Questions about CynanogenMod?

[XPERIAUK99]

Seeing how Xperia SP likely won't get kitkat, and how crappy android 4.3 .201 already is, am thinking about installing CM11 Kitkat on my SP. Got some questions:
1) will CM void my warranty with both sony and T-Mobile UK (carrier)?
2) what apps are included- also does it have google play, and if not, how to install
3) will it improve overall performance of the phone and reduce the annoying lag?
4) if I install, can I update OTA p, and what are good CM11 ROMs
5) how to install easiest way/ least hassle
Thanks for your help!

[_alexdon_]

For what you want,XDA is the place.Here we are talking more about Android and official updates:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2523640

[GreekXperiaSp]

http://fxpblog.co/
There you can find all the.CM versions..
Kitkat for xperia SP CM11 huasan..

Here you can find tne stock apps..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2397942
You should have also the latest version of CWM in your phone in order to install 4.4.2...

You get updates via OTA nearly every week..i think every Thursday...the newest version now is 316 or 317...

You also may want to know that this process will void your phones warranty..

[blackbox]

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@XPERIAUK99 wrote:
Seeing how Xperia SP likely won't get kitkat, and how crappy android 4.3 .201 already is, am thinking about installing CM11 Kitkat on my SP. Got some questions:
1) will CM void my warranty with both sony and T-Mobile UK (carrier)?
2) what apps are included- also does it have google play, and if not, how to install
3) will it improve overall performance of the phone and reduce the annoying lag?
4) if I install, can I update OTA p, and what are good CM11 ROMs
5) how to install easiest way/ least hassle
Thanks for your help!

---

1) Yes, as you need to unlock the bootloader. However, I have heard that if you backup the TA partition (there are tools for doing so) and the original firmware, then it is possible to return to the original state. Of course if you brick your phone with CM on it, then you'll be on your own.

[Larek]

2. Google Play works as with the official rom. Here you have a list of stock apps comming with GAPPS. Offcourse you can install others from google play. Not every Sony stuff would be installable.

Chrome Browser (replaces stock/AOSP Browser) | Cloud Print | Gmail | Google+ | Google Calendar (replaces stock/AOSP Calendar) | Google Camera (replaces stock/AOSP Camera) | Google Drive | Google Earth | Google Keep
Google Now Launcher (replaces stock/AOSP Launcher) | Google Text-to-Speech | Google Keyboard (replaces stock/AOSP Keyboard) | Google Play Books | Google Play Games | Google Play Newsstand | Google Play Music
Google Play Movies | Google Play services | Google Search | Google Wallet | Hangouts (replaces stock/AOSP SMS App) | Maps | Quickoffice | Sound Search for Google Play | Street View on Google Maps | TalkBack | YouTube

3. Performance is briliant, exept some 2-3 second lag during incoming call before light the screen. It can be annoying, it is form me, but it's not enough to revert to sony rom.

4. No, there is not working OTA. But, if you want to follow updates (they come every week), you just need to download a zip file, put it on the phone memory (or memory card), then restart in recovery mode and just flash the zip. I never do any wipe resets or something. All the procedure takes 5-10 minutes, I think it's comparable Sony OTA.

 5. If your device is rooted, and a proper version of CWM installed, you just need to copy CM rom and GAPPS (both zip) to your phone memory, then restart to recovery mode, clear cache and do factory reset (just for the first time) and flash both zip's. It's simple and quick.

[XPERIAUK99]

just for clairification, do these apps come pre-installed with the ROM or do u have to download seperately? the one i need is google play, so does that come pre-installed. i heard about a lawsuit between CM and Google.

thanks for the help anyway larek.

Anyways, how do i install the ROM and is a physical SD card required or can i just use internal storage for installation.

[Larek]

Two ZIP's archives are to installed under CWM (recovery). One is CM11 kernel (it's just an operating system, doesn't contain even dialer), and GAPPS. The second one is package of all stock applications. It is a set of apps from Nexus, it means tose are stock apps without any bloatwara and customizations.

You don't need a SD card. I did it without it (used just internal storage).

If you succeed, try to set ART instead of Dalvik under developer options. It should make your Xperia even faster.

[daverawle]

Does MHL work on CM, of any release? Only seem a couple of references to it and that says not tested.

Dave

[Fawaz]

I installed the 4.4 beleive there are probs...better not ...

[Larek]

The true is non of available systems and versions works better than 4.1. So if you can, just downgrade to this version and don't think about any upgrades. Frankly speaking, for now, there is no bugfree rom for our XSP devices...

BTW. Probably it will be Windows 8 available for our devices in comming months, it should happen just after 1080 devices. I know nothing else about it, it should be free of charges due to Microsoft policy (free Windows for devices up to XX inches...

I can't wait until my XSP is broken, and I would be able to buy Nokia or something.