Streak Survival Guide

[Guest prometheus861]

Purpose:

To summarize the steps and applications needed for the Dell Streak 5 to live up to its potential, as an ideal all-in-one portable communication and entertainment device. This is a first draft of a complete guide intended for new device owners who know little about Android.

Background:

After spending several full days fiddling and bouncing around in frustration, I finally figured out how to overcome Dell's shortsighted, inadequate, or intentionally crippled software. I haven't seen any simple guide for the Streak, and after reading hundreds of web pages, I needed a description for my own sanity, if not for yours :)

In the interests of full disclosure, I am running windows 7 desktop 64 bit, and I purchased a brand new 16gb Dell Streak 5 which came with Android 2.2.2, OEM version GAUSB1A134700.

Primary Difference between Android 2.2 and IOS and Windows Mobile:

The Dell streak is ultimately much more functional than any other device, given its screen size portability and hardware, but the Streak has a number of quirks, which will leave one with serious bruises on the forehead after all the head-banging without adequate foreknowledge.

• Don't spend a minute trying to sync the Streak. I have tried every type of app, and have gotten none of them to work properly. This includes Dell's Stage, Nero's Mobile Sync (advanced HD version), Tunesync, Doubletwist, and others I'm probably forgetting. Media Monkey does permit music syncing, but not video, apps, pictures.

• You can mount the device with the proper software, but most applications won't work well, if at all. Read on to find out how.

• Rooting the device can (and should) be done, but there is only one app to do it.

• As of 4/16/11, there is no O/S mod for the Dell Streak 2.2.

Making the Operating System Effective:

Rooting the device is necessary if only to install the essential keyboard manager, which allows the keyboard to change input mode depending on orientation. Rooting is nice to do to remove all the terrible preinstalled applications that just get in one's way, and make it difficult to navigate. Rooting is necessary to enable the capturing of screenshots of the device and to enable FM radio, if that matters to you.

It is not necessary to root the device to install ProLauncher or other User Interface. Dell Stage UI overwhelms one with useless information and logos, which make it difficult to navigate through lists of applications, if you plan to use the device for more than a phone.

There is a setting on Froyo 2.2 to allow apps to be installed without the Market. This is called sideloading, and it simply allows transfer via usb or wifi to the Streak of the apk program file. Froyo is then good about enabling automatic installation from gmail or the browser or other file programs, once the item is clicked.

SuperOneClick v1.7 (not sure about later versions, the web has mixed info about them) enables one to root the Streak with Froyo 2.2, which has proven intransigent to other tools.

Developer info and links here:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=803682

Video Walkthrough here:

1. On streak, go to settings/development/USB Debugging checked (should be on)

2. The SD card needs to be unmounted: settings/sdcard (unmount)

3. connect streak via usb to computer

4. download and install SuperOneClick

5. Check RageAgainsttheCage

6. Click Root. The program will run and boot the device several times

Ultimately it is very simple.

Once the SuperUser account is created, one can install Titanium Backup Pro, and Root Explorer. Titanium Pro allows one to uninstall completely or simply freeze services and applications that are essentially bloatware or worse apps which have long hooks to one's wallet. It also allows one to backup programs on a case by case basis. It does not allow for a complete system backup. Still looking how to do that.

Things to Uninstall include:

Evernote (trial)

Copilot (trial)

Amazon mp3

Getting Started

QuickOffice (doesn't allow proper editing and file support)

Dell Welcome

Dell Stage Widgets

Assistant Free

Twitter

Zinio Reader (trial)

Amazon kindle

Accuweather

SugarSync

(Don't remove Dell Video player if you plan to purchase Dell HDMI Dock otherwise you won't be able to play HDMI out)

Basic and Essential Applications:

• SuperOneClick

• Titanium Backup Pro

• Root Explorer

• ES File Explorer (allows easy wifi file transfer on a home network, but does not permit full root access)

• Samba File Sharing. The best application to enable Windows Explorer access via wifi to the Dell streak.

