yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Spirit FM] mikereidis:
November 19 test: http://www.mediafire.com/file/41t31jxbwk9kd19/Spirit_FM_Radio_v111119.apk

- Bug fixes.

- Broadcom volume control modifications.

"Deb" button (or Menu->Debug) and then "Volume" brings up a volume testing dialog.

First 3 "Hw" selections set volume of the FM chip in hardware bypassing layers and complications. Hopefully, should always work. First is 100%, 2nd is 50% and 3rd is 0% (silent).

Next 3 set the "Current Volume Control Stream", same as above: 100, 50, 0.

Next 3 set the "Music" Volume Control Stream", same as above: 100, 50, 0. Should usually be same as above.

Basically, if you are having volume control issues, try all 9 of these and see if volume can be controlled. You should see a quick "Done" message on the screen after selecting anything. (I just saw a crash once on one of the "Sc"'s)
[Spirit FM] cos68:
Thanks Mike!

It is working perfect now. I can control the volume also after a restart of your application, and both the volume slider, the physical volume buttons and your debug volume settings are working like a charm on both my Desire HD and Incredible S.

Thank you very much!

Claus
[Spirit FM] mikereidis:
Thanks for the log. I don't see anything too useful except there are no obvious errors.

It looks like you are using the Nov. 3 Market version. Can you remove it and install this: http://www.mediafire.com/file/41t31jxbwk9kd19/Spirit_FM_Radio_v111119.apk ?

The app remove will reset everything to default on re-install, but you could just upgrade and then use Clear data in the system apps settings.

Then, change to SonyEricsson Audio Method. If the sound still cuts out after a few seconds, then enable Settings->Debug->Silent Loop and restart the app.

Silent Loop continuously plays a silent sound file, and this ensures the system knows that audio is in use and it shouldn't be turned off to save power.

For the high pitched voices issue, I don't know why that happens. If I get a Sony Ericsson product to test someday, I may be able to figure this out.

Sometimes strange problems can be solved by running the stock FM app before mine, or even while mine is running. If that works better, it's at least a clue about the problem.
[Spirit FM] mikereidis:
I've now had 3 reports of "This app is incompatible with your ...". 1 Droid X, 1 HTC Thunderbolt and 1 Dell Streak.

A VERY annoying problem for someone trying to eke out a living, and those wishing to support the effort.

Usually I just wait and hope for Google to fix the problem. Usually problems magically fix themselves eventually.

Google makes it almost impossible for developers to get feedback. We can post our problems, and hope that maybe there might be a useful response.

Customers, on the other hand, can actually email a Google employee. So I decided to pretend to be a customer I guess, LOL.

This is the first time I have EVER communicated with a Google employee. Generally I'm cynical about asking for help. They ask me to do a dozen things that take half an hour and I end up with no fix in the end.

So here's what Google said:

--------------

On Sun, Nov 20, 2011 at 9:01 AM, Android Market Support <android-market-support@google.com> wrote:

Hi Mike,

Thanks for contacting us. In order to investigate this issue, I need more

detailed information. Can you please provide me with the following:

- The exact steps you went through that resulted in this issue

- Any error messages you see

- If possible, screen shots demonstrating the error or issue (you can just

take a picture of the screen with a digital camera if that's easiest)

As soon as I receive this additional information, I'll be happy to assist

you further.

Best Regards,

--------------

And here's the response I gave, which is not too different from my original query. I'm sure their response was "canned".

Steps:

- Go to Android Market on Droid X phone. See Spirit FM Radio app, but can't see Spirit FM Radio Unlock app.

- On PC go to https://market.android.com/details?id=com.mikersmicros.fm . It looks OK.

- On PC go to https://market.android.com/details?id=com.mikersmicros.fm_unlock . It says "This app is incompatible with your Droid X".

See screenshot of error message: http://483f.iz.piccy.info.nyud.net:...e9fb6e1da69a/1-5-1774/5695688/Bezymiannyi.png

This is also reported happening on other devices, such as Dell Streak and HTC Thunderbolt.

It makes no sense because the free app and the unlocker app have exactly the same requirements and permissions.

