myTouch 4G Slide ROMs: Bulletproof 1.1

Well, it's been a while since I've written a review on any ROMs out there for the myTouch 4G Slide, so here goes:

Bulletproof 1.1 is a revamped ROM based off of romanbb's ROM, picked up by Blue6IX over at XDA Developers. View the ROM post here. If you're too lazy to jump over, take a look at the changelog.

New in 1.1!

• Kidzone icon hidden!
• More Rosie tweaks!
• Colored menu buttons!
• Custom lock rings!
• Major graphical overhaul!
• Clutter cleanup - leaner, quicker, and more stable!
• ...and more - see post 186 for more details before flashing.

What is Bulletproof?

• A stable, daily-driver ROM...
• That is Sense-based, keeping the features you love...
• With the HTC security flaws fixed...
• ...and the HTC camera app, with increased .jpg quality.
• Also includes screenshot enabled with Power + Home.
• Plus a stock kernel compiled by Romanbb.
• ...and much, much more!

Apps added:

• File Expert By: Geek Software Technology Inc.
• Terminal Emulator By: Jack Palevich
• Wifi ADB By: ttxapps
• Mobo Player By: Mobo Team

Goodies:

• Bloater - Restore removed stock apps, remove ones you don't want!
  Bloater Updated for Bulletproof 1.0!
• Improved overall UI smoothness.
• TV-out enabled.
• GPS enhanced.
• Busybox with runparts (init.d support).
• Bash command & nano editor.
• EXT 4 optimizations.
• Rooted, unsecure boot.img.
• SD readahead set to 2048 (optimum).
• Includes extended power menu & quick settings.
• Quick-quick settings option (automatically turn to settings when no notifications to clear).
• Custom Extended settings with an extra Ringtone slider.
• Hide any extended settings you don't want!
• Ability to hide recent apps in pulldown! (hidden by default).
• Center clock!
• Clock options (colors/am pm settings/hide).
• Signal options (color/dbm text/hide).
• Battery options (text/automagically colored text based on battery level/hide icon).
  
  Documents:
• T-Mobile tethering instructions from original sdcard in docx form in /data/reference
• MT4GS User Manual in PDF form in /data/reference
  
  Animations:
• CRT Animations! (with ability to toggle which you want, screen on/off)
• Boot animation!
• More fun stuff!

Key mapping:

• Front-face:
• Genius button remapped to search.
• 1 - Short press for search.
• 2 - Long press for Voice control of phone.
• Hardware Keyboard:
• Home = Up Arrow.
• Menu = Down Arrow.
• Back = Left Arrow.
• Genius = Right Arrow.

Future Additions:

• Custom boot splash.
• Custom down animation.
• Re-skin stock apps (Thanks T-Mo ... we just love that pink).
• Safely re-enabling Groups tab (preferred), otherwise removal.
• Elimination of Kidzone.
• Update Adobe Flash.
• ...To be announced.

Blue6IX is known for his meticulous attention to detail. Him turning into a developer is a godsend for the myTouch 4G Slide Development forums. After using the ROM for about a week and a half, I can say this is probably the most stable ROM out there.

Now I know, some people have become strict Undeadk9 fanboys, and though his work as a developer has been good for the myTouch community, don't turn this ROM down just because it's not released by him.

As for my score for this ROM, I give it a 8/10 for it's ability to customize practically anything, developer support, stability, and the promise of patching rather than wiping in the future. The only reason I'm not giving this a nine or a ten is because it does seem quite laggy at some points. Despite that, there are no random reboots on my end, and it is as quick as a stock ROM can be.

Sure Undeadk9 has spoiled me with the speed of his ROMs, but as far as stability goes, I can't seem to find anything wrong with this ROM.

To download this ROM, please go to XDA Developers myTouch 4G Slide Development, as I don't want to link a download that I didn't ask the permissions for.

Note: This is my current daily driver as of it's release (Thanksgiving 2011) =D.

myTouch 4G Slide ROMs: Undeadk9's RubiX CubeD ExpressO v1.1

Despite having his account banned on XDA for past mistakes, this developer never ceases to amaze me. He found a new home at rootzwiki forums. Here is a changelog of his revamped Doubleshot ROM, renamed to RubiX CubeD ExpressO.