• Pro Launcher (customizable home icons, and 3 home pages)

• Thumb Keyboard (2.9.3) (awesome in landscape mode. Might be better even than a hardware keyboard) https://market.android.com/details?id=com.n...lity.kmLauncher

• Keyboard Manager (allows automatic switching of keyboard depending on orientation). I'm still having difficulty having the App appear in the list of installed programs, nevertheless it does work https://market.android.com/details?id=com.n...lity.kmLauncher

• RockPlayer Universal (to play video files that the stock program won't play. Video files need to be seekable and undamaged)

• gReaderPro (to make reading news sites pleasant)

• OfficeSuiteProfessional.

• Aldiko book reader (files need to be in epub format in order to import them from the SDcard or network)

Extended Features/Applications:

• Dolphin Browser HD (to enable tabbed browsing and other enhancements)

• Soundhound instead of Shazam to identify music.

• Newsroom Pro/More Good News (rss news loader/feed)

• Hack to permit flash viewing of Hulu. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.p...amp;postcount=1 and http://www.streaksmart.com/2011/03/how-to-...ell-streak.html

• Enable FM Radio http://android.modaco.com/content-page/318...tation/page/20/

• Enable Engineering Apps http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread...1594&page=2

• Smart Taskbar Pro (to enable fast access to essential functions like settings, my settings, wifi, etc)

• Wallstreak to enable multiple wallpapers and to properly resize wallpapers. (resolution needs to be 800x444 for landscape mode)

File Transfer

The Streak requires that the device (and the Sdcard) be mounted as a USB attached device in windows. This means that one cannot install an application from the streak while also accessing the streak from the desktop. If you have a microsd card reader, then it is probably easier to take it out of the streak, and connect it via usb to a computer, and transfer all the files at once using the aforementioned Samba File Sharing.

Hardware/Accesories Considerations:

HDMI Output is only possible with Dell's HDMI Dock which costs $50 to $70. Worse, it requires Dell's default Video player, which only permits a few video formats. And even worse, the video player must be active to enable the HDMI signal. This means no multitasking, no flash videos from the web, no listening to hd music, etc.... Until PDMI cables are commercially available and enterprising modders can tweak the operating system to permit video, there is no other video out possibilities. Dell does have a pdmi multi-cable with one of their projectors, which can be purchased online through a third party for $15, but I doubt that the O/S will automatically enable video out.

The best cases for the Streak look to be Otterbox varieties. These provide significant protection but are a little bulky. The impact case is supposed to be a grippy, nonslick surface. The commuter case is a traditional, plastic surface. The defender case seems to be much heavier duty.

I ordered the impact case and was surprised to see that it was not nearly as grippy as the reports I read. It is a tough rubber variety, and seems unlikely to rip, like other cases i have seen. The design doesn't seem intented to prevent screen damage, as the thickness in the front and sides of the case is only a handful of millimeters thick. I wonder how the other cases compare.

Also during installation of the screen protector, I noticed that my streak seemed to have a screen protector provided by dell. I haven't spent enough time to be able to determine whether this is generally included or not. But hopefully this is a bit of notice to others, so they won't do what I did which was to stick one screen protector on top of another.

There is no cheap, good stand for the Streak. one can purchase a g2 dock, a Dell HDMI dock, or a foldable clamp like device from iCarpus for $12. Many People have been making their own, often by salvaging the Streak Leather Wallet, which is too thick and unwieldy by itself.

I ordered the icarpus clamp. It works fairly well though the clamp was obviously intended for smaller widths: it is stretched to its maximum, and the grooves which the device is supposed to rest against are not completely flush. Consequently, the streak isn't locked into place, and it requires little force for the streak to twist out of the clamp. My conclusion is that it should work well enough on a plane or for occasional use, but some other kind of dock is needed for daily use.

Music Quality

I experiended very bad sound quality, using Dell's default music player. Using both high quality headphones and audio out to my car radio, I heard intermittent noise and general audio degradation. I have heard mixed reviews about the audio quality on the Dell streak, but the consensus has been that streak's sound quality is at least decent, and that problems could be fixed by using a different software program, like PowerAmp.

