Notion Ink

Here is the Alpha!

Posted in Uncategorized by Rohan Shravan on January 14, 2012

Hello,

Alpha ROM as expected is available for download. MrDead Locked played a lot on this new latest ROM, so lets start with a video first:

I am sure you will love this ROM.

Major fixes include:

  • Audio
  • Sensors (including Compass)
  • Bluetooth
  • Sleep bug partially fixed (you need to change the wi-fi policy for this)
    • In case you have installed and device is not coming out of sleep, there is a re-set button near the MicroSD card. Press it to reset the device. Once it boots, turn on wifi, go to advanced settings, set “Keep Wi-Fi on during sleep” to “Never”. It’s a known bug (mentioned in the blog as well) and will be resolved in the next drop. 

      You must keep the “Wi-Fi on during sleep” set to Never.

  • Hardware Acceleration
  • Accelerated Video
  • Wi-Fi
  • HDMI Video (no sound)
  • Capacitive Buttons
  • Back Buttons
  • SD Card Mount
  • GPS
  • 120dpi launcher fix
  • 0.39 Kernel
What’s left:
  • 3G, though it’s working on kernel level now
  • Camera
  • USB plugged-in at boot
  • USB mass storage and MTP
  • USB Flash Drive
  • Light Sensor
  • Sleep Bug
  • Video Acceleration for High Quality YouTube Video
  • HDMI Sound
You can download the update from these links:
Please be sure to read THIS before you install.
Further, you can follow development and comments on LINK on TR. Special thanks to RaYmAn, MrDead Locked, MrGuy, kushiels, Ankit and Rohit. 
Let’s discuss some stuff on Camera:
  • Camera implementation in ICS is very different from the older ones. There are new features and only stable platform is OMAP since they had a head start in getting ICS, add to it the lack of support from NVidia on any Harmony platform.
  • New added features in ICS are Face Detection (which is OMAP implementation), Zero Shutter Lag, Migration to Kernel 3.0, Sensor Polls the Accelerometer Input, Multiple Auto Focus Region Support, Multiple Metering Area Support, Face Unlock, Launching Camera from Locked Screen and new application of course.
  • All these changes on the User Space demands a lot of changes on the proprietary architecture of Tegra, which of course is proprietary.
  • This ultimately means that a lot of effort will be involved in fixing the camera, but we stay positive on fixing it asap.

There is a change in NInk’s strategy which was reflected in CES as well. You will seeing even lesser of NI in press. All meetings were private and confidential, and purely meant for business (in fact only business development team was at CES). Hence no public releases from CES, but there will be one coming next week, after which we will be sharing the developments on the next generation.

Post the mentioned public release, we will be starting another blog. It will focus only on development, and we will again see a new device coming to life. Unlike last time where the hardware was mostly done out-house, this time every resistor, IC, bus lane, etc is designed and selected on the very computer working on this blog. We will try to involve as many professionals as possible so the new blog can become a reference for new developments!

A very busy and productive year awaits us!

Warm Regards

Rohan Shravan

97 Responses

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  1. Alper Topcu (@alpertopcu) said, on January 28, 2012 at 04:03

    Hello Rohan Ink, where is the working Ice Cream Rom, where is the working cam, where is Skype, where is a working tab? :)

  2. Kevin Fann said, on January 28, 2012 at 01:24

    dwarf4242 thank you for my reply.. i understand now

  3. Paz Hussain said, on January 25, 2012 at 22:20

    i can no longer charge my battery, it says it has zero % charge
    my guess is the battery is fully charged and cannot accept any more charge, so it thinks it is empty
    how can i fix this

