[FAQ] The comprehensive list of things that don't work

[K900]

I'm starting this because many people seem to come up with ideas that don't work and I'm really tired of answering to every thread.

• Root methods for locked BL
  • Tricking flashtool into flashing a modified FTF -- won't work. All the important checks happen on device, flashtool is only there to send the image. Images are signed by Sony, so any modifications will break the signature. The algorithm used is asymmetric, which means Sony's key is private and a different key is stored on device, which in turn means you can't get it unless you leak it from Sony directly.
  • The /data/local/tmp exploit (and similar permission exploits) -- we haven't found any.
  • mempodripper, mempodroid (and similar /dev/pmem write exploits) -- patched by Sony on ICS, not yet present on GB.
  • Dumping an unlocked bootloader and flashing it -- to flash the bootloader, you need the previous bootloader to accept it, so you need to have it signed by Sony.
• Custom ROMs
  • Any other, not Linux based OS -- since all other OSs (iOS, WinMo8, WinRT8) are closed source, getting hardware support without assistance from the source proprietor (Apple or Microsoft) will be near impossible.
  • CM7 -- very possible, but makes little sense since the ICS update is already out and it still needs RIL code for GSM to work
  • Open WebOS -- we'll see, but definitely not right now.
• Software tweaks
  • Sony's widgets on non-Sony launchers -- needs a lot of work reverse engineering Sony's proprietary API
  • HTC Sense -- proprietary, copyright HTC, porting is a legal violation
• Hardware tweaks and mods
  • Multicolored LEDs on the S and the P -- not without a hardware mod anyway. The LEDs are only multicolored on the U.
  • Increasing the camera quality -- the only way you can do that is by configuring it right, and this 'right' differs a lot from scene to scene. Learn to take pics.

 

[K900]

The comprehensive list of awesome stuff we can do

• Software
  • Using Floating Touch in any supported app in ICS, all apps that support Note II will support Sola (Sola only)
  • Repartitioning internal storage in any way we like. Multiboot from NAND with shared sdcard and no loopbacks? Yes please!
  • Doing absolutely anything to the LED bar brightness / color (U only). Want your LED bar to visualize the playing music? Well, you can.

 

[K900]

The comprehensive list of awesome accessories

• Headphones / earphones. If you think Beats Audio sounds good, this section is for you. If you think this is shamelessly stolen from my TF101 thread, yes it is.
  • Sennheiser CX series -- $30 to $100, the CX series earphones (plugs) have quite nice bass for the price. Don't expect those to perform too well though, because it's still just earplugs.
  • KOSS Porta Pro -- $30 to $50, the Porta Pro. Need I say more?
  • AKG K77 -- $50, my personal favourite in the lower end, one of 'those' headphones where you want to lower the bass, but otherwise sounds nice and clean.
  • Sennheiser HD280Pro -- $100, the HD280 has that specific Sennheiser sound that I can't really explain (and don't really like), but still a very good device for the price. You'll probably need to tweak the EQ just a little bit to make it sound cleaner though.
  • AKG K242HD -- $150+, a bigger, better and generally more badass professional version of the K-series. Same clean sound, but better bass, less overall noise and better ergonomics.
  • Sony MDR-V6 / MDR-7506 -- $200, a living legend (they've been made since 1990's); basically the same model with minor tweaks. Both sound awesome, but the 7506 has more bass, and the V6 has 'cleaner' sound with less mid, but it's minor and you should grab anything you find cause it's simply the best headphones $200 can get you.

 

[K900]

30 Jul, 20:14 UTC
Added another root method.