yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[General Questions and Answers] D33PTHAWTE:
I stand corrected about an earlier statement I had made:

My Zmax is the family mobile (T mobile)

version unlocked and on AT&T, and I DID receive the update finally last night.

I will recommend that anyone who is unlocked NOT update because it will likely break your unlock (on top of jeopardizing root chance).
[General Questions and Answers] Alfa Droid:
Do you have the notification working? Like getting your Gmail and SMS received on your gear1
[General Questions and Answers] Furik:
I wonder if that's the update rolling around. It looks like, from the page, they are talking about just an improvement update for their network. Nothing about an actual OS update - like 5.0. :(
[General Questions and Answers] Kahuna_Tuna:
Recently I bought the ZTE Zmax z970 at the WaltonsWorld for $187.00, to try out. BTW, they have a discount to get $35.00 plan for $24, for seniors citizens with unlimited everything.

I live in a cell signal dead zone & the only carrier to work in home was Verizon's. The WW FAMILY PLAN T-Mobile nearly worked at home. 1 bar in good spots, -109dbm.

T-MOBILE let's me have their free tmo signal booster, and with right placement of their boxes, I am boosting signal to 2-3 bars @ -83dbm

I tried installing the zip update file on this thread, but the phone couldn't find the zip on the root of SD card. I even told max where the file was ;)

Well this morning tmo notified me of update, which I installed & rebooted to find all my signal bars (5) lit with a up/down arrow over 4gLTE animated icon, next to signal bars.

Before this current update, it was just a plan LTE icon.

Now my signal measures -77dbm 62asu and all 5 bars lit.

That is the same with Wi-Fi on or off.

I decided to compare the effect of update without using the tmo signal booster.

In what was a dead spot, it now gets 1 bar In a hi spot area, that was 2-3 bars in home, I now get a steady for 4 bars. 2 bars are required for good voice or reception, BTW.

So I realize the current update, 0B22, has improved signal reception.

That is a very good improvement, that may make me keep ZTE, over upgrading to a used Sony Xperia Z3. If only z970 could be rooted. Dang.
[General Questions and Answers] jbird5047:
Yes I get all notifications and phone calls as well. Now if I could only get it to work with my Oneplus One......
[General Questions and Answers] Alfa Droid:
Can you link me the xda form. I used a method from YouTube and I only get phone calls.
[General Questions and Answers] clockcycle:
It has to be a psuedo effect, since it was stated earlier that 0B22 does not contain any modem update files. According to previous posts, those that have applied the update did not change any other version numbers.

Have others been wrong or perhaps this is a different update?

IMO towers, network in your area may have been upgraded.
[General Questions and Answers] Vyrus69:
Has anyone tried that Sunshine root app from theroot.ninja?
[General Questions and Answers] jbird5047:
Try this.

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2573200

Or the app in the Playstore called "Gear Manager for all Mobile"
[General Questions and Answers] therealduckie:
They linked it above, earlier: http://www.xda-developers.com/pair-your-samsung-galaxy-gear-with-non-samsung-devices/

Also, I followed this and have almost everything working. Only missing the following:

Samsung Store access

Weather

Everything else works like before on my S3.

One minor issue: All calls default to the Gear. Even when I answer the phone, it sends the sound to the Gear. Haven't quite figured it out, yet.
[General Questions and Answers] D33PTHAWTE:
I haven't seen anyone mention it, have you tried it yet?
[General Questions and Answers] brandonlee96:
i just tried it it dont work
[General Questions and Answers] jbird5047:
Yes it defaults to gear on phone call for me too. I have to answer then swipe on phone or gear the option to switch to phone audio. Kind of annoying, but at least it works. Wish it would work with my Oneplus, but at least it works with my Zmax.
[General Questions and Answers] therealduckie:
Ok, not sure if anyone else tried, but I just spent the better part of an hour trying every version I could find of 'Root Genius'/'Root Wizard' just to know if it would work as they have decent support for ZTE phones and are based in China, like ZTE.

Sadly, none of them worked. Still no root. Just thought I would let everyone know.
[General Questions and Answers] nobreak1970:
Welcome to 700mhz spectrum it sounds like. Don't know for sure though. They totally updated their coverage map on their website so you can probably check that out
[General Questions and Answers] silverhawknike:
Tmobile SIM card in METRO ZTE ZMAX

Have everyone tried using Tmobile SIM card in METROPCS ZTE ZMAX? Is it working or it need to be unlocked first? Also does WIFI calling work on Tmobile SIM card? I wasnt sure and I have been thinking of buying one. Let me know. Thanks :)
[General Questions and Answers] Summatyme:
Sunshine root did not work for me. "Cannot root phone as is. Flash a different rom or one closer to stock."
[General Questions and Answers] Velrix:
This is the last email I have received from T-Mobile. I do not believe we will have anymore luck from them. Our only hope it seems would be ZTE unlocking the bootloader.

