Nexus 7

2013-June-11

I can't believe I've had the Nexus 7 for 6 months now and only just started a page for it.

Copying map files for c:geo

1. Download from http://ftp.mapsforge.org/maps/north-america/us/
2. Plug in and detect Nexus, you should see it with "adb devices"
3. Explore "adb shell" and make a directory to hold the maps. "mkdir /sdcard/osmmaps/"
4. Copy with adb push oregon.map /sdcard/osmmaps/

Currently installed on this tablet

• Aldiko -- Book reader
• ArcGIS
• Backcountry Navigator Pro
• Bluetooth GPS Provider - lets me use a Garmin GLO
• Camera Nexus 7 (Official)
• CBCPL
• Dropbox
• FBReader
• Mantano Reader Lite
• Garmin Mechanic
• Open Document Reader
• RF Signal Tracker
• RPN Calculator
• Wikipedia
• XID Broadleaf Weeds

Before installing Cyanogenmod I also had

• AdBlock Plus
• Android Sensor Box
• ASTRO File Manager
• Barcode Scanner
• BikeComputer
• Collector
• E*Trade
• Foursquare
• Google Earth
• Groove IP Lite
• iSense Data Collector
• join.me
• Kindle
• LinkedIn
• My Trails
• NeonGeo
• Newegg
• OR Droid Private
• OruxMaps
• OSMAnd
• Overdrive Media Console
• Pandora
• Pocket Query Creator
• Speed Test
• Telnet
• Terminal Emulator
• Traxx Outdoors
• Trimble Navigator
• Ultrachron Lite
• US Army Survival Guide
• White House

Why I am not fond of the current set up

I have had it long enough to realize

• I want to be able to develop apps that run on both my desktop and my mobile devices.
• I want to develop with my choice of tools, I am not a Java or Objective C fan.
• I don't like "The Cloud".
• I don't want to be tracked.
• I don't want to be productized.

And the biggest one for me today...

• Google has decided not to support my 18 month old Galaxy Nexus phone.

Switching to Ubuntu

This will be my third try. Each time I try, Ubuntu is better and there are more reasons to switch.

I am keeping my files here: Projects/UbuntuTouch

Ubuntu is trying to build interest in an Ubuntu tablet. One of the main reasons to install Ubuntu on a Nexus is to be able to preview what a Ubuntu Tablet will be like.

Ubuntu Tablet Install

To make Ubuntu Touch development easier I have already switched my desktop to run Ubuntu instead of Mint.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:phablet-team/tools
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install phablet-tools android-tools-adb android-tools-fastboot
sudo apt-get upgrade

Make a backup

This apparently works to back up my data. Anyway a "full backup" screen came up on the Nexus, and it took a long time.

adb backup -shared

Android 4.2.2
Baseband 1231_0.17.0_1205
Kernel version 3.1.10-g05b777c
Build JDQ39

Download and save a copy of the stock image from Google. NakasiG Nexus 7 Mobile 32 GB

Download Ubuntu image from http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-touch-preview/daily-preinstalled/current I found the names of the devices by looking on the http://cyanogenmod.com site, I have a Tilapia. Maybe I will try a different version of Android soon. There is no Tilapia Ubuntu build so I am using Grouper

-rw-rw-r-- 1 bwilson bwilson 33964483 Nov 17 10:02 saucy-preinstalled-armel+grouper.zip
-rw-rw-r-- 1 bwilson bwilson  5304320 Nov 17 09:05 saucy-preinstalled-boot-armel+grouper.img
-rw-rw-r-- 1 bwilson bwilson  7288832 Nov 17 10:02 saucy-preinstalled-recovery-armel+grouper.img
-rw-rw-r-- 1 bwilson bwilson 69844256 Nov 17 09:05 saucy-preinstalled-system-armel+grouper.img

See also http://download.cyanogenmod.com/?device=tilapia&type=nightly

Actually I think I will try cyangenmod out first as I happen to be getting a Garmin Monterra in a few days and it will have Android on it. So I won't be able to get away from Android... Dang...

• grouper = Google Nexus 7 (WiFi)
• maguro = Google Galaxy Nexus
• mako = Google Nexus 4
• manta = Google Nexus 10
• tilapia = Google Nexus 7 (GSM)

Cyanogenmod on the Nexus 7

The instructions for my Nexus 7 are here: http://wiki.cyanogenmod.org/w/Install_CM_for_tilapia

I have Cyanogenmod 10.2 installed now.

In order to get the "Play Store" in there I booted into the ClockworkMod by opening a terminal window and typing

su
reboot recovery

Then I was able to use this to copy the zip up to the tablet

adb push gapps-jb-20130813-signed.zip /sdcard/

Do NOT leave off the last /, else you will remove the symbolic link and replace /sdcard with your zip file. This gives you shell access so you can fix things like this...

adb shell 

Then I used Clockwork to install it.

Bricked Nexus 7

1. Tried to install CM12. Continuous crashes of Trebuchet, Google Services, Google Play Store, Messaging.
2. Powered down.
3. Black screen. Won't start.

I found I could hold down power button for a LONG time and it would boot. I can't get into recovery mode from the device and when I boot into CM12, where once again my apps just crash over and over.

I think I might be able to connect via ADB.