What's New in Version Doubleshot Expresso 3.0

• Deodexed
• Zipaligned
• Optimized
• Zipalign on boot
• init.d support
• init.d scripts for better performance
• Modded Rosie for 90% Less Lag
• Modded Framework
• Fly In Window Animations
• Transparent Status Bar
• Transparent Pulldown
• Removed 150 MB of Bloatware
• Total Size 295 MB (SMALLEST DOUBLESHOT FULL SENSE ROM TO DATE)
• Fixed Random Reboot Issue Plaquing Stock ROM
• Build.prop Tweaks
• Fixed Message Contact pics Not showing (BUG WITH STOCK ROM)
• Added CRT on/off Animations (Thanks ROMANBB)
• Custom RubiX Theme (Thanks Drod)
• Custom Boot Animation
• FULLY 100% STABLE
• NEWEST TALK 2 ADDED (VIDEO CHAT WORKS PERFECTLY)
• ADDED NEWEST TWEAKED MARKET (YES YOU CAN BUY APPS WHEN ROOTED NOW)
• ADDED PROP MODDER (TWEAKS)
• MUCH MUCH MUCH MORE

and while typing this, I found he upgraded it to 1.1, which includes the following changes:

CHANGELOG: v1.1
Fixed MMS Issue
Added New Battery Icons
Added New Bounce Window Animations
Added FM Radio and Widget Back In
Fixed Build.prop Error
Added Battery Script

So the usual goes with all my ROM reviews for the myTouch 4G Slide: I'll run it for about a week and update this post as I see fit. From what I'm seeing right now though, this ROM looks very stable and fast. Didn't get a chance to run an overclock kernel on it yet, but like I said, give me some time so I can actually write a good review on this incredible ROM. Seems like this is going to be my daily driver from now on.

No score yet, as I haven't tested it in full detail yet, but if it's anything like his Doubleshot ROM, I'm going to gauge it at around 7.5-8/10. Will keep you guys updated =D.

Download Link
Full Post

myTouch 4G Slide (HTC Doubleshot) ROMs: Part 2, Undeadk9's Senseless

Undeadk9 has recently released an update to his Senseless ROM. The following changelog was taken from his post on XDA:

ChangeLog v3.7.1 FULL ROM
REMOVED ICS MUSIC
ADDED TRUE AOSP MUSIC
REMOVED HTC IME
ADDED THEMED LATIN IME (THANKS MELVIN)
REMOVED 60 MB MORE OF HTC FRAMEWORK AND SENSE OVERLAY
REMOVED HTC ALBUM
ADDED TRUE AOSP GALLERY 3D
REMOVED SENSE MMS APP
ADDED PORTED CM7 MESSAGING APP (YES MMS WORKS)
REMOVED ADW LAUCHER
ADDED PORTED GINGERBREAD LG G2X LAUNCHER
REMOVED ALL HTC SENSE SOUNDS
ADDED IN DROID 1, DROID X, AOSP, AND CM7 SOUNDS
MODDED BUILD.PROP
REMOVED NEXUS S BOOT ANIMATION
ADDED GREEN ANDROID COIN ANIMATION
REMOVED CM7 WALLPAPERS
UPDATED GMAIL
ADDED DATA APP FOLDER
UPDATED UPDATER SCRIPT (NO MORE MANUALLY WIPING, JUST FLASH)
REMOVED A BUNCH OF UNNEEDED FILES
REMOVED ALL HTC WEATHER SOUNDS AND IMAGES FROM HTC RESOURCES APK (50 FREAKING MB)
THIS ROMS TOTAL SIZE IS LESS THEN 145 MB (BIG THANKS TO XBOARDERS FOR HIS HELP)
ADDED MORE SCRIPTS FOR SPEED ENHANCEMENTS
UPDATED BUSYBOX
REZIPALIGNED AGAIN, ADDED ZIPALIGN SCRIPT
FIX PERMISSIONS ON BOOT SCRIPT

After a full week of using this ROM, I can say that this is one of the best ones out there. It's surprisingly fast with minimal Sense: only enough to keep the camera working. It's a good ROM to use daily, at least until ICS (Ice Cream Sandwich, or Android 4.0) comes out for the HTC Doubleshot.

Battery life is unbelievable, Quadrant Standard scores are about the same as his Doubleshot ROM; averaging at 2981, highest at 4101, run 20 times.

He is also looking into incorporating much more tweaks in the future, using scripts as he learns.

Overall I give this ROM a 7/10, for stability, functionality, and developer support. Many XDA users report using this ROM as a daily driver, and I can see why.