Regards,

Mike.
[Spirit FM] m.ksy:
mikereidis, hi! I found what was my problem with incompatibility. The whole blame was changing DPI. I set the default value and everything was fine.
[Spirit FM] mikereidis:
Great ! Yes, I think DPI and Content Rating are two of the more common reasons for this issue. It would be nice if Google could give a better error reason.

But this doesn't explain why the base free app is visible/installable and the unlocker app isn't.

I feel that this is a Google bug and I hope I can find an easy way around it.
[Spirit FM] edowar:
:D

Hi Mike, your app works with my device huawei x6 CM7 rom, but only first time, when I tried the second time my device just reboot itself.

I will send log asap. Thanks
[Spirit FM] mikereidis:
GREAT !!! :) :D

You're the first person to report ANY success with getting audio out of a Qualcomm Tavarua based device. I've update the thread title, my signature and compatibility list to match...

I don't have one so I've been writing code "blind" which is very hard to do right.

I see your log and will look at it.
[Spirit FM] mikereidis:
Android is cool but Google's support sucks, ESPECIALLY for we developers.

If anyone reports this issue to Google, please let me know. If the problem continues, I guess I'll "cheat" and use an email of my wife's to pretend to be a more important customer. But if they catch me, who knows, they could disable my account and kill my tiny nascent business... :(

For laughs here is the response. Note that the developer support method recommended is useless.

-------------

Upon further investigation into your concern, I

have found that the application that you are trying to download is under

your developer account. It is against Google Checkout's policies to

purchase your own application. You will receive an error message if you

try to purchase your own application.

...

Our team currently supports Android Market end users. For developer

support, we recommend contacting our developer support team:

http://www.google.com/support/androidmarket/developer/bin/answer.py?answer=136601

----

My response:

I'm sorry to say, but your so called "support" for developers is useless. I see no method to get any specific response for this problem. I know other users & developers have had this exact same problem and Google seems to have no solution.

Why are customers more important than developers ?

3 potential customers have reported this problem. I am trying to help these potential customers, and probably many others who never reported this to me.

Please give me an email address, or forward this to someone who will at least log my complaint.

Thank you,

Michael Reid.

---------

EDIT: The final word:

I apologize for your frustration, but at this time

the only advice I can give you is to visit the developer support help

page. I'll provide that link for you once again.
[Spirit FM] giri_189:
The new version is not working with Samsung Galaxy Mini :-(
[Spirit FM] mikereidis:
It looks like you were using the msm7x30 Audio Method, which shouldn't work at all.

You were also using qdsp5v2, which I'd guess was working for you, at least partially.

Did you try the HuaweiTavarua Audio Method ? That's the one I thought would work. It also possible you should set Audio->Volume Control Stream to "7 - Huawei FM". Restart the app after that.

See next post for new version of the app: http://www.mediafire.com/file/5381ub38p0a1uym/Spirit_FM_Radio_v111122.apk

It doesn't appear I can even buy any of the Huawei Android devices using this FM chip here in Canada. They are doubling the size of the local research facility, but we can't buy the phones, LOL: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/repo...ottawa-area-research-facility/article2243335/
[Spirit FM] mikereidis:
Nov 22: http://www.mediafire.com/file/5381ub38p0a1uym/Spirit_FM_Radio_v111122.apk

Mostly bug fixes in startup, shutdown and volume control.

AF Alternate Frequencies is still messed up.
[Spirit FM] xmguy:
That's just wrong Mike. They should be better to you than that!
[Spirit FM] xmguy:
Don't know if this is a bug or not. But with no settings changed from last time. I get popping sound from rear speaker when i enable or disable the app or change from headphones to speaker. Can send logs if needed. Running today version.
[Spirit FM] tj_style:
Great progress.. i will try on my device and will report soon.. thank you very much..
[Spirit FM] edowar:
Hi Mike

I did your suggested, and sound still mute, then when I tried to qdsp5v2 method, audio volume is working but could not control volume and unstable.

Btw, I will send log as you suggested.
[Spirit FM] dancer_69:
Still no sound on my X5 with CM7 rom. I tried to use qdsp5v2 too, but device crashes and restart.

Mike:

If you want to buy an X5 just be careful to don't buy the new Pro model(I don't know if the regular X5 still exists) because the newer pro model have a different fm chip(bcm) which is part of the processor and already has an fm app too.
[Spirit FM] carnagecjb:
Hello!