"T-Mobile USA, Inc. (“T-Mobile”) is in receipt of your correspondence regarding the above-

referenced account.

Please be advised that T-Mobile is committed to delivering an optimal experience on our devices

for our customers and we sell our handsets with access to the bootloader locked. Please know

that this security feature is designed to protect the integrity of the operating system and the

device warranty. Additionally, this will help prevent device fraud, as well as security threats that

may result from third-party firmware that has not been tested by T-Mobile and its OEM partners.

As such, T-Mobile has no plans to sell equipment with unlocked bootloaders. Customers who

wish to purchase equipment with this ability to modify the operating system may do so directly

from the manufacturer. T-Mobile regrets any inconvenience this may have caused.

Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. If you have any questions, please do not

hesitate to contact me at the address listed below or toll free at 877-290-6323 ext. 341-8073.

Very truly yours,

T-MOBILE USA, INC.

Marcos Chaz

Executive Response"

_____________________

Basically a big F*CK YOU and we don't care. Maybe we circle back and hit ZTE again =).
[General Questions and Answers] stinkbud:
So basically the TMo attitude is we don't like phone modders and will do everything in our power to block their efforts.

There is a large community out there that likes modding their devices and other carriers are more accepting of those who would take more control of their devices.

Just doesn't seem like a valid business model to me. SMH

Can we get this Marcos Chaz's email? I would like to know why TMo would want to alienate the modding community.
[General Questions and Answers] johnb380:
We don't exist to ZTE their customer is Tmobile friend!
[General Questions and Answers] Velrix:
Marcos Chaz

Executive Response

Office of the President/CEO

Desk: 877-290-6323 ext. 341-8073

marcos.chaz@t-mobile.com

executiveresponse@t-mobile.com
[General Questions and Answers] Vyrus69:
Please continue with your patience guys. Jcase has a device in his hands that he purchased, so root will come soon.
[General Questions and Answers] therealduckie:
Forgive me, I am NOT trying to be crass, but -

This is not the way you handle corporate-types. Jumping down their throats will only make them react negatively. He and TMO/METRO could care less that a small community of people mod their phones. Believe me, I have been doing it for close to 20 years. We're not a big deal. Not by a long shot.

The way you need to approach it is by focusing on his point about security. TMO/METRO have ill-advised concerns that rooted phones can be used to cheat their system. So, it's not that he doesn't want you to have TWRP and CM, it's that they hold their IP very close and rooting exposes that.

You need to appeal to common sense, present a valid, logical argument, and state the facts. Provide them with documentation, reports, and security papers on the BENEFITS of opening their phones.

Berating them on Twitter with useless hashtags does nothing but make them snicker.

Handle it professionally, with facts to back your argument, and they MIGHT listen. It would certainly be a better approach then "OMG YOU BIG MEANY HEAD!! LET US HAVE OUR TOYS!!!!".

Cheers.
[General Questions and Answers] cheappc:
Great news! Should be a challenge who's not up to a challenge? This zte zmax is a bargain for $99 hopefully root will bring us a way to make it faster.. I feel like picking up another one for $99 as a backup, root would be awesome,.
[General Questions and Answers] ubigred:
It's Jcase or bust.

Sent from my SM-N910P
[General Questions and Answers] Vyrus69:
In Jcase We Trust :D lmao
[General Questions and Answers] bhood:
Where are you picking it up for $99?! The cheapest I've seen is $199 at Best Buy.
[General Questions and Answers] therealduckie:
Metropcs has them for $99. I got one a few days ago.
[General Questions and Answers] Meep70:
This was posted a week ago on Unlockr. Has anyone tried their step by step, yet?

edit: Never mind. Comments on the site indicate that it doesn't work.

http://theunlockr.com/2015/01/20/how-to-root-the-zte-zmax/
[General Questions and Answers] therealduckie:
Can we all stop advertising that site? It's a fraud.
[General Questions and Answers] mingolianbeef:
The unlockr is a legitimate site (I used it to root my old Mytouch 3G Slide waaay back when, and I've used a lot of their tutorials in the past). The author of the article is either view thirsty or greatly misinformed.
[General Questions and Answers] misterbjm:
So I'm assuming everyone knows the 3 modes that the ZTE will connect to a PC, right? There's the FTM (com 11), the regular, and the com12 (screen stays black but red light comes on)
[General Questions and Answers] dbpaddler:
You need to unlock it to work on T-Mobile. THink it's about $16 on ebay.