I installed PowerAmp, and simply using the default settings, lo and behold, the sound radically improved. The streak now sounds quite excellent, even without equalizer tweaking. I don't know how to explain such a change through software alone, unless Dell's soundplayer had some gross implementation problem. Perhaps other members have the inclination to investigate this in further depth.

I am not thrilled by PowerAmp pro's interface. I particularly dislike the welcoming screen that pops up every time the app is launched. It also seems difficult to navigate through one's library, but at least it works.

Battery Usage & Data Access

If the Streak is unable to access a phone signal, the power will drain fairly rapidly. One way to fix this is to turn on airplane mode, which will disable all communications.

I am currently not paying for phone service and no SIM is installed. Nevertheless, the operating system (o/s) does not detect this and does not disable cdma and other services.

It is possible to disable phone data while enabling wifi. Theoretically, this capability has been built into Froyo, but the trick is to first turn on the airplane mode, and then toggle the wifi radio button. The first time I attempted this, I had difficulty, so I downloaded a seperate application to manage the battery usage, which might help in other scenarios as well. I am trying JuiceDefender pro (ultimate juice is their paid service on top of their free version).

With this enabled, I have had difficulty placing calls with google voice, which should work through the wifi signal. Yet more testing to do...

In a related topic, the best battery monitoring application imho is SuperBattery. A second would be The Battery App. It seems a bit fickle at first, we'll see.

A very good battery manger is included in Advanced Task Manager.

Edited April 21, 2011 by prometheus861

[Guest paddymcn]

Nice post, you may get a few followers now this is down to less than £200....

http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.210-6015.aspx

[Guest fards]

I think you need to read a bit more before making some of your statements...

[Guest spacecat46]

i would say its more this is how I like my streak to be thread, still might be useful for some

[Guest superutp]

i would say its more this is how I like my streak to be thread, still might be useful for some

i agree tooo..

[Guest prometheus861]

I think you need to read a bit more before making some of your statements...

oh? Why is that? Which opinion or statement of fact do you disagree with?

If you have additional information, I would love to include it.

If you simply disagree with my tone or one of the opinions present, (which was perhaps more terse or more provocative than my patience allowed), then you are welcome to keep whatever opinion you choose. I wasn't posting to induce conflict.

[Guest prometheus861]

i would say its more this is how I like my streak to be thread, still might be useful for some

Sure, if it is helpful to people great. My goal in the post was not simply to express my opinion. It was to describe the purpose and reasons for various modifications and tweaks to the stock system, so that others might be spared the countless hours of research to understand how to make the Streak more usable and functional. (for my stated uses)

[Guest prometheus861]

Nice post, you may get a few followers now this is down to less than £200....

http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.210-6015.aspx

Thanks. I picked up my streak for $100 usd, after Dell's laptop sale in march. One rumor is that they were offloading units to make way for the new Opus One.

[Guest garbagecanman]

Good post, i just ordered my first streak last night, unlocked 16gb cant wait to get it. First thing i will do is root and delete that garbage stuff installed :)

[Guest jmhalder]

With this enabled, I have had difficulty placing calls with google voice, which should work through the wifi signal. Yet more testing to do...

Not a bad post, however the above is incorrect, making google voice calls effectively has GV call YOU, and your phone is effectively picking up immediately... Or its dialing a service number, I don't recall which, but it is using the phone effectively. I understand that calls can be made by VOIP with GV in a browser on a windows desktop, but rest assured the phone version of GV does not use VOIP.

You should however still be able to SMS through GV and check your voicemails all over Wifi.

^I think oversights like this are the reason Fards said what he did, I'm sure it wasn't disrespectful.

[Guest ClippinWings]

^I think oversights like this are the reason Fards said what he did, I'm sure it wasn't disrespectful.

