[Verizon] Is a full 4.2 ROM really worth the trouble?

[teddyearp]

So, I have been briefly perusing the new 4.2 release still called Jelly Bean. There are a few new features like new stuff for the camera that have been pulled from it, but then there is this glaring problem (IMHO) that surfaces:

http://androidforums.com/verizon-ga...t/649940-4-2-sdcard-sdcard-0-observation.html

That thread above is just one one many I have run across. I realize that we now have a computer in our pocket, but do we need to give it this type of functionality that some give their desktop computers? I wonder why Google would go this route. I can understand why one would want to setup different user accounts on a desktop, but they are stationary and have much, much, more storage capacity than our phone, so why clutter the limited sdcard storage on our phone with these multiple directories that we might have to 'clean up' to keep our nandroids in order?

Now this post in the above linked thread _might_ give some new use for this added function:

At first I cringed at a multi-user feature at all. Then a co-worker really needed to borrow a phone and it hit me.
With all the personal & private data I have on my phone I get really jumpy when I let someone make a call.
Now I am thinking of a Guest Type account to slap it into so that will allow calls only, no file browsing eh?

However, I believe that my phone is so personal that if I loan it to anyone at all, it is very brief and I will be right there monitoring what the other person is doing and ask for it back right away.

Comments? Fire away.

 

[breadnatty08]

I'm on ParanoidAndroid which is 4.2 based now. It certainly has a couple issues, and I'm not a fan of tablet mode. But, battery life seems to be better than Sourcery I came from. You can flash the camera and keyboard for nearly any 4.1 based ROM if that's what you want.
AKAIK, multi user mode is only for tablets (N7 and N10).

 

[gt5oh]

MMuzzy's Jelly Bean 4.2.1 is supposed to be good

 

[Steven58]

was on aokp beta 4.2... am on xenon 4.2.1 ... waiting for sourcery 4.2

 

[ckelly33]

was on aokp beta 4.2... am on xenon 4.2.1 ... waiting for sourcery 4.2

a) what did you not like about AOKP?
b) I've flashed several ROMs w/4.2. Looks like you have too. How do i keep my file system from getting screwier with each install? It gets deeper and more redundant with each wipe & install.

 

[tdevaughn]

you must install the latest recovery, either CWM or TWRP. the new versions fix the multiple /0 file structures

 

[ckelly33]

you must install the latest recovery, either CWM or TWRP. the new versions fix the multiple /0 file structures

Dang! I remember reading that a few days ago now. Looks like 6.0.1.5 is the latest CWM and that is what I have.

So, now that I have already all of this redundancy already (I'm like 4 -5 deep on 0 files)....how do I fix it?

I may be wrong but I'm guessing that I need to go ahead and do that (fix the multiple 0 file structures) THEN reinstall CWM and everything else....right?

 

[SweatyPits]

xenon rc2 is the 4.2 rom i'm on now. has the most features (pretty much the only one with features at the moment) works great.

 

[gapi]

As always if you flash the latest or previews your chancing. My AOKP JBM1 is so fantastic I'm waiting for a few official releases and just looking on at all the fun.

 

[teddyearp]

Well, I'm going to comment further about 4.2.x. And BTW, I haven't even voted in my own poll, lol.

Anyways, the biggest change from 4.1.2 to 4.2.x I see is the added user profiles.

And from what troubles I have read about users trying to apply 4.2.x to their phones; IMHO I think this is a bad move by Google, since the only use I really see for this is for those with tablets. Tablets are more likely to be shared, phones are usually not.

As a side note I have read and seen how those of us using phones should make sure we have the latest CWR or TWR before trying out a 4.2.x rom, but there are still problems, do your research.

Google released Honeycomb (Android 3.x) for tablets only, bypassing our phones because it was geared for tablets only. And we were happy with Gingerbread (2.3.x) for our phones. I think that Google should have done something similar with 4.2.x; maybe making it Key Lime Pie and mayhaps even giving it the Android 5.

Moving forward, I think Google should make enough changes in the source code for Android 6 (L something) to where it would know that if it is installed on a phone, we would not have to deal with the multiple user file directories; but if on a tablet, it would or could.

Ultimately I think user profiles should be an option, not forced.

OK, my peso's worth, again; off my soap box.

 

[SweatyPits]

i'm now on jbsourcery 4.2.1 prelease2.most feature rich 4.2.1 rom so far...

 

[gt5oh]

Running MMuzzy 4.2.1 for a week no, no problems what so ever, everything works and its fast!

 

[The_Chief]

i'm now on jbsourcery 4.2.1 prelease2.most feature rich 4.2.1 rom so far...

QFT

+1000 for JBSourcery 4.2 Pre-release 2! I can't imagine what the final version will be like!