What I don't know is if there is the stock T-Mo firmware that can be put on the Metro one. LG and Samsung phones on metro can just get the T-mo firmware flashed which makes it pretty much a T-mo phone outside of the MetroPCS on the cover with no need to unlock to use on T-Mo.

So is there T-Mo firmware that can be flashed to the Metro version ala the Galaxy Avant and LG F6?
[General Questions and Answers] silverhawknike:
Actually, I already unlocked my ZTE ZMAX! It is now running on TMobile SIM :) The unlock code was going for $10.20 on ebay. Everything is working including Metro Hotspot and Wifi calling! And I downloaded Tmobile MyAccount from Google Play store and it is working as well :)
[General Questions and Answers] DroidisLINUX:
Walmart has them for $179, I think at metro you have to sign a contract don't you?
[General Questions and Answers] Lesharoturbo:
No, no contract at Metro. I just got one for my son yesterday.

I got mine last October from T-Mobile. BTW, you can activate Tmo phones on Metro without unlocking...

Mine is on Metro and everything works, tethering, wifi calling etc..
[General Questions and Answers] Reallionare:
Hello, I was wanting to get a Gear s for use with 2 different Android phones, could you tell me if possible and what I would have to basically do to,Gear S and phones 1 of the phones(MyTouch 4g slide) already rooted with custom ROM. Zmax confidence in Devs. Thanks ahead..
[General Questions and Answers] therealduckie:
Negative - You can only use it with one device. As soon as you try to sync the Gear with any other device, it resets it to default.
[General Questions and Answers] Reallionare:
I would prefer to use with the Zmax will I have to wait until its rootable, will all main features work
[General Questions and Answers] therealduckie:
Everything works but Weather. There is also a small glitch where the Gear always defaults to answering calls when you accept a call. Finally, until we can root, there is no way to get the store running, so all apps have to be installed manually. Most of the apps can be found here: http://xdaforums.com/galaxy-gear/themes-apps/request-signed-apks-t2851177
[General Questions and Answers] ph37rd:
This is a blatant falsehood. T-Mo's variant of the LG G3 is the only one that shipped with an unlocked bootloader.
[General Questions and Answers] Velrix:
Know he is lying but he won't take my call.
[General Questions and Answers] ph37rd:
Huh?
[General Questions and Answers] Velrix:
I know they are lying but the rep will not answer my calls or emails now.
[General Questions and Answers] treezy26:
Anyone accepted the latest update? I'm sick of seeing the notification for it. Wish I was rooted so I could get rid of it ?
[General Questions and Answers] misterbjm:
I updated
[General Questions and Answers] brandonlee96:
i did too
[General Questions and Answers] jbird5047:
Ditto.... I did too.
[General Questions and Answers] BadWolfVI:
Same here. I read after not to because of root possibilities.
[General Questions and Answers] therealduckie:
No update notification coming from the Metro side. Already on 4.4.4 here.
[General Questions and Answers] treezy26:
So what's in the update?
[General Questions and Answers] therealduckie:
[IMG="What's in the Booooooox!?!?!?"]http://i.imgur.com/gVZyrO3.jpg[/IMG]

This thread could use a little levity.
[General Questions and Answers] Furik:
I haven't updated but I believe its just mediocre performance improvements and security enhancements.

https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-15634
[General Questions and Answers] 9h0s7:
I updated

It seems like the battery, speakerphone, autobrightness and dolby enhancements perform much better (at least for me) after the update. Also, my data speeds are better.

But, it's slightly less stable.
[General Questions and Answers] gorilla p:
Right now, I would probably recommend the Amazon Fire phone. They are selling unlocked for $199 right now. Amazon stopped their 199 sale, but they're new on eBay for 199 all over the place still.

There's also a lot of high-end cheap phones coming out of China right now.

Www.1949deal.com

I saw a 5.0 " LCD, 1.7GHz 8-Core 64-bit CPU, 3GB Ram phone for under $200 from ECOO.