  4. theonepointo said, on January 25, 2012 at 21:28

    Hey about the Adam 2. Keep that little curve on the end because it is much easier to carry. And also put a light on the menu buttons so at night I can tell where the back button is. And a minor thing is the USB ports, there upside down i don’t know if thats how there suppossed to be but it’s kinda weird having it upside down. Keep the swivel camera I think that defines the Adam and get the screen resolution up to atleast the iPad 2 because i don’t know if its me but the screen sometimes doesn’t seem as clear. And get an off button not a switch. That’s not major but it could be an improvement. And before you decide to release the new Adam PLEASE get these bugs out. And have the android market on it thru an update. Because it was nearly impossible for me to be able to root it because when I download them it won’t install for some reason. But I love how loud the speakers are already and how the QI is. But it could be improved majorly. And another must have is that it needs to be made with better quality. Because when I first got it I was disappointed how it felt, it felt plastic or something but what’s inside the Adam is amazing. I believe that once they start releasing updates through the Adam and have android market and stuff without having to root it. It will beat the iPad.

    • Phillip said, on January 26, 2012 at 19:15

      @theonepointo, good thoughts

  5. dwarf4242 said, on January 24, 2012 at 23:16

    To Rohan:I have heard a lot of grumbling on this blog about how much you seem to be relying on Tablet ROMs developers to get ICS ready for release on the Adam. I know that at least one Notion Ink developer is a part of the TR team, and I also know that NI has provided funds and source code to the TR team. I was very pleased to hear you give more specifics than normal in a recent reply on the blog and suggest here that you make a clearer statement to your readers about the relationship between Notion Ink and Tablet ROMs. One of the worst features about these blogs is their ability to promote misinformation and distrust. A clear statement from you could go a long way toward repairing some of that.
    On a different note: I am very interested in seeing what the Adam II looks like, and hope that the discount for us early adopters/owners of the Adam I will be enough to allow me (and others) to actually try one out and compare its advances.
    Hoping for many new things from Notion Ink…

  6. Percy Kalle Pjumf said, on January 23, 2012 at 22:13

    I followed the guide

    - Copy update.zip and adam_AlphaICS.zip to the external sdcard.
    - Start the device in recovery mode.
    - Select Install update.zip from external SD Card(Thanks to DJ_Steve for the recovery image)
    - Once complete, reboot to recovery mode again

    As i got to this point I could not choose any options(nothing happened when clicked home or when i clicked on the power button. I attempted a restart which has left my Adam in a state where nothing can be done anymore, cant get into the recovery mode and cannot boot. There is not error messages or loading screen just a litten up screen and a red led on the side. Any ideas of what to do?

    Kind regards
    Pär

    • levpius said, on January 23, 2012 at 22:51

      there is a Pin-hole for reset near the SD card slot. That should do something for you.

    • Percy Kalle Pjumf said, on January 24, 2012 at 00:57

      Already tried, does not help. Using that will only make the device restart with the same result again.

    • levpius said, on January 24, 2012 at 01:34

      @Percy : NVFlash is what you should do then.

    • levpius said, on January 24, 2012 at 02:33

      @Percy: I am pretty sure, even I has similar issues if not same. So before you even go on to NVFlash, can you make sure you did install the correct recovery mode (update.zip) from tabletroms. That is the key I suppose.

      Do let us know what exactly you have done so far, so that we can suggest

  7. bestmichels said, on January 23, 2012 at 17:30

    ICS-Alpha is running on my ADAM! Fine!!

    I have no market-access and because I’m not a technical genius I didn’t understand the advices to get access :-(

    Anyone here who can explain step-by-step??

    Many thanks!! Stefan

    By the way: If battery is fully loaded there is displayed “51%” and it drains very quick!

    No GPS (inside, at a place where I usually get several satellites-signals)

    • levpius said, on January 23, 2012 at 21:40

      @bestmichels:
      Get ROMs you see here:
      “http://www.tabletroms.com/forums/ice-cream-sandwich-adam/3560-android-4-0-x-adam-%5Bwip%5D%5Baosp-cm%5D.html”

      I have not put DEADcreme (you can chose between DEADcreme or ICS alpha.as your ROM) . ICS does not have root.