 

[teddyearp]

So. With all the replies about how well their 4.2.x roms are running, did any of you have any problems whatsoever with the creation of the new /sdcard/0 folders? Did you have to 'adjust'/move/copy any of your sdcard content?

This question is only for those that did flash the latest recoveries that support 4.2.x prior to flashing any 4.2.x rom, as it is a known fact that those that didn't wound up with a terrible mess on their hands.

TIA

 

[The_Chief]

I used TWRP 2.3.2.1 and it did all the work, Teddy. I saw none of it. Completely background stuff as far as I'm concerned: I made my 4.1 nandroid, ran Superwipe, flashed the 4.2 ROM & Gapps and rebooted. It knew exactly what to do and did it. It was just like flashing any other ROM! I cannot crow loudly enough about TWRP.

 

[quickaudi]

2nd for TWRP.

And, I'm really impressed with 4.2

 

[prostang]

I am waiting for Liquid to release 4.2 before I go down that path. But everyone LOVES bacon until then!

 

[SweatyPits]

So. With all the replies about how well their 4.2.x roms are running, did any of you have any problems whatsoever with the creation of the new /sdcard/0 folders? Did you have to 'adjust'/move/copy any of your sdcard content?

This question is only for those that did flash the latest recoveries that support 4.2.x prior to flashing any 4.2.x rom, as it is a known fact that those that didn't wound up with a terrible mess on their hands.

TIA

yeah the first 4.2 roms i flashed created a "0" sdcard, which made finding future roms and kernels i wanted to flash a complete pain in the butt. however, jb sourcery has solved this issue. i can now find zip files easily.

 

[SweatyPits]

I used TWRP 2.3.2.1 and it did all the work, Teddy. I saw none of it. Completely background stuff as far as I'm concerned: I made my 4.1 nandroid, ran Superwipe, flashed the 4.2 ROM & Gapps and rebooted. It knew exactly what to do and did it. It was just like flashing any other ROM! I cannot crow loudly enough about TWRP.

yep, TWRP 2.3.2.1 is the way to go. clockwork mod competely blows in comparison.

 

[foo]

I found 4.2 ROMs to have noticeable less performance when comparing to 4.1.2. I have never done it before, but I went back to my 4.1.2 ROM(CM10), which was night & day regarding performance. Sure mods are nice in 4.1.x ROMs but it is just so much quicker. I really like not having to tape twice to get into settings as well. Guess it's a YMMV sort of thing

 

[SweatyPits]

I found 4.2 ROMs to have noticeable less performance when comparing to 4.1.2. I have never done it before, but I went back to my 4.1.2 ROM(CM10), which was night in day in performance. Sure mods are nice in 4.1.x ROMs but it was just so much quicker. I really like not having to tape twice to get into settings as well. Guess it's a YMMV sort of thing

try the new xenon. you'll dig it

i dumped jbsourcery test build 3 for it. that one was too laggy and buggy for me

 

[teddyearp]

Well, I thank you Pits and the others for posting what latest and greatest 4.2.x roms you are all running.

However I would still like to go back to my original question, since kinfolk also hinted at it in another thread.

What exceptionally cool new function and/or feature is there for upgrading from 4.1.x to 4.2.x? And from now on, please don't just reply with "I am running xyz 4.2.x rom and it's great"; no don't do that as that is not now the question.

Thanks again.

Ted

 

[LTek1]

There is no /0 problem. There IS a problem with people not updating their recoveries before flashing. I updated CWM and have been flashing away on 4.2 roms with not a single missing media file or broken link. It's just user error.

Things I like about 4.2 include the camera and gesture typing (though I prefer Swype, which I can't get to work). I also think 4.2 is a little smoother, though that might be all Xenon.

But really I just like to keep up to date.

 

[teddyearp]

So LTek1 has stated what he likes about 4.2.x, and I thank him.

However, we had the 4.2 camera and keyboard back ported before we had 4.2.x roms. So, I'm still trying to be convinced to flash a 4.2.x rom.

thanks.

 

[Logank]

4.2 seems snappier and smoother. The camera is really cool, I didn't bother getting it when I was on 4.1.2. I decided to flash 4.2 earlier today since jellybean hasn't really been doing it for me...yet. Personally, I don't need a ton of features and prefer it to be snappier and smoother. If you're questioning if you want to flash it, why not go ahead? If you don't like it just flash back.

I don't think the smoothness is just because of xenon. I also flashed eclipse and atom today. I like eclipse better than xenon but xenon has a few more tweaks that I wanted. Maybe one day I'll learn how to develop my own ROM so I can make it exactly how I want without any extra stuff I don't need.