From what I've read, the 64-bit CPUs are significantly faster than the current 32-bit CPUs. I don't think I'll buy another 32-bit phone.
[General Questions and Answers] Velrix:
Still run into the same issue with the Firephone, while it may be "sim unlocked" the bootloader is still locked. It will take tremendous work to get around that although it can be done to an extent. If I was to tell anyone to purchase any phone it would be the Onephone One, Xiaomi Mi4 or Meizu MX4 /MX4pro. It boils down to what you really want to spend on a phone. The Zmax is a really decent base device but developer support will be extremely limited.
[General Questions and Answers] mdabeezy:
Xiaomi MI Note PRO will be the goodbye punch to my zmax!
[General Questions and Answers] brandonlee96:
i am starting to lose all hope for the root of the zte zmax so i took my time to try out 16 different programs and apps to try to get root access AND THEY ALL FAILED HERE IS THE LIST OF ALL 16

1.kingo root-FAILED

2.srsroot-FAILED

3.framaroot-FAILED

4.vroot/iroot boot the same-FAILED

5.zergRush Root-FAILED

6.unlock root pro-FAILED

7.Root Master apk-FAILED

8.z4root apk-FAILED

9.g2root-FAILED

10.zdsrooter-FAILED

11.Universal Androot apk-FAILED

12.RootGenius-FAILED

13 .giefroot-FAILED

14.mt7 root-FAILED

15.kingroot-FAILED

16.sunshine root apk-FAILED

but i did find something great out in the process i found out the root needed app called (lucky patcher) call still work for nonrooted users such as (free iap without root,remove ads from apps, remove lincense verification , and change permissions of apps). all without root with lucky patcher

IF YOU KNOW OF ANY OTHER PROGRAM OR APP THAT ISNT ON THIS LIST LET ME KNOW ILL TRY THEM OUT AND LET EVERY KNOW IF IT WORKS OR NOT
[General Questions and Answers] Planterz:
It's crazy that this inexpensive phone is so locked down, yet all the flagships from T-Mobile, even the Note 4, are all rootable.
[General Questions and Answers] Velrix:
The phone is rootable. I can promise you there will be a release of it very soon although I have no timelines. Just know its coming. With that being said. I would be more worried about the locked bootloader at this point.
[General Questions and Answers] therealduckie:
** REMOVED
[General Questions and Answers] Vyrus69:
Phones can be rooted with a locked bootloader...the issue with this phone is the read/write ability of the phone once we have root.

Zte has something built into the bootloader blocking r/w ability.
[General Questions and Answers] therealduckie:
So is it possible to root it but it doesn't hold on reboot?
[General Questions and Answers] Velrix:
We can achieve perma root. The problem will come loading unsigned software on the device. IE CWM/TWRP/Roms. There may be minor things we can do to modify the rom like build prop edits and such but thats about it until we find a work around for the bootloader.
[General Questions and Answers] Milly7:
Is this on old or new software or both?
[General Questions and Answers] therealduckie:
To be honest, I could care less about CWM/TWRP or any other ROM. All I want is the ability to have root for the system/app folder and other things. I'm a tinkerer.

Keep us updated on the progress, though, and if you plan to release. Appreciate it.
[General Questions and Answers] Velrix:
Not sure what you mean. The update we received on T-mobile was not a kernel update. It shouldn't be a issue.
[General Questions and Answers] stinkbud:
Before I got my zmax, I was on a rooted Xperia Z. The bootloader was locked on that device as well, but there was an apk out there that added custom recovery temporarily, one reboot only. That was how ROMs were flashed. Eventually a permanent recovery was achieved but the bootloader remained locked.

Maybe we can learn from what the Xperia devs were able to do.
[General Questions and Answers] Velrix:
There is ways around it. Writing a recovery partition on a second partition and having the device boot from that is one way. Usually pretty safe but you never know. Until we have root accomplished that cannot happen.
[General Questions and Answers] therealduckie:
I miss the days when people who were working on an exploit could be honest and open about it and have a discussion rather than fearing the onslaught of a million kids bothering them for it and avoiding confrontation by hiding.

Thanks to those of you working on this. Sorry if you're now being bombarded with private messages and people bothering you incessantly.

Cheers
[General Questions and Answers] nobreak1970:
Perhaps, and this may be dumb, some of you with the ability to write up a professional letter can compare ZTE in polite manner to Huawei adn what they do with their bootloaders.

I just got a Huawei after ditching my new ZTE device. What Huawei does is freely unlock their bootloaders on their new devices. You email them some info from the phone, ie serial number, product number and IMEI and they send a code you use with the oem unlock command within adb.