Well... and there is also this:

As of 4/16/11, there is no O/S mod for the Dell Streak 2.2.

Makes me wonder what you would call StreakDroid.

[Guest marvin02]

. . .

• Rooting the device can (and should) be done, but there is only one app to do it.

...

There are actually four methods that I know of to root the Streak and there might be more. SuperOneClick, flashing superuser.zip, the gingerbreak apk, and the fourth is to manually apply one of the rooting exploits.

...

• As of 4/16/11, there is no O/S mod for the Dell Streak 2.2.

...

Really - what's this?

...

Rooting the device is necessary if only to install the essential keyboard manager, which allows the keyboard to change input mode depending on orientation.

...

There may be others but Thumb Keyboard allows you to customize the layout for portrait and landscape mode without rooting or using another app.

...

It is not necessary to root the device to install ProLauncher or other User Interface. Dell Stage UI overwhelms one with useless information and logos, which make it difficult to navigate through lists of applications, if you plan to use the device for more than a phone.

...

It's LauncherPro and the stage widgets can be removed from the homescreens like any other widgets.

...

There is a setting on Froyo 2.2 to allow apps to be installed without the Market. This is called sideloading, and it simply allows transfer via usb or wifi to the Streak of the apk program file. Froyo is then good about enabling automatic installation from gmail or the browser or other file programs, once the item is clicked.

...

You are referring to the Unknown sources setting. This setting is available on Streaks that were purchased unlocked. Streaks locked to AT&T's network have this setting disabled. You can sideload apps without rooting, using the Sideload Wonder Machine or other methods.

...

SuperOneClick v1.7 (not sure about later versions, the web has mixed info about them) enables one to root the Streak with Froyo 2.2, which has proven intransigent to other tools.

...

Depending on the ROM you are trying to root SOC 1.7 may not be your best option (some users have better luck with older versions) and SOC has not worked with later ROM releases. See my earlier response to your root info above.

...

Basic and Essential Applications:

• SuperOneClick

...

SOC is not an app for your phone, it is a program that runs on your PC to root the phone. It isn't essential as there are other methods to root the phone.

...

File Transfer

The Streak requires that the device (and the Sdcard) be mounted as a USB attached device in windows. This means that one cannot install an application from the streak while also accessing the streak from the desktop. If you have a microsd card reader, then it is probably easier to take it out of the streak, and connect it via usb to a computer, and transfer all the files at once using the aforementioned Samba File Sharing.

...

The whole point of the Samba File sharing app is to be able to access your SD Card as a network share while it is still in your phone. You don't have to turn the phone off or use a cable to connect it and you can copy files to and from your Streak's Sd Card using your computers file explorer while the SD card is still in your phone.

...

I am not thrilled by PowerAmp pro's interface. I particularly dislike the welcoming screen that pops up every time the app is launched. It also seems difficult to navigate through one's library, but at least it works.

...

You can change the start up screen in PowerAmp's settings.

When you access your music library you can use your music folders to navigate your files or use Android's native music library.

[Guest silverblack]

Has anyone who got the tesco dell streak had any luck with rooting ?

SOC 1.71 or 1.91 doesnt work for me it just hangs waiting for phone tried toggling debug mode unplugged usb etc didnt work.

[Guest Bazabaza]

cannot get superoneclick to work either

[Guest With]

I'm new to this and I just want to say ...THANKS MATE !

[Guest jmhalder]

cannot get superoneclick to work either

You need to use the 'rageagainstthecage' exploit, not the psneuter exploit, any 2.2.2 based roms (stock 247 or 251) need to be rooted by installing a custom recovery (Streakmod) and installing the "superuser.zip" update.

When using SOC to root, make sure Usb Debugging mode is turned on, and if anything weird is happening, you might restart the phone. If you tried PSNeuter first, you need to restart the phone, as PSNeuter made ADB kinda wonky for me till reboot.

[Guest Bazabaza]

Thanks for that, but still cannot get it to work. Just loops. says disable debugging mode...doesn't seem to help.