      One main thing is to download all these files put them in the root folder of SD card(before you start out):
      i) Clockwork Mod Recovery. “Update.zip” — Your recovery mode
      ii) ICS alpha “adam_AlphaICS.zip” file
      iii) Gapps zip file “Google_apps_adam.zip” – Market Access

      I was writing my steps, but the steps recently updated on TabletROMS are your best bet, even in terms of readablity :
      “http://www.tabletroms.com/forums/ice-cream-sandwich-adam/4171-detailed-guide-installing-ics-ni-adam.html”

      Other points:

      1) Just dont miss any steps especially wipe data, wipe cache partition, wipe cache, wipe battery statistics

      2) Also, you can chose to use DEADcreme.zip instead of “adam_AlphaICS.zip”

      3) One bad news, since you already have ICS alpha. I think you have to do NVFlash to get all the files you need in the SD card, unless someone can suggest you any other way of getting those files there.
      (For NV Flash see : “http://conclave.notionink.com/showthread.php?739-Eden-1.5-Update-instruction-using-NVFlash-Windows”)

      4) Perseverance

    • bestmichels said, on January 27, 2012 at 13:55

      @ levpius
      Many thanks for your detailed instructions- I will try this the next days!

      I wonder when NI will release it’s official ICS…

      best regards, Stefan

    • dwarf4242 said, on January 27, 2012 at 20:17

      bestmichels: I too am hoping for a completed, official release of ICS from Notion Ink. Their collaboration with the Tablet ROMS developers has been very productive, although both development organizations seem to have some trouble completing projects…
      Waiting is,

  8. Kevin Fann said, on January 23, 2012 at 04:54

    can someone please answer my question from above…. will NI release their own ICS OTA update by the update button?

  9. dwarf4242 said, on January 23, 2012 at 04:46

    LevPius: Thanks for the pointer! I got all the files from TR and finally have CWM installed! There must be something about this installer that works better than the default. Both the file from Link1 in this post and the one provided in the TR forum have the same MD5 checksum, so I think that they must be identical.
    Great NEWS! The blue tooth stuff works great! I can now use my Logitech keyboard (the one with the same semi-pregnant profile as the Adam) and it works great!
    The only thing of import that I have found so far is that the camera still doesn’t work. Google market works fine and I’m slowly installing all my old favorites. My Adam has finally become useful again.
    Great work from the masters at Tablet ROMs! Time to put some work into The Tablet Post and get a review out there.
    WOW!
    BTW, what is DEADcream?
    Luck,

    • levpius said, on January 23, 2012 at 18:56

      @dwarf: what you did was probably Alpha ICS

      DEADcreme is another rom flavor . rooted:
      “http://www.tabletroms.com/forums/ice-cream-sandwich-adam/4171-detailed-guide-installing-ics-ni-adam.html”

  10. scaderword said, on January 21, 2012 at 03:35

    When I attempt to apply the ROM it lists out several “init: cannot find” errors and then stops at “adb_open(adbd)”. Any fix for this?

  11. lalitsahare said, on January 20, 2012 at 22:02

    Rohan,
    Thanks for the update on the new device.
    Although I am a tech Geek like u guys …. i find it very interesting to read the blog.
    I am eagerly looking for the new device … and read the updates.

    • lalitsahare said, on January 20, 2012 at 22:03

      Correction …. I AM NOT A TECH GEEK LIKE YOU GUYS … ;o)))

  12. Kevin Fann said, on January 20, 2012 at 09:00

    Can anyone please tell me if NI Plans on releasing their on OTA ICS update for the adam that can be downloaded and installed with the update buttons on our adams? or will the only way to update to ICS be by using a rom?

    • dwarf4242 said, on January 27, 2012 at 20:22

      Kevin, it is much too early in the development cycle to be expecting an official release. While I hope that NI eventually gets back to the OTA updates, that is probably one of the last steps in the development cycle. We haven’t even reached a Beta release yet, so either try the Alpha or be patient and wait for the bugs to get worked out. We are all hoping for a completed development cycle on ICS.
      Luck,

  13. theonepointo said, on January 20, 2012 at 02:25

    Ok, i need help. I cannot put this on my adam. I have the 2.2 version. I got my adam january 18 2012. And the videos i found dont have the links that work. If someone can make a video or something please let me kno i think it might be the type of sd card. But its brand new..thanks

  14. Lourdes Colon said, on January 20, 2012 at 01:02

    I have installed this ROM however I cannot download any apps from the android market. How does the ADAM displayed have all those apps? Please let us know how to download apps.

