Mobile device status

Have been 'having fun' with my various Android devices in the last few days/week (?), after keeping ajour with CyanogenMod CM12 status.

The Galaxy Nexus from Samsung is a solid workhorse, too slow on startup for me to love it, but, when CM11 nightlies started dropping off in frequency, it was clear that things were moving fast on the CM12. Actually the developer had trouble with his own GNex too..

So, when a new Beta was released for the GNex I downloaded it, with a special Gapps version, read through the experiences others were having on XDA, and set at it with gusto. Its amazing where the time goes when playing with these things, so I had a couple of late nights and early mornings during the last week or so..

The CM12 beta installed OK, but there was space trouble for the first versions of Gapps I tried. Finally, I had success with the Pico version, and the long process of restoring apps began. Finally got things the way I like, using the Google Now launcher, though startup still suffers delays which I believe is related to sorting out the Carrier (Telenor). Will try it without a SIM, and see if that helps.

Lollipop was now running on the LG G3, the Nexus 10, Nexus 7 2013, and the GNex.

This left the Galaxy S2 running very fast on Stock 4.1.2. There was really no need to upgrade this device to Lollipop other than to see how it ran, but after quite a lot of preparation I downloaded various suggestions from old GS2 YouTubes aimed at getting my Recovery to a version required for CM12 installation.

Lots of the above were great for installing some kernel to get root status, but the only one that included a very old version of CWM was the Siyah kernel I had used a year or so ago.. When I had got the GS2 into a pretty hopeless state, the Siyah saved my bacon :)

Now I had the old CWM version it was possible to Restore what I believe was CM10 from the middle of last year. This restored slowly, but it got me to a state allowing Restore of CM11 from around Christmas. I then had CWM 6.0.4.5. Enough to install the CM12 Beta from lysergic, which awaited with the same Pico Gapps.

The CM12 Beta installed with no problems, and I was able to run Nandroid after setting things up the way I like. I am really impressed by how well Lollipop runs on this very old device. Equally as well as the GNex, and with 200+ MB free ram!

There we are then, all Lollipopped :)

This by the way is written on my new N20p 13" Chromebook from Lenovo.

LG WCD-100 Qi charger purchase

I bought a ZENS charger a while back, but the high temperature compared to using microUSB has put me off using it on devices with built in batteries, as I am convinced the high temperature WILL reduce the battery's lifetime.

Today I watched some YouTube videos about the LG Orb charger, but ended up buying a WCD-100 which is designed by LG for their G3, from CD-ON for kr. 299. The orbs cost closer to 500.-, not a price I wished to pay.

I tried the G3 on the ZENS, but I think it is on the edge of providing the right level of power.

Pre-Christmas presents

I actually pre-ordered a Nexus 6, but this was an almighty delivery screw up by Google/Motorola that I changed my mind, and bought an LG G3 with one of those fun QuickCircle covers.

The latter wakes with a gentle double tap, to show a gorgeous watch, which is replaced by 5 icons on sliding to the left or right. The most useful one of these is the yellow notification icon, which shows each new notification as you slide left.

The second most useful icon starts the camera, which has an excellent auto focus, and will take a photo on saying "KIMchee". "LG" doesn't work as reliably.. photo quality is excellent.

A third icon is a third party app giving access to a bunch more icons, like calculator, messages, call log, music, torch, etc.

QuickCircle was a big deciding factor in my purchase, while the old 1/3" sensor was a negative factor in my decision to drop the Nexus 6. Sony has announced a new Exmor R IMX147LQT sensor with 1/2.3" size.

Steve Litchfield made a YouTube video about the LG G3, which he described as almost perfect. Needless to say, I agree. Lollipop should arrive soon, though 4.4.2 is perfectly OK, and LG 'stuff' is no problem.