yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Miscellaneous Android Development] Linuxslate:
I did a manual backup without rooting (No need for Z4 Root)

Download and unrar MT6516 BackUpTool, but do not install anything.

On the Linux/Mac box, open the gscript folder, and open back22.sh in editor, or viewer.

Connect the watch via USB, and connect via adb shell

Cut, paste and execute each line from the back22.sh file

up to and including the last dd command in the first section - in other words

.
.
.
.
dd if=/dev/mtd/mtd11 of=/sdcard/backup_/expdb.img

Obviously, you don't do the comment lines.

exit the shell

exit

do:

adb remount

Install yaffs2image:

adb push <your_path_on_PC_to>/Install/BackUp/yaffs_back_2.2/gen/mkyaffs2image /system/bin/mkyaffs2image

adb shell chmod 4777 /system/bin/mkyaffs2image

(Again, the above is a cut and paste from the script)

adb remount

(for safety)

adb shell

Then cut and paste the remaining 3 mkyaffs2img commands.

Then:

exit

Copy the backup_ folder on the SD car to someplace safe.

If you want, you can remove mkyaffsimg:

adb remount

adb shell rm /system/bin/mkyaffs2image

adb remount

It's definitely more steps, but it leaves the system technically un-touched, un-rooted, and even returnable if you should have to.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] alcuin:
Some more useful apps.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.coinsoft.android.orientcontrol

Orientation control to lock the screen in landscape mode; not free but worth it.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=itosisato.setsunasato.kokoroduyosato

Home button for soft home button in notification tray. Free.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.katecca.screenofflock

Off button in notification tray. Free.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.opera.mini.android

Opera mini has server side compression so makes best use of the slow 3g speed, but no multitouch so zooming is difficult.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] alcuin:
It can be done, but the MotoActv might be better, because the motoactv has a headphone jack so you can use any headphones you want. On the Z1, you have to use bluetooth headphones or a bluetooth headphone adapter.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] southbird:
I just ordered one of these last week, should have arrived today ... glad to see this exists!

Other than configuration/display-size issues, does everything work, i.e. all hardware? I noticed you had a note about the Wifi driver not being open source, but I assume that more effects if you try the MT6516 kernel. Even if it's a closed binary, I assume you could still load it and use it though. I'm not expecting any leaps and bounds in the kernel department.

As for CWM, is any part of it executed at cold boot? If so, I imagine you'd need to implement some kind of timeout menu that could optionally enter recovery before booting the watch. This is similar to what was implemented on the Kindle Fire which also doesn't have a normal stock recovery mode.

I assume you're still evaluating CM7 so you're not ready to distribute it ... but I do hope to see more from you soon, especially a HOWTO and download links!
[Miscellaneous Android Development] moneytoo:
I spent many nights trying to make GSM or WiFi working. Except few tweaks I only got the modem to start but nothing more. I have no experience with porting of binary drivers and this device has so many of them. Radio/modem and kernel modules - there are no problems with them but there are just too many dependencies on proprietary libs even from standard android native binaries.

So I'm giving up. At least for now cause I just don't have enough knowledge.

I consider making custom rom based on stock Android but I don't know if there would be any demand. Proper integration of Google apps, Chinese apps/account providers removed, tweaked launcher/drawer settings, tweaked global dpi/dpi of apps that not fit...

To have at least something, I give you very simple app "Z1 Backlight Toggle" apk (attached in 1st post) which can turn off completely display backlight. (Needs root) I use it on my bike when I have navigation running all the time cause it indeed saves battery and backlight isn't needed at all under direct sunlight, the display is readable the same.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] southbird:
That's fine, I understand how frustrating these things can be. But still, can you post information about how to backup / restore the firmware and how to flash a custom ROM? I might try playing with it myself sometime and at least having the knowledge would enable further experimentation.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] lokeshsaini94:
WTF!!!! a wrist phone with Android OS.... This is so freaking cool!!! :D:thumbup:

Awesome......
[Miscellaneous Android Development] southbird:
I have an idea ... if we can get the MTK6516 kernel to build and boot, that's one step. If we can then get Android 2.2 stock to build, and then compare it against an image of the Z1's file system, we should, in theory, be able to identify all the unique areas of the watch's Android setup. If we at least know how to build an identical watch Android from source we should be able to extend that into making Cyanogen Mod work ... or something else. I think it's worth a shot anyway!

