it off at night to prevent battery drain during night.

Trekstor unveiled a hybrid laptop SurfTab Duo W2, which boasts Intel Core M, 11.6 “screen and Windows 10. The Trekstor SurfTab duo W2 is not just another cheap windows tablet since it is priced between 600 – 700 euro (2,530 zlotys). This is chiefly because Trekstor SurfTab duo W2 specifications are great and can do job of a mainstream laptop.

Trekstor SurfTab duo W2 specifications include Intel Core M-5Y10 dual core processor clocked at 800 Mhz – 2 GHz, 4MB cache, Integrated Intel HD Graphics 5300 (clocked at 100 – 800 MHz), 4GB DDR3L 1600 MHz RAM and 64GB of SSD storage expandable via micro SD card reader.

You get two USB ports, one on the tablet and another on its dock, HDMI, micro USB port, dual-band wireless module working in a standard ac, Bluetooth 4.0, a 5 megapixel main camera and 2MP front camera for video calling, GPS receiver and 11.6 inch WUXGA display with IPS technology for wide viewing angles and high contrast – all enclosed in a metal housing.