yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] thedicemaster:
sdcard restrictions go even further than those on older kitkat devices.

even apps with a kitkat workaround like dropsync and FX don't work.

a big mistake by samsung, considering there's only 4GB storage available.

edit: small correction.

you can write to the sdcard with 3rd party apps, but only to the sdcard's android/data/[internal.app.name]

i'm currently moving a heap of files to my /android/data/nextapp.fx folder.

still very limiting, but at least i can keep my music synced through my microSD by putting it all in the dropsync folder
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] miljano:
just read an article about it. is it a samsung failure or google android kitkat? How can those people release such firmware.

I can use samsungs file explorer though..can read/write/delete files from my external sd card. But as i read..third party apps as es file explore, astro cant get such permissions.
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] thedicemaster:
it's a restriction in kitkat put in place by google.

the k zoom however seems to have a more restrictive version of this restriction than what was included in the earlier kitkat versions.
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] miljano:
there is an app called sdfix for kitkat, but can only be used when a phone have root priveleges.
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] thedicemaster:
which makes it useless for us because the k zoom is not rootable yet.

I have however managed to get my stuff where it's usable by using "my files"(horribly limited app compared to FX) to move the files to data folders.
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] miljano:
Yes.. I must do the same thing to move files to my external sd card.

Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-C115 met Tapatalk
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] ashouhdy:
where !

More covers for your new Samsung Galaxy K Zoom #tech #technology by triplez, on Flickr
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] Beerkan:
Just a quick word to say thanks to sparkyxda for the code. Worked a treat. £320 delivered next day.
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] gavinfabl:
Just a minor point :)

The discount is not 20% but 19.66% equating to 1966 the year England won the World Cup ;)
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] Beerkan:
The discount I got was 20%. Price I paid was £320, originally £400. (that's 20%). 19.66% discount would have been £321.36.

Maybe I'm special.. That's what my mom says.. :victory:
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] timduru:
Yeah quite a pain indeed, couldn't even write to the sdcard with titanium backup which is not the best.

I've fixed that in the current kzoom firmware I'm using.

Basically you need to edit the /etc/permissions/platform.xml file and add external card writing permission to the media_rw group.

That way all apps can write to it.

or just replace it with this one:

http://downloads.timduru.org/android/kzoom/misc/platform.xml
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] thedicemaster:
you got root?
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] timduru:
yeah I modified the stock firmware to root it and a few other changes.

tried all other methods before like mobiroot & towelroot but to no avail, it didn't work with the kzoom.

flashing the new rooted firmware through odin works.
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] idmas:
Can share how to root?
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] carfield:
Just see this link, maybe this work? http://androidforums.com/k-zoom-all-things-root/855274-rooted.html
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] livio80:
Go here: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=53690791

Sent from my rooted, deodexed, zipaligned, busyboxed, Knox free Galaxy S5 Zoom with stock kernel and Xposed-modded stock ROM.
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] idmas:
Thanks guys!![emoji4][emoji4][emoji4]
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] timduru:
Just flash this through odin AP: (unzip it first)

http://downloads.timduru.org/android/kzoom/stock/Tim_KZoom_RootV1_XEF-C115XXU1BNF1.zip

It contains the original stock KZoom boot.img & system.img modified to add :

- Root + SuperSu apk

- busybox

- sysrw /sysro

- addblocker (/etc/hosts)

- init.d support

If that doesn't work I could also see about just doing an automodification of the /system partition in place to deploy root through only flashing a modifed boot.img

Note that this is based on the XEF (france ) firmware version though.

I don't think there are much differences between languages in the system and boot partition, but can't be 100% sure.

At worse if it doesn't work you should be able to simply reflash the boot.img and system.img from official firmware for your country through odin.

Hmm from what I understand of CF Auto Root, it flashes a modified cache.img & recovery.img based from the device's to modify the /system partition, then reflashes the device's recovery.img that was provided by users in the thread.

So if you use CF Auto root from the Note3 you most likely end up with the Note3 recovery.