Just a thought...not sure if it matters to ZTE at all.

Sorry you guys are having such a hard time with this.
[General Questions and Answers] clockcycle:
Truth is there is a lack of interest. Not even enough, that we can't/don't even have a proper sub section dedicated, other than a simple thread.

No talk of cases, covers, skins. Screen shots, wallpapers, popular apps?

Personally I'd like root just to say we can and have the option. I'd mostly install adaway, quickboot and rom toolbox. Bootstrap cwm would be nice for backups.

So far no talk on zte open and ftm software I posted a link to earlier, either.
[General Questions and Answers] Vyrus69:
There are many phones with full root and ROMs that don't have a sub forum either. Xda sometimes takes a while or doesn't open up one for phones that's aren't as mainstream.
[General Questions and Answers] therealduckie:
I was offered a case the day I bought mine. They had screen covers, too.

As for screenshots, just hold DOWN VOLUME-POWER and it works. Wallpapers are standard 720x1280 so any will do, and as for apps...what limitations outside of root-enabled apps are there?
[General Questions and Answers] clockcycle:
I meant screenshot of customized personalize home page of user's phones. Alternate launchers.

There are no limitations other than root.
[General Questions and Answers] therealduckie:
I use NOVA Launcher. No limitations on alternative launchers that I know of, unless you mean Touchwiz.
[General Questions and Answers] TJay99:
Been lurking in this thread for days now. Not sure if any of you are aware of it, but there's a fairly active G+ community for the Zmax. Have a look.

Also.... my case: Evocel Dual Armor (in the Shadow Blue color)... it's excellent, durable and pretty damn stylish.
[General Questions and Answers] DroidHackalot:
I also have the evocel case in white and.black, and red n black:)

Huawei Mercury 4.1.2 cm10

HTC one v 4.2.2 cm11

Samsung GS4 4.3.1 cm11
[General Questions and Answers] Furik:
Thanks for the Google+ community. Seems really active! Didn't know so many people had this phone.
[General Questions and Answers] StonerSteve420:
Wonder how jcase is doing.... Haven't heard much out of him! Getting a little worried :(
[General Questions and Answers] Vyrus69:
Asked him on twitter earlier and he says he doesn't comment but when hes ready to release something he'll post it.
[General Questions and Answers] BB6H22LUDE:
This phone is locked down to the ZMAX! FUDGE
[General Questions and Answers] therealduckie:
Been having fun tweaking the UI. Thought I would share.

Using:

NOVA LAUNCHER

Floating Stickies

AirTerm

Floating Calc

My own icons from Mac OS

Purposely photoshopped wallpaper with Finder bar

Mac-like Clock

[IMG="ZMAX MAC"]http://i.imgur.com/NcjCs6q.jpg[/IMG]
[General Questions and Answers] Planterz:
I don't think it's so much a matter of interest, but rather proliferation and availability/saturation. Obviously a Nexus device or a flagship from a major manufacturer will get a forum, often before its even available. But a carrier-specific budget device will automatically have a hard time getting its own forum, especially when interest in development for the device numbers in the dozens, compared to thousands.

Frankly, I think a ZMAX forum at this point would be, well, pointless. No root, no recovery, no development. Giving the ZMAX its own forum won't magically mean more development. My own Galaxy Light has root, a debloated ROM and a CM build, TWRP recovery, etc. But it's only available through T-Mobile and MetroPCS, there's only a relative handful who care about it, and as such hasn't received its own forum.
[General Questions and Answers] DroidHackalot:
Just plain and simple lol

Huawei Mercury 4.1.2 cm10

HTC one v 4.2.2 cm11

Samsung GS4 4.3.1 cm11
[General Questions and Answers] therealduckie:
Although the possibility of a ZMAX specific forum is a long shot, perhaps a ZTE one would be acceptable. ZTE has many more phones than the ZMAX and all of them have threads on the site.

Anyone know who we would talk to about making such a thing happen?
[General Questions and Answers] clockcycle:
Have to post in the new device forum request forum, link was posted earlier. I'll see if i can dig it up.

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1660354
[General Questions and Answers] voidcomp:
This post summarized it nicely:

Jcase is very smart to be tight lipped. Whether he finds the solution or not isn't important to me, the ZMax is great as it is.
[General Questions and Answers] biledigger:
My only hope is that if and when we have root access that modifying the rom partition of the phone wont cause any security based lockdowns that some of the LG phones tend to do.