Anyone interested in picking one up this Thursday?

[rickhamilton620]

The first video review of Stratosphere went up:

[YT]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVkySW-RunQ[/YT]

Although he didn't go into nearly as much detail as Android Central, PhoneDog, etc., he did show camera tests along with the unique new microSIM (it's verrrryyy small!)

I hope more reviews will pop up soon.

 

[KnightCrusader]

Okay, to the guys following my status for rooting:

The recovery-only thing seems to be a bust. The T-Mo GS2 is built differently than all the GS and GS2 phones (from what Slayher tells me), so I am going to go back to compiling a new kernel from source.

So this is my battle plan this weekend:
1. First, I have to set up an Ubuntu box at home (apparently the ARM compiler that needs to be used needs XWindows... sigh)
2. Then I'll compile a straight up stock kernel and flash it to the phone. This way, at least I can make sure the stock source works the way it should. If it doesn't, well... I'll have a soft-brick in need of a new kernel... and the motivation to get it right. At least I have my Thunderbolt to take over phone duties until this is fixed.
3. If that works, then I'll rip the new kernel apart using the SG2 tools I have found for doing so, then modify the initramfs to make it insecure, compile the kernel again with the new initramfs, and flash it over. If it does work, move to step 4. If not, try again. If no hope, flash stock kernel back.
4. If I have success, I'll root the file system and then share the news (and goods) with everyone else.
5. ????
6. PROFIT!!!

I'll let everyone knows how it goes. I kind of don't want to brick my nice new phone, but this is really irritating me to the point that if I don't try, I'll go nuts.

On the bright side, at least I have my Thunderbolt to fall back to, and its only $410 for a new Stratosphere off contract. (Like I have that kind of money. :-$ )

 

[northbanker]

The first video review of Stratosphere went up:

Click to view quoted video

Although he didn't go into nearly as much detail as Android Central, PhoneDog, etc., he did show camera tests along with the unique new microSIM (it's verrrryyy small!)

I hope more reviews will pop up soon.

Thanks Rick for posting that. This guy is certainly earnest but he could've done that review in half the time!

He really loved the keyboard, at least the layout. Makes me think I should give it a 2nd try. But it wasn't clear if he really tried/used it for typing anything. That's where things fell down for me. I'm curious if you have you had a chance yet to spend any time hands-on with it yet?

But I know that for you the 512MB of RAM may be a key show-stopper. (not sure about me yet)

 

[rickhamilton620]

Thanks Rick for posting that. This guy is certainly earnest but he could've done that review in half the time!

He really loved the keyboard, at least the layout. Makes me think I should give it a 2nd try. But it wasn't clear if he really tried/used it for typing anything. That's where things fell down for me. I'm curious if you have you had a chance yet to spend any time hands-on with it yet?

But I know that for you the 512MB of RAM may be a key show-stopper. (not sure about me yet)

I still haven't. I might head to the best buy store to take a look at it. I just hate fending off salespeople haha.

 

[northbanker]

I still haven't. I might head to the best buy store to take a look at it. I just hate fending off salespeople haha.

Last weekend I went to BestBuy. They only had a mock device with no interactivity. Keyboard seemed fine, but...

Then I went to VZW where they had a real one. That's where I had my extreme typo experience. I've tried out many keyboards this way and this one had to be one of the worst experiences... which really really disappointed me. I was really hoping this was my new phone.

And I don't even have huge fat fingers! Anyway, I guess I'll give it a 2nd try, but I'm not particularly optimistic about the Strato now.

Would love to hear what you & others think. Especially the folks who actually bought one.

 

[Dubbman]

Okay, to the guys following my status for rooting:

The recovery-only thing seems to be a bust. The T-Mo GS2 is built differently than all the GS and GS2 phones (from what Slayher tells me), so I am going to go back to compiling a new kernel from source.

So this is my battle plan this weekend:
1. First, I have to set up an Ubuntu box at home (apparently the ARM compiler that needs to be used needs XWindows... sigh)
2. Then I'll compile a straight up stock kernel and flash it to the phone. This way, at least I can make sure the stock source works the way it should. If it doesn't, well... I'll have a soft-brick in need of a new kernel... and the motivation to get it right. At least I have my Thunderbolt to take over phone duties until this is fixed.
3. If that works, then I'll rip the new kernel apart using the SG2 tools I have found for doing so, then modify the initramfs to make it insecure, compile the kernel again with the new initramfs, and flash it over. If it does work, move to step 4. If not, try again. If no hope, flash stock kernel back.
4. If I have success, I'll root the file system and then share the news (and goods) with everyone else.
5. ????
6. PROFIT!!!

I'll let everyone knows how it goes. I kind of don't want to brick my nice new phone, but this is really irritating me to the point that if I don't try, I'll go nuts.

On the bright side, at least I have my Thunderbolt to fall back to, and its only $410 for a new Stratosphere off contract. (Like I have that kind of money. :-$ )

Godspeed my friend. If you get the insecure kernel going and get root, please run logcat for a while (4/5 hours of normal use) to make sure nothing in the backend is throwing errors like Link throwing pots looking for Rupees.