You might want to ask ChainFire about that for confirmation, but I think there's a reason that chainfire is asking for users to post the original device's boot.img & recovery.img in his thread

(I did that for the K Zoom a couple of days ago)
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] Tr4sHCr4fT:
does any of the methods here trigger the warranty flag?
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] kicmi:
1. Can you post step by step guide how to flash your modified rom wit odin? (what to check and what not to touch)

2. Can you post step by step guide how to flash official firmware with odin? (will that remove ROOT and put phone back in warranty?)

3. Can you add option for add/remove S finder/Quick Connect from the notification panel :)

Thanks
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] dk206:
Hi Ash,

KDLabs makes this auto pop up cover,

http://www.araree-us.com/shop/m_mall_list.php?ps_ctid=03020000

However the case is still very much in QA stage so it won't be live until ammends have been made,

Official Samsung black & white K zoom cases are now live on the e-store for 20.00 GBP

http://store.samsung.com/uk/ng/mobile-tablets/mobiles/galaxy-k-zoom/c/SM0109

Blue to follow in the next few weeks.

p.s Really wish XDA makes a separate K zoom forum. Have lots to share :)

Thanks

DK
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] timduru:
What you need:

- Computer with Odin working (Tested with V3.09)

- rom file from above. (http://downloads.timduru.org/android/kzoom/stock/Tim_KZoom_RootV1_XEF-C115XXU1BNF1.zip)

How to root:

- Unzip the file ( you get a .tar.md5 file)

- Shutdown mobile

- Start mobile in odin mode

(push together: volume down + home + power, when confirmation screen appears, push vol up to confirm)

- Launch Odin

- Connect phone by USB (Odin will display "Added", if it works and com port should be listed)

- In Odin options you only need Autoreboot checked

- Click on AP choose the .tar.md5 unzipped previously

- Wait that odin checks the file (can take a few seconds and odin can freeze during that time, just wait)

- Click on Start

Odin will flash the boot & system images and reboot

Same as above but you use the official firmware zip,

open the file and just leave the boot.img and system.img

and flash that.

Not sure what this is ?
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] livio80:
Hi Timduru!

can you please share the method you used to make an Odin flashable package? i have a CWM backup of the phone but i'd like to turn in into "flashable image" to use it with Odin. what can i do to make it possible?

thanks in advance!
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] thedicemaster:
international versions of Samsung's recent devices(including the k zoom) have 2 large buttons in the notification area between the brightness slider and the toggles.

S Finder, and Quick Connect.

I think the S5 method to get rid of them was to copy over a systemui.apk from a carrier-branded rom that has those buttons as optional toggles instead.
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] timduru:
KZoom PermanentRoot boot.img

Here is the new version to root without the system image, which makes it also much smaller ;)

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2797146

That one only contains the boot.img.

It will root automatically the current /system in place without flashing a new system image.

It will also autoreroot the system if su disappears. :)

for system ?

ah okie, yeah I see these.

well yeah I guess the easiest is to modify SystemUI.

That will most likely come with custom roms too :D
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] miljano:
Thanks.. I have rooted my k zoom. Rw permission external sd is back. Someone knows a good working call recorder who records phone calls, two ways?

Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-C115 met Tapatalk
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] livio80:
Appliqato Automatic Call Recorder.....tested and working!

Sent from my rooted, deodexed, zipaligned, busyboxed, Knox free Galaxy S5 Zoom with stock kernel and Xposed-modded stock ROM.
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] miljano:
Thanks.. This app can record both ways? Receiving and caller voice? Caller voice without putting it in hands free mode?

Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-C115 met Tapatalk
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] livio80:
It does make all this stuff!!!!!! Test it and let me know!!!!

Sent from my rooted, deodexed, zipaligned, busyboxed, Knox-free Galaxy S5 Zoom with stock kernel and Xposed-modded stock ROM.
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] Beerkan:
livio80, where did you get this?
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] livio80:
It's only a signature.....i took this signature from an old one about s4 (where ROM truly had all these features) and changed "S4" to "S5 Zoom"....that's all!

my ROM on K Zoom it's rooted, knoxfree, xposed-modded but not deodexed or zipaligned

Sent from my rooted, deodexed, zipaligned, busyboxed, Knox-free Galaxy S5 Zoom with stock kernel and Xposed-modded stock ROM.
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] Heisenberg3282:
I need some opinions, is the camera on the K Zoom better than on the S5? I know it has xenon flash, OIS and optical zoom but I have seen some sites that say the image quality is better on the S5?