I'm attempting to get this to work on my Sprint Sgs2 epic 4g touch.

It appears to work, but has no output.

I've tried both the market version and the one posted above.

I an more than happy to attempt to help debug and get this running, if you can tell me what I need to do.

:)

Sent from me and my phone.
[Spirit FM] mikereidis:
I'm certainly not alone. There's a person posting a LONG list of grievances about unresolved issues once a month to the developers so called "help" forum. Sadly, there are issues that go back over a year. Many are intermittent random issues.

But I'd bet the large commercial app developers likely have much better access to help from Google.

I think many of us assume Google has a large human technical team on Android and spends a lot of money supporting that team. But I think the team is relatively small, and that the BIG money is spent on patent acquisitions etc.

Not that I'm trying to defend Google here but: In development at least, small teams can be more efficient and responsive. And it's good to not have internal developers responding to too many outside bug reports from small app developers.

And despite all of Google's failings, Android is now the dominant smartphone OS. And Google makes good money and is near the top of the stock market capitalization charts...

So what do they care about small app devs like me ?

Now where are those GOOG shares I stashed in the investment account ? LOL.
[Spirit FM] mikereidis:
Pops and clicks have been annoying me for a long time. But almost nobody seems to notice or complain, and that's surprised me.

This release I removed a 1 second power up delay that was only there to work around one of these. I'd like to speed up start-up, in some cases it can take 30 seconds or so. I'll try putting the delay back in.

Another possibility is a change in when volume may be set...

No log needed, just let me know next release.

Thanks...
[Spirit FM] mikereidis:
Yes, the qdsp5v2 method may be the only one usable on this cyanogenmod ROM. Some cyanogenmod ports use stock audio libraries, or parts of them. If so, then the Huawei/Tavarua method might work.

Some of the volume control code may be causing the instability, so I'll try disabling it. The normal V4L volume control methods don't seem to work with Tavarua. The driver code just ignores the main one.

So another mechanism is needed for volume. One possibility is ALSA control. If you can run shell commands I can offer some ideas about ssd commands to use.
[Spirit FM] mikereidis:
Hi, does the display show "FM: BC" at startup and does the RSSI signal strength at upper left jump around: -128, 0, 55 etc ?

I suspect so and suspect you are out of luck, especially if there is no stock FM app.

I don't think there's a single US variant of the Galaxy S2 that supports FM. An international version i9100 is needed. Blame the carriers' greed for selling data plans, IMO.
[Spirit FM] actioman2006:
Hi there,

I have a ZTE Blade and in according to your description can be made to work on it. Do you have any estimate of when you can maket it functioning properly?

Thanks in advance and and keep up the good work!
[Spirit FM] mikereidis:
Hi, that's a difficult question. I will need help from users, or better yet, kernel or ROM developers.

I don't have a Blade, I think it might be difficult to find one, and developing for FM and audio hardware is VERY difficult without a real phone. I think if someone were to send me a phone for at least a month, that would help a lot.

It's possible my app works at least partly now on the ZTE Blade. I recall this phone uses a Silicon Labs FM chip, but uses a V4L driver, unlike the Galaxy S and S2 which usually use Samsungs' proprietary driver.

My app is partly working with V4L on Huawei devices and it may work partly on the Blade now too. Load my app and send me logs with Menu->Help->EM Logs.

Some ROMs (actually the kernels) may not support the FM chip. The kernel needs a V4L driver, or possibly the Samsung driver if someone could incorporate that.
[Spirit FM] edowar:
I love to try ssd command from you :)
[Spirit FM] roofrider:
Mike.

I sent logs from the app...the version posted a page back is not working on galaxy mini...same is the case with the one from market...but a much older version works well. maybe the various updates changed some stuff and maybe mini users didn't inform u abt it, dunno. I can't help with adb and stuff now...busy for a couple of Weeks.

Btw I rated 5 stars on market, sorry for not doing it earlier...just read some bad reviews there, so....
[Spirit FM] newxda85:
+1 for you man.. i had a problem too with new version on my mini

@mike. i've sent EM log too...
[Spirit FM] actioman2006:
Ok thank you very much for your interest in helping me.

I have just sent you the "EM Logs".