Question; If the initramfs is set to insecure does this mean we're able to use a catch-all root method or what? Manually rooting would be beyond a lot of people. Maybe we can make one of the automated catch-all roots work with it for 1-click rooting ala Z4/SuperOneClick/etc.

Anyway, thanks for working so hard on this.

 

[KnightCrusader]

Godspeed my friend. If you get the insecure kernel going and get root, please run logcat for a while (4/5 hours of normal use) to make sure nothing in the backend is throwing errors like Link throwing pots looking for Rupees.

Thank you! I'll need it. I have a person at work that has experience with compiling linux kernels from source (gentoo nut) that has said he'd help out if I get in a bind.

I like the reference too.

Question; If the initramfs is set to insecure does this mean we're able to use a catch-all root method or what? Manually rooting would be beyond a lot of people. Maybe we can make one of the automated catch-all roots work with it for 1-click rooting ala Z4/SuperOneClick/etc.

Yeah, from what I have read, SuperOneClick or Z4 should work to root an unsecure kernel.

Anyway, thanks for working so hard on this.

No problem. Someone has to do it for us! I'd rather try than sit around and wait for someone else to do it.

I just now got my old laptop set up with a fresh install of Ubuntu, installed the toolchain needed, and got the android tools. I'm going to be building the kernel and then tearing it apart in a hex editor to make sure it looks right before I flash it.

I'll update as soon as I make any good progress.

 

[Dubbman]

I really wish I had time to help. You can count me among one of the the testers should it work and you decide to release the kernel.

It should also be noted for anybody wanting to remove bloat once root happens, do it one at a time. I've noticed on several VZW devices that removing all the bloat causes stability issues thanks to Verizon spider webbing app checks throughout the system. Even using the dialer will prompt prompt a random app check and possibly a manufactured crash. My GF has a Droid 2 Global, I rooted it and removed all the bloat, phone became unstable, ran logcat and found out the screen, dialer and stock contacts did an app check for VZW Navigator, restored the app and stability returned. On my dad's Revolution I removed the bloat, system had similar stability issues and it turns out it was V CAST Tones (If I remember correctly) which is an app he's never even opened. My friend's Thunderbolt was beholden to the My Verizon app.

Just be careful about bloat removal until we get some custom ROM's going.

 

[KnightCrusader]

Well, here is an update of how it went last night...

Good News: I got the kernel compiled and created the initramfs using the framework from an SG2 stock kernel and pulling off the Stratosphere versions of files directly using adb in recovery mode.

Bad News: In the process of putting the new compiled modules in, I noticed some were missing, and the ones that were there weren't near the same size as the ones that came with the phone.

So, until I can find out what the heck is going on there, I'm not going any further. :'( Its one thing to brick when everything looks right, and another to brick cause I was being reckless.

Hopefully I can figure it out. I might have to go ask some Charge or SG2 devs about it.

 

[rickhamilton620]

Well, here is an update of how it went last night...

Good News: I got the kernel compiled and created the initramfs using the framework from an SG2 stock kernel and pulling off the Stratosphere versions of files directly using adb in recovery mode.

Bad News: In the process of putting the new compiled modules in, I noticed some were missing, and the ones that were there weren't near the same size as the ones that came with the phone.

So, until I can find out what the heck is going on there, I'm not going any further. :'( Its one thing to brick when everything looks right, and another to brick cause I was being reckless.

Hopefully I can figure it out. I might have to go ask some Charge or SG2 devs about it.

Wow you're really into it. I totally agree, bricking a new phone would totally piss me off haha, so yeah, don't risk it.

 

[BewitchedWitch21#AC]

Last weekend I went to BestBuy. They only had a mock device with no interactivity. Keyboard seemed fine, but...

Then I went to VZW where they had a real one. That's where I had my extreme typo experience. I've tried out many keyboards this way and this one had to be one of the worst experiences... which really really disappointed me. I was really hoping this was my new phone.

And I don't even have huge fat fingers! Anyway, I guess I'll give it a 2nd try, but I'm not particularly optimistic about the Strato now.

Would love to hear what you & others think. Especially the folks who actually bought one.

I finally got my Stratosphere on Tuesday. I had the Iphone, which I loved, but I really wanted a keyboard again and some less restrictions on certain aspects of the phone. I don't really care for Android, (like syncing all my contacts and all that weird it does with apps). So I went ahead and deleted all my gmail contacts, so when I got the phone going...the only contacts in it were the ones I put in. (sorry, just giving a bit of background).

I like the keyboard a lot. I do make some typos, but I am generally used to it already. My battery life has been pretty good, especially compared to other androids I've used (I used to work for vzw, so I've used most of the stuff out there at some point). The main keyboards I've used in the past have been from the blackberry, so this keyboard is definitely different from that aspect.

