Requesting Grown-up Theme from HTC

[-Don]

The following is about the Droid Eris...

I originally hoped my Linux based HTC Droid Eris would be more 'customizable' (which was my main motivation for going with Android instead of iPhone)

After getting the Android Eris I noticed that it has a child-like theme with the bright green android so I thought "no problem, I'll just download a new theme" .... later I learned that it wasn't that easy and the part I wanted to customize was embedded into the ROM (Read Only Memory)

So then I thought maybe I could just flash the ROM with one that I liked.... Nope (see quoted text below)

"All known flashing methods require the .img files to be signed by HTC. We do not have the privatekey, nor do we have any way to decrypt the key as it is RSA. Meaning this is a NO GO." -http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=609189

With iPhone you can root/customize your own phone, Droid Eris Can't.

Needless to say, I'm very disappointed with my purchase....

I will contact HTC and request a more grown-up/professional looking version of the phone without the playful green android theme.

My goal here is to get an option for a more professional looking theme from HTC, Not root the phone. If anyone likes this idea please post your thoughts or approval because I would like to include this thread in the request to HTC.

Thank you,

Don

 

[hattrick]

The following is about the Droid Eris...

I originally hoped my Linux based HTC Droid Eris would be more 'customizable' (which was my main motivation for going with Android instead of iPhone)

After getting the Android Eris I noticed that it has a child-like theme with the bright green android so I thought "no problem, I'll just download a new theme" .... later I learned that it wasn't that easy and the part I wanted to customize was embedded into the ROM (Read Only Memory)

So then I thought maybe I could just flash the ROM with one that I liked.... Nope (see quoted text below)


With iPhone you can root/customize your own phone, Droid Eris Can't.

Needless to say, I'm very disappointed with my purchase....

I will contact HTC and request a more grown-up/professional looking version of the phone without the playful green android theme.

My goal here is to get an option for a more professional looking theme from HTC, Not root the phone. If anyone likes this idea please post your thoughts or approval because I would like to include this thread in the request to HTC.

Thank you,

Don

Are you talking about the boot screens (bright green android)? Root is currently being worked on and we should have something in the near future. If you have no desire to root then you're likely stuck and should look at getting a new phone.

 

[-Don]

Are you talking about the boot screens (bright green android)? Root is currently being worked on and we should have something in the near future. If you have no desire to root then you're likely stuck and should look at getting a new phone.

Yes but not so much the boot screen as the Big Green Android that pops up whenever I get a phone call. (It's very childish and unfortunately, I don't have a personal photo for everyone who calls my phone.)

They can't root the Droid Eris yet & sounds more like they gave up working on it:
Root Status - xda-developers

 

[InstantKarma]

Yes but not so much the boot screen as the Big Green Android that pops up whenever I get a phone call. (It's very childish and unfortunately, I don't have a personal photo for everyone who calls my phone.)

You could just change that picture to something more to your liking, it doesn't HAVE to be an actual pic of the contact.

I don't know of any themes that would change that image, anyway.

 

[-Don]

You could just change that picture to something more to your liking, it doesn't HAVE to be an actual pic of the contact.

I don't know of any themes that would change that image, anyway.

I just wanted a grown-up looking phone OS and it makes me sorry I got an Android.

As much as I wanted to make it work for me I've come to the conclusion that I should have just bought an iPhone (or another phone I like) rather than researching, posting on forums, trying workarounds and waisting hours my life on shenanigans. It would have been worth the extra $150 for an iPhone to not deal with this.....

Thanks for taking the time to reply,

-Don

 

[bluenova]

Not every phone will suit every person. That's why the manufactures make so many versions. From your brief posts it sounds like a Blackberry would be more suitable for you.

 

[InstantKarma]

I just wanted a grown-up looking phone OS and it makes me sorry I got an Android.

As much as I wanted to make it work for me I've come to the conclusion that I should have just bought an iPhone (or another phone I like) rather than researching, posting on forums, trying workarounds and waisting hours my life on shenanigans. It would have been worth the extra $150 for an iPhone to not deal with this.....

Thanks for taking the time to reply,

-Don

I'm sorry you bought an Android phone, too. lol

So much anger over an inch-square icon that you only see for a few seconds...

 

[El Blacksheep]

ITT: man cares more about what his phone looks like than what his phone does.

