[Miscellaneous Android Development] DanADaMan:
Guys, I too have made a custom rom using the latest 1-15 chinese version as the base. Below are the highlights of the modified rom:

1) has a nice Apple logo on bootup

2) fixed the gps issues (finds me on the data plan in under a min)

3) has a nice USB Connect image (looks more Apple like)

4) faster IOS-like operating system

5) fixed the horrible font issue - now looks like the stock font on gooapple roms

6) deleted a bunch of chinese apps on the system/app folder

7) added a few goody apps on the system/app folder

8) has functioning Market

9) fixed the chinese call button on the Phone (they again messed this up)

10) easy install and method to reinstall English/stock Recovery after install English (or keep the chinese recovery if you want) (see installation instructions).

The rom still has a few minor issues or updates that you need to do when installed:

1) has 3 icons of Astro which is the new file explorer. Do not delete the duplicates as if you delete one they all will be deleted. Do not delete until you install a replacement file explorer (ie. Root explorer or other) otherwise you will need to reinstall rom to start over. Note that the duplicate copies disappear if you go to Settings-Application and transfer app to SD card

2) two apps have chinese titles under the icons (Galley and VideoPlayer). Though both are english apps - hopefully I or someone will figure out how to change the title?

3) there are 2 camera apps - one with english title and other with chinese title. Delete the chinese titled app.

4) rom comes with the stock baidu/qq keyboard. Suggest you immediately install your new preferred keyboard (ie. Smartkeyboard Pro) and then delete QQ from system/app directory (see installation instructions on how to do it).

5) suggest to install Google Voice Search from Market - it will work and enable your keyboard's mic to work.

Installation Instructions:

1) download my rom (dra_v5_01222012.zip) to root of sd card; also ensure you have an auhentic gooapple rom on the sd card too (suggest the 12-29 version)

2) download and extract "Root_w_ChineseRecovery" file onto you PC. Make sure you have adb files installed. If you do not have adb enabled (like I did not), follow instructions at http://theunlockr.com/2009/10/06/how-to-set-up-adb-usb-drivers-for-android-devices/

3) connect your phone to PC via USB cable, in Setting/Apps ensure UnknowSources is enabled and USBDebugging in the Development tab is enabled too.

4) goto the last subdirectory of the extracted file (step1) and double click on the Bat file. Hit enter when prompted to "hit enter to continue". If successful you will get ~20 repeated messages (in about a minute) that some memory was written and then the phone will reboot. Basically this step roots your phone and installs the Chinese Recovery, and automatically reboots your phone to Recovery mode (in about 20 seconds after you get the ~20 messages). If your phone does not reboot, then turn off and restart while pressing the + key to force it to boot to recovery

5) you will now be at the main menu of the Chinese Recovery, which is needed to load a custom rom. follow these keystrokes:

a) go down (- key) to the 3rd option and push down once and release on the power key). On the next screen scroll down to the only option and again hit the power key. This steps wipes the phone and returns you to the main menu.

b) now go to the 4th option on the main menu, and then again on the next screen scroll to the only option and hit the power key. This wipes the cache and returns you to the main menu.

c) now go to the 5th option and hit the power key, then on the next screen goto the 2nd option and hit the power key (this brings up a list of all files on your root sd card) - here scroll down to my custom rom and again hit the power key on the rom. This will bring you to another screen where you scroll to the only option and hit the power key (this installs the rom, which will take about a minute, and then return you to another menu).

d) choose the last option on the screen and hit power key, and then hit power key on 1st option. This will reboot your phone.

6) upon bootup the phone will have chinese default language. To change to your preferred language goto Settings (the gear icon), then General (the gear icon), then goto the 9th option, then the 1st option and select your language.

7) now you need to root your phone again. Here you use "Root_w_EnglishRecovery". Extract and again double click on the Bat file. Again you will eventually see the ~20 repeated messages and phone should reboot to Recovery mode again, but now it is back to the english/stock recovery. Just choose "Reboot" option.

http://www.mediafire.com/?pa1c9f3adedtffu

http://www.mediafire.com/?2oi8vlt368j1rir

http://www.mediafire.com/?166vw6locr319nz