I find the keyboard to be a bit awkward...maybe a little too wide for my hands, but as I've typed more on it, the experience has gotten better and better. I also have been using the voice to text, and its been phenomenal. Overall, I would say its worth trying again. I think any phone feels a little weird at first, simply because its not what we are used to. Hope that helps you somewhat.

 

[northbanker]

Thanks Bewitched for your analysis of the keyboard, I'm gonna give it a 2nd try soon, maybe tomorrow. I felt the issue for me was that to cram the 5 rows in there they made the keys too short and thus I kept hitting the wrong keys. In essence they're too close to each other even though there's decent separation, if you know what I mean.

 

[JonK]

I finally got my Stratosphere on Tuesday. I had the Iphone, which I loved, but I really wanted a keyboard again and some less restrictions on certain aspects of the phone. I don't really care for Android, (like syncing all my contacts and all that weird it does with apps). So I went ahead and deleted all my gmail contacts, so when I got the phone going...the only contacts in it were the ones I put in. (sorry, just giving a bit of background).

I like the keyboard a lot. I do make some typos, but I am generally used to it already. My battery life has been pretty good, especially compared to other androids I've used (I used to work for vzw, so I've used most of the stuff out there at some point). The main keyboards I've used in the past have been from the blackberry, so this keyboard is definitely different from that aspect.

I find the keyboard to be a bit awkward...maybe a little too wide for my hands, but as I've typed more on it, the experience has gotten better and better. I also have been using the voice to text, and its been phenomenal. Overall, I would say its worth trying again. I think any phone feels a little weird at first, simply because its not what we are used to. Hope that helps you somewhat.

Why don't you want to sync your contacts? Its really convenient. If you loose your phone you don't loose your contacts. Get a new android phone on any carrier and your contacts are instantly available. What weird stuff does android do with apps?

 

[Dubbman]

Well, here is an update of how it went last night...

Good News: I got the kernel compiled and created the initramfs using the framework from an SG2 stock kernel and pulling off the Stratosphere versions of files directly using adb in recovery mode.

Bad News: In the process of putting the new compiled modules in, I noticed some were missing, and the ones that were there weren't near the same size as the ones that came with the phone.

So, until I can find out what the heck is going on there, I'm not going any further. :'( Its one thing to brick when everything looks right, and another to brick cause I was being reckless.

Hopefully I can figure it out. I might have to go ask some Charge or SG2 devs about it.

It's stuff like this that makes me stay away from trying to do something like this. The littlest things are what separate you from success and failure. I'm glad you're trying though, and def talk to the Charge devs and see what they have to say.

 

[asciiwar]

And I don't even have huge fat fingers! Anyway, I guess I'll give it a 2nd try, but I'm not particularly optimistic about the Strato now.

Would love to hear what you & others think. Especially the folks who actually bought one.

I bought one and you need to try it a couple of times. I didnt like it at first, but after vising the Verizon store a second time, I ended up liking it more. Now I think it rocks. I'm coming from a feature phone (LG EnV touch), which I really liked. I used to have a Blackberry Bold before that, so I was biased toward the Bold 9930. However, after actually playing with the phones with Keyboards a few times over, I felt this was the best one. I liked the Strat more than the Droid 3 (too wide) and LG Enlighten (weird split in keys though the spacing is nice). After having it, the Strat has grown on me and so I don't really feel any remorse about not picking up the Bold 9930.

So I think it stacks up well. Keyboard is way better than the Epic 4G. The only keyboard that I would say hands down is better is the HTC Touch Pro 2, which is my favorite keyboard by far. I was tempted by the Merge, but I needed the dedicated number row.

If it helps, I'm 5'10" with average size hands and slightly wide fingers.

 

[KnightCrusader]

It's stuff like this that makes me stay away from trying to do something like this. The littlest things are what separate you from success and failure. I'm glad you're trying though, and def talk to the Charge devs and see what they have to say.

Yeah, talking to the Charge devs was the way to go. Two of them are helping me, one was able to get an image of the stock kernel, and it does work, so I have a backup to go with now.

Looks like we might get to root this soon!

 

[KnightCrusader]

Pssssst.... hey guys, look what I did....

I'll start a new thread for this with instructions in the morning probably, I need some rest now that this feat is done.

BTW, Sorry about the blurriness, the bolt's camera wasn't wanting to cooperate.

 

[rickhamilton620]

Pssssst.... hey guys, look what I did....

I'll start a new thread for this with instructions in the morning probably, I need some rest now that this feat is done.

BTW, Sorry about the blurriness, the bolt's camera wasn't wanting to cooperate.

Whoa! Excellent work man! I think I might just end up risking a purchase sans reviews just because of this haha. Seriously, mad props to you.

 

[Dubbman]

You rock KC. Seriously. Make sure to logcat the crap out of it to make sure we don't end up with a million questions as to why it did x to their y. I'll def be in the test group for this tomorrow when you post everything. Also be sure to post the ready-made stock kernel and MD5's for both kernels.

You are the man... man.

 

[KnightCrusader]

Guide has been posted guys. I'll be tweaking it making it more noob friendly as time allows, but if you aren't afraid of the command-line, have at it!