Thanks.
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] livio80:
I have both phones....and there is not comparison between the two phones, if used like a camera! Like you said, flash and optical zoom make the differencies.....but also a better quality of images (for example, K Zoom has more pixels to describe a scene) and more settings to set up!

Sent from my rooted, deodexed, zipaligned, busyboxed, Knox-free Galaxy S5 Zoom with stock kernel and Xposed-modded stock ROM.
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] Heisenberg3282:
Thanks so which one would you recommend? So the K Zoom has a much better camera than the S5?

I only asked as I've seen so many sites say the S5 is better.
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] thedicemaster:
the K Zoom's camera should be better than the S5 camera.

it has a larger sensor(better in low light, less noise)

higher resolution sensor.(capable of capturing a bit more detail)

a big 10x zoom lens.(zoom without loss of detail)

a xenon flash.(consistent strong lighting)

and probably a much better camera app.
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] timduru:
KatKernel 3.4.39 - Galaxy K Zoom
​

Posted a first version of KatKernel for the K Zoom for those who'd like to try :)

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2798321
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] gavinfabl:
I have owned both. Well I still have the K Zoom. Sold my S5 to a friend. If you follow the links in my signature to my blog, click menu, reviews, phones and follow the several posts on both you will get a frank view on both. Also there is links to my flickr account. Goto albums, and chose either the S5 or K Zoom.

Overall, my summary is that the S5 is only incredible in good light and then if using the HDR mode which is so so good. Down to the procesing power. The S5 has a number of gimmicky camera modes like dual shot and got some they will like that.

But so long as you can accept the hardware of the K Zoom in terms of weight and size and also accept some of the missing software features which I can easily, the camera is a much better option than the S5. Look at it as simple as this. The K Zoom takes a decent photo regardless of conditions. Optical zoom is unbeatable. Today's post on my blog (Sunday) just had 4 photos from yesterday. Also the K Zoom has a fantastic wide angle capture radius. It shows depth much better. Look at the church photo. Not one of my previous phones could capture the whole church in the frame like the K Zoom.

And then the K Zoom has the Pro Suggest camera options. And that's creativity made easy.
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] Heisenberg3282:
Hi thanks for your post, I only asked because Trusted Reviews which is a good site that reviews cameras said this about the K Zoom.

"At first you may assume that the Galaxy K Zoom will offer better image quality than the Galaxy S5. It has a higher-resolution sensor – by four full megapixels – and appears more camera-centric in its design. However, as standard it only uses 15 of its 20 megapixels, cropping into the picture to take 16:9 aspect photos that fit the phone’s screen.

One of the lesser talked-about issues with mobile phone cameras is that they almost universally shoot widescreen photos while their sensors are usually 4:3 in shape. Unless you change that in the settings, you’re not using the whole sensor. We switched to 4:3 shooting for this review.

The Galaxy S5’s 16:9 shots are actually higher-res than the K Zoom’s, and we do think that the Galaxy S5 has a slight edge on image quality when shooting fully wide (i.e. not extending the zoom). The S5’s pictures are more contrasty, marginally better-saturated and offer slightly more fine detail.

The K Zoom’s lens also introduces an image quality issue. When shooting wide-angle shots, the image sharpness drops off pretty severely towards the edge of the frame. Zoom lenses often feature this kind of edge of frame image deterioration – it’s easier to provide edge-to-edge sharpness in a non-zoom ‘prime’ lens like that of most phones. Even if they are made of plastic (normal phone lenses are made of plastic, not glass), the best phone lenses are pretty sharp."

"We should note that the Galaxy S5 is a great performer among phones, and that the K Zoom loses out to it a little is no great surprise, and no reason to rule the phone out.

The K Zoom also has a couple of things the Galaxy S5 lacks – optical image stabilisation and a Xenon flash.

Both really help to hugely increase the camera’s versatility in low light. OIS means you get much lower-noise, higher detail low-light shots without any truly drastic processing.

