kernel - Android Police - Android News, Apps, Games, Phones, Tablets

May

Samsung Aims To Block Root Exploits And Tighten Up Security With Latest Exynos Galaxy S4 Update, But This Is A Good Thing

Posted by Justin Case in Android OS, Galaxy S4, News, Samsung

Note from Artem: The post's author, Justin Case, also known as jcase in the Android community, is an xda Elite Recognized Developer, AP team member, and an all-around knowledgeable guy when it comes to Android's internals. When he speaks, I tend to listen.

The Android world was slapped in the face when well-known developer AndreiLux made a post in the XDA Galaxy S4 forum titled [Info] Rooting will be impossible on newer stock kernels.

His post has caused some unwarranted drama in the community, and I wish to set this subject straight as much as I can. AndreiLux is pointing out a new feature in Samsung Galaxy S4 kernel called CONFIG_SEC_RESTRICT_SETUID.

Apr

HTC Releases One Kernel Sources For U.S. (Sprint, T-Mobile), Asian, And European Variants

Posted by Cody Toombs in Development, HTC, News, One

HTCdev just finalized a fairly timely release of kernel sources for several carrier-specific and unbranded variants of the HTC One. The list of newly covered models includes:

U.S.: Sprint and T-Mobile
Asia: Taiwan and Hong Kong (CHT)
Europe: unbranded European version, Italy (TIM), France (Bouygues), and Germany (O2).

Of course, the Canadian and Developer Edition had their own releases earlier this month.

Among US carriers, only AT&T and Cincinnati Bell are still unaccounted for, but likely to make their own appearances shortly. You can pick up your copy of the source code at HTC's developer portal.

Source: HTC Dev

Mar

Samsung Publishes Open Source Kernel Files For Galaxy Note 8.0

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Development, Galaxy Note 8.0, Jelly Bean 4.2, News

Maybe it's just me, but it seems like Samsung is getting even faster with open source file releases. Today, the Korean manufacturer dropped open source kernel files for the Galaxy Note 8.0, Samsung's first foray into the tablet-that's-also-a-phone market. Both international and North American variants are represented, so those interested can take their pick.

Jan

Sprint Begins Pushing Android 4.2.1 OTA (GA02) To Its Galaxy Nexus, Samsung Drops Kernel Update As A Bonus

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in Galaxy Nexus, News, Samsung, Sprint

A couple weeks ago, we got wind of a download that seemed to be the final version of Android 4.2.1 (GA02) for the Sprint Galaxy Nexus. Today, not only is that confirmed, but the OTA has begun for Nexus warriors on the Now Network. The update brings the newest flavor of Jelly Bean and all that entails, including Photospheres, Daydream, lockscreen widgets and more.

The release comes about two and a half months after the initial launch of Jelly Bean 4.2 (counting by the launch of the new Nexuses. It's about three months since the initial announcement). While not too bad when compared with updates for the rest of the phones in the world, it's still a stark reminder of just how long going through carriers and adapting to different radio versions takes.

Dec

Samsung Drops Open Source Files For Verizon Galaxy Camera, AT&T Galaxy SIII Jelly Bean, AT&T Galaxy Tab 8.9 Ice Cream Sandwich

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Android OS, Galaxy Camera, Galaxy S III, Galaxy Tab 8.9, Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0, Jelly Bean 4.1, News, Samsung

Samsung, continuing its habit of timely code releases, today let fly open source kernel files for a handful of devices including Verizon's newly announced Galaxy Camera (EK-GC120), AT&T's Galaxy SIII Jelly Bean update (SGH-I747), and last but not least, AT&T's Galaxy Tab 8.9 Ice Cream Sandwich release (SGH-I957).

If you've been waiting to get your hands on a fresh batch of kernel source for these devices to tweak, develop, or ogle, now's your chance. Just hit the appropriate link below to be taken to Samsung's open source download center.

Source: Samsung Open Source (VZW Galaxy Camera, AT&T Galaxy SIII, AT&T Galaxy Tab 8.9)

Nov

HTC Droid DNA Gets Root, Custom Recovery, And Modified Kernel Ahead Of Official Release

Posted by Cameron Summerson in Development, DROID DNA, News

That sure didn't take long. Just two days after the official announcement - and still a few days away from retail availability - the Droid DNA has already been rooted and gotten some goodies from famed Android modder/hacker dsb9938. Apparently the DNA is unlockable using HTC's official bootloader unlock tool, which allows a custom kernel to be flashed. The first available kernel has only been slightly modified to allow root in adb connections - a requisite in order to flash the custom recovery and root the device.

After going through the unlock process, the kernel is flashable via fasboot. With that out of the way, you're free to flash the recovery (ported to the DNA by developer Utkanos), which is also flashed with fastboot.

Nov

Samsung Releases Open Source Kernel Files For Galaxy Camera, Note 10.1, And Others

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Galaxy Camera, Galaxy Note 10.1 (GT-N8000 / N8010 / N8013), Galaxy Tab 2 10.1, Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0, Jelly Bean 4.1, Samsung, Stratosphere II

Samsung is back again with a fresh batch of source, today dropping open source kernel files for the Note 10.1 (N8000), its LTE counterpart N8020, the Stratosphere II (SCH-I415), and Sprint's version of the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 (SPH-P500). The most interesting device on the list, though, is probably the Galaxy Camera (EK-GC100), which is just arriving at UK retailers this month, with no firm date announced for a state-side debut. Though the Galaxy Camera is a somewhat unconventional Android device, it's still great to see Samsung keeping up with its pattern of timely open source file releases.

If you've been waiting to put your hands on the official kernel source for these devices, or just want to take a peek at what makes them tick, hit the appropriate link below.

Nov

Samsung Posts Jelly Bean Open Source Files For Galaxy Tab 2 10.1, 7.0, AT&T Galaxy Note II

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Galaxy Note II, Galaxy Tab 2 10.1, Galaxy Tab 2 7.0, Jelly Bean 4.1, News, Samsung

It looks like Samsung has posted up some fresh new open source files today, including files for the AT&T-connected Galaxy Note II. The real story, though, is that Jelly Bean open source files have also been posted for both the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 and Galaxy Tab 2 7.0, neither of which have received their official 4.1 updates just yet.

Readers may remember Samsung hinting at an impending update for these (and other devices) back in September, but the availability of these files may suggest that the update is looming very near.

Oct

Samsung Releases Open Source Kernel Files For Note II On T-Mobile, Sprint, US Cellular, Plus AT&T's Galaxy Rugby Pro

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Android OS, AT&T, Development, Galaxy Note II, News, Samsung, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular

Now that we've seen Samsung's Galaxy Note II go up for grabs at T-Mo, Sprint, and US Cellular, it's time we began expecting to see Samsung drop kernel source code for the carriers' respective variants. That's just what Sammy has done, recently releasing the open source kernel files for SGH-T889, SCH-R950_USC, SPH-L900_SPR, and a bonus device – AT&T's Galaxy Rugby Pro, lovingly called SGH-I547_ATT.

Oct

Samsung Releases Kernel Source Code For The Galaxy Note II

Posted by John Thompson in Galaxy Note II, News

Now that the Galaxy Note II has been released in select European countries alongside a few other places around the world, Samsung has released the kernel source code for the device, along with other open source software components.

Although the kernel source will be of little use to regular consumers initially, ROM developers may be able to use it to ensure that their software performs as well as it can do on the phone. That means better performance and more stability, so even if you aren't a code aficionado, this is still good news for you.

If you're interested in taking a peak behind the scenes of the Galaxy Note II, you can download the source from Samsung's open source release center now.