    • levpius said, on January 20, 2012 at 01:44

      You can use recovery mode to install Market/Google Apps zip using “Install from Zip” just like you did with Alpha ICS zip file

      For this :while u were downloading the Alpha ICS file you should have downloaded the Google App zip file also.

  15. Burt O' Stage said, on January 18, 2012 at 16:47

    Will work on the WiFi include proper implementation of TUN/TAP & co?

    This might come in handy when using VPN connections – until now i failed with this but especially in an university environment VPN & network architecture is pretty important.

    A few days ago my adam jumped off the table… it’s still working finde, but the on the backside there are two cracks. Not as bad, though – now it’s really mine :) (nobody would want it anyway)

    • joyfication said, on January 18, 2012 at 21:54

      The backpanel costed me just 100 rs ( around $2) when I sent my ADAM for battery replacement to NI. Its a pity though that you can’t order panel from NI & do a self repair.

    • dwarf4242 said, on January 27, 2012 at 20:27

      Burt, If you want some help getting it fixed, let me know (dwarf42 at gmail dot com) I can get the parts and fix it for you. On the other hand, duct tape or Sugru might be just as good ;-)
      Luck,

  16. Nirmal Kumar said, on January 18, 2012 at 13:48

    I must thank Notion Ink for releasing an usable rom. although I am using Deadcreme I believe it is same as NI release with root access. I have been now using it for about 3 days and I have found it to be reasonably stable. of course I am expecting NI to release further upgrades so that Adam becomes stable enough to be used by non-tachie like me. and that is where my worries lie. I would want ni to keep supporting people like me by making adam stable and user friendly.

    I urge Rohan to continue the communication flowing and not become insular as suggested in his post. Given that the ni website has very limited and static information Rohan’s blog has been the only means of communication and this must continue if ni hopes to sell its adam2 and other stuff in future. I suppose ni has learnt the hard way in managing user expectations and that learning must be put to good use so that ni becomes a much better company.

    I wish great success for ni.

  17. Veeraraagavan said, on January 17, 2012 at 15:12

    Engadget has mentioned the Notionink ICS Alpha in their website. Check out the comments too:

    “http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/16/notion-ink-adam-ics-update/”

  18. Zopa Ngawang said, on January 17, 2012 at 10:20

    can’t wait to order the second NI!

  19. levpius said, on January 17, 2012 at 03:18

    Bluetooth keyboard and mouse works great. With this, the Adam becomes a good Google TV alternative (minus the HDMI sound).

  20. Hans Bickhofe said, on January 16, 2012 at 14:08

    Great job! Rarely seen such a good Alpha version!

  21. Hema Venkatesh Ramasamy said, on January 16, 2012 at 12:44

    Is it possible to enable the fm radio in the ICS?

    • wynjer said, on January 16, 2012 at 17:57

      FM radio? I didn’t know there was one !

  22. Ujjwal Kundra said, on January 16, 2012 at 11:49

    Nice ROM !! Thanks to the works of TR guys and NI support we are now able to taste the sweet ICS.
    One small glitch, I’m unable to run Titanium Backup with root so unable to restore my applications :(
    I installed busybox (reboot) too but the same error… any idea ?

  23. joyfication said, on January 15, 2012 at 15:37

    I look forward to owning the second NI device too. hopefully it has enough differentials for the Adam owners.

  24. ramchi said, on January 15, 2012 at 13:55

    Also my Batterry indicator never goes beyond 79% even after wiping Batterry Status.

  25. Nishit said, on January 15, 2012 at 13:12

    It seems you are changing the default recovery. Is there any way to go back to the default Eden 1.0 if anything goes wrong, or do we have to go back to the original unbrick method?


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