To get this ROM, visit Undeadk9's Senseless thread on XDA.

Edit: Using an aftermarket kernel really takes a toll on the stability of the ROM. The kernel I was using was Virtuous Unity's Version 2 kernel for the myTouch 4G Slide. Random reboots constantly happen, and it's gotten...irritating if anything. Just want to make a note that the Quadrant Scores above were gotten because of Virtuous Unity's kernel; I don't currently have the time to run a bunch of tests using the stock kernel, but my initial results were around 2100-2300 (three tests).

myTouch 4G Slide (HTC Doubleshot) ROMs: Part 1, Undeadk9's Doubleshot ROM

Well, might as well start off slow. This is the ROM I use daily. I can say that the ROM is incredibly stable, I decided to use the Virtuous Unity v.2 kernel to pair with this ROM, even though the developer and several users say it's a bad idea. I have it overclocked from 384 MHz to 1.782 GHz using the "ondemand" governor. I have yet to find any bugs or problems on it, with only one reboot while playing a game.

Here is a changelog from Undeadk9's XDA post:

Changelog v5.1.0 ROM
Updated Updater Script to work with newest recovery
Fixed 2 bug issues
More Bloat Removal
Modified Rosie for Much faster and snappier movements

Changelog v5.0.0 ROM
Fixed USB Mount Issue
Added Stock Kernel (WAY TO MANY ISSUES)
Fixed Weather FC
Fixed Market Bug
More Performance Enhancements
Better Battery
Fixed A Few Other Minor Bugs
Some Other Stuff Im sure I forgot

Personally, I've run Quadrant Standard a couple times and I'm able to average at around 3900. My highest score was 4492. I'm still waiting for more random reboots before finding another daily driver, however, I'm sure a new kernel and/or ROM will come out long before that.

Out of 10, I give it an 8 based on the support, stability, and responsiveness of the ROM itself. There are many users, and Undeadk9 is a very helpful developer when he's not biting heads off. The work he put into this ROM makes it a perfect daily driver.

If you want to download and try this ROM out, visit Undeadk9's ROM post at XDA.

Edit: Undeadk9 has promised a release to his Doubleshot ROM on November 13th, 2011. He said he is going to use Romanbb's work to incorporate new features in the next release. Just giving everyone a heads up.

myTouch 4G Slide (HTC Doubleshot) Roms

I know I've been slacking on posting to my blog about...well anything, but I've been really busy lately. I'm preparing a review of all the roms currently out there for the myTouch 4G Slide, and will be posting it up within the next few days. Keep checking back!

Blue6IX's Bulletproof 1.1

Undeadk9's Rubix Cubed Expresso

Undeadk9's Rubix Cubed Senseless

myTouch 4G Slide (HTC Doubleshot) Source Code released!

HTC recently released the source code for the myTouch 4G Slide! Hopefully we can get some kernel devs to start messing with the phone to get our Doubleshot running faster than we could imagine =D.

Find the source code for the myTouch 4G Slide here!

myTouch 4G Slide (HTC Doubleshot) source code and development.

Since learning all the good things about the Android platform, I've come to realize that I can't really deal with the stock ROMs that come on the phones. Like they say, give a developer a bone, and he'll have a skeleton in a week. Give him a body, and he'll be able to improve it in a month. That's what I like about Android: it's (supposedly) open source, free to modify and configure the way you like. That's how I like my sandwiches, that's how I like my steaks, and that's how I like my electronics.

After learning a little bit about ROM development from my G1, and I saw vast improvements on an ever so aging phone, I decided not to get a phone without any development. Before HandlerExploit, my Motorola Cliq didn't really have any development, and therefore was actually really laggy and crapish. My G1 was way faster than my Cliq, despite its earlier release. Lack of development for any Android phone is one of the many places that boners go to die.

So now I have this myTouch 4G Slide, as it was dubbed by T-Mobile after HTC sold it to them (as HTC calls it the HTC Doubleshot...I think). Development looked promising for a phone with such good hardware, and I get hard-ons from the Android phones with a physical keyboard (I have this feeling that I'm going to totally own the touchscreen...don't like needing to commit to that).

Regardless, I barely use the physical keyboard since I've learned how to use Swype, though it is something that I still really want.