Also for an identical kernel, there shouldn't be any need to "port" binary drivers ... ideally they're built-in or load as modules, same as any other drivers.

You're probably right there will be very limited demand. So I ask again, if you can at least post steps about reflashing the watch, I'll give it my best shot. I just want to be sure I can restore the watch after messing around with it. Which I'm guessing you were able to since you didn't claim any permanent damage. It seems it should be able to go into a factory restore mode which I hope will override any messed up systems.

It really is neat. Kind of limited, but really neat. I think if we can get any amount of control over the kernel and Android version, we can really extend the abilities of the watch. It just needs a chance...
[Miscellaneous Android Development] moneytoo:
In my opinion there's no problem with kernel, modules or libraries, we can just reuse them. The real issue I think is native android binaries such as wpa_supplicant or rild. We can either use (original) already built binaries or build new ones - but this is the problem... Original binaries depend on proprietary libraries so they "do something" important with devices. Newly build binaries just don't have that unknown functionality. Yes, reusing stock binaries might work for 2.2 but my only target so far was 2.3 since that would be real benefit for us.

Have a look here: http://bm-smartphone-reviews.blogspot.cz/2011/02/mtk-hd2-hd9-flashing-tutorial.html

Basically you need the driver: "MT6516_YuSu_USB_VCOM.inf" and flashing tool: "SP Flash Tool v1.1110". You have to use 32 bit Windows (I only tried XP in both VirtualBox and VMware but it could work with 32 bit Vista or 7 as well).

Power off the watch, connect it directly to PC (no USB hub or extention cable) - new device will connect for few seconds - use it to install the driver. Unplug watch. Open flashing tool and select files to flash (I would recommend not to flash anything other than boot/recovery/system/data/logo), hit start and quickly connect the watch - flashing will start automatically.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] adthor:
Which navigation software are you using?
[Miscellaneous Android Development] southbird:
No idea what he's using, but I'll say that Sygic worked when NOT navigating (doing a route caused it to force close, I'm guessing possibly out of memory??) Using OsmAnd works pretty well ... of course, it's Open Street Map with all the usual limitations.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] moneytoo:
I use RMaps (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.robert.maps&hl=en) with collection of offline maps and prepared tracks for navigation.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] ffinder:
Sygic 10 works nice with Z1 using 3D maps.

Sygic 12 works nice with Z1 using 2D maps.

When attempting to navigate Sygic 12 with 3D maps enabled,

the Sygic 12 crashes and Z1 returns to Home screen.

Correction..

Sygic 12 works nice with Z1 using 3D maps

only when Autozoom is turned off:

Settings > Map > Autozoom [untick]

ff
[Miscellaneous Android Development] apurvasrishti:
That is exactly what needs to be done! If porting the binaries is not possible at the moment, why not go ahead with building with stock android, with proper google account and apps, and removing the chinese accounts.

Once you have tweaked launcher/drawer, tweaked dpi of apps that not fit etc done, it would be almost as good as running CM7. Any improvement would be a big improvement :)

I sincerely hope that you continue development, the demand for a stock ROM is sure to come as the device becomes more popular, as of now, there is nobody developing for Z1, that i know of.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] moneytoo:
I started cooking custom ROM based on the stock two days ago and I'm very happy with it. :) Proper integration of setup wizard, google apps, keyboard, dpi, orientation, better preconfigured launcher, working voice search etc.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] southbird:
Neat! Be sure to post about details about it.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] apurvasrishti:
Great work! I'm really excited that you have chosen to develop on stock. Hopefully we'll have something to flash soon!! Let us know how it goes.