 

[hattrick]

They can't root the Droid Eris yet & sounds more like they gave up working on it:
Root Status - xda-developers

They have not stopped working. They moved their development forum so a private forum in order to avoid trolls and naysayers. Updates are being provided regularly in the Eris forum:
http://androidforums.com/htc-droid-eris/40360-official-htc-eris-root-status-thread.html

 

[CycloneFever]

Unbelievable thread.

You're so outraged over the OS icon being unprofessional that you're wishing you had spent extra money to get the world's best handheld fart app platform instead?

lulz

 

[burton71]

I just wanted a grown-up looking phone OS and it makes me sorry I got an Android.

As much as I wanted to make it work for me I've come to the conclusion that I should have just bought an iPhone (or another phone I like) rather than researching, posting on forums, trying workarounds and waisting hours my life on shenanigans. It would have been worth the extra $150 for an iPhone to not deal with this.....

Thanks for taking the time to reply,

-Don

Just change the contact picture to something else. This isn't rocket science.

 

[-Don]

I thought I might get support here to request an updated phone OS from HTC without the green android popping up for every call

I'm sorry you bought an Android phone, too. lol

So much anger over an inch-square icon that you only see for a few seconds...

I just feel like I bought a kids phone without realizing it (I assumed it would be easily modified)

You're so outraged over the OS icon being unprofessional that you're wishing you had spent extra money to get the world's best handheld fart app platform instead?

Not outraged, just here trying to get support for a letter to HTC...I thought if enough people agreed with me on the childish theme, they might give us an option to get a ROM update without the green android theme...I can see it's not happening and I'm amazed at how many people like the green android and try to ridicule me rather than support me.

Just change the contact picture to something else. This isn't rocket science.

No but it is time consuming with hundreds of contacts.

They have not stopped working. They moved their development forum so a private forum in order to avoid trolls and naysayers. Updates are being provided regularly in the Eris forum:
*OFFICIAL* HTC Eris Root Status thread

Thank you hattrick for posting something productive and it does sound encouraging.

I apologize for not researching the root status more. I just think HTC should be a bit more open with their phones since the majority of their customers are into personalizing their software/firmware.

Thanks again,
Don

 

[InstantKarma]

I'm 47, a military retiree, and have had a very serious disposition for most of my life.

I.e., I'm a grown-up too, and the Android icon doesn't bother me in the least.

 

[MrClean]

I'm 47, a military retiree, and have had a very serious disposition for most of my life.

I.e., I'm a grown-up too, and the Android icon doesn't bother me in the least.

Maybe so, but you have a pierced teddy bear as an avatar...... so you can't be serious.........LOL

Just kidding, please don't kill me sir!

 

[ct2020]

I'm sorry Mister Grown-up, but it seems very childish to be getting so bent outta shape about a green robot that is visible for a few seconds while you check to see who it is.

I don't understand what is so childish about it anyway. If you don't like it fine, but most of us here love it as it is a symbol of a phone OS we really like. Also, you're not willing to change the pic of your contents, but you expect someone to re-work the ROM for you? I don't get that. Don't get upset with the people that responded here just because they can see past a small little picture that you can't.

 

[-Don]

I'm sorry Mister Grown-up, but it seems very childish to be getting so bent outta shape about a green robot that is visible for a few seconds while you check to see who it is.

I was simply asking for support for a letter to HTC for an updated ROM without the green robot since they've locked it down so tight that I cannot change it myself.

I don't understand what is so childish about it anyway. If you don't like it fine, but most of us here love it as it is a symbol of a phone OS we really like. Also, you're not willing to change the pic of your contents, but you expect someone to re-work the ROM for you? I don't get that. Don't get upset with the people that responded here just because they can see past a small little picture that you can't.

I bought the phone for personal AND business use...it doesn't come across very well when your business colleagues and potential client's notice that you have a big green robot when you go to silence your phone during your interaction with them....it comes across as unprofessional and childish.

The symbol of the phone OS would have more meaning to me if it was more OPEN. The reason so many people like android phones is because of their ability to customize it as they please....when you take that away (like with they did with the Eris) it diminishes the meaning of that symbol and what the OS represents (Linux and Freedom) then all you're left with is a locked-down version of a Blackberry with a Linux kernel.