My boner poison is this: since the beginning of time, in order to improve on something, we need to see how we got what we have first. I've been looking for ROMs for this phone everywhere, and though I don't like forum lurking and constantly searching Google, I've found myself constantly being led to XDA Developers and T-Mobile's Support Forum, in search of something better than the stock ROM.

Sure, XDA Developers users Undeadk9 and Computerkid23 have come up with something awesome, but ultimately, they're still stock ROMs with modifications and tweaks. Currently, I'm using Undeadk9's Doubleshot ROM which is a great improvement from stock. But like always, I want more =D.

Without a source code released from HTC, we are stuck modifying only what we can from what they handed to us. Without a source code, there will be no overclock, nor can there be ext4 modifications; you know, the good stuff. Coming from the Cliq this phone was heaven-sent. It's so fast and reliable right out of the box, I wonder what would happen if a source code was actually released.

The hardware is solid, the development wants to happen, people are eager to test it, and I'm about to make an account at XDA because I need something to do with this phone. Who knows, maybe I'm addicted to flashing ROMs onto phones (but I did come from a G1 and a Cliq, mind you), or maybe I can just see the potential this phone has, and I'm waiting for it to be unleashed. We still need the key.

The source code should be released by HTC. I was browsing around the myTouch 4G Slide forums @ XDA, and I came across a post that I just want to put up for people.

http://htcdev.com/contact

Someone suggested that if the people ask it, the people shall receive. I can read on those forums that everyone is getting desperate for development, and after making my account I'll be sure to thank Undead and computerkid for their hard work so far, but it's not only me who wants more.

So go to HTC's developer website, click comments, and ask HTC when they are going to release the source code for the myTouch 4G Slide, because just like me, I can see everyone getting restless over the development of this phone. 

This is only my second HTC phone, and they're the ones releasing all the phones that everyone wants to develop. I'm honestly not buying Motorola...ever, because of my experience with the Cliq. I hope HTC doesn't plan to throw the myTouch 4G Slide into a corner never to be seen again, the same way Motorola did with the Cliq.

I know they've got other stuff to do, but honestly, they already released the source code for the HTC Sensation 4G, now time to give the myTouch 4G Slide some love.

myTouch 4g Slide (HTC Doubleshot) Accessories

Well, since getting my phone I've been snooping around checking out what kinds of accessories I should try out for it. The myTouch 4G Slide is an excellent phone out of the box, and it's definitely something that I want to take care of.

Battery: The stock battery runs at 1500mAh and seems to run out relatively quick, even with minimal use (though I used to leave 4G turned on). If your myTouch 4G slide is running out of battery long before you're ready for it to be dead, try out the Anker 1900mAh Li-ion Battery for HTC Sensation. Yes, I know it says it's for a different phone, but it will fit (quite snugly) into your myTouch 4G Slide.

And for those who run out of battery insanely quick because of aggressive usage all day, you may want to consider the Anker 2 x 1900mAh Battery for HTC Sensation, about 12 dollars more for a second battery.

Take into account that these Anker batteries come with a special charger that will allow you to charge one battery outside the phone, as well as plug in your microUSB cord into your phone to charge the battery in there (which is very efficient and useful, to me anyway).

Review of Anker battery:

This battery is awesome. I bought the 28 dollar set of two batteries, but I can barely manage to burn through one throughout the whole day, unless I'm trying to. As of right now, it's still at 40% after using it as an MP3 player in my car, browsing, and playing a couple games of Glow Hockey against my girlfriend. I'm just going to let it die as I sleep and swap in the second one tomorrow morning. 

Case/Holster: The case I'm currently using on my phone as of now is the Body Glove one that you can buy from the T-Mobile store. It's is a very snug fit, and those who get the Anker battery will probably have a little trouble fitting the Body Glove case on. Don't fret though it will go on. When I bought it, there were only three designs, one of them coming with a holster. As I don't use a holster anymore, I bought the one without that option.

These cases are very durable, they just make your phone a little bit bulkier to carry around. Some prefer the ArmorSuit MilitaryShield which is just like a screen protector around your whole phone. I've ordered mines to come in so I can test it, but until then I won't be able to say anything about them, though I've heard good things about them.

Review of Body Glove for myTouch 4G Slide:

As this is the only case I got for my phone so far, it's the only one I can review. Like I stated it's very durable, and was able to handle a 3-foot drop without damaging anything on my phone. As for the size difference from stock: yes I like the slim figure of the stock phone, but with this case on, it doesn't feel like it's going to break so easily.