Is flint absolutely the best keyboard in your opinion, for this screen size or are you aware of some alternatives? t9 could be practical too i think.

What do you think of the device's policy to disconnect wifi once its screen is off? I think manual control would be better as there is no other way to control this behaviour apart from keeping the device wake all the time which drains battery. What google apps have you got working? I couldn't get gtalk to work at my end, though most others are working including drive, books etc..

Best of luck :)
[Miscellaneous Android Development] moneytoo:
I would prefer T9 as well but I was unable to find one that works in landscape and fills the whole width. I tried many many keyboard but none seemed right.

I think disconnecting from wifi is ok since users can just change the policy in settings.

I definitely didn't try all Google apps but Gtalk works.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] ffinder:
Try Flit Keyboard, As a Z1 user from beginning of 2012

i can assure you it's the No1 keyboard app for the Z1:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/...wsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5sb2NuZXQuZmxpdGtleWJvYXJkIl0.

With only BIG 8 buttons you have access to almost all

alphanumeric characters and symbols.. amazing..

Review:

http://linuxslate.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1341410121

Forum for Z1:

http://linuxslate.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.pl?board=rockwatch

ff
[Miscellaneous Android Development] moneytoo:
First version of Custom Clean ROM is available, more info in the first post. Volunteers (on their own risk) can try flashing the ROM and report. ;)
[Miscellaneous Android Development] southbird:
Are you actually building this ROM from Android source or did you just modify the original stock?
[Miscellaneous Android Development] moneytoo:
It's just stock rom with Google apps and few other tweaks.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] apurvasrishti:
Flashed the ROM and have been using it for a couple of days. Working smooth so far. Haven't stress tested it yet to comment on any speed gains, will do sometime.

What do you expect to do about the unusable system dialogue boxes due to high dpi? :) the dialler and even full keyboard is usable with the status-bar hidden IMO.

Good work mate!
[Miscellaneous Android Development] moneytoo:
I will try fix the dialer. What system dialogs are the most important and don't fit the screen?
[Miscellaneous Android Development] apurvasrishti:
The date setup and time setup boxes are unusable. Other boxes suffer a degradation but remain usable. Have you tried setting up a pin or gesture lock on the device? In the Chinese ROM, trying to set up lock would brick the device.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] apurvasrishti:
Any progress to share with us? I wish we could talk to these chinese MTK guys. They cant be so evil as not give us the drivers for all the chips :)
[Miscellaneous Android Development] Freekers1337:
A big thank you for this ROM!! Without Google apps, this Watch phone is essentially useless, because without the calendar doesn't work either... and ofcourse, the official Google Market/Play store is a must-have!

Making a backup before the flashing requires root. The stock rom does not have root.

The easiest way to gain root is using SuperOneClick:

http://shortfuse.org/?page_id=2

I flashed this watch on Windows 7 64 bit. Windows XP 32 bit is not required.

Just download the correct drivers for Windows Vista/7 32/64 bit here: http://www.tinyurl.com/6spoocn

Also, there is no 'Start' button, as you refer to in your Flasing procedure.

Here's how I did it: Start the SP Flash Tool by opening flash_tool.exe

Press the 'Scatter-loading' button and load the MT6516_Android_scatter.txt file which was included in the Clean ROM package.

This will automatically load the correct file, ANDROID and USERDATA.

Press the button DOWNLOAD and connect your watch within 5 seconds. (assuming you already installed the drivers!!)

Flashing will now begin (yellow loading bar).. BE PATIENT! It will take about 2-3 minutes to finish.

Mine did not show a nice green circle like in this video, but give an error... nevertheless the flashing went OK!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOdHzbZqG6I

Last but not least: The 160 DPI size is nice for reading, but not practical. For instance in the Calendar, one cannot change the date or time anymore when adding a new event because the font is too big to fit the buttons and all on the screen. Same goes for the dialer.

I recommend changing the DPI back to stock (120) using this app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.innodroid.dpichanger

Thanks for the hard work.