The beauty of Linux is that you can do whatever you want with it and make it fit your needs...even with the proprietary versions of Linux, like SuSE and Red Hat, you can still customize them and make them do whatever you want (i.e. root access). With the HTC Eris, they take that away and you're left with something very similar to a kids version of the iPhone with better apps.

In my opinion, HTC should know that people (especially Americans) like the freedom to choose. That was the purpose of this thread.

Unfortunately, some of the people (not all) reading this either misunderstood what I was aiming for or were offended with my request for support to ask HTC for a little bit of flexibility on their UI.

I bought the phone solely because of the freedom it gives me (that I read about in forums) and I found that the only freedom it gives me is to read the source code and make apps for it with restricted user level access/privileges, I was disappointed.

And I understand what the definition of open source is and while they haven't violated it, I'm still a bit disappointed because I was hoping for something more along the lines of Linux and freedom, not Apple/Blackberry and restrictions.

I don't think people should have to find and exploit vulnerabilities in their phone in order to change the default avatar/picture for incoming/outgoing phone calls.

 

[ct2020]

I bought the phone for personal AND business use...it doesn't come across very well when your business colleagues and potential client's notice that you have a big green robot when you go to silence your phone during your interaction with them....it comes across as unprofessional and childish.

Ok, now I start to see the real problem. I would suggest a program such as Locale or TaskPanel. These will allow you to schedule your phone to shut up during meetings. Or you could do it the good old fashion way and turn the volume off manually. You must be in some serious business if a little green robot offends your clients/partners.

I still don't see what's so childish about it.

But, back on your original topic. I'd be happy to sign a petition or have my name included in your letter. I am all for more choices. I just think you're blowing this out of proportion a little bit.

 

[CycloneFever]

I bought the phone for personal AND business use...it doesn't come across very well when your business colleagues and potential client's notice that you have a big green robot when you go to silence your phone during your interaction with them....it comes across as unprofessional and childish.

Interesting take. You aren't worried about the ringing/vibrating phone disturbing your interaction with business partners, but having the android flash appears overly childish? If I were your business partner I know which one I'd be more offended by.

Your attitude about the 'childishness' of the android logo is a little

t
h
g
i
t

(Did anyone ever do those word puzzles years ago? I think some of them were called Wuzzles.)

 

[-Don]

Ok, now I start to see the real problem. I would suggest a program such as Locale or TaskPanel. These will allow you to schedule your phone to shut up during meetings. Or you could do it the good old fashion way and turn the volume off manually. You must be in some serious business if a little green robot offends your clients/partners.

I still don't see what's so childish about it.

But, back on your original topic. I'd be happy to sign a petition or have my name included in your letter. I am all for more choices. I just think you're blowing this out of proportion a little bit.

Thank you for the application suggestions, I was previously referring to general unplanned interactions with colleagues and clients.Thank you very much for your support and I really appreciate your willingness help with the issue.

Thanks again,
-Don

Interesting take. You aren't worried about the ringing/vibrating phone disturbing your interaction with business partners, but having the android flash appears overly childish? If I were your business partner I know which one I'd be more offended by.

Your attitude about the 'childishness' of the android logo is a little

t
h
g
i
t

(Did anyone ever do those word puzzles years ago? I think some of them were called Wuzzles.)

I'm glad you like the green android icon popping up for your phone calls....Personally I was hoping for a bit more flexibility in the UI among other things.

Looks like you might have wanted to change a few things about the Eris UI but were not able because of the restrictive settings...

I have simple wants.

1. Get rid of Amazonmp3, etc.
2. Bottom bar customization (why a persistent soft phone button when I have a hard button?)
3. Customizable number of home screens (I only use 3)

And I'm not sure what a 'Wuzzle' has to do with the topic but thanks for sharing

Take care

 

[DanielWalker]

Crap, I came in here hoping we were requesting "nudie" themes and I find someone whining about the android logo!? Gimme a break! That's like saying, "I'm offended by Nike's swooosh symbol but I love their shoes."

 

[-Don]

Crap, I came in here hoping we were requesting "nudie" themes and I find someone whining about the android logo!? Gimme a break! That's like saying, "I'm offended by Nike's swooosh symbol but I love their shoes."

Did you happen read the thread?