To test the K Zoom’s low light skills we took the camera to a gig. In this sort of a situation, the Xenon flash isn’t much good. While a Xenon’s coverage is even and its tone better than most LEDs, the range is still limited to a few metres.

OIS really helps out with exposure, noise and detail, but it’s not much good for action shots. The principal behind the way OIS is generally used in a mobile phone stills camera is that it allows the use of longer exposure times, giving the K Zoom more light to make its photos out of.

Of course, this also means more motion is captured in moving objects, giving loads of motion blur. The K Zoom doesn’t give you a real way to control this either. Its 'program' mode only gives you control over the ISO and exposure compensation – there are read outs for aperture and shutter speed, but you can’t control them."
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] thedicemaster:
and this makes me doubt the entire review...

they completely missed the "manual" mode which specifically lets you control aperture and shutter speed.
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] Heisenberg3282:
That is true, what I don't understand though is the fact that they said the S4 Zoom was a very good camera and compared to a mid range camera, yet they say the S5 has better image quality than the K Zoom?

I bought a S4 Zoom from Ebay 3 weeks ago for £150, I took it to Torquay on Holiday 2 weeks ago and got some great pics and videos especially because of the zoom, however last night I tried zooming in once and it went all the way, then tried zooming out a little and it zoomed right back in then the lens got stuck and it said "unable to zoom" then I shut the camera app and reopened it it got stuck again at 10x zoom, I closed the camera app but the lens stayed out, I restarted my phone and it seems ok now, just hope it's not faulty.

I guess that's the only worry with a zoom lens on the phone that it could break easier than a normal phone and is more likely to develop faults.
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] gavinfabl:
Utter crap. Sorry. First lets just use evidence -

See my set here - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinfabl100/sets/72157645050976255/ - I was zooming in at least 5 - 6 times on optical zoom to freeze the horses jumping. I am published a handful, but had 700 perfect shots. Yes you read that right 700!!

Next look at these - especially near the end with the church - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinfabl100/sets/72157644532639249/

Now, xenon flash is better than any **** LED on the S5, and ideal for freezing a perfect shot.

Softening on wide angled shots - yes that does happen but what the review quoted fails to mention that whilst the S5 takes a wide shot, the K Zoom takes an even wider shot by a fair margin. Also there is no way in a million years, the S5 could frame the church shot. And every camera with such a wide angle softens the edges - fact.

Exposure - in auto mode the photos do appear a little bright/light. It is actually rectified either choosing another mode, or using program/manual or simply a quick 1 second photo edit if neccessary. I state again, if necessary. Also, the other difference is the K Zoom photos are natural, not some ultra saturated mess. Of course, if you prefer that, change the settings on the camera.

Also note, this has just been released, and I am sure Samsung can tweak the settings on the auto mode, so that it is not as light/exposed. But look at my photo examples. Most are totally unedited.

I hate reading reviews when the dont know how to use a device. The K Zoom has issues, (read my blog, I have written around 10 articles) but its by far the best thing since sliced bread!

And I am totally biased of course :)
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] gavinfabl:
Comparing the S5 to the K Zoom, feature by feature, setting by setting read this here http://gavinsgadgets.wordpress.com/2014/06/02/samsung-k-zoom-review-part-1/

Use this link to pick up most review parts on the K Zoom I have written http://gavinsgadgets.wordpress.com/?s=Samsung+K+Zoom+review and this search to pick up the other posts http://gavinsgadgets.wordpress.com/tag/samsung-galaxy-k-zoom/

And this from today http://gavinsgadgets.wordpress.com/2014/06/29/samsung-galaxy-k-zoom-some-camera-samples/
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] RS050377:
So you do not regret your change from S5 to the K Zoom?
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] gavinfabl:
No. And I liked the S5. I do miss a few features but camera is king for me.
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] RS050377:
What features are you missing?
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] gavinfabl:
Notification Led, s health app. Waterproof.
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] Kroy73:
Hi,

I find reviews both infuriatingly wrong & confusing but equally helpful - it's about reading between the lines!

One of the annoying things I've read a number of times about the K Zoom is the "form factor dimpled back plate", apparently it feels great in the hand and offers extra grip - absolute horsesh1t!! It feels slippery, is slippy & needs concentration to avoid it juggling out of your hands!