I do not know if I have to do something before I send you these logs, like walk around your software or something like that. This time just turned on the application.

Once you start the application, this message:

I am using the "BladeGinger-Negaraku RLS2.3 ROM" but I have the same information in the CM 7.1.0 (Stable and nightlies).

Kind Regards.
[Spirit FM] carnagecjb:
Sad day. :(

That is pretty much what happens. I am able to get the RSSI number to stay relatively steady, at times, but not 100% consistently.

the FM:BC, however, is present.

Ah well, thank you anyway. :)
[Spirit FM] mikereidis:
Yes, this is what happens sometimes. I fix or change things for some phones, and it breaks on others. This is part of "Android fragmentation".

As a single individual with "only" 4 phones, I'm dependent on users to be my "QA team". That's one more reason a free version is necessary.

I may start emailing manufacturers to see if they can send me test phones, as some do for CyanogenMod. But even if I had many more phones I could easily spend ALL my time just testing them, swapping ROMs, etc., with no time for new development.

It's extra helpful if people can say which version was the last known working version.
[Spirit FM] mikereidis:
Thanks for the log.

The ZTE blade kernels seem to provide a /dev/si4708 driver for FM. This driver seems to be different than the open V4L driver and Samsung's proprietary (but open source) Silicon Labs si4709 driver.

I can't Google search any source code for the ZTE driver, but the CM code for this driver is available. So I think I can support this driver, and it shouldn't be too hard or take too long.

But I don't have a Blade, and I don't think I can get one easily, and it's difficult to afford buying new devices. So it would be ideal if someone could send me one for at least a month, but for ongoing support it would be better if one could be donated permanently. Even a unit that's half broken, with a cracked screen or whatever would be good.
[Spirit FM] roofrider:
Well I'm not very sure of the version, I'll upload the apk when I can, on phone now.

It has only4 debug options.

extra logs, reg verify, galaxy 5 and silent loop. Hth..

Also will be nice the version info was included in the app.

Think it is a September end version. Other users said Oct 3 version works well but not later versions.
[Spirit FM] mikereidis:
Thanks ! I can see where the trouble is starting in the log. I had similar troubles on my own Galaxy 5 GT-i5500, but haven't seen this problem lately. I think your phone has the exact same Broadcom 20780 FM/combo chip.

There was no Oct 3 version, although some may have become aware of the Oct 1 release on that date. The next was Oct 4 that included "Some volume control adjustments on Broadcom chips."

I'll try reverting that code to see if that fixes it and hope it doesn't break any other phones. Also, until recently, I had code that auto-detected BCM 20780 type chips, but removed it due to some problems on some BCM 4329 devices like the HTC Desire. It's hard to develop universal code.

BTW, It looks like you set the Debug option "Use fm_hcitool". Leave it off unless you have a Dell Streak.

I see this issue was brought up on several threads/sites. I guess people think we developers won't read their emails or whatever. :)
[Spirit FM] roofrider:
Thanks, I understand the difficulty.

Ya I noticed I had that other debug option enabled later...but it'll be nice if there is a feature in the app explaining the debug options, cuz there are a lot of them in the latest release. Or is it already there n I missed it?
[Spirit FM] shunsai:
hi mikereidis,

just wanted to say thank you so much for this app! i'm super new to android, and only got my desire z a few weeks ago. i've been searching for a while for an FM radio program that actually allows me to listen to FM radio (i live in Japan, but all available FM Radios seem to only support North American Frequencies). i tried other programs ripped from random Japanese android roms, but to no avail. it took me a few false starts with your program, but it's the only one that i've managed to get to work. so a BIG thank you! do you have a paypal account i can donate to? to be honest, i simply don't trust google or the android market, so i do everything i can to avoid downloading apps through it. i'll be happy to donate more than the 99yen the unlock app requires.

btw, i should mention that i installed the 111119 version. first time it was freezing my phone. i had to uninstall a previous FM Radio app i had been trying to get working. then i reinstalled the 111119 version, and it worked! even now it's still a bit touch and go, but still- phenomenal work sir!

as a final note (on probably more to come), i suppose it's probably been asked somewhere in the 160+ pages before me, but is there anything in the way of this program eventually getting FM recording capabilities?
[Spirit FM] mikereidis:
BTW, the app version is at the top of the dialog when you do Menu->About.