I like what the phone does but I was hoping for something a little more customizable (the icon is something I could change with root but I would settle for a little flexibility in the default image for incoming/outgoing calls)....apparently you agree with that on some level since you went through the trouble to root your phone. (Eris is the odd one out and has not yet been rooted)

Personally I wouldn't want a giant nike logo covering my shoe every time I take a step but the nike/android logo itself doesn't bother me.

 

[semmtexx]

Hey Don;

You complain about the phone being childish but honestly, whats more childish? Finding through some simple research that all your contacts can be attached to facebook integration and therefore the big bad annoying android can be changed to an actual photo contact with little to no effort, or whining about it like a child? Maybe being less childish would be researching the device that one buys and comparing it to competitors rather than buying an ANDROID device and then complaining like a 6 year old when you get an ANDROID as your caller ID picture without even doing some customization which is one of the MAJOR selling factors of the Eris.

Don, when you speak of an OS being childish or adult like, the only points you make are that of preference to outdated, less functional, less customizable, less visually appealing and quite frankly boring OS's like Blackberry, biphone and WinMo. Maybe you should stop arbitrarily throwing around these terms like "childish" and "adult" because all it does is make you seem like some kind of would be intillectual.

 

[-Don]

Hey Don;

You complain about the phone being childish but honestly, whats more childish? Finding through some simple research that all your contacts can be attached to facebook integration and therefore the big bad annoying android can be changed to an actual photo contact with little to no effort, or whining about it like a child?

I prefer not to link my phone to Facebook (b/c privacy issues) or my business email account (I do that from a computer with a secured connection)

And Facebook does not include all of my contacts.

Maybe being less childish would be researching the device that one buys and comparing it to competitors rather than buying an ANDROID device and then complaining like a 6 year old when you get an ANDROID as your caller ID picture without even doing some customization which is one of the MAJOR selling factors of the Eris.

From what I researched, the Android looked like a great phone:

Android (operating system)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Android is a mobile operating system using a modified version of the Linux kernel.[4][5][6] It was initially developed by Android Inc., a firm later purchased by Google, and lately by the Open Handset Alliance.[7] It allows developers to write managed code in the Java language, controlling the device via Google-developed Java libraries.[8]
The unveiling of the Android distribution on 5 November 2007 was announced with the founding of the Open Handset Alliance, a consortium of 47 hardware, software, and telecom companies devoted to advancing open standards for mobile devices.[9][10] Google released most of the Android code under the Apache License, a free software and open source license [...]

Community-based firmware

There is a thriving community of open-source enthusiasts that build and share Android-based firmware with a number of customizations and additional features, such as FLAC lossless audio support and the ability to store downloaded applications on the microSD card.[79] The community refers to this process as "rooting" their device.
Those firmware packages are updated frequently, incorporate elements of Android functionality that haven't yet been officially released within a carrier-sanctioned firmware, and tend to have fewer limitations. CyanogenMod is one such firmware.
On 24 September 2009, Google issued a cease and desist letter[80] to the modder Cyanogen, citing issues with the re-distribution of Google's closed-source applications[81] within the custom firmware. Even though Android OS is open source, phones come packaged with closed-source Google applications for functionality such as the application store and GPS navigation. Google has asserted that these applications can only be provided through approved distribution channels by licensed distributors. Cyanogen has complied with Google's wishes and is continuing to distribute his mod without the proprietary software. He has provided a method to back up licensed Google applications during the mod's install process and restore them when it is complete.[82]
[...]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_(operating_system)

I had no reason to think that the Eris would not have any custom ROMs since it is open source. (the closed-source apps are less important to me because there is usually an open source equivalent for them).

Don, when you speak of an OS being childish or adult like, the only points you make are that of preference to outdated, less functional, less customizable, less visually appealing and quite frankly boring OS's like Blackberry, biphone and WinMo. Maybe you should stop arbitrarily throwing around these terms like "childish" and "adult" because all it does is make you seem like some kind of would be intillectual.

When I say 'childish' I mean 'childish':

child

 

[CycloneFever]

This thread continues to be so over the top. It's incredibly entertaining. I love it.

For a guy so concerned about maintaining an image, I'm amazed that he didn't just go with the iPhone in the first place like all the other good sheeple.

 

[burton71]

The amount of time he has spent in this thread complaining he could have changed all his contact pictures.