However, I'm not sure if in the above excerpt the reviewer is confusing the word standard with default. My phone was factory set at 15.1 megapixels - as I went about configuring the phone set up with my preferences, I changed it to take 20MP photos....
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] lacmac:
screen size

Great review and amazing photos.

What about the screen size? Didn't you find it a problem coming from the S5 etc ? I am considering this phone but have a note 3 and do a lot of web browsing.

Also battery life.I know you mentioned problems due to the heat.Do you know if this is common? As I have moved to Malaysia and its hot as hell.

As I said earlier I do a lot of web browsing and also whatsapp etc.so battery life is important.
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] gavinfabl:
You do notice the screen size slightly. But more the amazing quality of the S5 panel than its size. I have also owned the Note 3. You will miss multi window support and small apps.

The heat issue can be solved just doing a soft reset. I think it's related to when I use sat nav turn by turn and the app doesn't quit properly. I'm sure , and I hope most of these will be resolved at some point with a software update.

To put everything in perspective , I have used this as my main driver for a month , so I am happy with it a lot.
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] scotsmantom:
K zoom

Got the K Zoom last week from Note 3. I do miss the bigger screen and 32mb of storage on board. Also the phone has issues with the auto display and blacks out from time to time! Haven't tested camera out much yet but will do over summer.
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] Kroy73:
I've also had occasional 'black-outs' - usually when I've been doing a few things in quick succession...
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] Anakin_Skywalker:
This Galaxy K Zoom is my first Samsung Mobilphone.

Where can I find a download link for Odin V3.09?

Or can someone PM a link?

Thanks
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] livio80:
here, 3.09 version

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2777693
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] lacmac:
This is what im worried about.That i wont be able to read text as easily as i do on my note 3.

Any thoughts on the sony Z2? as i can buy this for the same price as the K zoom.

I have been reading reviews but of course cant get any comparisons with the K zoom.Only with the nokia 1020 which seams to have a better camera than the Z2.
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] kicmi:
Has anyone tried usb otg?
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] arcxandroid:
Working fine on my phone.
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] gavinfabl:
Yep fine here too. Regularly plug in memory stick to move or copy photos.
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] apprentice:
I agree.

Also don't forget that the K Zoom has Optical Image Stabilisation and also a dedicated camera key, the S5 doesn't have these features. The only features missing on the KZ are the Selective Focus (depth of field) and the less useful Dual Shot. The camera app is similar but you get additional scene modes including the really impressive Selfie Alarm.

.
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] lacmac:
I finally bought a black one today.paid the equivelant of £292 and included a free battery and travel charger.

Been busy adding/updating apps.

The small screen size does take some getting to.Also i miss the feature where you hold down tge home button to see what other apps are running.Maybe there is a similar feature.

Cam is great and will take a few days to get into the modes.

So far very happy.Just need a screen protector and cover.
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] thedicemaster:
try pressing your menu button.

it's no longer a menu button, they swapped it out for a multi-task button.
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] lacmac:
You were right.

Thank you.

The only app trouble I have is with sygic satnav. The app won't open. Keeps saying unfortunately sygic needs to close.

Tried uninstall/install.force stop app and clean cached. But made no difference.

I think it's because ony note 3 it was installed on my SD card.
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] Heisenberg3282:
Another review from a reliable source but not sure I agree with their review, they say image quality is ok but that the S5 pics are sharper (a lot of sites seem to say this) but the K Zoom has a sharpness setting in the manual settings to make pics sharper so I don't understand this?

Also says that video isn't that good but says OIS is very good even with very shaky hands and even at 10x zoom.

gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_k_zoom-review-1099.php

Apologies for the link, I can't post links due to being a new user but just add the www and you will see it.
[Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom] ashouhdy:
i have the black one

the phone is smooth and speedy

the camera is brilliant

not chunky or fat its joy to hold better grip

the screen is sharp 300+ ppi .. cant ask for more now

dont compare with any other phones. it has a brilliant camera and flash .. ofcourse and zoom

join the k zoom group on flickr all please

https://www.flickr.com/groups/2656894@N24/