In theory, the debug options are all experimental (like ongoing Google betas). You probably don't need any non-default values unless I or someone else recommends them.

I'll get to documenting them better, but most won't read the docs and will just ask anyway, LOL.

Some of the audio ones are difficult to understand, and I want to simplify the explanation and that will take some work, because I have to understand them better, LOL again. But I should satisfy the few who will read docs.
[Spirit FM] roofrider:
oh yes understanding them is difficult for users.

N my version doesn't even have a menu-about!! But only settings, help and unlock. So it's that Old, lol.
[Spirit FM] mikereidis:
:) I get the "Recording question" once a month.

Recording is not possible on most phones. But it should be possible on some of the more recent and higher end phones. So hopefully, eventually, recording can be supported. I don't see that happening this year though.

I'm happy to have more feedback on the Japan band. Lots of small problems are still likely there. Do you know if RDS/RBDS is available there ?

If you have issues, just select Menu->Email Logs if you have an unlocked version (otherwise Menu->Help>EM Logs). Wait a few seconds, then edit the email so I know who you are (XDA username) and what the problem is.

---

No reflection on you of course, but Japan seems to have the highest ratio of cancelled sales to initiated sales: Only 2 of 10 weren't cancelled. And I've assumed this was a cultural issue, regarding "attitudes towards intellectual property concepts".

There might be other reasons, such as they don't understand English and that the free version determines compatibility, or the Unlocker has less value due to lack of RDS.

I try not to discuss pricing issues here, but will say I lowered the price disproportionately, and hopefully temporarily, there this week, to see if that ratio can be improved (And even at the new low price I had 2 cancels and no sales this week). I did the same price lowering for rich Luxembourg, just to see if I can get a first sale there. This is my first time setting some different regional prices.

Anyway, I have a paypal account if you're feeling generous. Email me at mikereidis{at}gmail.com .

Thanks !
[Spirit FM] reycat:
Love this app. I used it with my Desire Z and use it now with my Evo3D.

However, my dad recently got a ZTE Skate and I haven't been able to make it work.

Does anybody know any working setup/config options for that phone?

Thanks in advance.
[Spirit FM] mikereidis:
Not just users ! Me too. :) That's why they are "Experimental".

I think there are at least 9 that fine tune volume control. It seems simple, but it's not, in order to support a huge number of ROM and device combinations.

Some ROMs do volume control by themselves and some don't. Those that do it themselves might do it on the FM chip, or on an amplifier. This may or may not work when Bluetooth is off and none of those 9 options deals with BT state, so I may need even more. My app and the ROM can end up fighting for control, with semi-random results. And I'd like to support adjustable volume curves.

Many ROMs have issues where the hardware volume controls go to Ringer volume when the app is in the background, or screen off. Silent Loop usually fixes that now, at the cost of using CPU/battery.

How many ways to control Volume: (1) normal hardware buttons, (2) on screen control (you haven't seen maybe), (3) media buttons on headset cables, (4) Lockscreen controls.

Various volume control problems are very common, so I want to create a "Testing mode" that will help people determine what their settings should be. And these settings can become "Profiles" others could use on that ROM/device combination.

I think it's just too complicated for me to describe the Android sound system, the problems that can occur, and the remedies, and I don't even know all the remedies yet. But give people a "Wizard" to guide them through the process and it's doable.

I want to create the same sort of "Wizard" for Audio Method. I know it's a real pain for people to try all the methods, and I can try to make that semi-automated. A dialog that says "Press here if you hear audio" should be much friendlier.
[Spirit FM] mikereidis:
Perhaps the Skate is similar to the Blade ?

Just load the app, and press Menu->Help->EM Logs and I'll be able to give a better answer.

You likely need to have a rooted ROM at least.
[Spirit FM] roofrider:
Phew! That was something!

Thanks for all the efforts, all the best ...hope u come up with a nice user friendly solution for that:)
[Spirit FM] denzel09:
I wait a new release in market ;-)
[Spirit FM] mikereidis:
It will be posted here before the market. Perhaps in the next 12 hours.

There are still too many issues for a market release. Lately it's one release per month, except for follow ups for an important bug fix.