Kind regards.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] luvingguy:
Hi, Just bought the Z1 android watch, its pretty good but lags at time. The dialing pad it hard to be used. Just wanted to confirm with the users who have flashed the clean rom have any problem with the dialing pad.

Any update coming to the clean rom and whether the IMEI still persists after the installation of the rom.

---------- Post added at 11:37 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:25 AM ----------

Hi, Bought one recently, wanted to confirm is the dialing pad btter than the stock rom or it still lags..Secondly does IMEI still persists after flashing the clean rom?

Thank you..Waiting for the reply as need to flash the clean rom..

Kind Regards
[Miscellaneous Android Development] Jeff:
Any Updates to this wonderful watch?

GB or anything better than the Froyo installed? I am trying to look into CM7 but I do not know which image to try to update nor how to compile... anyone else out there in the same 'boat'?

Peace... and Happy 2013!
[Miscellaneous Android Development] CubeCloudOS:
This is a dead post isn't it?

I just ordered one only to find out that the rom has been pulled! Anyone have a mirror that I could use?

By the way WiFi sucks so I was wondering if anyone with experience at soldering and what the heck it says on this page can do the thing on the link below so I don't have awful wifi.

http://linuxslate.com/Review_Z1_Android-2.2-Watch.html

Anyone can do the fixes listed in the article?

I'll be grateful and pay you!!! (For the fixes not the ROM :silly:)
[Miscellaneous Android Development] 4all:
Flash Player bug reproduction

Send a greeting to all users, contributors, moderators and administrators.

I purchased this fantastic watch, first I updated the rom to a more stable, with root, Google Play and other improvements. After testing and fiddling I realized that not play anything flash. :confused:

After attempts to download some file flash.apk, all attempts to install I get the same error analysis package, a frustration.

The quiestion is. Do any user of this watch has been, install, view or configure it to play or view Flash-based applications?. Does YouTube, Browsers, etc ...?.

Many Thanks and Best Regards *:)
[Miscellaneous Android Development] moneytoo:
Youtube works but Flash doesn't because the watch CPU isn't capable to run Flash.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] 4all:
Thanks for your fantastic work, we will continue investigating and awaiting new developments with this rom.

Best Regards :)
[Miscellaneous Android Development] 4all:
Hi.

I located the manufacturer NeuFashion, or at least supported in download for the Z1... http://www.neuwatch.com

I've already updated and do not know what problems it solves this firmware update from the manufacturer, there is no information :confused: :confused:. Nor is there support page to contact to resolve questions :( , issues or damage and it would be ideal to raise the problem of flash manufacturer, solutions, patches or updates.

Best Regards :)
[Miscellaneous Android Development] moneytoo:
Great, thanks for the link.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] southbird:
I'm not sure if they're the manufacturer or just someone who re-sells it... it's hard to tell with these kinds of imported electronics.

What I really wish is we could get the full Android / kernel source to the watch so we could tweak it ... I'll bet some amount of performance could be eked out of it if we had those. But the sources seem to be a guarded secret that no one has been able to fully obtain.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] Jeff:
Yes, it would be SUPER if we had the sources so that we could at least overclock to 666Mhz or even 800Mhz to which I have read is the very highest and probably unstable. There is an overclocker tool for another MT chip set on PLAY but helas it does not work for the 6516 (but I have not tried it) may the two are close enough to modify the APK to accept our chip, or maybe burn it in the process, touchy... good find, I am going to look into this firmware thing and see what bells and whistles I can get out of it.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] Jeff:
Flashed it and it is still 2.2.1 with no REAL improvements that I saw. It has absolutely NO software from Google (probably an agreement with the reseller) but has Antipode installed. Still weak WiFi (which we know is design related) and no overclocking... so I reflashed to my original (luckily I backed up via the gscript meathod, whew!)
[Miscellaneous Android Development] 4all:
Hi, I sent an email to the company, hopefully respond, but I doubt i :rolleyes:t. Comment swarming the Ice Cream for this chip, though unconfirmed, I think no one has put this issue as I have not located any rom.

