[Xperia Play Android Development] xSoNiCcRaCkErSx:
Some Additional Info

All: Don't be scared to experiment and have fun. I can confirm you can get back to stock everything if you do the following:

-Have Alejandrissimo or someone else unlock bootloader and root the device.

-Use fastboot to boot the clockwork recovery image and make a nandroid backup of your device (the AT&T rom) [this will make a savestate of your ROM and data included]

-Extract the kernel.sin from the following link.

(To do this use 7zip on windows or any equivalent like ez7z on mac; the .ftf files can be unpackaged with this, be sure to make a new folder for all the .sin files to extract to)

This kernel.sin is your new STOCK Kernel. Flash it back to get everything working on your phone again. (along with your original rom of course)

Remember - when flashing kernels and recovery image use(on both .img can be .sin also):

fastboot flash boot imagename.img

Flashing firmwares / roms (system.imgs) use:

fastboot flash system imagename.img

You're now good to experiment with anything. If anything goes wrong you can always restore your nandroid backup in clockwork recovery and flash back your kernel using fastboot.

To boot clockwork recovery you can download this and run 'Root-Xperia-Play' or use the instructions above to fastboot the recoveryPLAY.img. If you have DooMKernel installed you can repeatedly tap the 'back' button while booting and you will cause clockwork recovery to boot.

These are just quick instructions from what I have researched and read in the past couple of days on the subject. This is my first android phone and I am still a noob at it. I just wanted to confirm this because many r800at users are scared to do anything with the phone for fear they can't go back.

I can confirm these also(I will revise each the more testing is done):

~~~You must flash whatever firmware bundle is noted in the following and use the specified kernel (if any) to get these working properly. The wrong combination will break many features including radio, data and sometimes will cause endless reboots~~~

*Firmware*

R800a 4.0.A.2.368 (North America Generic): BEST (Everything works just like AT&T rom, but with all the bloat removed! - revert back to this if something goes wrong or your nandroid of AT&T stock!)

R800i 4.0.1.A.0.283 (1247-6212) (Android 2.3.4) (Generic Nordic): WORKS (not much testing done, 4G, WiFi, camera, vibration all work using the included kernel this is new android version-- has built in swype and HD video recording, I have read it conflicts with some things though so far)

R800i 4.0.1.A.0.368 (World): WORKS (Radio, Wifi, Calling Texting - works. Not much testing done, it works with everything normally. This should just be used as a basis for flashing a different ROM or kernel)

R800i 3.0.1.A.0.145 (UK): WORKS (Radio, Wifi, Calling Texting - works. Not much testing done, it works with everything normally. This should just be used as a basis for flashing a different ROM or kernel)

*Kernels*

R800a 4.0.A.2.368 Kernel: STOCK (Does everything flawlessly including 4G Speeds revert back to this if something goes wrong!)

Doomlord Kernel v02-FIX: FLAWLESS (Use THIS - Everything works including WiFi + Vibration + Camera + 4G + OCing - this is the best rom to use until v04 comes out)

Doomlord Kernel v03: WORKS (Almost Everything works including camera, vibration, HSPA+ (4G) except, WiFi DOES NOT WORK) [If you have an unlimited data plan, the trade off is well worth it, having built in recovery and OC capabilities + the many other tweaks - Wifi will be fixed hopefully when SE releases there source]

*ROMS*

CM7 FXP Data Fix: NEAR PERFECT (Working: HSPA+ 4G speeds out of the box - APN's can now be saved edited and changed, Wifi, Vibrate, Touchpads, Camera. Faults - Video playback speed is 2-3x as fast as normal. This is the fastest rom out of them all. To use PSXperia you must install preinstalledservices.apk upon each reboot. This rom can be downloaded here via defer's post. This will be updated as testing is done. Be sure you use the FXP 041 kernel with this fix and install the gapps zip along with it. I am using it with r800a firmware, but recommended is World firmware.

ZeroROM v04: FLAWLESS (this ROM is BLAZING fast, has tons of internal storage and a lot of nice tweaks - everything I tested works - you MUST use DooMKernel V-02FIX with this ROM to insure everything works including WIFI. You MUST flash R800i 3.0.1.A.0.145 (UK). If you create a android backup, you can restore it onto R800a 4.0.A.2.368 (North America Generic))

GSX Beta 2: WORKS (this rom is also very VERY fast and has a lot of cool graphical effects. Working: WiFi, Camera, HSPA+, vibration | Faults: PS Pocket seems to crash upon any user input, Homescreen reset itself upon reboot once In order to get this rom to work you MUST flash firmware R800i_4.0.A.2.368_World using flashtool (full system flash) and use DooMKernel V-02Fix)

CM7 FXP 041: USABLE (This is the FASTEST rom I have tried out of all of them. It blows away all the others I have tried in terms of speed - this ROM works with everything (camera, vibrate, touchpads, etc) EXCEPT DATA. No Edge, 3G or HSPA. Trying to add AT&T APN to the list fails, it will always default back to an empty list on confirmation. Once I can get working data going with this rom, it will be my main ROM, I can live with any other faults, its too good not to. To get this rom working you MUST flash R800i_4.0.A.2.368_World tft included with the rom before hand or r800a. A full flash with flashtool is necessary) It is reported FXP CM7 026 and versions prior to this WORK with data. If anyone knows where a link can be found to confirm this, please let me know.

Fraser V05: WORKS After some initial testing it seems to work well - will test a bit more later. Working: WiFi, HSPA+, Camera, Vibration (You MUST flash R800i_3.0.1.A.0.145_UK prior to installation. Flashing 05+ zip package in recovery WILL cause your device to endlessly reboot.

Play-modded: DOES NOT WORK (I am not sure where I got this from, after so much reading and grabbing every download link you can, stuff gets lost in the mix, whatever it is, its an r800i (international) rom and it does not work with the radio even using stock kernel / firmware)

NOTE: Some AT&T apps work so far on R800a, R800i, ZeroRom and others. If you try downloading them from your computer, it will state your device being AT&T R800(). It seems as long as it states AT&T, the programs will launch without issue. Also, these are just my own personal experiences, your may be different.

As far as those with battery life concerns - try the following: SuperPower (requires root) or JuiceDefender. Then make sure you get a quick app shortcut from the market (plenty to choose from) that gives you a shortcut to Edge / 4G enabler. I suggest when you need to use 4G, turn it on manually, otherwise switch it off. Let Edge do all your pushing while you aren't actively using it. I wasn't able to get through a day without my phone almost dying but after doing this I have been able to game browse and idle for considerably longer period of time. I haven't measured exactly but it is a very noticeable difference. From the reading I have done, its not possible to automate the switching of bands, so it must be done manually. I have heard CM has the function to do this with a certain program. SuperPower has the options to do this provided your phone is rooted, but I have not gotten it to work. Please post if you find a way to do this!

You can also use setXperia (incredicontrol doesn't always stick with some ROMs) to help undervolt some of your OCing settings to help save battery there too.

I have been tinkering around with a good combo between these programs and I am finding my battery life has more than quadrupled what it was. The main thing pulling all the battery away is 4G/HSPA.

Note: I don't have a stock battery in my phone so my findings may be different. I am using a 1780mah battery.

If you have any questions or pre-cautions don't hesitate to ask me. I know how daunting and scary a process this can be. Hope my being a guinea pig helps!