Best Regards :)
[Miscellaneous Android Development] fraschized:
Anyone founds an android 2.3 rom avaiable for the Z1? I would try to play ingress with that!XD.. Any news about cyanogen porting?

Thanks
[Miscellaneous Android Development] zoltar99:
Inventors or dishonest cheats?

Has anyone seen this recently? It's been all over the UK newspapers:

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/technology-science/technology/teenage-boffin-beats-apple-google-1992030, also featured on cNet: http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-57...-apps-from-google-play/?refresh=1371767308503

Their website is http://an.droid.ly/

These are four guys, 3 apparently from India and one from London. They are hailed as 'inventors' of the first Android watch. The watch is identical to the Z1. The only thing it has straight from the box is Google Play. We all know how easy it is to port Google Play to the Z1.

What do you think? My first thought is these guys have not heard the term 'plagiarism'.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] southbird:
I've been annoyed for a while every time a news article talks about anyone being the "first" to make some Smartwatch, since obviously the Z1 has been around for a while and there's been some others as well. I can understand most people not knowing about a difficult-to-access product from the depths of Asia, but you'd think someone in these news outlets would have heard about it by now.

But the Z1 hasn't really caught into mainstream adoption, and at the end of the day, I suppose that's all anyone remembers ... who made the first viable one that caught fire. Most people think of cars as we know them today starting with the Model T, even though there were certainly ones made before that, but that's the first one that actually made an impact. I like the Z1 conceptually, but the lagging performance of it really drives me crazy fairly quick. If someone could do the Z1 better -- perhaps at a thinner profile, better CPU, etc. -- I'd applaud them.

But looking at their pictures, that appears to be pretty much a Z1. So are they selling a re-branded Z1? I suppose the only crime is if they're calling themselves or otherwise hinting that they are "inventors" of the product.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] zoltar99:
That is exactly what I was thinking. The hardware is exactly the same as the Z1, there is the same Android 2.2, the only thing it has extra is the Android market. I asked these guys some questions on their Facebook page and they conveniently chose to delete my questions instead of answering them.

They are pretending that Z1 is not even running Android.

This is what they say on their Facebook page:

Androidly The China watches are not Android devices. They are unable to sync to your google account, do not have google play store, email, calendar etc.

1 · June 24 at 2:10pm

The only thing they are right about is that out of the box, there is no Play store and no ability to sync. But all it takes is visiting this page and a little Android knowledge. And that is all they did to this watch. Does copying some software created by other XDA members here make them 'inventors'?

People seem excited about this watch, I would have given them credit if they were selling an updated watch, better processor, more RAM, newer version of Android, but this just is a renamed Z1. I know for a fact that if I want to sell my own branded phone, or tablet or whatever electronic device, I can contact one of the China factories and if the order is minimum 100 000 USD (£75 000 as these guys mention on the Androidly website), they will give it whatever name I want. So this is exactly what these guys are doing. They need enough pre-orders (£75 000) and then the Chinese factory will rename the watch, manufacture it and ship it to them. They basically need 1000 devices (@£75 each manufacturing price), then add shipping costs, VAT and customs taxes, and you come to about £100 per watch. The rest up to £155 is their profit, about £50-55 per watch. So, if they manage to pre-sell 1000 devices, they will make themselves a nice £50 000. Not bad, and I have nothing against this, business is business, but to pretend you invented something that has been around for about a year, this is not cool in my book...
[Miscellaneous Android Development] southbird:
This I agree with for sure. Reselling products manufactured in Asia is what just about every Big Name already does, so there's nothing new about that. But your proposed figures are probably about right -- these guys will essentially manufacture nothing, simply buy an existing product with the bill footed by their backers, slap their name on it, and call it a day.

If I were to try to scrounge up a positive, I guess I'd rather the world suddenly become overrun with Android smartwatches rather than an Apple smartwatch. :P Might even spur some development on some decent hardware instead of what's essentially a first generation Android smartphone crammed in a thick box.